Next Up with Mark Halperin

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By: MK Media

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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Why Prediction Markets Are Shaking Election Day
#150
Yesterday at 6:15 PM

Mark Halperin breaks down the biggest midterm races and what the prediction markets are thinking about Election Day.

Top political minds - Doug Sosnik and Liam Donovan debate where the best value trades are… and where the markets are getting it wrong. From Alaska and Kansas’ quickly shifting Senate races… to the possibility of a Blue tsunami swamping the South or Midwest.

RotoWire Senior Prediction Market Analyst Bill Speros joins to explain where traders can find the best plays - diving into the highly contested Texas and Michigan Senate races.

The Next Up team a...


What the Final 2026 Midterm Polls Are Missing
#149
Last Thursday at 6:22 PM

Mark Halperin’s reported monologue breaks down the final 2026 midterm polls, explaining why some are producing wildly different outcomes in the same races.

David Burrell of Wick reveals new insight on how Republicans are getting left out of some surveys, while Democrats are getting oversampled… and how it's creating some misleading results.

Aaron Parnas breaks down how young voters could be abandoning Republicans, and exactly how affordability is playing as an issue.

The Republican candidate for governor in California, Steve Hilton, comes back to tell us his hopes for the Golden State, win or l...


Election Day: What My Inside Sources Are Warning
#148
Last Tuesday at 5:57 PM

Mark Halperin’s reported monologue breaks down the latest intel from his sources on which party has the upper hand headed into Election Day.  Mark explains why many Republican campaigns are more confident than they were just a month ago, but with both sides still seeing a Blue tsunami as a live possibility.  Republican Strategist Ronna McDaniel joins from Michigan to dissect that state’s critical Senate race - discussing the tactics Abdul El-Sayed uses to deflect hard questions and the truth about the appeal of his public persona.  White House Reporter Shelby Talcott shares the latest from Team Trump...


How Prediction Markets Are Shifting the 2026 Midterms
#147
10/23/2026

“Next Up Predictions” premieres with a special deep dive into the prediction markets - the trades seeing the most action, the headlines driving the numbers, and insider conversations.

Brian Quintenz - Kalshi board member and former CTFC commissioner - breaks down how national and state policies are shifting the future of the industry and some unique ways traders are using prediction markets.

Agnese Rozite, founder of 51 Alpha, explains why investors are becoming prediction traders, and how they’re using it to hedge their own moves.

Finally - the Next Up team breaks down the bi...


The REAL Reason 2026 Polls Are Consistently Wrong
#146
10/22/2026

Mark Halperin’s reported monologue breaks the code on the two questions everyone is asking: are election polls flawed and, if they are, why? Wick Insights CEO David Burrell unveils compelling new research that explains the truth behind the massive polling flaw that is undermining much of the industry.

New York Post Financial Correspondent Lydia Moynihan joins to report new possibilities of Trump investment accounts coming to everyone under 40 years old in the coming months. She also details alleged censorship of conservatives on TikTok.

Former Democratic strategist Evan Barker diagnoses the Left’s chances as Elec...


Inside My Air Force Two Trip with Vice President JD Vance
#145
10/20/2026

Mark’s reported monologue goes inside his exclusive trip on Air Force Two with Vice President JD Vance to North Carolina. Mark recounts what they talked about - from a possible endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu and Republicans’ midterm hopes… to his possible 2028 ambitions. Mark reveals what he took away from Vance’s unguarded remarks on a possible Trump presidential endorsement of his VP.

Daily Wire’s Cabot Phillips joins to diagnose the latest from the campaign trail and explain why corruption allegations rocking the Republican Party could cost them the House and Senate.

The Maine Wire’s Ste...


How Florida Quietly Lost Its Most Famous Industry
10/17/2026

Mark Halperin speaks to The Wall Street Journal Contributor Julie Wernau about Florida’s disappearing orange groves - once one of the state’s defining industries. Wernau explains how orange trees have been decimated over the last few decades, the lack of local government support, and the new genetic technologies that are giving Florida growers hope before it's too late.

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The Major Shift in the 2028 Democratic Race
#144
10/15/2026

Mark Halperin’s reported monologue unveils his new “8 for ’28” rankings of potential Democratic presidential nominees - the final list before the midterm elections. Mark reveals major changes… including a Democratic powerhouse dropping off the leaderboard and the person he thinks is the most undervalued ’28 stock.
Then Katie Pavlich breaks down Jon Ossoff’s true presidential ambitions, explains why President Trump’s second term seems so different than his first, and the chief known problem of the new White House press secretary. 
And Drew Holden exposes a biased and factually incorrect ABC News piece on Donald Trump Jr.’s business dealings...


2026 Midterm Blame Game: Who’s Taking the Fall?
#143
10/13/2026

Mark Halperin’s reported monologue breaks down the blame game brewing inside both parties. His Republican sources are quietly starting to point fingers at President Trump and the White House as affordability, Iran, and political spending continue to dominate campaigns. And if the “Blue tsunami” falls short of current high expectations, who will ultimately take the fall for the Democrats?

Former South Carolina Congressman Joe Cunningham joins to give the true temperature of newly competitive races in the South, laying out why Dr. Annie Andrews is making a serious play to flip South Carolina Blue… and what Democrat...


The Political Stories the Media Refuses to Cover
#142
10/08/2026

Mark Halperin’s reported monologue rings the alarm on the prospect of liberal media bias during the midterm end game, looking at recent examples involving President Trump and Jared Kushner.  He also exposes some major stories about Democrats that the Dominant Media chooses to avoid.  

Buck Sexton and Clay Travis join for a wide-ranging discussion on the state of the midterms, the Iran war, and their recent visit with President Trump in the Oval Office. They give their predictions for who will keep the House and Senate, reveal who they think are the most likable Republicans and Demo...


3 Hidden Wildcards That Will Decide the 2026 Midterms
#141
10/06/2026

Mark Halperin’s reported monologue reveals the 3 wildcards his sources say could swing November's elections, including a range of “October Surprises", going beyond the headlines and candidate clashes of the current moment.  Robby Soave breaks down the issues that are really resonating with voters and what he sees as some political insensitivity on the left.

Comedian Mike Mancusi joins to discuss his new book, “The Corporate Translator” - decoding awkward office talk and saying what we’re all really thinking.

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Vice President JD Vance Takes on James Talarico as 2026 Midterms Heat Up
#140
10/01/2026

Mark’s reported monologue reveals the key elements of Team Trump’s midterm homestretch messaging, explained through Vice President JD Vance's latest stump speech, delivered this week in Texas, complete with colorful attacks on Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, and the themes, villains, and imagery that the White House thinks can carry them to victory.

Plus, Emma-Jo Morris joins to discuss how long President Trump will continue to dominate the political conversation, the challenges facing the left, and the potential 2028 Republican field if JD Vance and Marco Rubio ultimately don't run for president.

Eric Metaxas join...


The 3 Senate Seats Republicans Can ACTUALLY Flip
#139
09/29/2026

Mark Halperin’s reported monologue goes inside four battleground Senate races Republicans may actually win – three flips and one key hold. Mark explains why Republicans have a chance to take all four… and what that means for the prospect of a blue wave nationally.

The Daily Wire’s Mary Margaret Olahan explains how liberal media bias is a big factor inside the White House… and how the Trump Administration feels about Republicans’ chances in the midterms.

New York Congressman Mike Lawler (R) joins to discuss his re-election campaign, one of the hottest House races in the country...


A 2026 Midterm Shift + Megyn Kelly on Trump, CNN & 2028
#138
09/24/2026

Mark Halperin does a live reported monologue with Democratic strategist Doug Sosnik, who gives an exclusive look at his new memo on the 2026 midterms, laying out why he sees opportunities for his party that didn’t seem to exist even two weeks ago.

Then, Megyn Kelly joins Mark to break down the extraordinary Trump-Mamdani relationship, the future of CNN and broadcast journalism, AOC’s 2028 ambitions, and a potential JD Vance–Marco Rubio ticket.

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What Campaign Spending Reveals About the 2026 Midterms
#137
09/22/2026

Mark’s reported monologue breaks down the 2026 midterms and the growing concern among his Republican sources about the prospect of a blue tsunami that sweeps the Democrats into majority control of the House and Senate. Mark reveals what he's hearing from political insiders and voters, the potential game-changing impact of massive campaign spending by Republicans, and why some Republicans say President Trump could be to blame if the GOP falls short. 

Then, Republican California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton joins to discuss his campaign, California’s affordability crisis, and how he plans to flip the state Red.

Plu...


How the 2026 Midterms Will ACTUALLY Unfold for Republicans
#136
09/17/2026

Mark’s reported monologue takes a fresh look at the 2026 midterms and reveals a totally different pair of scenarios from the current pundit mushy convention wisdom.  Could we be headed for either a Blue tsunami or a death-defying Republican tactical win?

The Federalist Contributor Evita Duffy-Alfonso joins to discuss issues really weighing on families, her political clan, and her husband Michael Alfonso's Wisconsin House campaign.

Then the author of "Profit From The Profit", David Bahnsen, explains the Federal Reserve's rate hike, AI’s trillion-dollar investment boom, and how you can be making real money from the s...


Why the 2028 White House Race Just Completely Changed
#135
09/15/2026

Mark Halperin’s recorded monologue unveils his new September "8 for '28" Democratic presidential leaderboard, with insight from sources at the highest level of American politics, breaking down the latest information on the most likely Democrats to lead the party’s quest to return to the Oval Office.

Then, Professor Richard Werner, who coined the term “quantitative easing,” joins Mark to discuss the markets, Kevin Hassett’s economic outlook, federal spending, the budget deficit, rising interest payments, and the future of AI.

Then, Democratic strategist Hyma Moore joins Mark looking at the evolving 2028 Democratic field—including Kamala Harri...


What We REALLY Learned From Trump's Midterm Convention
09/12/2026

In this bonus episode - Mark breaks down the biggest takeaways from the Republican midterm convention in Dallas — including Elon Musk putting big money into Texas, Donald Trump’s going for broke, and JD Vance’s big 2028 splash.

Mark also examines the Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s strong reception and growing Democratic concerns that polling may be underestimating Republicans heading into the 2026 midterms.

Will the new Republican major wave of negative advertising in the targeted contests produce a surprise plot twist?


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Charlie Kirk: A Special Friend & Generational Inspiration
#134
09/10/2026

Mark’s reported monologue reflects on the life, legacy, and lasting impact of Charlie Kirk, one year after his death.

Mark Halperin speaks with Tucker Carlson about Charlie’s influence on American society, culture, politics, and faith — and the mark he left on a generation. Mark is also joined by Bryan Solomon, who shares a more personal side of Charlie through stories from their friendship and experiences together that many people may never have seen.

One year later, they reflect on the man behind the movement, the friendships he built, and the legacy he left behind...


9/11: Modern America's Most Important Day
#133
09/08/2026

Mark Halperin’s reported monologue reflects on September 11, 2001 — the attacks that took nearly 3,000 American lives, the extraordinary courage of first responders, unprecedented demonstrations of leadership, and the remarkable sense of unity that followed.

Former Governor George Pataki shares his firsthand memories of leading New York alongside Mayor Rudy Giuliani and President George W. Bush through the aftermath of the attacks, recounting the moments after the towers were hit, and how New York was reborn. The conversation also revisits President Bush's unforgettable words at Ground Zero: “I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the pe...


Why Republicans May Have Already Lost the Midterms
#132
09/03/2026

Mark Halperin’s reported monologue reveals what political insiders in both parties say about the state of the 2026 midterm elections, asking whether Republicans have waited too long for the political environment to turn in their favor, and what it will take to change the trajectory. Then, Michael Knowles joins to give his preview of the midterms and look ahead to the next Republican presidential race, including what a Vice President J.D. Vance versus Sen. Ted Cruz showdown for the 2028 GOP nomination would look like.

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How Legacy Media is Killing Itself
#131
09/01/2026

Mark Halperin sits down with media entrepreneur and Complex founder Rich Antoniello for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of the media business. Antoniello explains why legacy brands are losing their hold on audiences, what separates successful new media companies from the rest, and how Fort Nash is betting on the growing influence of country music and Southern culture. Plus, he breaks down why so many media companies get video wrong, why YouTube subscribers are far more valuable than other social media followers, and what it takes to build a lasting media brand in an increasingly fragmented world

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Will AI Take Control of America Before It’s Too Late?
08/29/2026

Mark Halperin sits down with MIT professor and Future of Life Institute co-founder Max Tegmark to examine the enormous promise — and potentially existential risks — of artificial intelligence. Tegmark explains why he believes AI needs stronger government guardrails, why the race with China shouldn’t be used as an excuse for unchecked development, and what it will take to keep increasingly powerful technology under human control.

 

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The Secrets, Crime, & Media that May Swing The Midterms
#130
08/27/2026

Mark Halperin is joined by Steve Robinson, the Editor-in-Chief of The Maine Wire and Leland Vittert, host of the “On Balance with Leland Vittert”  to examine the political, economic, and media forces reshaping the country. Robinson breaks down the surprising changes unfolding in Maine, exposing organized crime, massive fraud, and cultural shifts hitting the state. Vittert explains why midterm candidates are now avoiding tough interviews and reveals which voters could decide the battle for Congress.

 

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Inside the Culture War Transforming Corporate America
#129
08/25/2026

Mark Halperin's reported monologue features the ultimate insider’s guide to how the political landscape will change in the final weeks before Election Day, with the key known unknowns laid out based on the secret plans of both parties. Then, Robby Starbuck explains why corporate America is abandoning DEI and assesses Republicans’ chances of holding the both chambers of Congress. Plus, Drew Holden joins to take a closer look at White House press coverage, and how the media is covering the civil war inside the Democratic Party.

 

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Who will be Trump’s Next Press Secretary?
08/22/2026

Mark Halperin sits down with former Trump White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley to break down what President Trump will be looking for in his next press secretary. Gidley explains why trust, loyalty, toughness, star power, and chemistry with Trump are essential — and weighs in on the names being floated to fill the role.

 

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Conne...


Why Trump is Facing a Critical Moment for His Legacy
#128
08/20/2026

Mark Halperin’s reported monologue explores why the fate of President Donald Trump’s legacy hangs in the balance, from the economy and AI to China and foreign policy. He’s joined by Larry O’Connor and Kevin Walling to debate the controversy surrounding Natalie Harp and the media’s treatment of prominent women in the Trump administration compared with their Democratic counterparts. Plus, in "Mark the Mailman", Mark examines Abdul El-Sayed’s political appeal and the risks he poses to Democratic Party.

 

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Is He the Next Obama?!
#127
08/18/2026

Mark Halperin’s reported monologue shares his latest reporting on Jon Ossoff’s rising profile and whether the Georgia senator could emerge as the next leader of the Democratic Party. Then, Evan Barker joins Mark to explain why she defected from the Left and why she says they're betraying the party. Plus, Robby Soave explains how Democrats could still squander their opportunity in the 2026 midterms, and Jessica Reed Kraus grades the styles of some of America’s most prominent political figures.

 

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The Truth About Mamdani's NYC No One's Saying
08/15/2026

In this bonus episode of Next Up, Mark Halperin sits down with New York Post writers Lydia Moynihan and Rikki Schlott for a wide-ranging conversation about AOC’s political strategy, the debate over freezing her eggs, and whether distancing herself from the excesses of the progressive left could strengthen her national ambitions. They also examine the growing populist backlash against Flock cameras and Palantir and debate the tensions between innovation, security, and privacy. Plus, Moynihan and Schlott assess the state of New York City and what Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s socialist experiment could mean for the rest of the coun...


Why the Economy Could Cost Republicans the Midterms
#126
08/13/2026

Mark Halperin’s reported monologue reveals both parties’ ultimate midterm messaging strategies on the main terrain: the economy.   Fierce South Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Dr. Annie Andrews joins to make her case, laying out her views on health care, gun control, her Democratic counterparts — and Taylor Swift. Katie Pavlich then weighs in on AOC’s future and Professor Robert Pape explains why Iran’s drone arsenal makes reopening the Strait of Hormuz a tall task.  

 

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Who Will Win the Democrats’ Bitter Civil War?
#125
08/11/2026

Mark Halperin’s reported monologue breaks down the civil war between the Democratic establishment and the progressive left, and why the divide could reshape the party’s future. Michael Smerconish joins to discuss the rise of democratic socialism among younger voters and questions media scrutiny of Dr. Anthony Fauci. Curt Mills then joins to argue why Gavin Newsom remains the leading contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. Plus, Brent Scher weighs in on the conservative reaction to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez freezing her eggs and the reality of her "woke 1" era.  

 

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Can a Jew Actually Become U.S. President?
#124
08/06/2026

Mark's reported monologue confronts a vital and controversial question: Will the Democratic Party nominate a Jewish candidate for president in 2028? With Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro atop Mark’s new “8 for ’28” rankings, Mark explores why Shapiro has the skills to defuse hostility to Israel within his party on the way to the White House. Then, Sen. Rand Paul weighs in on Dr. Anthony Fauci's legal exposure and the unanswered Covid questions he believes still deserve scrutiny. Finally, Mark and Neera Tanden break down what Abdul El-Sayed's Senate campaign against Mike Rogers could signal for Democrats heading into the midterms.

 

...


The New Name Leading the 2028 Presidential Race
#123
08/04/2026

Mark Halperin's reported monologue unveils his latest “8 for ’28” Democratic presidential nominee rankings, explaining why Josh Shapiro has overtaken Gavin Newsom for the top spot and what the new primary calendar means for the 2028 race. Plus, former Sen. Cory Gardner breaks down Colorado's political transformation and Justine Brooke Murray examines progressive candidates with big midterm hopes. Then, Mark reacts to RFK Jr.'s contentious CNN interview with Dana Bash and the broader debate over trust, expertise, and the media.

 

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How Dr. Fauci's Media Pals Covered for Him
#122
07/30/2026

Mark Halperin's reported monologue serves as a critique of the Dominant Media’s coverage of the face-off between Dr. Anthony Fauci and Senator Rand Paul at this week’s epic Senate hearing, calling out the press’s obsession with saying Republicans have an “obsession” with Fauci, rather than focusing on the tens of millions of Americans who are desperate for answers about the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, Chris Salcedo joins Mark to discuss why Hispanic voters have shifted toward to the right, which party will produce America's first Latino president, and the cultural trends shaping national politics. Plus, Mark breaks down the g...


What Dr. Fauci's Diary Reveals About Who He Really Is
#121
07/28/2026

Mark Halperin's reported monologue examines the newly revealed diary entries from Dr. Anthony Fauci, exploring his desperate need for celebrity and how the Dominant Media protected him — and, with echoes of the Biden mental acuity press scandal, continues to coddle and champion him to this very day. Then, Larry O'Connor and Kevin Walling join Mark to break down the biggest political stories shaping the 2026 midterms, the overlooked campaigns that could swing the balance of power, and JD Vance's presidential prospects. Plus, the Mark dives into two under-the-radar factors that could create major challenges for Democrats heading into the next pr...


Is the Republican Establishment Trying to Politically Kill JD Vance?
#120
07/23/2026

Are the deep state and Republican establishment engaged in an op to take down JD Vance?   In today's episode of “Next Up with Mark Halperin,” Mark's reported monologue analyzes Vance's headline-making interview with Joe Rogan, examining what the reaction reveals about the vice president's political standing and his relationship with the Republican old guard. Mark also shares his latest reporting on why he believes President Trump may be preparing to escalate the conflict with Iran, while actor Ethan Suplee opens up about losing more than 300 pounds and the lifelong mindset that helps him keep the weight off. Plus, former Washi...


The Senate Races That Will Decide Who Controls Congress
#119
07/21/2026

Mark Halperin's reported monologue takes you inside the latest state of play on the midterm landscape, explaining why the battle for control of Congress is becoming more competitive and the new emerging issues that could decide the outcome. Mark examines the growing backlash against Big AI, why so many Democratic candidates are running against the "establishment", and which party has the financial edge. Plus, David Bozell joins the show to discuss the persistent influence of parts of the legacy media and why news aggregators like Yahoo News and Apple News are far more influential than you may realize.

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What The Media Blackout of Trump's Election Speech Reveals
07/18/2026

In this bonus episode, Mark Halperin gives a master class on the White House and the media, breaking down the broad news media blackout of President Trump's primetime address on election security, explaining why he believes the controversy is more complicated than accusations of simple bias. Drawing on decades of experience covering both politics and the press, Mark examines how today's fractured media landscape, the legacy of 2020 election coverage, and the White House's own communications strategy all shaped the coverage of and response to the speech. He also lays out what both the networks and the Trump White House...


The Most Influential Issue Shaking Up Elections
#118
07/16/2026

Mark Halperin's reported monologue explains the split Democratic House vote on aid to Israel that saw Nancy Pelosi and AOC team up, as the Democrats and Republicans grapple with a radically changed landscape.  Former Bernie Sanders political adviser Tad Devine joins to discuss Sanders' growing socialist movement, how the Democratic Party establishment “screwed” Sanders in the 2016 presidential race, and who could carry the Vermonter’s mantle in 2028. Emily Jashinsky then weighs in on split views of J.D. Vance and what makes younger Americans so different than their elders. Plus, Mark shares personal insights into Senator Lindsey Graham that shows s...


Inside the New York Times' Failures Covering Graham Platner
#117
07/14/2026

Mark Halperin's reported monologue examines the New York Times' coverage of Graham Platner, breaking down their reporting failures, their public response, and why he believes key questions about accountability remain unanswered. Then, Mary Margaret Olohan joins to discuss the latest from inside the White House as the Iran conflict intensifies, her recent interview with Vice President JD Vance, and what she's hearing from top administration officials. Plus, former Hillary Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle weighs in on the Democratic Party's leftward shift and what it could mean for the 2028 presidential race.

 

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