Next Up with Mark Halperin

Mark Halperin opens the show with a reported monologue on the rapidly evolving Iran conflict and the role messaging plays in shaping global expectations. He explains how Donald Trump’s communication style can quickly shift market sentiment, influence oil prices, and alter the narrative around the war. Mark also examines why Trump’s seemingly inconsistent public statements may actually be part of a deliberate strategy he has used throughout his business career and presidency.

Next, Mark unveils his March edition of “8 for ’28,” ranking the Democrats he believes are most likely to win the party’s next presidential nomination. He walks through the board candidate by candidate, explaining what is going right for each contender and the biggest doubts that could hold them back, from frontrunners like Gavin Newsom to other potential entrants across the Democratic field.

Finally, Politico senior legal affairs reporter Josh Gerstein joins the show to discuss how the Supreme Court has handled Trump-related cases so far and what those decisions may signal for the years ahead. They break down the president’s early legal victories, the areas where the Court has pushed back, and which upcoming cases could shape the balance of presidential power during the rest of Trump’s term.

 

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In this episode of “Next Up with Mark Halperin,” Mark uses his reported monologue to put to rest the debates over the “why?” and “why now?” questions about President Trump’s decision to use military force in Iran.  By looking at nearly half a century of statements from Trump himself and from his immediate predecessors, Mark illustrates how clear Trump’s rationale and reasons are for the historic decision, leaving space to ask the other important and germane war-time questions for the United States and the world.  

Later, Mark is joined by Bob Crawford, bassist for The Avett Brothers and co-host of “The Road to Now” podcast, to discuss his new biography “America's Founding Son: John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick.” Crawford explains what drew him to Adams’ extraordinary life and why the sixth president keeps reappearing at key turning points in American history. He also recounts Adams’ remarkable second act after the presidency, when he served nearly two decades in Congress and became a leading voice in the fight against slavery.

Finally, Dr. Raymond Scalettar joins the program to discuss the history of presidential health and the long-standing tension between transparency and privacy when it comes to America’s commanders-in-chief. He also weighs in on why concerns about President Biden’s health were not fully shared with the public.

 

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This episode features an update on the latest in Iran and a revealing interview with California Governor Gavin Newsom. Mark opens with his reported monologue featuring an in-depth analysis of President Trump’s escalating conflict with Iran, scorecarding what appears to be early strategic and tactical wins while separating battlefield gains from political complexities. He breaks down what seems to be working for the administration, what it means for America as a whole, and the major risks and warning signs that could turn early success into mission creep, regional instability, or something far more difficult to contain.

After that, Governor Gavin Newsom joins Mark for a deeply personal conversation about his memoir “Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery,” reflecting on his parents’ divorce, growing up between privilege and struggle, and writing the book for his children rather than for politics. He addresses the dyslexia debate head on, explains the disciplined system he uses to read and prepare, shares a never-before -told story about the “intervention” his children staged after learning about his first marriage to Kimberly Guilfoyle, and responds directly to the question about what would keep him from running for president.

 

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In this episode, Mark Halperin argues in his reported monologue that too many journalists cover “politics” instead of “campaigns, leaving their audiences largely unaware of what really wins and loses elections. The vast majority of news coverage focuses on surface narratives and political gossip, leaving consumers in the dark about the asymmetrical campaign advantages that are the obsession of the pros.

From data operations and AI-driven voter targeting to fundraising strategy and digital advertising, he explains how the craft of campaigning creates the edges that separate winners from losers — and determines who governs.

Then author James Rosen joins to discuss why Justice Antonin Scalia remains one of the most consequential Americans of the last century. They explore Scalia’s originalism revolution, the controversy surrounding Bush v. Gore, and how Scalia’s legal philosophy still shapes the Supreme Court today, before ending on a lighter note with Rosen’s spot on Obama and Trump impressions and his deep knowledge of Beatles trivia.

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In this episode, Mark Halperin uses his reported monologue to reflect on how Donald Trump’s path from 2016 to today reshaped American politics — and why the country remains deeply divided in his second term. Drawing on signature moments with Stephen Colbert and Tucker Carlson, he looks at why what once felt to some  like a shocking political moment has now become a defining era, and why millions of Americans still struggle to understand each other across that divide.

Mark is joined by Beverly Hallberg and Hyma Moore to discuss one of the biggest challenges ahead: how government should deal with artificial intelligence. They debate what role the president and lawmakers should play as AI transforms jobs, the economy, and society, and why government leaders struggle to keep up with technological change.

The conversation also turns to the global economic race, as Alex Roy explains how China’s dominant rise in electric vehicle manufacturing threatens American automakers and the future competitiveness of the U.S. industry. From political division at home to technological competition abroad, this episode looks at the forces shaping where America goes next.

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