‘They completely f—ked up’: How the GOP lost its grip on the Senate majority  —  Rick Scott has no regrets about his Senate Republican campaign arm's hands-off approach to primaries this year — a move that anointed a motley crew of nominees, some of whom cost the GOP dearly.

The GOP Revolt Against Trump Is More Serious Than You Think … I've been telling people for most of the year that I consider Ron DeSantis to be the odds-on favorite — not a guarantee, not a prohibitive favorite, but the favorite — to win the Republican presidential nomination.

We got Twitter ‘verified’ in minutes posing as a comedian and a senator  —  Twitter has been selling blue check marks to any account for $8, including our test imposter accounts for Blaire Erskine and Sen. Ed Markey.  That makes it mostly worthless.  —  There are now two Blaire Erskines on Twitter.

Top Senate Republicans push forward amid calls to delay leadership elections  —  Senate GOP leaders are pushing forward with plans to hold leadership elections next week, even as a growing number of Republicans demand a delay after an underwhelming performance in the midterms.

Top Border Official Says He Was Asked to Resign  —  The commissioner, Chris Magnus, has refused to step down, exposing internal conflicts at the Homeland Security Department over how to manage a high number of illegal border crossings.  —  WASHINGTON — The Customs and Border Protection commissioner …

Bankman-Fried's Assets Plummet From $16 Billion to Zero in Days  —  The entire $16 billion fortune of former FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried has been wiped out, one of history's greatest-ever destructions of wealth.  —  The downfall of his crypto empire — which filed for bankruptcy …

EXCLUSIVE: Republican Adam Laxalt is ‘preparing to ask for a RECOUNT’ in nail-biting Nevada Senate race, source says: Campaign is ‘bracing for a loss’ and ‘knives are out’ looking for someone to blame if Democrat takes the lead  — Republican Nevada Senate candidate Adam Laxalt has a narrow lead …

Eli Lilly Dives After Fake Twitter Account Promises Free Insulin; Takes Novo Nordisk, Sanofi With It  —  Elon Musk's new pay-for-play verification system on Twitter shook pharmaceutical mainstay Eli Lilly (LLY) — leading LLY stock to skid Friday — after a fake account claimed “insulin is free now.”

Move On  —  People who thrive on attention should be ignored.  —  People who have never won the popular vote shouldn't lecture those who have, particularly those who grew their share of it the second time around.  —  People who are almost eighty should retire from public life.

Jonathan Swan Joins The New York Times  —  The political reporter is joining the Politics team at The Times.  Read more in this note from Politics Editor David Halbfinger and Washington Bureau Chief Elisabeth Bumiller.  —  Our insightful, authoritative and addictive coverage of the election …

Trump sues to block subpoena from House Jan. 6 committee  —  Former President Donald Trump is suing to block a subpoena the House Jan. 6 Committee issued seeking to force him to testify next week.  —  The lawsuit, filed in federal court in West Palm Beach Friday evening …

Burying the hatchet.  Or not.  —  Welcome to POLITICO's West Wing Playbook, your guide to the people and power centers in the Biden administration.  With help from Allie Bice.  —  GEORGETOWN, Del. — President JOE BIDEN has loved the earnest Delaware tradition known as “Return Day” …