Mark Halperin opens the episode with a deep dive into the changing standards of political scandal, from Bill Clinton in 1992 to today’s Epstein fallout. In what he calls a political “Wild West,” Mark explores why some public figures survive controversy while others are taken down, and what 2028 presidential hopefuls should be quietly worried about right now.

Then Andrew Sullivan joins for a candid and wide ranging conversation about Donald Trump’s lasting impact on America. Sullivan argues that beyond policy, Trump has reshaped the country’s political culture, coarsened public discourse, and expanded executive power in ways that may outlast his presidency. He also weighs in on the rise of the so called “Epstein class,” the dangers of extreme wealth concentration in an AI driven economy, and why he believes governments may ultimately be incapable of fully controlling artificial intelligence.

Sullivan closes by reflecting on the future of the Democratic Party, and who he would choose as president if he could hand pick the next leader of the United States.

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In this episode of Next Up, Mark Halperin opens with his reported monologue on how a recent speech by Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff has Democrats energized and Republicans quietly concerned. Mark breaks down how Ossoff skillfully fused outrage at Donald Trump with economic populism, optimism, and disciplined messaging in a way many Democrats now see as a potential template for the 2026 midterms and beyond.

Mark is then joined by New York Times bestselling author Peter Schweizer for a wide-ranging conversation on what Schweizer calls the weaponization of immigration. Schweizer details how China exploits U.S. birthright citizenship through birth tourism and surrogacy, raises alarms about American flight schools training Chinese pilots who may later serve in the PLA, and challenges the idea that the Mexican government is a passive player in the migration crisis.

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Mark Halperin opens the latest episode of "Next Up" with his reported monologue on how President Trump’s decade-long war against the Dominant Media remains one of his most effective political tools. Mark highlights Trump’s unparalleled understanding of the news business, which, unbelievably, he gets better than journalists themselves do. Trump’s critique of the industry's flaws is as muscular as it is accurate, highlighting liberal bias, elitism, and a broken business model, all of which further erode the press’ credibility, which also energizes Trump’s base and conservatives at large.

Then, former DNC Chair Jaime Harrison joins the program on a special occasion – his 50th birthday. Harrison offers an insider’s perspective on the Democratic Party’s fundraising challenges against the "billionaire class" of the GOP. He also dives into the heart of the 2028 presidential nominating process, noting that potential White House candidates do not yet seem to be lobbying for specific early states, and offers his prediction on the first-in-the-nation nominating calendar: South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Nevada.

Finally, Emma-Jo Morris, Senior Consultant at Beck & Stone and co-host of The Group Chat on 2WAY, joins Mark to debate the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement, arguing that the public supports mass deportation. She addresses recent criticisms regarding Vice President J.D. Vance’s temperament and stance on Israel, arguing that his "contemptuous tone" is a sensible and necessary reaction to hostile media frames. Morris also evaluates the current cabinet, offering high praise for HHS Secretary RFK Jr. while critiquing Kristi Noem’s performance.

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