Mark Halperin kicks off today’s episode with a sweeping reported monologue on Donald Trump’s escalating pressure campaign over Greenland and what it reveals about his broader foreign policy theory of the case and about his unique decision making style. Mark lays out five fundamentals about the president and this international controversy, from Europe’s dependence on U.S. power and Trump’s obsession with leverage to the idea that markets, not Congress or NATO allies, may be the only real constraint on how far he goes.

Mark then turns to Iran and the aftermath of the mass protests, breaking down why Trump’s decision not to strike was not a sign of weakness, but a calculated bet. He walks through the internal and allied pressure that shaped the decision, the risks of retaliation and regime consolidation, and why the story of Iran’s uprising may be closer to the beginning of the end than the end itself.

Finally, Democratic strategist Doug Sosnik joins the show to explain what will actually matter in the 2026 midterms, why Trump’s standing on the economy is the central metric, and how structural realities in the House map could limit the implications of even a wave election. Sosnik also outlines what Democrats need to do to rebuild with working-class voters, why candidates define party brands more than messaging, and what traits the 2028 electorate may be looking for when the next presidential fight begins.

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Mark kicks off today’s episode with his reported monologue on the white-hot fight over Greenland — and why Donald Trump’s push to bring the island under U.S. control is no longer just a provocative headline, but a brewing transatlantic clash with Denmark, Europe, NATO, and many of the 56,000 Greenlanders . He walks through the high-stakes national security argument, the political pressure building on all sides, and what this growing confrontation could mean for America’s standing in the Arctic and beyond.

Then Morton Halperin joins the show to map out what a serious U.S. strategy toward Iran should be, including how America can support democratic change without blundering into another destabilizing conflict. Mark and Morton Halperin discuss what a post-theocracy Iran could look like, what U.S. policy should prioritize now, and what may come next as tensions escalate.

Finally, Ben Ferguson and Yemisi Egbewole weigh in on how the Greenland fight could end — and what it ultimately means for Trump’s legacy. The conversation also zooms out to the bigger political landscape, as they break down why both parties remain trapped in Trump-era politics heading into the midterms and the early stages of the 2028 race.

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Mark kicks off today’s episode with the January return of his signature “8 for ’28” reported monologue, revealing how the Democratic field is already shifting just months into the invisible primary. He walks through the latest shakeups in his rankings, why Gavin Newsom and Josh Shapiro remain firmly at the top, which candidates are gaining ground, and why others are slipping. Mark also lays out the biggest unanswered questions facing each contender — from fundraising and coalition-building to electability — and explains the tests he believes will determine who can actually win the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.

Then Democratic strategists Karen Skelton and Patti Solis Doyle weigh in, offering their candid assessments of the field. They debate who truly belongs in the top tier, whether Pete Buttigieg has hit a ceiling, why Kamala Harris’s path back may be narrower than it appears, and whether 2028 could finally be Rahm Emanuel’s moment. The conversation also explores AOC’s upside, Ro Khanna’s recent surge of attention, and which candidates Democrats are still watching closely as the race begins to take shape.

The episode also features an in-depth interview with Mike Rogers, who explains why he’s running again for the U.S. Senate and outlines his plans to fix Michigan’s future — from housing and manufacturing to AI, national security, and competing with China.

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Mark Halperin opens the episode with his reported monologue examining what the Minnesota shooting reveals about America’s deep Red–Blue divide — and why the national reaction to the tragedy says as much about our political culture as the violence itself. From the language used by leaders to the moral certitude on both sides, Mark breaks down how polarization is shaping conversations about grief, blame, and accountability.

He then turns to the immigration debate, explaining why the left’s anger at ICE misses the larger forces driving the conflict — and how the Minnesota tragedy fits into a broader national struggle over enforcement, sovereignty, and political responsibility.

Mark is then joined by Democratic strategist Hyma Moore and Republican Strategist Jeff Roe for a wide-angle discussion of where the immigration fight goes next, how both parties are positioning themselves, and what this moment reveals about the limits of political messaging in the face of real-world consequences.

The conversation then shifts abroad, as Mark, Hyma, and Jeff break down why Europe is misreading Donald Trump’s strategy on Greenland — and what the confusion says about transatlantic assumptions, power, and negotiation under Trump.

Finally, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin joins Mark to explain how the Trump EPA is rewriting the rules on deregulation and enforcement, detailing the administration’s governing philosophy, the tools it’s using, and how environmental policy is being reshaped in real time.

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From the "Little Marco" insults of 2016 to the most powerful foreign policy seat in Washington, how did Marco Rubio pull off the ultimate political reversal?

In a new episode, Mark’s signature reported monologue looks at the strategic reinvention of Marco Rubio inside Trump World. While many rivals faded into the background, Rubio played a disciplined long game, with a self-styled roadmap to build key alliances with Ivanka Trump, JD Vance, Stephen Miller, and Susie Wiles.

Mark also explores how Rubio became the "structural engineer" of the current administration's high-velocity doctrine, balancing finesse and muscle to confront global thugs.

Mark is then joined by Republican strategist Kristin Davison and Democratic strategist Kevin Walling, to look ahead to the politics and governmental choices of 2026. Who are the Democratic standouts poised to challenge the status quo? From rising governors to swing-state stars, we’re mapping out the Blue horizon.

Rounding out the episode, the legendary Jessica Reed Kraus (of House Inhabit) joins the show to spill the tea on the cultural-political crossover and her unique perspective on the stories the mainstream media won't touch or get right, including Epstein-Maxwell and Don Jr.’s wedding.

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A year in review through Mark Halperin’s most memorable reported monologues of 2025. From Democratic turmoil and seismic media shifts to explaining Trump’s political success and sizing up the road to 2028, Mark breaks down the forces shaping power, politics, and influence.

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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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