CNN Political Briefing

The 2024 GOP presidential primary may not be fully set in stone yet, but we got a preview of how the top two candidates so far would approach the race. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the differences between former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ speeches this week, and what it says about the GOP. Plus, two former GOP governors weigh in on their 2024 plans.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Some Republicans have decided to skip a major conservative conference for a fundraising event in Florida. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down how some official – and potential – 2024 GOP candidates are choosing to spend their time this week, and what those decisions reveal about the party’s divide. At both events, 2024 presidential hopefuls are contrasting themselves from former President Donald Trump – some more strongly than others.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two high-profile Republican gatherings this week seem to show cracks in the party’s unity. CNN’s Kristen Holmes is live from the Conservative Political Action Conference, a famed conservative event that used to be a must-stop for presidential hopefuls. She explains who’s skipping CPAC this time around, and how voters feel about the 2024 GOP presidential primary field so far.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a deposition revealed this week, Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch outlined some of the channel’s editorial coverage of the 2020 presidential election as “not red or blue, but green.” Today, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sent a letter urging Fox News to publicly acknowledge hosts lied. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what Murdoch said, and what it could spell for the future of the Republican party.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s now up to the Supreme Court to decide whether millions of borrowers get up to $20,000 of federal student loan debt forgiven or not. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the two challenges to President Joe Biden’s debt relief plan, and the points the justices raised for and against the program. A final decision isn’t expected until the summer, and many questions remain. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is doing almost everything a person traditionally does before officially running for president. Between the bill DeSantis signed into law today, and the book he’s releasing tomorrow, CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down why it’s very possible he’ll run, and what his strategy for success could look like in this evolving Republican party.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Vice President Mike Pence is trying to fight a subpoena from the special counsel’s 2020 election subversion investigation, but a former conservative judge who advised him on January 6 is saying it’s a bad idea. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains Pence’s legal strategy and possible political peril in pursuing it. Plus, Pence isn’t the only person inside Donald Trump’s circle that’s being subpoenaed by the special counsel.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Some residents of East Palestine, Ohio are demanding accountability from leaders at all levels, after a train carrying toxic material derailed earlier this month. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the concerns some locals raised in a CNN town hall last night, and what the National Transportation Safety Board Chair has to say about the incident. While in Ohio, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said there’s one thing former President Donald Trump can do to help.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former President Donald Trump visited East Palestine, Ohio today as the community deals with the aftermath of a derailed train carrying hazardous material. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why this visit shows Trump is campaigning differently this time around than his first two bids for the White House. Plus, it’s a distraction from the legal problems mounting for Trump, especially in Georgia.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Joe Biden is back in Poland to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Russia invading Ukraine. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how Biden offered a rallying cry for the West in its support for Ukraine, and a rebuke for Russia’s President the same day Vladimir Putin gave his own remarks on the war. Plus, some declared and hopeful 2024 GOP candidates have different opinions about the US’ involvement in the conflict.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices