The Morning Meeting – February 17, 2026

Episode Title: AOC "Expresses Frustration" After Gaffe-Ridden Munich Trip; Guthrie Case Latest
Hosts: Mark Halperin, Kevin, Larry, Andre
Podcast: The Morning Meeting (2WAY)

Overview

Today's episode covers a packed news cycle, including the death and legacy of Jesse Jackson, significant diplomatic negotiations involving Iran, Ukraine, and Russia, the latest on Savannah Guthrie's family case, continuing fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein files (including the Clintons and Bill Gates), AOC's headline-making trip to Munich, political sparring over a major Potomac sewage spill, and the media's coverage of the Rhode Island mass shooting by an alleged trans suspect.

The tone is sharp, irreverent, and sometimes biting, particularly as hosts reflect on the intersection of media coverage, politics, and public perception.

Key Discussions & Timestamps

Remembering Jesse Jackson’s Legacy

[03:32 – 13:06]

• Mark opens with the news of Jackson’s passing, emphasizing his role as a civil rights leader between MLK Jr. and Obama.

• Archival speech highlights (1984 DNC: “If blacks vote in great numbers, progressive whites win...” [04:13])

• The throughline from Jackson's work to today’s Democratic progressives.

• Personal anecdotes about Clinton's uneasy relationship with Jackson.

• Iconic lighter moment: Jackson reading “Green Eggs & Ham” on SNL [06:00].

  "I've met most of the leading political figures of the last 40 years in American politics and no one was larger than life in person than Reverend Jackson." — Host, [12:38]

• Larry & Kevin discuss the complexities of Jackson’s political style and influence, including lasting rule changes in Democratic primaries that benefited Obama.

Diplomatic Negotiations: Iran, Ukraine, Russia

[14:43 – 24:20]

• Kevin & Mark detail unprecedented back-to-back Geneva talks: Witkoff and Kushner meeting with Iranians, then Ukrainians and Russians.

• Low optimism on both conflicts:

  • Russia-Ukraine talks are downbeat; Russian delegate seen as a hardliner [16:49].
  • Market odds are gloomy for a near-future Ukraine land concession [17:57].
  • On Iran, U.S. military posturing increases; hosts speculate on odds of a deal vs. major military strike ([20% deal / 70% strike / 10% pinprick] – Mark, [22:05]).
  • Larry: “The die is cast, frankly. ...I think these discussions are window dressing.” [22:32]

• Quotes:

  "If Witkoff and Kushner pull this off, it's an incredible feat." — Mark, [20:13]

  "I'm leaning toward massive [strike]." — Larry, [22:28]

Savannah Guthrie Family Case & Media Coverage

[15:56 – 16:49]

• Hosts note the sheriff’s official clearing of all Guthrie family members as suspects, criticizing amateur online sleuths and ongoing sensational coverage.
• Kevin: “You had all those Internet sleuths out there really kind of hurting the family at this moment of maximum peril and grief.” [16:30]

Epstein Files, Clintons, and Accountability

[24:20 – 31:15]

• New revelations and fallout:

  • Corporate leaders forced out over Epstein links.
  • Documents show alleged coaching of Bill Gates.
  • Bannon’s connections under scrutiny.

• Hillary Clinton’s BBC Interview: Defends the Clintons' limited connection [26:16].

  "We have no links. We have a very clear record that we've been willing to talk about, which my husband has said he took some rides on the airplane for his charitable work." — Hillary Clinton, [26:18]

• Hosts dissect the Clintons’ denials, Clinton Global Initiative ties, and point out the exclusion of Bill Clinton from recent Democratic Party tributes [27:25].

  "I've been studying Hillary Clinton as a journalist since 1991. She didn't seem totally at ease there and she seemed to be spinning, downplaying the relationship with Maxwell..." — Host, [29:57]

AOC’s Munich Debacle — Press, Perception, and Political Risk

[31:12 – 34:58]

• AOC calls NYT to complain about coverage of her gaffe-ridden appearance at the Munich Security Conference.
  • Mark: “If you go to an international security conference...and you think the press is going to cover your substantive and very interesting message about the threat of authoritarianism...You are so naive that you shouldn't even be a member of the House.” [31:32]
  • Kevin: “If you're explaining, you're losing. And that was not the format to rehab what happened in Munich.” [32:33]
• Potential long-term impact on her Senate or presidential ambitions.
• Larry: “Ham-handed narcissism here by calling the New York Times and trying to do damage control…now we’re talking about it on Tuesday.” [33:15]
• Hosts joke about comparisons to Rick Perry’s famous “oops” gaffe [33:51]. AOC’s standing on Halperin’s “8 for 28” presidential power list debated.

Potomac Sewage Spill: Trump vs. Gov. Wes Moore

[34:58 – 37:58]

• Massive environmental disaster turns political:

  • Trump and Maryland Governor Moore trade blame.
  • Both hosts agree Moore’s slow public response is a political mistake, despite his otherwise savvy media presence.

  "People like action, right? And not this deliberation back and forth, and not sweeping it under the rug. So I think this is a political mistake for him." — Kevin, [37:14]

Government Shutdown & Congressional Gridlock

[38:08 – 38:33]

• All agree no end in sight until at least a week after the State of the Union.

Rhode Island Mass Shooting and Trans Identity

[38:33 – 42:29]

• Minimal legacy media coverage of alleged trans identity of the shooter; hosts debate the appropriateness and necessity of reporting such details, media's reluctance, and mental health complexities.
• Larry: "To suggest that if you’re a transgender, you have a mental illness...is absolutely forbidden. You are a bigot if you bring that up..." [41:25]
• Kevin: Urges for honest, public, non-bigoted conversation and more Congressional hearings on trans issues.

Special Segment: Live Listener Q&A and Ukraine Reporting

[45:51 – 56:15, select]

• Andre reports fresh from Ukraine—9 days on the ground:
  • Varying public opinion about war and land-for-peace deals.
  • Skepticism about holding secure, fair elections unless a ceasefire is established.
  • Ukrainian drone warfare innovation is “the real cutting edge” [52:36].
• Discussion of Russian attrition, conscription, and what Ukraine needs from NATO.

Notable Quotes

• On Jesse Jackson:
  "He was the major civil rights leader in this country between, and I said major black leader with an emphasis on civil rights between Dr. King and Barack Obama." — Host [03:32]

• On AOC in Munich:
  "You can't change what she did and how she behaved and how she came across and how bad she was. And so that's still relevant, regardless of what her intentions of her appearance was." — Larry [33:15]

• On Ukraine Negotiations:
  "If those wagers have any idea what's going on in the world, there's going to be no deal because there's not going to be a deal without the ceding of territory to Russia." — Host [18:19]

Flow & Tone

• Conversational, sharp, at times sarcastic.
• In-depth but fast-paced, toggling between analysis and pointed one-liners.
• Mix of headline triage with distinctive, frank commentary and listener engagement.

Additional Highlights & Resources

• Eric Trump’s drone investment and Italian PM Meloni’s role in NATO–U.S. relations mentioned in Q&A [56:30–58:19].
• Programming notes: New “8 for 28” episode, SiriusXM second hour debut, aftershow with Professor Kenny [56:30–62:57].

Summary Table of Key Segments

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |-------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Jesse Jackson Legacy | Civil rights, political influence, Democratic Party reforms | 03:32–13:06 | | Geneva Negotiations | Iran, Ukraine-Russia talks, military strike speculation | 14:43–24:20 | | Savannah Guthrie Case | Family cleared, media responsibility | 15:56–16:49 | | Epstein & Clintons | Files fallout, political figures’ links, Hillary's BBC defense | 24:20–31:15 | | AOC in Munich | Gaffes, press relations, 2028 presidential prospects | 31:12–34:58 | | Potomac Sewage Spill | Political blame game, environmental crisis | 34:58–37:58 | | Government Shutdown | Stalemate, predictions | 38:08–38:33 | | Rhode Island Shooting | Media's coverage, trans identity, mental health debate | 38:33–42:29 | | Ukraine Field Report | On-the-ground update from Andre, drone warfare innovation | 45:51–56:15 |

For listeners seeking depth, fresh reporting, and a balanced dose of skepticism and skepticism about both media and politicians, this episode offers a robust survey of the day’s most significant political stories.