A look back at some of the most memorable guest conversations of 2025 on "Next Up with Mark Halperin." Featuring Brit Hume, Joe Scarborough, Megyn Kelly, and Newt Gingrich on the stories, power dynamics, and political turning points that defined the year.

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Mark Halperin opens the episode with his 2025 top political soundbites, revisiting the moments from politics and media that best captured the power shifts, internal party tensions, and national mood of the past year. From JD Vance’s viral confrontations, to Gavin Newsom’s rise, to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s dominance of the attention economy, to Ted Cruz–Tucker Carlson clashes inside MAGA, Mark explains why these clips mattered — and what they reveal about leadership, influence, and where American politics is heading in 2026.

Mark is then joined by Dan Senor to discuss U.S. foreign policy and power inside the Trump administration. Senor explains why antisemitism thrives when leaders tolerate it, how political incentives shape silence on both the left and right, and why President Trump’s record on Israel has made him one of the nation’s strongest allies. He also breaks down how Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emerged as a singular figure in making U.S. foreign policy, wielding unusual influence through his close relationship with the president and his central role in managing global crises.

Finally, Chris Collins joins Mark for a discussion about loyalty, justice, and what life looks like on the other side of a presidential pardon. Collins reflects on his status as the very first member of Congress to endorse Donald Trump in 2016, his experience with federal prosecution, and the moment Trump pardoned him just days before Christmas. He also offers rare insight into Trump’s private leadership style — describing a president who listens carefully, values loyalty deeply, and often behaves far differently in private rooms than he does on camera.

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Mark Halperin opens a new episode with his reported monologue featuring a “Next Up 2025 Media Review,” breaking down how the press changed over the past year and why those shifts matter for politics, public trust, and power. He examines the biggest winners and losers in media, identifies the most dangerous and hopeful trends shaping coverage heading into 2026 and beyond, and explains how structural incentives — not just ideology — are redefining what Americans see, hear, and believe.

Mark is then joined by Rabbi David Wolpe for a conversation about the global rise of antisemitism. Rabbi Wolpe explains why antisemitism is a unique form of hatred rooted in conspiracy thinking, why too many people misunderstand where it comes from, and why confronting it requires moral clarity, honest language, and broader alliances across society.

Finally, David Winston joins Mark to break down why the economy — and the views of independent voters — will ultimately decide the 2026 midterms. Winston explains how voters actually experience economic change, why perceptions are lagging behind real-world data, and how timing, cost of living, and credibility shape when people finally credit a president for economic improvement.

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Mark Halperin kicks off today’s episode with the debut of his landmark new segment, “8 for ’28,” unveiling his deeply reported insider power rankings of the Democrats most likely to win their party’s 2028 presidential nomination. He walks through all of the top contenders — why Gavin Newsom sits at #1, what sets Josh Shapiro apart, and how Pete Buttigieg and Kamala Harris fit into a constantly shifting landscape. Mark breaks down the strengths, secret advantages, vulnerabilities, and political dynamics shaping this early field, using his decades of experience and fresh reporting to explain who actually has a path and why.

He then shifts to the second four, examining the structural challenges and political pressures that may keep this group from breaking through in a crowded 2028 field. It’s a comprehensive, candid look at how insiders are handicapping the next Democratic nominee long before anyone officially enters the race.

Mark is then joined by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders for an in-depth conversation about the forces reshaping Arkansas. She reflects on how her high school experience has influenced her policy approach, why raising teacher pay has positioned Arkansas as a magnet for top educators, and how Walmart, energy innovation, and major employers are powering economic momentum across the state

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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.

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Mark kicks off today’s episode with his signature reported monologue with new details about the emerging 2028 Democratic field – why the early frontrunners may not be as secure as they look, how donor behavior and coalition math are already reshuffling expectations, and why Gavin Newsom and Josh Shapiro currently dominate the invisible primary. Mark 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 heavy weights Melissa DeRosa and Ben Ferguson join the show for a fast-moving conversation that hits every major dynamic shaping 2028. They debate whether Trump’s economic reset can land with voters who still feel squeezed, why Democrats are struggling to produce new ideas, and how the Left’s internal split over Israel could reshape the primaries. The trio also digs into Ted Cruz’s suddenly hot 2028 buzz — including why some Republicans think he’s uniquely positioned to take on JD Vance. Plus, they play Mark’s favorite game – Rapid Fire Round: 2028 “X-Factor” Edition evaluating which Democrats could REALLY be formidable in a general election. From Newsom to Shapiro to Moore, Beshear, Buttigieg, Rahm, AOC, and Kamala Harris, they size up who has real national potential… and who doesn’t.

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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.

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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.

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