U.S. Weighs War with Iran, Trump Faces MAGA Backlash, Plus David Mamet on Israel, Hollywood and TDS

Next Up with Mark Halperin

MK Media

News, Daily News, Politics

4.8 • 846 Ratings

🗓️ 17 June 2025

⏱️ 64 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Mark Halperin kicks off today’s show with a deep dive into Trump’s foreign policy philosophy, his instinct to avoid war, and the factors influencing a potential U.S. entry into the Israel-Iran conflict. Then, Mark examines the backlash Trump is facing from some in the MAGA movement, why parts of the isolationist right oppose a war with Iran, and what that might mean for the country and his administration. Then, legendary playwright, David Mamet, joins Mark to share his thoughts on Israel’s current position and why he believes Prime Minister Netanyahu is “bringing peace to the Middle East.” Mamet argues that Trump’s rhetoric might actually produce results—and that “being nice” isn’t a real strategy. Plus, Mamet weighs in on Hollywood, Democrats, Trump Derangement Syndrome, and more.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome back. I'm Mark Kalperin, editor-in-chief of the two-way live video platform and the host of this show.
0:08.2	Next up, here on the Megan Kelly Network. Thank you for joining. In just a little bit, we'll be joined by the great writer, David Mamet.
0:14.9	It's got a new book app. Every time the guy's interviewed, he's just gushed over by the host. So I'll do my share of gushing, but maybe not quite as gushy because guys are probably sick of it.
0:25.3	Pleasure to have you here, I like to continue to say.
0:27.6	I'll probably say it for the first five years.
0:29.1	We're a new show.
0:30.3	So if you're watching or listening on YouTube or on a podcast platform, please help us out.
0:35.2	Like, subscribe, share, tell all your friends. We're grateful to have
0:39.4	built the audience we've built so far and looking forward to more. David Mamet, as I said,
0:44.4	we'll be next up. But first, let's answer the question that is dominating the world right now.
0:49.3	Why would a man who hates war and loves negotiations? That's what he's done his whole career.
0:54.8	Why would he consider military action against Iran?
0:58.6	This is a dilemma for Donald Trump, right?
1:01.5	Biggest decision, perhaps, of his presidency that he's faced.
1:04.6	And it's an interesting challenge because right now you've got a divide within the country.
1:10.4	On the far left, people like David Hogg,
1:13.7	who's been vice chairman of the DNC,
1:15.2	saying absolutely no involvement in a conflict like this.
1:19.0	And then you've got people in Donald Trump's own party,
1:22.0	part of the MAGA movement, like Tucker Carlson,
1:24.4	Marjorie Taylor Green, saying absolutely not,
1:27.0	sounding a lot like David Hogg.
	...

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