Next Up with Mark Halperin

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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.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Trump “Death” Rumors Made Him Stronger, Sen. Schmitt on GOP’s Best Defense, DC Power Player Circuit

    Mark Halperin opens the show with his reported monologue on the viral “Trump is dead” rumors and how they mirror the 1969 “Paul is dead” controversy about Paul McCartney. Just as conspiracy theories around McCartney’s supposed death only strengthened his legend, Mark argues that Democrats’ public wish-casting of Trump’s obituary reveals more about their own anxieties than Trump’s future. Far from weakening him, those fueling speculation about Trump’s health only reinforce his larger-than-life presence in American politics. Then, Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri joins for a wide-ranging interview on the Republican agenda heading into 2028. Schmitt details his new best-selling book, and why the courts are the GOP’s “Last Line of Defense” against progressive policies. He also weighs in on Section 230, federal overreach, lessons from COVID, and the role of government in protecting children online. Plus, Schmitt offers an inside look at how Senate Republicans are preparing to fast-track confirmations for Trump’s nominees. Finally, Politico’s Rachael Bade shares her reporting on Trump’s evolving relationship with congressional Republicans, including how Senate GOP leader John Thune has quietly built a working partnership with the president. She explains why that alliance matters, what it signals for power dynamics on Capitol Hill, and how Democrats are positioning their next generation of leaders for 2028. Plus, Rachael takes us behind the scenes of Washington’s social circuit, and where to find Trump-era power players.  Grasshopper Escapement: Go to https://amazon.com and buy your copy of CAPITALIST BABY! Birch Gold: Text NEXT to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold

    1h 14m

  2. 5 DAYS AGO

    Ten Biggest Stories After the Summer, Dems' Dreary Political Forecast, Trump’s SCOTUS “Weak Links”

    Mark Halperin opens today’s show with his reported monologue on the ten biggest stories of the summer and what they signal for a busy fall news cycle. From Trump’s crime push and the Democratic response, to the Capitol Hill fight over the Epstein files, Mark lays out the stakes ahead. He also explains how the Ukraine stalemate and Gaza escalation shape Trump’s foreign policy, and how the New York mayor’s race, Kamala Harris’s book tour, and Wes Moore’s national scrutiny frame the Democrats’ future. Plus, Mark (admitted Swiftie) reacts to the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce engagement news! Then, Mark is joined by his 2WAY co-host and longtime Democratic strategist Dan Turrentine, for a deep dive into why Trump keeps winning daily fights while Democrats stumble. They unpack the Left’s struggles on crime, messaging, and fundraising – and what they can fix now in order to effectively compete with the GOP campaign machine in 2026 and 2028.  Finally, Politico’s senior legal affairs reporter Josh Gerstein breaks down the legal landscape reshaping presidential power. From the “weak links” on the 6-3 conservative Supreme Court, to Trump’s White House counsel strategy, they explore upcoming fights over tariffs, the Fed, and the limits the Court may place on executive authority. Grasshopper Escapement: Go to https://amazon.com and buy your copy of CAPITALIST BABY! Delta Rescue: Visit https://DeltaRescue.org to learn more

    1h 7m

  3. 21 AUG

    Gavin Newsom’s New 2028 Playbook, Democratic Voter Decline, and Fighting Cancer, with Michael Caputo

    Mark opens the show with his reported monologue on why and how Gavin Newsom is so misunderstood. He explains why Newsom stands alone in the Democratic Party’s top tier of potential presidential candidates for 2028 due to his focus on the “Three As”: action, attention-getting, and authenticity.  Mark also corrects four myths about Newsom, including the possibility that the California governor may never actually run for president. Then former Senator Mark Pryor (D-Arkansas) joins the program to assess the Democratic Party’s structural challenges. From donor defections and the rise of billionaires and Super PACs on the Republican side to declining voter registration, Pryor warns that Democrats must engage with the grassroots. He argues the party must urgently refocus on organizing, messaging, and turnout if it hopes to compete in 2028. Plus, his candid advice on what it will take to reverse the Democratic Party’s downward slide. Finally, Michael Caputo shares a deeply personal account of battling cancer and cancellation at the same time — and how it fuels his support for the MAHA movement. He stresses the importance of President Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. prioritizing childhood cancer, chronic disease, and the use of AI in medical breakthroughs. Caputo also explains why early-onset cancer is rising at alarming rates – and why he believes this fight must be at the center of America’s health agenda. American Financing: Call American Financing today to find out how customers are saving an avg of $800/mo. 866-886-2026 or visit https://www.AmericanFinancing.net/Next - NMLS 182334, https://nmlsconsumeraccess.org Birch Gold: Text NEXT to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold

    1h 26m

  4. 19 AUG

    Trump’s Five Keys to Success With Ukraine, Why Dems Aren’t Ready for 2028, the GOP’s Balancing Act

    Mark opens today’s show with his patented reported monologue on Donald Trump’s strategy for Ukraine and Russia, laying out five pillars that sharply diverge from Joe Biden’s policies. From shifting the burden to Europe and aggressively driving peace talks, to accepting territorial compromise, wielding sanctions, and using high-pressure diplomacy, Mark explains why Trump’s approach could reset America’s role in the conflict and remake the global power map. Former chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, Marc Short, then joins to discuss the balance between loyalty to Trump and staying true to conservative principles. He reflects on how many traditional Republicans have navigating the Trump years and offers his take on foreign policy, the economy, and the party’s challenges heading into 2028. He also addresses Pence’s comments on President Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard in Washington, D.C. Finally, Hillary Clinton’s former campaign manager, Patti Solis Doyle, explains why running for president is far more grueling than most candidates and advisers anticipate. She also shares her assessment of the Democratic field for 2028, with Gavin Newsom in the first tier by himself and a trio of governors and a surprise pick making up the second batch. Birch Gold: Text NEXT to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold American Financing: Call American Financing today to find out how customers are saving an avg of $800/mo. 866-886-2026 or visit https://www.AmericanFinancing.net/Next - NMLS 182334, https://nmlsconsumeraccess.org

    1h 17m

  5. 14 AUG

    Trump's D.C. Crime Edge, and Joe Scarborough on How the Democrats Can Confront and Beat Trump

    Mark opens today’s show with his reported monologue on the Democrats’ ten-year failure to answer a basic question: how to beat Donald Trump at politics. He begins with Trump’s gambit to address Washington, D.C.’s crime troubles, then examines the counterargument from Trump’s opponents – which exposes a major weakness for Democrats and the corporate media: the absence of a clear, consistent “theory of the case” for taking him on. While Trump dominates headlines and shapes the conversation, Mark argues that Democrats still lack a strategy that can counter his media mastery and his connection with voters on many of the issues that matter most.   Then, Joe Scarborough joins the program for a wide-ranging conversation on his strong views about how to grapple with the President, including the political fight over crime, higher education, and the future of American elections. He explains how Democrats have erred in the crime debate against Trump, why pointing to statistics is “maddening” when people don’t feel safe, and how an anti-crime message resonates with Black and working-class voters in D.C. The two also discuss the Trump administration’s crackdown on American universities and Scarborough’s plan for Democrats to turn it into a winning issue. Plus, why Scarborough says running against Republican candidates on their individual records is a far better strategy than making every race about Trump. Birch Gold: Text NEXT to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold American Financing: Call American Financing today to find out how customers are saving an avg of $800/mo. 866-886-2026 or visit https://www.AmericanFinancing.net/Next - NMLS 182334, https://nmlsconsumeraccess.org

    1h 17m

  6. 12 AUG

    The "Blue Bubble Wrap" Blinding Dominant Media from Truth, Plus Harmeet Dhillon on Remaking the DOJ

    Mark kicks off today’s show with a new reported monologue on the shakeup at The Washington Post. He reviews the record of the paper’s most notorious anti-Trump propagandists masquerading as news reporters and explains why their recent departures have yet to boost credibility or alter its biased reporting. Mark explains that Donald Trump is not the main cause of the Dominant Media’s troubles, and why his leaving office at the end of his term won’t be the change that restores public faith in the press. Plus, an update on the overwhelming reaction to Mark’s buzzy sit-down with former Post fact checker Glenn Kessler. Then, Steve Krakauer and Drew Holden join the show to discuss how the media lost credibility over many years and why employing far-left media critics like Brian Stelter has only helped networks alienate half the country. The three offer their thoughts on how to rebuild faith in once-trusted legacy media institutions — or whether or not they can be fixed at all. Finally, Mark’s interview with Harmeet Dhillon, head of the Civil Rights Division in the Trump administration Department of Justice. She explains how she is working to remake the DOJ in Trump 2.0 and redefine the term “civil rights,” using a race-blind, discrimination-free approach to law enforcement. They discuss the most consequential cases the division is handling, and the real-world impact of Title IX, gerrymandering, and free speech. Birch Gold: Text NEXT to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold American Financing: Call American Financing today to find out how customers are saving an avg of $800/mo. 866-886-2026 or visit https://www.AmericanFinancing.net/Next - NMLS 182334, https://nmlsconsumeraccess.org

    1h 20m

  7. 7 AUG

    Fact-Checking the Fact Checker: Debating Media Bias About Trump and Biden with Glenn Kessler

    Today, Mark Halperin sits down for an unmissable conversation with Glenn Kessler, former Editor and Chief Writer of The Washington Post’s influential “The Fact Checker.” They revisit some of Kessler’s most famous – and infamous – Pinocchio ratings, unpack his recent admission about the paper’s addiction to its liberal readers, and debate the paper’s failure to engage a broader audience. The discussion dives into the media’s mishandling of coverage of Joe Biden’s decline and how it fueled the ongoing media reckoning. Plus, Kessler offers a stunning justification for his controversial Biden “deepfake” report and completely denies that the Post’s newsroom is biased against Donald Trump.  But first, Mark’s reported monologue examining the case of a high-profile media veteran finally admitting what he wouldn’t say while inside his legacy newsroom: that liberal media bias and ignorance of Trump’s America are real. Birch Gold: Text NEXT to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold American Financing: Call American Financing today to find out how customers are saving an avg of $800/mo. 866-886-2026 or visit https://www.AmericanFinancing.net/Next  - NMLS 182334, https://nmlsconsumeraccess.org

    1h 12m

  8. 5 AUG

    Kamala’s 107 Excuses, Corey Lewandowski on Trump 3.0, and Detroit’s Mayor on Leaving the Dem Party

    Mark Halperin kicks off today’s show by breaking down what Kamala Harris has — and hasn’t — done since losing the 2024 election. While Donald Trump has used his second term to reshape the political landscape, Harris has largely receded from the stage. Mark explores her indecision, lack of public engagement, and what her next chapter might reveal about the Democratic Party’s future. Harris says the system is broken — but Mark argues it’s not. The system is intact, and if she wants to lead, she’ll need to put in the work… because changing America takes more than 107 days. Then, Corey Lewandowski joins Mark to chart the evolution of Donald Trump’s political life — from before the golden escalator ride to today. The longtime confidant shares insights on Trump’s inner circle, who might win Trump’s 2028 backing, and what could be next for the 45th president. It’s a rare behind-the-scenes look at Trump past, present, and future from someone who’s been there since the beginning. Plus, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan joins Mark to discuss his bid for Michigan governor as an independent — and why he believes breaking free from partisan politics is the only way forward. Duggan explains how he helped lead Detroit out of bankruptcy, from restoring basic services to doubling property values and adding tens of thousands of jobs. He makes the case for pragmatic, results-driven leadership — and lays out what it will take to win Michigan. American Financing: Call American Financing today to find out how customers are saving an avg of $800/mo. 866-886-2026 or visit https://www.AmericanFinancing.net/Next  - NMLS 182334, https://nmlsconsumeraccess.org Birch Gold: Text NEXT to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold

    1h 13m
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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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