Trump’s High-Stakes WHCA Return, Key Texas Senate Battle, and an Inside Look at Iran Negotiations

Next Up with Mark Halperin

MK Media

News, Daily News, Politics

4.6 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 23 April 2026

⏱️ 65 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Mark Halperin’s reported monologue breaks down Donald Trump’s high-stakes return to the White House Correspondents Association dinner, his first appearance at the event as president. He explains why the event is a rite of passage, how past presidents have handled the comedy pressure, and what to watch for as Trump faces one of the toughest rooms in Washington. Plus, Ben Ferguson breaks down the critical Texas Senate race and why Attorney General Ken Paxton could have a major edge over Senator John Cornyn. He also dives into what Ted Cruz is really like and what voters may be missing. Then, foreign policy expert Dr. Walid Phares explains why Iran could be stalling negotiations. Acre Gold: Start building physical gold with simple monthly payments and enter to win two Ancient Collection gold bars at https://GetAcreGold.com/MARK Bank On Yourself: Discover the retirement plan banks Don't want you to know about—get your free report at https://BankOnYourself.com/Mark 120Life: Go to https://120Life.com and use code NEXTUP to save 20% Apple — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-up-with-mark-halperin/id1810218232 Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/2f0n8G4xqUo8aGxbbbtRjH%3Fsi%3D8e4ff54000cc438d Follow Next Up with Mark Halperin on all social platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextuphalperin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nextuphalperin X (Twitter): https://x.com/NextUpHalperin Connect with Mark Halperin on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markevanhalperin X (Twitter): https://x.com/markhalperin

Transcript

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0:00.0	everybody welcome to next up i am mark cowpern editor-in chief's live interactive video platform
0:07.2	two-way your host to everything next up very happy to have all you nexters a newbie nexters here
0:12.8	to hang out together to talk about what is happening now and again what's going to happen next we have a
0:18.7	great show today ben ferguson back. He's the host of the
0:22.0	Ben Ferguson podcast, co-host of The Verdict with Ted Cruz. We love having him on and he and I are going to
0:26.9	walk through some of the current politics with Iran and the midterms and everything else. Excited,
0:32.1	always have been on. And then someone who hasn't been with us before, very knowledgeable on
0:36.2	the story of the moment on Iran.
0:38.8	Dr. Walid Faraz is here, author of a book called Iran, an imperialist Republican U.S. policy.
0:45.7	He's a longtime foreign policy advisor to people like Donald Trump and Mitt Romney.
0:50.1	We're going to talk to him about the latest news there and whether peace could be at hand or whether we're looking at more war.
0:56.9	Before our two guests, though, in just a moment, my reported monologue is special deep dive on the big event coming up in Washington this weekend, the White House Correspondents Association dinner where Donald Trump will be making his debut.
1:08.4	I am, I would say, borderline obsessed with what kind of comedy the president plans to bring to the dinner, what kind of game he has.
1:16.6	My reported monologue on Donald Trump and humor, the history of the White House Correspondents Association dinner.
1:22.8	That's all next up.
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