The Morning Meeting – Episode Summary

Podcast: The Morning Meeting (2WAY)
Episode: Why Won't U.S. Media Cover Reports that Australia Attackers May Be ISIS-Linked Islamic Extremists?
Date: December 15, 2025
Host: Mark Halperin
Panelists: Kevin Walling (Democratic strategist), Amber Duke (Senior Editor, Daily Caller)

Episode Overview

This edition of The Morning Meeting examines three unsettling and unresolved events from the past weekend:

• The killings in Australia, reportedly with ISIS ties and an anti-Semitic motive
• The violent attack at Brown University, with discussion of possible targeted political violence
• The murders of Rob Reiner and his wife, with suspicion on a family member

The panel also explores broader issues of media responsibility, public information, political violence, narrative suppression about radicalization, and how partisanship shapes news coverage. Additional topics include political developments (Russia/Ukraine, 2028 speculation), media figures, and the ongoing challenge of public trust during turbulent news cycles.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Disturbing Events: Processing a Weekend of Tragedy

[01:34–08:34 | Initial Reaction & Coverage]

• The panel reflects on the shocking violence: the murder of Charlie Kirk, the deaths in Australia, Brown University shooting, and the Reiner case.
• Panelists stress uncertainty and lack of closure due to limited details, especially around motives and identification of suspects.

Amber Duke [06:30]:

“There was a Christmas market in Germany where five individuals were arrested for planning an attack... just a wave of violence. And I think it makes it harder... there’s still not a lot of answers in at least two of these cases.”

Kevin Walling [08:34]:

“It's all just so senseless. ... That uncertainty around is their community actually safe? Is problematic... It fuels conspiracies, and it's just problematic.”

Mark Halperin [09:33]:

“You can't say ‘the lockdown's over, the community can be calm,’ ... then release that person and say... ‘we no longer need a lockdown,’ without explaining. It doesn't make any sense.”

2. The Media’s Role: What’s Left Unsaid?

[09:33–14:05 | Suppression & Selectivity in Coverage]

• Mark raises concern over selective reporting, especially regarding the Australia attack’s ISIS/extremist ties.
• The tendency to avoid discussion of radical Islamic extremism in Western media is highlighted, despite credible reports abroad.
• Panelists debate media reluctance to identify perpetrators’ backgrounds or acknowledge ideological motives for attacks.

Mark Halperin [10:50]:

“For some reason, the political correctness of many people in our society... precluded acknowledgment that there have been many, many cases of murders committed by Muslims ... and it’s just not central to the coverage... In this case, it’s kind of incredible that... most Western news organizations... are not pointing out that’s being reported, what their ties are.”

Kevin Walling [11:57]:

“The question of how these individuals are getting radicalized, the fact that we don’t want to talk about it in polite company and call it out when we see it, it's hugely problematic.”

Amber Duke [12:51]:

“There's two narratives that the media doesn't want to cover: One is this purposeful attack against Jews ... the other is the identity of the perpetrators and radical jihad. ... Nobody just wants to say the truth, the quiet part out loud.”

3. Speculation and Motives: The Brown University Attack

[15:10–18:39 | Political Targeting?]

• Discussion on the possible targeting of Ella Cook, a prominent conservative student, at Brown.
• Both panelists stress the increasing willingness among younger people to resort to political violence, referencing recent attacks and survey data.

Amber Duke [16:26]:

“It seems to me that the political violence problem has only gotten worse... There really is a strain among young people where they believe that political differences and problems can be solved by killing the person of the opposite political stripe.”

Kevin Walling [17:42]:

“We have seen this transcend now to lower generations... the idea that political violence is the solution to our disagreements is on the rise.”

4. Media Treatment: The Rob Reiner Murders

[18:39–22:01 | Caution and Double Standards]

• Noted discrepancies in media outlets: Only People Magazine and TMZ naming Reiner’s son as suspect; major news outlets more cautious.
• Panelists discuss reasons for media restraint and possible implications of family involvement.

Amber Duke [21:26]:

“TMZ and People usually are trustworthy sources... The only thing I can think of is it dropped late at night. But... I don’t know what the motivation would be for keeping that out of the story.”

5. Conspiracy, Social Media, and Public Mourning (Charlie Kirk's Death)

[22:01–27:30 | Handling Conspiracy and Grief Online]

• The team discusses the fallout and conspiracy chatter after Charlie Kirk’s death.
• Candace Owens has promoted alternative theories; Mark and Amber express skepticism about the likelihood of productive outcomes in her planned meeting with Erica Kirk.
• Social media has contributed to attacks on grieving families and spread of vitriol.

Amber Duke [23:39]:

“My hopes are not high. ... My concern is Erica has been so tasteful... I don’t expect Erica to come out of this meeting telling us every single thing... That gives Candace ... the opportunity to manipulate what was actually said... which will only propel the conspiracy theories further.”

6. International & Policy News – Russia/Ukraine, Epstein Files, 2028 Election

[27:30–43:49 | “Daybook” Topics & Political Outlook]

• Russia/Ukraine: Panelists discuss the possibility of a peace deal as Zelensky makes major concessions. Both are moderately optimistic, while noting U.S. Republicans’ relative silence signals a deal may be close.
• Epstein Files: Ongoing Congressional battle over the release, partisanship concerns, and skepticism about whether meaningful revelations are likely.
• 2028 Preview: Discussion of Democratic hopefuls — Gavin Newsom (vulnerability: authenticity vs. progressivism), Kamala Harris (struggles to win back favor, pressure to get out early), Reuben Gallego, and Josh Shapiro (seen as rising, maybe front-runner).

Amber Duke [32:20]:

“This whole Epstein file situation has been so strange that I think anything is possible. ... These selective leaks make it clear it’s not about transparency, it’s about trying to hurt Trump.”

7. User Q&A and Listener Perspectives

[47:13–61:39 | Community Q&A & Broader Themes]

• Questions addressed: The efficacy and future of Turning Point in GOP turnout; roots and responsibility for political violence; whether celebrities (e.g., Rob Reiner) should speak politically.
• Mark and guests reflect on the unique polarization and personal attacks of the Trump era, noting Trump’s statement on Reiner’s death ("it sucked").
• Importance of representation and inclusion of diverse perspectives, especially the Black viewpoint on race and political discourse.

Kevin Walling [60:28]:

“President never fails to make anything like this about himself... To quote his predecessor, God love him.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On selective reporting & radicalization
  Mark Halperin [10:50]: "It’s kind of incredible that... most Western news organizations... are not pointing out that’s being reported, what their ties are."
• On political violence
  Amber Duke [16:26]: “There really is a strain among young people where they believe that political differences and problems can be solved by killing the person of the opposite political stripe.”
• On the media’s responsibility
  Amber Duke [12:51]: “Nobody just wants to say the truth, the quiet part out loud, which is they made a deliberate choice to let in people without knowing where they were coming from... now we see the consequences of that.”
• On the Trump-era impact on discourse
  Kevin Walling [60:28]: "President never fails to make anything like this about himself..."
• On conspiracy culture
  Amber Duke [26:59]: "She deals with generalities and vagueness... It's all 'the source in my emails,' 'the military people calling me,' ... always the promise of more. ... It's insane. I truly think she's lost it."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:34] – Reactions to Charlie Kirk’s murder
• [06:30] – Amber’s take on the Brown University violence and Germany attacks
• [09:33] – Mark's criticism of official press briefings and law enforcement communication
• [10:50] – Media’s reluctance to report on ISIS/radical links in Australian attacks
• [15:10] – Speculation about targeting at Brown University
• [18:39] – Rob Reiner’s murder and media selectivity
• [22:01] – Fallout (and conspiracies) after Charlie Kirk’s death
• [27:30] – Russia/Ukraine peace talks, U.S. and European posture
• [32:20] – Epstein files and Clinton testimony battle
• [36:22] – 2028: Vulnerabilities of Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris’s challenge
• [47:13] – Audience Q&A begins (Turning Point, violence, celebrity voices)

Tone & Language

• Frank, direct, occasionally exasperated.
• Panelists maintain respect for one another while confronting uncomfortable issues directly.
• Frequent use of "honest," "uncertain," and "problematic" to describe the news environment.
• Sarcastic humor used about political personalities (“I think you had him at number one right now @ this point,” “the President never fails to make anything about himself”).
• Willingness to question media norms and political correctness, without resorting to inflammatory rhetoric.

Concluding Thoughts

This episode navigated a series of difficult breaking news stories, focusing on the ongoing gap between facts available, media coverage, and public perception. The conversation repeatedly returned to how information is managed, what’s left unsaid, and how polarization creates new dangers, from radicalization to conspiracy culture. The show closed with dynamic audience interaction, reflections on representation in media, and acknowledgement of collective fatigue and frustration with the current state of political discourse.