2WAY Morning Meeting

Episode: Trump "Not Worried" About Government Shutdown: Deadlock With Democrats May Last Until Mid-November
Date: October 27, 2025
Hosts: Mark Halperin, Sean Spicer, Dan Turrentine

Episode Overview

In today’s fast-paced and wide-ranging “Morning Meeting,” Mark Halperin, Sean Spicer, and Dan Turrentine dissect the biggest news driving the day for network news executives, with special attention on President Trump’s Asia trip, the government shutdown standoff, and key developments in U.S. domestic and foreign politics. The episode weaves together on-the-ground insight, hard analysis, memorable quips, and candid listener Q&A.

Key Segments and Discussion Points

[00:57] - [04:17] Opening Chatter: President's Asia Trip & The Quiet News Cycle

• Mark notes network news meetings are out of sync due to President Trump starting his day in Asia just as the U.S. wakes up.
• Sean expects a “relatively quiet week” in D.C. because key stories like the shutdown are deadlocked, and most presidential news will happen overnight U.S. time.
• Casual banter: marathons, sports, and caffeine—warming up the show’s tone with “conversations like no other.”

Memorable Quote:
"If you want to know between 8am and 9am on Sunday what I will be doing..." - Dan [03:13]

[04:17] - [07:40] President Trump in Asia: Achievements & Image

• Trump in Japan after visits to Malaysia and the signing of a Thailand-Cambodia peace treaty.
• His social media commentary (“great and very vibrant country...signed major trade and earth deals...promises made, promises kept”) sets a statesmanlike, campaign-style tone.
• Vice President's presence is noted, but activities are mostly limited to photo ops.

[07:40] - [09:27] U.S.-China Breakthrough: Trade Deal & Geopolitical Stakes

• Both Sean and Dan see the preliminary U.S.-China framework as significant, notably long-term soybean purchases (“multi-year purchase...a big win for US farmers”) and rare earths agreements.
• Dan is skeptical about claims that China is gaining “almost nothing,” raising face-saving dynamics for Xi Jinping.

Notable Exchange:
"I have a source who I trust to not spin me...this is going to be very good for the U.S." - Mark [09:27]

[09:27] - [12:24] Russia’s Nuclear Test & China’s Role in Ukraine

• Russia tests a new nuclear missile—AP calls it their most provocative act since Trump’s return.
• Dan and Sean agree little will change in the Russia-Ukraine standoff this week, unless China “leans in” to help end the war.
• Discuss the idea that China might pressure Russia as part of a Taiwan quid-pro-quo with the U.S.

Quick Debate:
"Does China take over Taiwan by the end of Trump's term?"
Mark: "Yes."
Sean: "Correct answer. Yes."
Dan: "Oh, yeah." [12:18]

[12:24] - [14:22] Will Trump Meet Kim Jong Un Again?

• Trump is signaling openness to another summit with North Korea’s “Rocket Man.”
• Hosts all agree a meeting is likely (“Yes, they will. And look, it’s good too. You should always have dialogue.” - Dan [12:56])

[14:22] - [18:10] Government Shutdown: No End In Sight

• Sean: Sees stalemate lasting until at least mid-to-late November (“I still believe we're looking closer to the 15th to the 20th...even then, Republicans...fundamentally think [the subsidies] are flawed” [14:22])
• Dan: Pressure building due to real-world pain (especially SNAP benefits); both parties blame each other, complicating any breakthrough.
• Mark/Sean: No appetite in the House for a bipartisan “115-vote joint Whip operation,” especially in a MAGA-dominated GOP.

Quote:
"The problem, the fire's on their watch. So it doesn't for most voters...we don't care who started the fire. You have to put it out." - Sean [16:49]

[18:10] - [21:29] The White House Ballroom: Symbols, Partisanship & Media Narratives

• Strange bedfellows: Washington Post supports Trump’s ballroom construction; Wall Street Journal editorialist sharply criticizes norm violations.
• Dan: Predicts Democrats will keep referencing the ballroom as a metaphor for restoring “honor and dignity,” comparing it to Bush’s constant Clinton-era refrains.
• Sean: Dismisses the idea of tearing it down as “the dumbest thing ever” and highlights the partisan symbolism.

Quote:
"I do not think they should tear it down...but it will animate and motivate people with a single image.” - Dan [20:12]

[21:45] - [26:50] 2028 Democratic Field: Biden, Harris, Newsom

• Kamala Harris: Trying to project her relevance, but even local campaigns aren't inviting her.
• Gavin Newsom: Weak, “wishy-washy” answer on his 2028 presidential intentions leads to ridicule from all three hosts (“He is normally really shrewd...that question's coming up...I could have rehearsed that thing for him!” - Sean [26:37])

[27:27] - [32:45] NYC Mayoral Race: Polling, Demographics & Uncertainty

• Bernie Sanders and AOC hold huge rallies for the progressive candidate, Mondami.
• Mark notes high early turnout among older voters could signal trouble for Mondami, referencing how polling models often fail if demographics shift unexpectedly.
• Sean: Anecdotes of “holding my nose” voters for Cuomo, expects a closer race than expected.

[33:50] - [36:18] Gubernatorial Races/National Issues

• New Jersey: Jewish coalition supports Cittarelli; turnout concerns on both sides.
• Virginia: Emergency redistricting could backfire on Democrats.
• Discussion of the short-list for the next Fed Chair—none of the panel are convinced any listed finalist is a lock.

[36:18] - [40:54] Health & Transparency at the White House

• President Trump revealed to have had an MRI—reason not disclosed, raising concerns about transparency.
• Dan: "Something’s up...you don’t go get a flu shot for five hours."
• Debate about how forthcoming the administration should be regarding health details.

[37:58] - [40:54] Sunday Show Media Shakeup: Margaret Brennan’s Tough Question

• Brennan presses Hakeem Jeffries on using “rigged” election language; both right and left notice.
• Sean: Surprised by the directness, saying “especially from someone like Margaret Brennan...I get why liberals are outraged—they're not used to this.”

[42:53] - [46:59] Live Listener Q&A: Foreign Policy Focus

• Shamo from Kuala Lumpur reviews Trump’s Asia trip: “He played the visit extremely well...played very statesmanlike.”
• Asks about U.S. embassy outreach and China’s soft power in Asia and Africa.
• Sean/Dan: Agree U.S. global influence lags behind China’s “open wallet” diplomacy in the developing world.

[47:06] - [56:41] Voter Frustration & Civility

• Mallory (South Carolina): Voices frustration over tit-for-tat partisanship at the executive level—“where’s the adult in the room?”
• Sean: “It's very on brand for Trump...a lot of folks are saying, good, I like that we're fighting back."
• Dan: Warns of “exhaustion factor” risk for future GOP candidates if smashing norms continues.

[51:35] - [56:41] Congressional Dysfunction

• Jackie (Pittsburgh): Asks about appropriations, budget extensions, and dysfunctional, embarrassing committee hearings.
• Sean/Dan: Congressional hearings are now “staged political events” designed for TV and political gain rather than oversight or learning.

[56:53] - [58:42] NY & the Democratic Party’s Future

• Doug: Questions the Democratic Party's hard left turn, referencing the NYC mayoral race and perceived lack of leadership pushback regarding 9/11-adjacent rhetoric.
• Dan: Acknowledges the “broader issue” of shifting party politics around Israel/Palestine.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “The problem, the fire's on their watch. So it doesn't for most voters...we don't care who started the fire. You have to put it out.” - Sean [16:49]
• “No, I think they'll keep talking about it...it will animate and motivate people with a single image.” - Dan, on the ballroom as a political weapon [20:12]
• “If you are her [Harris], you walk away...saying, wow, look at this, there's a lot of people who want me to run.” - Sean, on Harris’s book tour and presidential ambitions [25:44]
• “...the base loves it. The middle 10% hates it...there's an exhaustion factor...” - Dan, on Trumpian trolling and the risk for the GOP [51:28]
• “Committee hearings just have transformed from actually wanting to learn something to staged events...” - Sean, on Congressional dysfunction [55:11]
• “Is this the future of the Democratic Party? Is this where it's going to go? And is anyone going to try to steer it back?” - Listener Doug, about NYC’s leftward drift [57:59]

Timestamps for Key Topics

| Topic | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------------|------------| | Opening Chatter & President’s Asia Trip | 00:57-04:17| | U.S.-China Trade Framework | 07:40-09:27| | Russia’s Nuclear Test, Ukraine, and China | 09:27-12:24| | Trump-North Korea Summits | 12:24-14:22| | Government Shutdown Analysis | 14:22-18:10| | Ballroom Symbolism & Media Framing | 18:10-21:29| | Biden/Harris/Newsom 2028 Positioning | 21:45-26:50| | NYC Mayoral: Polls, Turnout, Uncertainty | 27:27-32:45| | Governors’ Races & Fed Chair Shortlist | 33:50-36:18| | White House Health Transparency | 36:18-40:54| | Margaret Brennan Grills Hakeem Jeffries | 37:58-40:54| | Listener Q&A: U.S. Soft Power vs China | 42:53-46:59| | Voter Fatigue with Partisanship | 47:06-51:28| | Congressional Dysfunction and Theater | 51:35-56:41| | Dem Party Direction & NYC Race | 56:53-58:42|

Tone & Style

The conversation balances frank policy analysis, irreverent asides, and playful banter (“smack-free” chat weeks, branded Fairway & Green gear) with moments of serious, sometimes personal, commentary from listeners on the challenges facing American politics.

The hosts maintain a spirit of honest disagreement and cross-party respect throughout, ensuring that even sharp critiques land in the context of genuine engagement—a defining characteristic of 2WAY’s “conversation like no other.”

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode delivers a punchy yet insightful peek behind the headlines: how newsmakers and strategists assess the players, why the shutdown isn’t budging, what the U.S. really got from Beijing, why symbolism matters (ballrooms!), and how both parties are shaped by persistent political theater, shifting coalitions, and relentless media cycles. The open, live Q&A lets everyday Americans surface deep worries about the country’s direction, ensuring the episode stays grounded in the realities facing viewers and voters nationwide.