Next Up with Mark Halperin

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  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED TWICE WEEKLY

Next Up with Mark Halperin delivers unique political insight and reporting, with timely conversations featuring prominent voices in politics, media, and policy.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    The Real Story About the Nationwide Political Power Shift, and Inside the Dem 2025 Winning Playbook

    Mark Halperin kicks off Thursday’s episode with his reported monologue with new buzzy information on the fallout from the 2025 elections — and how the results are already reshaping both parties’ strategies for the midterms and 2028. He reveals how Democrats won back key Trump voters and how figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Gavin Newsom, Wes Moore, and Josh Shapiro are using those wins to build momentum. Mark also breaks down the high-stakes Trump–Mamdani showdown — and what it signals about the shifting balance of power nationwide.   Then, political power players Doug Sosnik, former advisor to President Clinton, and Republican strategist Kristin Davison join Mark for an inside look at the Democrats’ 2025 winning playbook — and why it’s forcing the GOP to rethink its midterm strategy. Plus, they share their list of names to watch as Democrats sharpen their plan to reclaim power and narrow the field of 2028 frontrunners to the ones who are most capable of taking on the MAGA machine. Forward Mobile: Help protect the American vaping industry before it’s too late! Visit https://vaportechnology.org Beam: Visit https://shopbeam.com/MARK and use code MARK to get our exclusive discount of up to 50% off. Chapter: For free and unbiased Medicare help, dial 262-454-0503 or go to https://askchapter.org/mark Disclaimer: Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and standalone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don't directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all your options. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 25m

  2. 4 DAYS AGO

    2026 Starts NOW: California Governor Candidate Debate Between Steve Hilton and Stephen Cloobeck

    On this Election Day edition of Next Up, Mark Halperin opens the 2026 election season by unveiling an innovative campaign debate format tailor-made for the new realities of today’s political discourse and new media — an actual conversation between two candidates seeking to replace Gavin Newsom as California’s next Governor: Democrat Stephen Cloobeck and Republican Steve Hilton. Today’s debate sets the new standard. Gone are the podiums, buzzers, and pre-scripted, stilted answers of legacy media — along with the biased and blabby moderators who too often make themselves the story. In their place: a focused, issue-driven exchange that reveals how candidates think, lead, and engage — giving voters a clearer sense of their ideas, mental agility, and readiness to govern when they head to the polls. Next Up’s inaugural debate with Democrat Cloobeck and Republican Hilton centers on one of the nation’s most consequential races, addressing issues that reach far beyond California — the economy, crime, education, infrastructure, and more. Welcome to the next chapter of political debate. Forward Mobile: Help protect the American vaping industry before it’s too late! Visit https://vaportechnology.org Bank On Yourself: Discover the retirement plan banks don’t want you to know about—get your free report at https://BankOnYourself.com/Mark.  Home Title Lock: Go to https://hometitlelock.com/mark and use promo code MARK to get a FREE title history report and a FREE TRIAL of their Triple Lock Protection! For details visit https://hometitlelock.com/warranty Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 32m

  3. 30 OCT

    New Details on Biden Decline Cover Up, Final Mamdani NYC Election Forecast, Plus: Ro Khanna 2028?

    Mark opens today’s episode with a new reported monologue on one of the most consequential stories of this century: how senior Biden officials attempted to cover up the president’s cognitive decline—and how the Dominant Media was complicit in that effort. Drawing on newly released testimony from top administration officials, he examines how threats, denial, and silence shaped coverage before the 2024 election, and why the lack of accountability continues to plague both political and media institutions, deepening the public’s distrust. Then, Representative Ro Khanna joins to discuss how to restore faith in the American Dream. The Silicon Valley Democrat weighs in on the economy, the shutdown’s impact, and how the Left can reconnect with working-class voters. Plus, is Khanna 2028 on the horizon? Finally, Mark speaks with New York Post journalists Rikki Schlott and Lydia Moynihan, along with Alex Seitz-Wald, Deputy Editor of the MidCoast Villager in Maine. They analyze shifting voter sentiment ahead of Tuesday’s elections and the rise of Democratic figures Zohran Mamdani and Graham Platner—and unpack why local media remains vital for holding power accountable, rebuilding community trust, and understanding the nation’s political mood. Forward Mobile: Help protect the American vaping industry before it’s too late! Visit https://vaportechnology.org Unplugged: Switching is simple, Visit https://Unplugged.com/Mark   and order your UP phone today! Chapter: For free and unbiased Medicare help, dial 262-454-0503 or go to https://askchapter.org/mark Disclaimer: Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and standalone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don't directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all your options. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 15m

  4. 28 OCT

    What's Fueling Graham Platner's Success, and Sen. Hagerty on the Shutdown and Trump's Global Strategy

    Mark kicks off today’s episode with a reported monologue on the high art and grand drama of political survival perfected by the masters — Bill Clinton and Donald Trump. He breaks down how figures like Graham Platner continue winning endorsements and voter enthusiasm even when controversy hits, revealing the strategies that help politicians withstand scandal and come out stronger.   Then Senator Bill Hagerty joins to go inside Trump’s world and what is driving America’s global strategy right now. He explains why Japan is central to U.S. power in the Indo-Pacific, what the trilateral alliance with South Korea could mean for the future, and why the shutdown is exposing more political theater than problem-solving. Hagerty lays out the high stakes for national security and everyday Americans. Plus, former Democratic Senate candidate Steven Olikara shares a forward-looking conversation on bridging the divide in American politics. He explains how new grassroots energy and smarter media storytelling can strengthen pluralism and encourage leaders to better represent the country’s diverse communities.   Forward Mobile: Help protect the American vaping industry before it’s too late! Visit https://vaportechnology.org Unplugged: Switching is simple, Visit https://Unplugged.com/Mark   and order your UP phone today! Chapter: For free and unbiased Medicare help, dial 262-454-0503 or go to https://askchapter.org/mark Disclaimer: Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and standalone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don't directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all your options. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 19m

  5. 23 OCT

    Trump Demolishes East Wing and His Critics’ Emotional Stability, Shutdown Latest, and Dems 2028 Strategy

    Mark kicks off today’s episode with his new reported monologue on Washington’s latest drama: the controversy over Donald Trump’s White House ballroom. He unpacks how a simple construction project became the Left’s newest moral anguish—and what the frenzy reveals about the lingering Trump Derangement Syndrome that still defines so much of the left and political media. Mark separates legitimate critique from performative outrage, showing how the press continues to inflate Trump’s every move into a national crisis. Then Republican Whip Tom Emmer joins Mark to talk strategy, substance, and why Republicans believe they are winning the messaging battle over the current shutdown. Emmer argues that the GOP has stayed disciplined while Democrats spiral into emotional overreaction—and lays out why the East Wing “demolition” has become a perfect metaphor for Washington’s obsession with optics over outcomes. Finally, Democratic strategist Matt Bennett sits down with Mark to examine what the ballroom backlash exposes about his party’s deeper challenges. They discuss the Left’s fixation on aesthetics, the urgent need for real policy debate before 2028, and how figures like J.D. Vance are redefining the political landscape. Bennett and Halperin explore where—and how—Democrats must start talking to voters again if they hope to compete in the next era of American politics. Forward Mobile: Help protect the American vaping industry before it’s too late! Visit https://vaportechnology.org Home Title Lock: Go to https://hometitlelock.com/mark and use promo code MARK to get a FREE title history report and a FREE TRIAL of their Triple Lock Protection! For details visit https://hometitlelock.com/warranty Chapter: For free and unbiased Medicare help, dial 262-454-0503 or go to https://askchapter.org/mark Disclaimer: Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and standalone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don't directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all your options. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 11m

  6. 21 OCT

    Trump Dominates the Narrative, Plus CBS vs. Bari Weiss, and Struggling Dems, with Meghan McCain and Ben Ferguson

    Mark opens today’s episode with a reported monologue on why President Trump’s presidency continues to dominate headlines and shape America’s political mood. He breaks down the forces — in media, politics, and public opinion — that keep Trump at the center of every national conversation.  Then Meghan McCain and Ben Ferguson join for a wide-ranging conversation on Trump’s foreign policy agenda, Bari Weiss’s effort to reform CBS News, and the Democratic Party’s ongoing struggles with leadership and messaging. The discussion cuts across politics and media, examining how power, influence, and credibility are being redefined in real time. Forward Mobile: Help protect the American vaping industry before it’s too late! Visit https://vaportechnology.org Home Title Lock: Go to https://hometitlelock.com/mark and use promo code MARK to get a FREE title history report and a FREE TRIAL of their Triple Lock Protection! For details visit https://hometitlelock.com/warranty Chapter: For free and unbiased Medicare help, dial 262-454-0503 or go to https://askchapter.org/mark Disclaimer: Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and standalone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don't directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all your options. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 10m

  7. 16 OCT

    Inside the Dems’ Identity Crisis, and Scott Jennings on Trump, Vance, and Filling KY’s Senate Seat

    Mark Halperin opens today’s show with his new reported monologue on the Democrats’ identity crisis — a deep dive into how the party has built its identity around resistance, and why that playbook has failed in the view of many Democrats. For years now, anti-Trump applause lines have filled the space where ideas used to live, creating a cycle of outrage that thrilled MSNBC panels but alienated voters looking for solutions. Now, as the country shifts and Republicans confidently seize the momentum, Democrats face a defining question: if they’re not just the opposition, what are they? Then, CNN’s “America’s Favorite Pundit” Scott Jennings joins Mark for a wide-ranging interview on how he built a rare platform as a conservative voice on CNN and why his perspective resonates with both MAGA loyalists and mainstream audiences. Jennings breaks down JD Vance’s emergence as a Republican powerhouse, the party’s new balance of loyalty and ambition, and the political intrigue surrounding Mitch McConnell’s successor — including whether Scott himself plans to enter the race. Forward Mobile: Help protect the American vaping industry before it’s too late! Visit https://vaportechnology.org Chapter: For free and unbiased Medicare help, dial 262-454-0503 or go to https://askchapter.org/mark Disclaimer: Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and standalone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don't directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all your options. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 8m

  8. 14 OCT

    The Seven Secrets Behind Trump’s Peace Deal and Israel’s Next Test, With Dan Senor & Morton Halperin

    Mark Halperin kicks off today’s episode with his new reported monologue going inside Donald Trump’s historic Middle East peace deal — and the quiet strategy and disciplined tactics that secured the agreement and left even the president’s fiercest critics speechless. Beneath the spectacle, Halperin reveals the seven signature — and often overlooked — skills that allowed the showman president to achieve peace in the Middle East. Then, Dan Senor joins Mark to unpack what’s really behind America’s shifting support for Israel. He explains how misinformation, miseducation, and rising ideological divides have reshaped public opinion — and what Israel must do to rebuild credibility in a global information war. Finally, veteran national security official Morton Halperin offers a clear-eyed view of what comes next in Gaza, outlining the hard choices, governance challenges, and international structures needed to create lasting peace. Senor: https://lnk.to/cfnyqb Forward Mobile: Help protect the American vaping industry before it’s too late! Visit https://vaportechnology.org Chapter: For free and unbiased Medicare help, dial 262-454-0503 or go to https://askchapter.org/mark Disclaimer: Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and standalone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don't directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all your options. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 21m
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Next Up with Mark Halperin delivers unique political insight and reporting, with timely conversations featuring prominent voices in politics, media, and policy.

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