Next Up with Mark Halperin

MK Media
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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. 4 DAYS AGO

    Dem Uniters and Dividers Shape the Party's Future, Dominant Media Hypocrisy, Lessons Kamala Missed

    Mark Halperin opens today’s episode with a sharp new reported monologue on the Democratic Party’s biggest challenge heading into 2028: how to unite enough of the country to appeal to a deeply divided America. He traces how recent presidents left office with more polarization than when they began and explains why Democrats must reconcile their instinctive opposition to Trump with the need to broaden their appeal. Within the party itself, Mark highlights the growing tension between “Uniters,” who seek to expand the tent, and “Dividers,” who double down on base-energizing strategies — a split personified in figures like Gavin Newsom and AOC, whose ambitions and tactics reveal where the party may be heading. Larry O’Connor then joins to unpack the fallout from Charlie Kirk’s memorial and what it reveals about America’s fractured political culture. Mark and Larry discuss the need for compassion and dialogue, and why both are essential if the country hopes to bridge divides, even as partisanship grows more toxic. Larry and Mark also examine the coverage of lawfare against Donald Trump and its ripple effects on cases involving James Comey and others, exposing how double standards in the legal system fuel distrust and deepen polarization. They also explore how the press continues to fail the public — and why independent media outlets are gaining traction as Americans seek alternatives to legacy coverage. Finally, veteran strategist Patti Solis Doyle sits down with Mark to take a critical look at Kamala Harris’s new book, explaining why it misses the mark if her goal was to launch another run for political office. Rather than offering real insights into political strategy, the book leans on petty anecdotes and overlooks the bigger picture of how Democrats can learn from their mistakes. Patti also weighs in on AOC’s rise, J.D. Vance’s Oval Office prospects, and the broader 2028 landscape, outlining why some candidates may struggle to build the skills and coalitions needed to compete. 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. Delta Rescue: Visit https://DeltaRescue.org to learn more Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 33m

  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    What Charlie Kirk Assassination Reveals About Dems and Media, and Kamala's Book Tour Flops, w/ McCain & Ferguson

    Mark Halperin opens with his latest reported monologue on Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the ongoing distorted coverage surrounding it. He reveals how the Dominant Media, aligned with Democratic leaders, downplays the significance of Kirk’s life and murder — and how it is echoing their role in obscuring Joe Biden’s decline. Mark explains how this “conspiracy of camaraderie” further erodes public trust in legacy outlets, deepens polarization, and signals that political violence is too often judged by partisan affiliation. Democrats’ reluctance to empathize with those mourning Kirk, he argues, reinforces the perception that ideology determines which tragedies matter. Meghan McCain and Ben Ferguson join to discuss America’s reckoning with Kirk’s murder, Erica Kirk’s extraordinary grace, and their own experiences with political threats tied to their Republican affiliations. They also unpack the start of Kamala Harris’s awkward book tour — marked by slights toward prominent Democrats, shifting blame for her 2024 defeat, and interviews that contradict her own account in “107 Days.” Finally, they examine how Harris’s fractured narrative about Joe Biden stands in sharp contrast to the loyalty and unity projected by Donald Trump and JD Vance. 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. Delta Rescue: Visit https://DeltaRescue.org to learn more Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 11m

  3. 18 SEPT

    Kimmel Suspended as Media Power Shifts, DHS Sec. Noem, and the Golden Age of Comedy, w/ Noam Dworman

    Mark Halperin opens today’s episode with his reported monologue featuring new information on Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension by ABC and what it reveals about shifting corporate power structures, market pressure, and free speech in modern media. He dissects the reactions from the White House to prominent Democrats, many of whom are outraged by Kimmel’s suspension and jolted by the realization that mainstream media is no longer reliably on their side. Mark examines how changing audience demographics, political influence, and corporate risk management are reshaping television and entertainment, and why the Kimmel controversy shows how corporate power and cultural forces are increasingly shaping each other. Then, Mark sits down with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for a wide-ranging conversation on border security, public safety, and the lasting mission of Charlie Kirk — and how she plans to honor his legacy. Secretary Noem outlines the priorities DHS is pursuing and explains why enforcing the law, ensuring real consequences, and encouraging voluntary compliance are critical to protecting American communities. Plus, Secretary Noem joins Mark for a quick round of a favorite game: Rapid-Fire Word Association – Trump Cabinet Edition. After that, Mark is joined by Noam Dworman, owner of the fabled Manhattan venue the Comedy Cellar, to unpack how free speech, corporate pressure, and political influence collide in today’s entertainment landscape – and what that means for comedy. They discuss the behind-the-scenes forces that led to Kimmel being sidelined by ABC, explore how comics inspire one another while navigating the fraught boundaries of what’s considered acceptable, and debate whether we’re living in a new golden age of comedy.  Plus, don’t miss Mark Halperin’s “Last Up” at the end of the show: What’s in a name? 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. Delta Rescue: Visit https://DeltaRescue.org to learn more Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 14m

  4. 16 SEPT

    How Charlie Kirk Made MAGA Mainstream, Plus Maureen Callahan Unfiltered

    Mark Halperin opens the show with his reported monologue, along with personal reflections, on the life, assassination, and lasting legacy of Charlie Kirk. He traces Kirk's meteoric rise to becoming a conservative icon without the backing of media, Hollywood, or academia, and explains why his murder feels to many like an attack on the heart of the MAGA movement. Mark explores the rare mix of strategy, charisma, and cultural defiance that fueled Kirk’s rise and why his influence will endure well beyond both his life and politics.   Then, Mark sits down with journalist, author, and The Nerve host Maureen Callahan, MK Media’s resident troublemaker, for a fearless look at the collapse of old media and the rise of unfiltered commentary. Callahan dissects Vogue’s decline under Anna Wintour, the persistent backlash to Meghan Markle, and the broader cultural shift from glossy narratives to authenticity, while also revealing her dream book projects and personal family history. Plus, Mark shares his own dream book he’d love to write.   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. Delta Rescue: Visit https://DeltaRescue.orgto learn more Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 10m

  5. 11 SEPT

    The Devastating Loss of Charlie Kirk and the Legacy He Leaves Behind, with Megyn Kelly

    In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s tragic assassination, Megyn Kelly joins Mark Halperin to honor Charlie and his life’s work that forever changed politics in America. They reflect on his eagerness to learn from those he disagreed with, his steadfast commitment to open debate, and the lasting legacy he leaves to the generation of young Americans he inspired to engage in shaping the nation’s future. Mark offers his own remembrance of Charlie, providing a fuller portrait of the man behind the headlines in his reported monologue. He recalls the faith and sense of purpose that guided Charlie’s life, the candid moments that revealed his character, the leadership qualities that earned him admiration from both friends and rivals, and explains why his influence will hold an enduring place in American political history.  The segment includes highlights from Mark’s previous interviews, including what is believed to be Charlie’s final long-form on-camera conversation with a journalist. Finally, political scientist Robert Pape, one of the nation’s foremost experts on political violence, examines the latest exclusive polling data illustrating the deep social and cultural upheavals pushing the United States closer to potential cataclysmic confrontation. He analyzes the forces fueling unrest, what they reveal about the fight over who governs the country, and how national leaders can help heal the divisions threatening America’s future. 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 stand alone 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 of your options. Delta Rescue: Visit https://DeltaRescue.org to learn more

    1h 16m

  6. 9 SEPT

    Charlie Kirk on Crime, the Horrific Charlotte Stabbing, and the Wrong Lesson About Trump Scandals

    In today’s episode, Mark Halperin delivers a patented reported monologue on the political resilience and rare political athleticism that allowed Bill Clinton and Donald Trump to survive scandals that would have ended most careers. From Gennifer Flowers to “Access Hollywood,” Mark explains why their Houdini-like abilities was not evidence that controversy no longer matters, but proof that only a handful of figures can endure the relentless gauntlet of modern presidential politics. For 2028 hopefuls, the real test isn’t just ideas or charisma, but durability under fire—and those who assume they can weather a scandal simply because Clinton and Trump did so are making a critical mistake. Then, Charlie Kirk joins for an important discussion about the American crime crisis and why the issue is sharply dividing the country, including the horrific stabbing of a woman in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kirk also fires back at Van Jones’ comments that he should be “ashamed of himself.” He and Mark unpack sharp generational and gender divides over the economy, young voters’ skepticism about wealth and politics, and the clash between men and women over marriage and family. Plus, Kirk shares the surprising reason he wants to attend a Mamdani rally in New York. 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 stand alone 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 of your options. Delta Rescue: Visit https://DeltaRescue.org to learn more

    1h 4m

  7. 4 SEPT

    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

  8. 2 SEPT

    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
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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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