The Real Epstein Elite Narrative That Matters, Trump's Files Power Play, Plus Dems' 2028 Forecast

Next Up with Mark Halperin

MK Media

News, Daily News, Politics

4.6 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 18 November 2025

⏱️ 84 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

As breaking news hits the House on its vote to force release of the Epstein files, Mark Halperin opens today’s show with his reported monologue on what comes next in the continuing scandal. He reveals the real story behind the years-long cover-up — the network of elites who closed ranks to protect their own — and explains why public disclosure won’t quiet the conspiracy theories or satisfy either political party. Plus, Mark unpacks the political calculations shaping Trump’s response. Former Congressman Steve Israel then joins Mark to break down the mounting criticism of Chuck Schumer from the Democratic left, the pressures reshaping Senate leadership, and how Democrats are already mapping out the 2028 landscape — from Rahm Emanuel to Gavin Newsom. Israel also previews his new historical spy thriller Einstein Conspiracy, weaving Einstein, Nazi spies, and a Long Island bookstore into a gripping narrative that blends real events and fiction. Finally, Mark is joined by Democratic strategist Ashley Etienne and the Daily Caller’s Amber Duke to unpack the political forces driving today’s Epstein developments, what the newly released documents reveal about Trump’s ability to control what gets released, and why elites and regular Americans see the story so differently. They also dig into the future of the Affordable Care Act and the strategic opportunities — and liabilities — both parties face heading into 2026 and 2028, and more. Bank On Yourself: Discover the retirement plan banks don’t want you to know about—get your free report at https://BankOnYourself.com/Mark Home Title Lock: Go to https://hometitlelock.com/mark and use promo code MARK to get a FREE title history report and a FREE TRIAL of their Triple Lock Protection! For details visit https://hometitlelock.com/warranty

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Everybody, this is Next Up. Thank you for joining Nexters and others. I'm Mark Kalprin.
0:07.0	I'm the editor-in-chief of the live interactive video platform Two-Way and the host of this program.
0:12.0	Next up. Grateful to have you here. Happy to have returning listeners and viewers, but also all you new people.
0:18.0	We've got a great show today. We call those who favor this program,
0:22.0	who fancy us nexters. You can see yourself at least an honorary nexter if you're here.
0:26.7	Joining me in a moment, a former Democrat Congressman Steve Israel, author of a new book,
0:31.7	another novel by Steve Israel. He's one of the keenest minds in the Democratic Party. And we'll
0:36.2	talk about his book, but also about what's going on with his party and the country right now.
0:40.6	And then a conversation with two other smart people, Ashley Etienne, former senior advisor to Speaker Pelosi to Vice President Harris, now the CEO of Etchen and St.
0:50.2	And she'll join us along with Amber Duke, senior editor at the Daily Caller and the co-host of
0:55.1	the Hills program Rising. I'm excited to talk to them and decide to share their perspectives with
1:00.7	you, but first, before they join us, my reported monologue on Jeffrey Epstein. This is an incredible
1:06.3	story. One of the questions I've been asking my sources in both parties this week is what story has been like this?
1:12.1	What story that we've all covered or experienced or dealt with is like this?
1:15.6	And I don't have any great answers.
1:17.7	Most people look at me and say they can't think of anything comparable.
1:21.0	There have been political scandals.
1:23.0	There have been scandals that involve powerful people's connection to people who have broken the law in horrific
1:29.1	ways. But nothing quite like this. And in the Congress, they'll vote. A House will overwhelmingly
1:37.1	pass later today, this bill that got to the floor against the president's wishes. Now the president's flipped 180.
1:45.0	He before was opposed to a bill that would disclose the documents being held by his own justice department to the public.
1:52.0	Now he's for it. A Speaker of the House was against it. Now he's for it.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from MK Media, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of MK Media and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.