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Sophia Cai

@sophiacai.bsky.social
1.1K followers 70 following 37 posts

POLITICO West Wing Playbook author and White House Reporter. Defender of New Jersey. scai@politico.com

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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
NEW: Eric Schmitt’s general counsel Ethan Harper was expected to join the White House Staff Secretary’s office next week but the move’s now in doubt after yesterday’s Jack Smith hearing. Harper was the one holding up the board behind Schmitt. www.politico.com/news/2026/09...
politico.com
Schmitt aide’s move to White House in doubt following Jack Smith hearing
Ethan Harper, Sen. Eric Schmitt’s general counsel, was expected to start at the White House next week.
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
🚨NEW: Trump gave Natalie Harp, Chamberlain Harris and Margo Martin $45,000 each in cash for the holidays, their financial disclosures show. This is on top of their $150,00 tax-payer funded salaries.
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Politico @politico.com · 13/04/2026
Japan has gifted Washington 250 cherry blossom trees to mark America's 250th anniversary this year. Our @sophiacai.bsky.social was at the planting ceremony watching this gift take root. Watch👇
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
NEW: President Trump tells me: “I really don’t care” if Iran plays in the World Cup this summer. “I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.” Iran is also absent from a FIFA team planning event that is going on in Atlanta right now. www.politico.com/news/2026/03...
politico.com
Trump to POLITICO: ‘I really don’t care’ if Iran plays in World Cup
The country has pulled back from World Cup preparations after U.S. military attack.
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
🚨NEW: Trump tells me in an interview that Iran “is running out of launchers” and he’s open to working with some of the surviving members of the Iranian regime. www.politico.com/news/2026/03...
politico.com
Trump to POLITICO: Iran is 'running out of launchers'
He also said U.S. defense companies are “under emergency orders” to build weaponry.
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
NEW: Lutnick in hot water - Trump confronted Lutnick at Mar-a-Lago over how much money Lutnick’s sons were making - Cabinet members, senior WH officials wary of his brash,controlling style. “No one’s allowed to talk to the interagency w/o Howard’s explicit approval.” www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
politico.com
Tensions simmer over Howard Lutnick, Trump’s favorite dealmaker
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has a knack for landing big deals. But some of his critics question whether they’ll live up to their promises.
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Josh Gerstein @joshgerstein.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
NEW: Trump shakes hands with Supreme Court justices he called a "disgrace" just days ago over their ruling striking down a key part of his signature tariff policy. w/ @sophiacai.bsky.social www.politico.com/live-updates... #SCOTUS
politico.com
Trump shook hands with the SCOTUS justices he called 'an embarrassment to their families'
The courteous but brief interaction on the House floor shows that Trump, ever sensitive to symbolic gestures, is still willing to show some respect to the members of the Supreme Court.
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
New: Trump’s SOTU speech is the product of two men who’ve been crafting Trump’s messaging for the past decade: Ross Worthington & Vince Haley. Ross is the chief architect and main writer, and Vince advised on policy, particularly new policy announcement. www.politico.com/newsletters/...
politico.com
Tonight’s wordsmiths
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
NEWS: The White House wants big tech companies to commit to a data center compact to ensure data centers do not raise household electricity prices, strain water supplies or undermine grid reliability. w/ @jasonplautz.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
politico.com
White House eyes data center agreements amid energy price spikes
A draft pact, obtained by POLITICO, seeks to help ensure data centers do not raise household electricity prices, strain water resources or undermine grid reliability.
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
🚨NEW: Beyond ICE shootings, Rs are furious at Kristi Noem on a host of issues including FEMA disaster response & $100k sign off rule, the state of CISA under her handpicked chief & dismantling of counter weapons of mass destruction office www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
politico.com
DHS’ problems go farther than Minneapolis. Republicans are noticing.
From disaster response to bungled leadership at the nation’s cybersecurity agency, some Republicans are finding a lot more to critique than DHS’ immigration response.
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
👀 Dozens of secretaries of state gathered Friday expecting to hear from Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi & Tulsi Gabbard. State election officials had Qs. But the cabinet members were a no show. Harmeet Dhillon & Heather Honey cancelled on them too. www.politico.com/newsletters/...
politico.com
Cabinet secretaries’ big no-show
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Jacob Ware @jacobware.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
"I sent a message to high-place people in the administration with three letters, W.T.F." Fascinating look at a possible fracture on the right. @sophiacai.bsky.social
politico.com
‘WTF’: Pro-gun groups warn vulnerable GOP seats on the line after Pretti response
Trump and top officials’ comments on the Pretti killing has some gun rights supporters threatening electoral consequences.
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Nahal Toosi @nahaltoosi.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
SCOOP: I obtained the State Department’s “Sports Diplomacy Playbook” ahead of the World Cup. This and other scoopy details in this story w/my amazing colleague @sophiacai.bsky.social — www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
politico.com
The State Department’s secret playbook for using sports to advance Trump’s agenda
American diplomats are hoping the World Cup and Olympics can restore their influence shaping U.S. foreign policy.
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
🚨NEWS: President Trump told me “It’s time to look for new leadership in Iran” and hit back at a series of hostile X posts from Khamenei. “What he is guilty of…is the complete destruction of the country & the use of violence at levels never seen before.” www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
politico.com
Trump to POLITICO: ‘It’s time to look for new leadership in Iran’
Trump, after being read a series of hostile X posts from Iran’s supreme leader, said the ayatollah is guilty of “the complete destruction of his country.”
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
NEW: President Trump tells me in an interview the construction of the Triumphal Arch is expected to begin “sometime in the next two months.” www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
politico.com
Trump says construction of the ‘Triumphal Arch’ to begin in ‘2 months’
The monument would be a centerpiece of the White House’s plans for America’s 250th birthday.
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
🚨NEW: TRUMP told me he delayed Nigeria strikes by a day so they would occur on Christmas. “They were going to do it earlier, and I said ‘Nope, let’s give a Christmas present.’ ….They didn’t think it was coming but we hit them hard. Every camp got decimated.” www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
politico.com
Trump to POLITICO: Zelenskyy ‘doesn’t have anything until I approve it’
Trump’s comments come ahead of his Sunday meeting with Zelenskyy, who will bring with him a new 20-point plan to end the war.
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Politico @politico.com · 26/12/2025
Trump to POLITICO: Zelenskyy ‘doesn’t have anything until I approve it’
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Trump to POLITICO: Zelenskyy ‘doesn’t have anything until I approve it’
Trump’s comments come ahead of his Sunday meeting with Zelenskyy, who will bring with him a new 20-point plan to end the war.
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
NEW: President Trump tells me that he will be the ultimate arbiter of any peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, including Zelenskyy’s 20-point plan. “He doesn’t have anything until I approve it,” Trump said. “So we’ll see what he’s got.” www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
politico.com
Trump to POLITICO: Zelenskyy ‘doesn’t have anything until I approve it’
Trump’s comments come ahead of his Sunday meeting with Zelenskyy, who will bring with him a new 20-point plan to end the war.
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Matt Daily @mattdaily.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
More signs the Trump administration is leaning into regime change for Venezuela. It's trying to entice U.S. oil companies that were pushed out years ago to go back in. Scoopy stuff here from @benlefebvre.bsky.social @sophiacai.bsky.social and jbikales.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
NEW: Most of Susie Wiles’ comments were batted away as "inside jokes" or part of a "hit piece" from the media but privately those inside the White House and others close to the president were aghast when the Vanity Fair profile dropped. www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
politico.com
‘Extremely demoralizing’: Republicans respond to the bombastic Wiles interview
The chief of staff’s Vanity Fair interview raises questions about why the White House even participated.
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
So Trump receives a trophy, a medal (which he puts around his own neck) AND a certificate for winning the FIFA Peace Prize.
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Dan Orlowitz @aishiterutokyo.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Very interesting interview with Japan Football Association President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, who will be present at the 2026 final draw, on how the lessons of 2002 can be applied to next year's tournament - in @politico.com of all places. Great stuff by @sophiacai.bsky.social!
politico.com
When squabbling neighbors become World Cup co-hosts
Japan’s soccer boss has some lessons for the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
NEW: Elon Musk predicted the start of a “great 12-year span” of Trump-Vance-Vance. He made a video appearance at a Thanksgiving-themed DOGE reunion in Bastrop, Texas, saying he couldn’t come in person because he’s a top three assassination target. www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
politico.com
Elon Musk predicts 12 years of Trump Vance Vance
Musk was bullish on the GOP's presidential prospects at a DOGE reunion in Texas, where he appeared virtually, citing fears of assassination.
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 29/11/2025
New: The America 250 Commission is betting big on the Iron Bowl today, with an America250 tailgate at Auburn, branding on TV screens, and an oral history trailer on campus. www.politico.com/newsletters/...
politico.com
America250 takes the field
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
NEW: The White House intends to work with Congress on a health care bill either by teaming up with Democrats or thru reconciliation, @JamesBlairUSA said at a policy breakfast. w/ @gregsvirnovskiy.bsky.social @jordainc.bsky.social www.politico.com/live-updates...
politico.com
White House plans to release health bill and backs reconciliation
Deputy chief of staff James Blair pointed to the fast-track process for health and tariff legislation.
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Politico @politico.com · 27/10/2025
Our White House reporter @sophiacai.bsky.social is traveling with President Trump on his trip to Asia. She explains what it’s like to fly on Air Force One for 23 hours 👇
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
NEW: Trump threatened to move World Cup matches over crime. Host cities are responding with a shrug. “Our agreements are between FIFA and the host cities,” one host city official told me. “The bid itself was endorsed by the first Trump admin.” www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
politico.com
Trump threatens World Cup host cities over crime. Some respond with a shrug.
Host city officials say they aren’t too concerned about the president's comments.
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Matt Daily @mattdaily.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
'The boys are fighting' --> Scoopy stuff on tensions inside the Trump administration over the billions of dollars in clean energy cuts. From Politico's @sophiacai.bsky.social and @benlefebvre.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
politico.com
White House, Energy secretary at odds over $30B in cuts
“There are definitely annoyances with the White House about who gets to decide what gets cut and when it gets cut,” an administration official said.
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
TRUMP opens door to not back-paying furloughed employees “We’ll take care of our people,” he says. “But there are some people that really don’t deserve to be taken care of and we’ll take care of them in a different way.”
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
The White House is targeting smaller, independent agencies first as it tries to balance making the shutdown as painful as possible for Democrats without making sweeping cuts to more popular and well-known programs w/ @meganmesserly.bsky.social @myahward.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
politico.com
Trump hits independent agencies, spares the big stuff – for now
The White House is balancing making the shutdown as painful as possible for Democrats without making sweeping cuts to more popular and well-known programs.
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
NEW: Biden’s OMB Director responds to Trump’s OMB directing agencies to prepare RIFs in event of shutdown: “A negotiation, a real one, has to happen,” Shalanda Young tells me. “In what world do you ask people for their votes without sitting down and having a conversation with them?” t.co/C275xnPTGX
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https://www.politico.com/newsletters/west-wing-playbook
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
SCOOP: The White House budget office is instructing federal agencies to prepare reduction-in-force plans for mass firings during a possible government shutdown, according to a memo obtained by Politico. www.politico.com/news/2025/09...
politico.com
White House to agencies: Prepare mass firing plans for a potential shutdown
In memo, the Trump administration says the Reduction-in-Force plans would go beyond standard shutdown furloughs.
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Politico @politico.com · 16/09/2025
DOGE is plowing on without Elon Musk, according to Rep. Pete Sessions. “They meet on a regular basis. They are made up of professionals who have a mission. They are people who sincerely want to change the system," he told our @sophiacai.bsky.social. More: politi.co/3Iqv3Ei
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
NEW: U.S. host cities are confronting FIFA about the cost of hosting the World Cup including Fan Festivals. LA organizers are considering their own watch parties beyond FIFA’s control, and FIFA has countered with threats to deny public-viewing licenses. t.co/CDfI89O2ej
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https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/31/world-cup-us-host-city-cost-00528429
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Politico @politico.com · 29/08/2025
Trump is pushing for Fed control. Our @sophiacai.bsky.social explores what could happen next 👇
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
Scoop: DOGE has brought on at least three foreign nationals including an Uruguayan X employee and two Canadians who did stints at Airbnb to cut federal spending and make the government more efficient, a dynamic that has angered some inside the White House. www.politico.com/news/2025/08...
politico.com
The foreigners working for DOGE
At least three foreign nationals including a Uruguayan X employee and two Canadians who did stints at Airbnb are currently working inside the federal government on DOGE projects.
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Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
NEW: Donald Trump’s encroachment on Congress’ power of the purse has raised increasing alarm in courts and the Capitol — but a crucial legal. victory today may help him stave off challenges. w/ @sophiacai.bsky.social and crew. www.politico.com/newsletters/...
politico.com
Donald Trump: Purse snatcher?
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
NEW: The White House has conducted a de-Muskification of GSA by detailing over nine employees, most of whom have ties to the first Trump administration — not to Musk’s world. www.politico.com/news/2025/07...
politico.com
White House conducts de-Muskification at GSA
The White House has detailed to GSA nine employees, most of whom have ties to the first Trump administration — not to Musk’s world.
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Christopher Mims @mims.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Trump ally is launching a super PAC called FSD PAC to counter Musk A play on Tesla’s “full self-driving,” it stands for Full Support for Donald Will spend in races where Musk backs a 3rd party hopeful or primary challenger by @sophiacai.bsky.social‬ www.politico.com/news/2025/07...
politico.com
Trump ally launches new super PAC to counter Musk
The new PAC comes as multiple Republicans shrug off the latest social media spat as little to worry about.
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
a real headline I filed today
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
When Lori Chavez-DeRemer served in Congress, she was honored for championing the Job Corps program. As Labor Secretary, she’s initiating a full-scale shutdown of the $1.7B program that trains & houses 25k low-income youth each year. w/ @nickniedz.bsky.social www.politico.com/newsletters/...
politico.com
West Wing Playbook: Remaking Government
Your guide to Donald Trump’s unprecedented overhaul of the federal government.
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Ali Vitali @alivitali.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
It’s Friday with @waytooearly.bsky.social: ☀️ @sophiacai.bsky.social ☕️ Matt Gorman 🌞 @jonathankott.bsky.social 🫖 @brandonwolf.bsky.social 🌅 @allieevolpe.bsky.social Why are you ending your week awake with us? Reply here or email waytooearly@msnbc.com. #WayTooEarly
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
🚨🚨100 days of DOGE: — 250,000 workers exiting — 11 agencies gutted — 64 lawsuits filed — $160B in claimed savings — 8,500 contracts + 10,000 grants killed Yet government spending is still higher than last year. t.co/spexOMt2rR
t.co
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/29/doge-impact-washington-spending-100days-00316587
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
NEW: The Trump administration has just placed the entire AmeriCorps agency (except a few senior leaders) on administrative leave
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
How Musk’s influence will endure - DOGE insiders feel their work is far from finished & most are political appointees, not SGEs - Musk’s installed many chief info officers across agencies - Beyond cutting, DOGE will consolidate gov and help set policy www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
politico.com
How Musk’s influence will endure long after he leaves Washington
Even if Musk no longer holes up in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building or sits in on Cabinet meetings, the billionaire has stocked the government with allies who can stay in their positions for m...
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Adam Cancryn @adamcancryn.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
News: In a private meeting with Senate Finance staff, RFK Jr. expressed openness to progressive proposals for using march-in rights and compulsory licensing to lower drug prices w @sophiacai.bsky.social: www.politico.com/news/2025/01...
politico.com
RFK Jr. says he’s open to seizing drug patents
Trump’s health secretary nominee met with Hill staffers ahead of his hearing this week.
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Trump gets specific on tariffs: A tariff of 25% on all goods coming from Canada and Mexico would take effect on Jan. 20 Imports from China would face a 10% tariff "above any additional Tariffs," he wrote. www.axios.com/2024/11/26/t...
axios.com
Trump plans new tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
Some of them would take effect as soon as Jan. 20.
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Sophia Cai @sophiacai.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
NEW: Friction between Elon Musk & longtime Trump advisor Boris Epshteyn led to a “massive blowup” at dinner at Mar-a-lago last week. It was no surprise to senior staffers who've seen tension between the two bubble up during transition meetings. t.co/oXieLCamzp
t.co
https://www.axios.com/2024/11/18/trump-cabinet-musk-adviser-clash
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