Next Up with Mark Halperin

• Political Fallout From Paramount-Netflix War Over Warner, Trump’s Ukraine Talks & Putin’s Endgame

  Mark Halperin kicks off today’s episode with his signature reported monologue on the escalating Netflix–Paramount battle for Warner Bros. — and why it has politicians simultaneously looking for advantage and feeling increasingly uneasy. He explains why this goes well beyond a Hollywood corporate fight, with major implications for Donald Trump and for how information will reach voters in the 2026 and 2028 elections. As political advertising continues shifting to streaming, Mark breaks down how the fate of Warner’s assets could reshape the mechanics of voter outreach in the years ahead.Mark is then joined by Wall Street Journal media and entertainment reporter Joe Flint for an inside look at the high-stakes corporate chess match surrounding Paramount, Netflix, and the hostile bid for Warner Bros. They dissect Paramount’s aggressive counterstrategy, the power players working behind the scenes, and how President Trump’s relationships and regulatory leverage could influence the outcome. They also examine the foreign-money complications that could reshape the streaming landscape, the potential long-term impact of the final deal, and more.Finally, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius joins the show to assess America’s evolving role in Europe and the future of the war in Ukraine. Ignatius outlines why European governments fear a potential U.S. pullback, what Trump’s private messages to allies could mean for long-term security, and how Putin is gaming the next phase of the conflict. From intelligence capacity to regional deterrence, Ignatius lays out what’s at stake if the United States steps back — and why Europe may not be prepared to shoulder this on its own.Unplugged: Switching is simple, Visit https://Unplugged.com/MARK and order your UP phone today!Masa Chips: Ready to give MASA or Vandy a try? Get 25% off your first order by going to http://masachips.com/MARK and using code MARK.Beam: Visit https://shopbeam.com/MARK and use code MARK to get our exclusive discount of up to 40% off. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• Ted Cruz Eyes 2028 Challenge to JD Vance, First Look at Mark Halperin’s “8 for 2028” Dem Rankings

  Mark kicks off today’s episode with his signature reported monologue, unveiling new details about the emerging 2028 Democratic field — why some early frontrunners may not be as secure as they look, how donor behavior and coalition math are already reshaping expectations, and why Gavin Newsom and Josh Shapiro currently dominate the invisible primary. He also previews his upcoming “8 for 2028” Democratic rankings and the key test he believes will determine who’s truly competitive heading into next year.Then political heavyweights Melissa DeRosa and Ben Ferguson join the show for a fast-moving conversation about every major dynamic shaping both 2026 and 2028. They debate whether Trump’s economic reset can land with voters who still feel squeezed, why Democrats are struggling to generate fresh ideas, and how the left’s internal split over Israel could redefine the party’s politics. The trio also digs into Ted Cruz’s suddenly hot 2028 buzz — including why some Republicans now see him as uniquely positioned to take on JD Vance. Plus, they play Mark’s favorite game, Rapid Fire Round: 2028 “X-Factor” Edition, sizing up which Democrats could really be formidable in a general election. From Newsom and Shapiro to Moore, Beshear, Buttigieg, Rahm Emanuel, AOC, and Kamala Harris, they break down who has true national potential… and who doesn’t.Masa Chips: Ready to give MASA or Vandy a try? Get 25% off your first order by going to http://masachips.com/MARK and using code MARK.Beam: Visit https://shopbeam.com/MARK and use code MARK to get our exclusive discount of up to 50% off.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.

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• Katie Miller Fires Back at Media Attackers, Boat Strike Constitutional Crisis, Trump's Comeback Plan

  Mark Halperin opens the show with his reported monologue on why some Democrats are suddenly, uncharacteristically serene in declaring Donald Trump politically finished — and why GOP insiders insist they’re getting the moment wrong again. Drawing on fresh conversations with Republican strategists, Mark breaks down the four-phase comeback plan they believe is already underway, the policy resets they want from the White House, and why Trump’s State of the Union could become the make-or-break moment of his presidency. Next, Yale Law Professor Jed Rubenfeld joins Mark for a high-stakes conversation about the constitutional firestorm surrounding Trump’s recent drone strikes in the Caribbean. They explain why some critics call the actions “murder,” how the laws of war treat killing shipwrecked survivors, and why longstanding precedent may still give Trump a strong claim to authority. They also break down how the “second strike” became a national scandal and whether Congress has abandoned its role in defining presidential war powers. Finally, Katie Miller sits down with Mark for an unfiltered conversation about the escalating pressures facing her family. She recounts her confrontation with CNN’s Abby Phillip, responds to Jennifer Welch’s renewed attacks on her and husband Stephen Miller, and pushes back on the media’s caricature of her husband. Katie also describes the threats that forced her family to relocate to a military base and the chilling fliers that appeared in her neighborhood hours after Charlie Kirk’s murder.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-Beam: Visit https://shopbeam.com/MARK and use code MARK to get our exclusive discount of up to 50% off.Masa Chips: Ready to give MASA or Vandy a try? Get 25% off your first order by going to http://masachips.com/MARK and using code MARK. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• Pundits Prematurely Say Trump is Done, Plus 2028 Dem Forecast with Hillary’s Former Campaign Manager

  Mark Halperin opens today’s episode with his reported monologue unpacking the latest claims that Trump’s presidency is effectively over—from MS NOW pundits declaring he’s losing ground to Kara Swisher saying he won’t see the end of his term. He then identifies the real test for the president: how his handling of the economy, intra-party divisions, and voter confidence could shape GOP prospects in the midterms.Next, Halperin talks with Hillary Clinton’s former campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle about Trump’s standing with independents and moderates. They also examine the emerging 2028 Democratic field, highlighting Gavin Newsom’s frontrunner position and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s prospects to navigate both a primary and a general election.Finally, Erika Donalds joins Halperin for an in-depth discussion on the state of education in America and how AI and education policy are reshaping everyday life. She explains why teachers’ unions are losing influence, how school choice drives results-driven competition, and how technology can improve efficiency, empower parents, and enhance learning for students. 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/warrantyBank On Yourself: Discover the retirement plan banks don’t want you to know about—get your free report at https://BankOnYourself.com/Mark  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• The Real Epstein Elite Narrative That Matters, Trump's Files Power Play, Plus Dems' 2028 Forecast

  As breaking news hits the House on its vote to force release of the Epstein files, Mark Halperin opens today’s show with his reported monologue on what comes next in the continuing scandal. He reveals the real story behind the years-long cover-up — the network of elites who closed ranks to protect their own — and explains why public disclosure won’t quiet the conspiracy theories or satisfy either political party. Plus, Mark unpacks the political calculations shaping Trump’s response.Former Congressman Steve Israel then joins Mark to break down the mounting criticism of Chuck Schumer from the Democratic left, the pressures reshaping Senate leadership, and how Democrats are already mapping out the 2028 landscape — from Rahm Emanuel to Gavin Newsom. Israel also previews his new historical spy thriller Einstein Conspiracy, weaving Einstein, Nazi spies, and a Long Island bookstore into a gripping narrative that blends real events and fiction.Finally, Mark is joined by Democratic strategist Ashley Etienne and the Daily Caller’s Amber Duke to unpack the political forces driving today’s Epstein developments, what the newly released documents reveal about Trump’s ability to control what gets released, and why elites and regular Americans see the story so differently. They also dig into the future of the Affordable Care Act and the strategic opportunities — and liabilities — both parties face heading into 2026 and 2028, and more.Bank On Yourself: Discover the retirement plan banks don’t want you to know about—get your free report at https://BankOnYourself.com/MarkHome 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.

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