Next Up with Mark Halperin

Eric Schmitt, the Republican Senator from Missouri and former Attorney General, discusses how rumors of Trump's death have inadvertently strengthened his political image, paralleling the famous McCartney conspiracy. He elaborates on his book, emphasizing the courts as the GOP’s defense against progressive policies and sharing insights on federal overreach and online protections for children. Rachael Bade, Capitol Hill Bureau Chief for Politico, explores Trump’s evolving bond with Senate Republicans and the implications for 2028 leadership dynamics, along with a sneak peek into Washington’s social scene.

Dan Turrentine, a renowned Democratic strategist, and Josh Gerstein, a senior legal affairs reporter at Politico, join for an engaging discussion. They dive into the troubling dynamics facing Democrats as they struggle with messaging and fundraising while Trump capitalizes on political opportunities. The two analyze the shifting legal landscape and the Supreme Court's uncertain role in shaping presidential power. They also touch on the implications of crime on the political climate and unpack the effects of key upcoming races and events.

Michael Caputo, a longtime adviser to President Trump, shares a poignant personal journey battling cancer and advocates for prioritizing childhood cancer in health discussions. He highlights alarming trends in early-onset cancer cases, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions like AI in medical research. Former Senator Mark Pryor assesses the Democratic Party's current challenges, warning of declining voter registration and the urgency for grassroots engagement ahead of the 2028 elections. Their combined insights offer a unique look at health and political resilience.

Marc Short, former Chief of Staff to Mike Pence, discusses Trump's unique strategies for dealing with Ukraine, emphasizing peace talks and shared European responsibilities. He addresses the tension between loyalty to Trump and upholding conservative values. Meanwhile, Patti Solis Doyle, Hillary Clinton's campaign manager, highlights the grueling nature of running for president and assesses the Democratic field for 2028, noting Gavin Newsom's frontrunner status among a diverse group of potential candidates.

Joe Scarborough, longtime host of MSNBC's Morning Joe and a keen political analyst, joins the discussion on how Democrats can effectively confront Donald Trump. They delve into Trump's influence on crime narratives and the Democrats' struggle to present a cohesive strategy. Scarborough argues against relying on statistics in the crime debate, emphasizing public sentiment instead. He shares his views on the importance of addressing local issues, turning challenges in higher education into opportunities, and focusing on candidates' records rather than Trump's persona.

Harmeet Dhillon, former head of the Civil Rights Division in the Trump administration, discusses her vision of redefining civil rights with a race-blind approach, highlighting significant cases and their impacts. Steve Krakauer, an executive producer with keen media insights, analyzes the erosion of trust in legacy media and critiques its far-left leanings. They explore potential pathways for restoring credibility in journalism and the challenges facing civil rights enforcement today, emphasizing the balance between equality and state autonomy.

Glenn Kessler, former Editor and Chief Writer of The Washington Post’s ‘The Fact Checker’, dives deep into media bias and fact-checking in politics. He shares insights on his notable Pinocchio ratings and reflects on the paper’s liberal audience addiction. Kessler addresses Biden's media portrayal amidst claims of cognitive decline and the subsequent fallout, asserting there's no bias against Trump. The discussion critically examines journalistic integrity and the challenges in appealing to a diverse readership in today's polarized landscape.

Corey Lewandowski, a key Donald Trump advisor since 2015, shares insider perspectives on Trump's political evolution and potential future moves for 2028. Meanwhile, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, now an independent gubernatorial candidate, discusses his successful leadership in revitalizing Detroit post-bankruptcy. He argues for a break from partisanship to implement pragmatic solutions. The conversation contrasts Harris's sidelined role in the Democratic Party with Trump's bold influence, revealing insights into their respective political strategies.

Meghan McCain, a political commentator and host of Citizen McCain, shares her insights on pop culture and politics, including a quirky take on the rumored Katy Perry-Justin Trudeau romance and Cory Booker's ‘Hamilton’ antics. David Bahnsen, Chief Investment Officer, provides a clear-eyed overview of the U.S. economy, addressing inflation and housing costs. Together, they dissect the dynamics of the shifting political landscape while McCain reflects on her intriguing hypothetical question for Trump about Epstein. It’s a blend of politics, culture, and economic analysis!

Mark Halperin opens today’s show with his new signature reported monologue on the implications of the Democrats’ refusal to acknowledge the major accomplishments of the Trump presidency. He explains why these wins are still shaping the political landscape, and how the left’s continued denial of what’s ruined the party’s brand could cost them in the midterms and heading into 2028. Then, Rich Lowry and Emily Jashinsky join to break down the latest culture war flashpoints—from the viral backlash to Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad to the bizarre trend of branding denim ads as fascist. The panel unpacks what these online meltdowns reveal about Gen Z, media influence, and the risks Democrats face by letting social media outrage steer their message. Also, Michael Smerconish joins the show and examines the Democratic Party’s deepening identity crisis. He and Mark explore why the party struggles to define itself beyond opposition to Trump, how cultural fear has replaced moral clarity, and what it will take to rebuild a broader, more coherent coalition before 2028. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.