Next Up with Mark Halperin

Episode: Brit Hume, Joe Scarborough, Megyn Kelly, Newt Gingrich: Memorable Guests of 2025
Date: December 23, 2025
Host: Mark Halperin (MK Media)

Overview

In this episode, Mark Halperin convenes a fast-moving, insightful conversation with some of the biggest names in American political media—Brit Hume, Joe Scarborough, Megyn Kelly, and Newt Gingrich (serving here as historian/political analyst)—to reflect on the current political landscape, the media's role and biases, the evolving dynamics inside the Trump administration, the fate of ‘woke’ culture, and lessons for Democrats and Republicans moving forward. The discussion is lively, honest, sometimes sharp, with personal reflections on broadcasting, cultural change, and even favorite movies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Evolution of Media Bias (Brit Hume)

Timestamps: 01:00–06:58

• Media bias has worsened since the Clinton era.
  “I think it's gotten worse, Mark, I'm sorry to say. ... the custom of neutral news coverage was deeply ingrained ... that tradition has faded.”
  (Brit Hume, 01:21)

• Trump's rise accelerated news media polarization.

• Many journalists today "reason out" false equivalency stories out of genuine delusion, not malice.

• If managing a newsroom, Hume would take down bad stories, reprimand journalists, and retrain for neutrality.

  “If the reasoning was as faulty as it seems to be, ... they would be reprimanded and it would be a mark against them.”
  (Brit Hume, 05:33)

• Hume notes that newsrooms can be taught to value neutrality with the right leadership.

Power Dynamics in the Trump Administration

Timestamps: 06:58–14:26

• VP J.D. Vance has rapidly accumulated power; comparisons to Cheney are apt, but Vance’s portfolio is broader.

  “Vance seems to have an even broader writ ... his effectiveness as a spokesman accounts for his accumulation of influence...”
  (Brit Hume, 07:25)

• Vance’s transformation: from intra-party skepticism to universal GOP acclaim.

• Scott Bessant, Treasury Secretary, seen as more effective and a better communicator than historic heavyweights like James Baker.

• Hume identifies underperformers (Hagseth, Bondi) and mixed-bag performers in the “all-star” visible Trump cabinet.

• Cabinet secretaries now enjoy more visibility and autonomy: “In this new Trump administration, we have a very visible cabinet and the president is fine with that...” (Brit Hume, 12:38)

All-Star or Weak Link? Rapid Fire (Brit Hume & Mark)

Timestamps: 12:51–14:12

• “Transportation Secretary Duffy: all star. Homeland Security Gnome: weak link. Secretary of State Rubio: all star.”
  (Rapid round, 12:59–13:48)

• Discussion of possible future Republican presidents beyond Vance—Sean Duffy cited as possible.

Why Trump Changed His Cabinet Approach

Timestamps: 14:12–16:04

• Trump now more self-assured, values strong performers in prominent positions:

  “He comes in with a bigger, more comfortable sense of himself ... a better sense of how to pick people ... and that's enabled him to see the value of having strong people around him…”
  (Brit Hume, 14:32–16:04)

The Vance Presidential Trajectory (Historian/Political Analyst)

Timestamps: 17:44–22:32

• Disease of Vice Presidents: with Trump’s success, Vance seen as “inevitable” GOP nominee for 2028 if status quo holds.
• Democratic bench for 2028 is weak; brief assessments offered of Newsom, Pritzker, Whitmer, Shapiro.

The Retreat of ‘Woke’ Culture & Cultural Realignment

Timestamps: 23:31–29:37

• Halperin and guests compare the retreat of woke/political correctness to the end of the Cold War: rapid and profound.

• Newt Gingrich traces left’s mistake back to elite overreaches and an insular cultural movement.

• Trump intuited and activated the broad anti-woke (or anti-elite) sentiment in America.

  “Trump was tapping the root of people who are sick and tired of being told they have to suffer lies.”
  (Historian/Political Analyst, 26:41)

• American left is in a “civil war” between the pragmatic old guard (Schumer) and the radical new left (AOC).

Media, Authenticity, and Broadcasting: Megyn Kelly Segment

Timestamps: 39:17–48:43

• Why can independent media figures be authentic, while mainstream TV anchors aren’t?
  Elite norms and institutional habits, fostering “news actors” and inauthenticity.

• Candid reflection on performance vs. engagement:

  “Brit Hume used to say to me, there are a lot of news actresses in this business. You're not one of them. But it's true for men, too. They're news actors, too.”
  (Megyn Kelly, 41:39)

• Kelly’s philosophy: humor as survival; news as “therapy.”

• Broadcasting heroes: Brit Hume, Mike Wallace (“charisma and fortitude”), early Oprah, Jesse Watters.

• Comedy inspirations: family, Joan Rivers, Andrew Schultz, Tim Dillon, Sebastian Maniscalco.

Lighter Segment: Favorite Movies & Fun

Timestamps: 51:00–54:44

• Megyn Kelly’s favorite: “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”
  • Heartfelt reasons—family, morality, childhood memory.
  • She watched it alongside the real Veruca Salt.

  “It's about ... terrible people getting their comeuppance and good people getting rewarded for their goodness.”
  (Megyn Kelly, 54:22)

Democratic Strategy Against Trump & GOP (Joe Scarborough)

Timestamps: 61:07–81:41

• Scarborough’s advice:

  • Don’t campaign against Trump if he’s not on the ballot; focus on Republican opponents instead.

• Analogies: Don’t fight Ali when you can fight Cooney; focus on “body blows”—localizing issues like tax cuts for the rich, slashing healthcare.

• Don’t let Trump “discombobulate” you; avoid “Trump Derangement Syndrome” in messaging.

• Democrats’ historic weakness: they want to be right, not win. “Republicans want to win.”

  “Leading into the 24 election. Let the Republicans be angry ... Call it out, but tell Americans what your vision for America is and why what they're doing is wrong.” (Joe Scarborough, 79:31)

• On universities & ‘woke’ culture: Defend research funding, criticize universities where fair, but don't let the GOP define the battlefield.

• On soft power & foreign aid: Democrats should defend these passionately, as what you care about can make others care.

• Rule of law: Politicians must not intimidate law firms out of representing disfavored clients.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Media Ethics
  “The custom of neutral news coverage was deeply ingrained...that tradition has faded.”
  – Brit Hume (01:21)

• Vance’s Rise
  “He simply ran rings around his hosts and made them look ridiculous. And I thought, Trump is going to like that and like that a lot.”
  – Brit Hume (07:25)

• Democratic Bench (on Newsom):
  “He's agile ... he has the potential to be very serious, very thoughtful ... he consciously stays on the surface.”
  – Historian/Political Analyst (22:52)

• ‘Woke’ Culture Backlash
  “[Trump] intuited that among a huge bloc of Americans, much bigger than his vote actually, that people despised us.”
  – Historian/Political Analyst (26:41)

• Cultural Realignment and Media
  “If you think of culture rather than politics, this country is clearly moving to the right, and it's moving to the right in reaction to its perception of the left.”
  – Historian/Political Analyst (34:55)

• On Authenticity in Media
  “There are a lot of news actresses in this business. You're not one of them. But it's true for men, too. They're news actors, too.”
  – Brit Hume via Megyn Kelly (41:39)

• Kelly on Humor
  “I don't think I would enjoy the news anywhere as much as I do if I couldn't laugh at the absurdity of it.”
  – Megyn Kelly (44:58)

• Scarborough’s Political Advice
  “Democrats want to be right. Republicans want to win.”
  – Joe Scarborough (79:31)

Important Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:00–06:58: Brit Hume on Media Bias Post-Clinton
• 06:58–16:04: Trump Cabinet Power & Dynamics (Vance, Bessant, Bondi)
• 17:44–22:32: Vance’s Succession Prospects & Democratic Bench Analysis (Historian/Analyst)
• 23:31–29:37: Retreat of Woke Culture; Cultural Analysis (Newt Gingrich)
• 34:55–36:43: Media’s Changing Role & Conservative Cultural Swing
• 39:17–48:43: Megyn Kelly on Authenticity in Media & Broadcasting, Comedy
• 51:00–54:44: Megyn Kelly on "Willy Wonka" and Movie Favorites
• 61:07–81:41: Joe Scarborough's Democratic Strategy and Media Handling Advice

Final Thoughts

This episode stands out for its unvarnished, high-level analysis of politics and media by iconic insiders. The candid assessments of media practice, the evolving culture wars, the Trump White House’s shifting dynamics, and laser-focused campaign advice offer listeners both a playbook for the road ahead and a historical lens for understanding the present moment.

For listeners seeking strategic insight, wit, and the pulse of 2025 political culture, this episode is essential.