Next Up with Mark Halperin – Episode Summary Title: Kamala’s 107 Excuses, Corey Lewandowski on Trump 3.0, and Detroit’s Mayor on Leaving the Dem Party
Release Date: August 5, 2025

1. Introduction

In this episode of Next Up with Mark Halperin, host Mark Halperin delves into the post-2024 political landscapes of key American figures. The discussion centers around Vice President Kamala Harris’s unclear future, Corey Lewandowski’s insights on Donald Trump’s evolving role, and an in-depth interview with Mike Duggan, the Mayor of Detroit, who is now running as an independent candidate for Governor of Michigan.

2. Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump: Diverging Paths

Mark Halperin initiates the conversation by examining the contrasting trajectories of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump following the 2024 election.

• Trump’s Dominance in Politics:

  • "Donald Trump is... thoroughly dominating our politics." (00:02)
  • He remains a daily presence in the political arena, actively shaping his party and influencing national discourse.
  • "He is radically changing it." (03:00)

• Harris’s Indecisiveness:

  • "What is Kamala Harris been doing? She's been doing mostly B list events, not major events." (05:00)
  • Harris has been relatively inactive on the national stage, struggling to define her next political move.
  • "She has tied herself in knots." (07:00)

• Comparison of Work Styles:

  • Trump is portrayed as relentless and hands-on, even amidst controversies.
  • Harris is criticized for her lack of decisive action and public presence.
  • "He is being bold and strong... he has worked really hard hiring good people." (04:25)

3. Corey Lewandowski’s Insights on Trump and Harris

Corey Lewandowski, a longtime Trump advisor, provides a critical analysis of both Trump and Harris's effectiveness since the 2024 election.

• Assessment of Kamala Harris:

  • "She has been doing mostly B list events, not major events." (03:16)
  • Described as lacking the necessary energy and commitment to secure a presidential bid.
  • "She has trouble dealing with staff when their pressure is on." (08:22)

• Praise for Donald Trump:

  • "He has worked very hard in this second term, round the clock, seven days a week." (04:25)
  • Emphasizes Trump's disciplined approach and effective policy implementation.
  • "Donald Trump is not destroying the country. He is radically changing it." (05:00)

• Critique of Democratic Party’s Support for Harris:

  • Many within the Democratic Party are dissatisfied with Harris’s performance and reluctance to take decisive steps.
  • "Kamala Harris might [run for president]. But for the last 274 days... she has barely been on the stage." (06:00)

• Work Styles Comparison:

  • Trump’s proactive engagement vs. Harris’s perceived passivity.
  • "Kamala Harris has largely shrunk back, not taking advantage of the public platform she could have." (10:00)

4. Interview with Corey Lewandowski: Trump’s Tenure and Administration Insights

In a candid interview, Corey Lewandowski shares his experiences and observations working alongside Donald Trump over a decade.

• Surviving and Thriving with Trump:

  • "Donald Trump is a political phenomenon." (19:38)
  • Emphasizes the importance of allowing Trump to lead without micromanagement.
  • "Letting Donald Trump be who he is, not trying to change him." (21:04)

• Corey’s Role and Relationship with the Administration:

  • Describes his special government employee status, assisting in various capacities without lobbying.
  • "I get to fix problems... cut through the bureaucracy." (43:23)

• Insights on Trump’s Generosity and Leadership:

  • "Donald Trump is much nicer and much more forgiving than I could ever be." (38:58)
  • Highlights Trump’s behind-the-scenes generosity and hands-on approach.
  • "He is a people person who responds to people." (23:46)

• Analysis of Current Administration’s Successes:

  • Praise for Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for maintaining internal harmony and preventing public chaos.
  • "Her best gift is impressing upon people... let’s keep conflicts private." (27:48)

• Views on Media Bias and Democratic Party’s Status:

  • "Fundamentally changed... the days of abc, NBC, and CBS running the news is over." (47:31)
  • Criticizes the Democratic Party for internal conflicts and failing to unite.
  • "The Democratic Party is in shambles." (48:08)

• Thoughts on Potential Republican Nominees:

  • Predicts J.D. Vance as the likely Republican nominee, contingent on Trump’s endorsement.
  • "Who does Donald Trump endorse, that’s how you win the primary." (35:12)

5. Interview with Mike Duggan: Detroit’s Revitalization and Independent Run for Governor

Mike Duggan, the Mayor of Detroit, discusses his successful tenure in revitalizing the city and his ambitious bid for Governor of Michigan as an independent candidate.

Revitalization Efforts in Detroit:

• Addressing Urban Decay:

  • Faced with 47,000 abandoned houses and deteriorating infrastructure upon his election in 2013.
  • Implemented a dual strategy of demolishing burned-out houses and auctioning properties to encourage ownership.
  • "We auction three houses a day... 12,000 families moved into formerly abandoned houses." (53:15-54:25)

• Economic Growth:

  • Secured investment by offering land access, streamlined permitting, and tax discounts.
  • Attracted ten new auto plants, including a major Jeep facility, creating 30,000 jobs over twelve years.
  • "We've had 30,000 more jobs here today than we had in Detroit 12 years ago." (53:15-54:41)

Policy Proposals for Michigan:

• Education Reform:

  • Plans to revert to phonics-based teaching, small group sessions, and consistent curricula to improve student performance.
  • "Stepping away from constantly changing curriculum and test scoring to allow teachers to teach effectively." (55:36)

• Economic and Population Concerns:

  • Emphasizes stopping the exodus of young populations by fostering tech job growth and stabilizing the economy.
  • "Michigan’s trade policies have devastated our manufacturing; we need to target tariffs effectively to bring jobs back." (65:00-66:13)

Governing as an Independent:

• Cross-Party Collaboration:

  • Advocates for working with both Republicans and Democrats to achieve pragmatic solutions.
  • "I’ve got huge support from Democratic labor unions and the Chamber of Commerce." (60:13)

• Potential Challenges:

  • Navigating a divided legislature and partisanship that hampers policy implementation.
  • "Democrats in Michigan are too far left, preventing cooperation with Republicans." (61:27)

• Success Metrics:

  • Focuses on tangible improvements in Detroit as a model for statewide governance.
  • "Detroit's revitalization is proof that working together can yield significant results." (53:15)

Interactive Segments:

• Trivia Games:
  • Engaged in light-hearted trivia about Michigan geography and politics to illustrate points and connect with listeners.
  • Examples include questions on states geographically north of Canada and ordering cities from east to west.

6. Conclusion

Mark Halperin wraps up the episode by highlighting Mike Duggan’s unique position as a successful independent candidate with bipartisan support. Duggan’s efforts in Detroit serve as a testament to effective, non-partisan governance, offering a hopeful perspective for Michigan’s future under his potential governorship.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "Donald Trump is... thoroughly dominating our politics." – Mark Halperin (00:02)
• "She has tied herself in knots." – Mark Halperin (07:00)
• "He is radically changing it." – Mark Halperin (05:00)
• "Donald Trump is much nicer and much more forgiving than I could ever be." – Corey Lewandowski (38:58)
• "We’ve had 30,000 more jobs here today than we had in Detroit 12 years ago." – Mike Duggan (53:15-54:41)
• "The Democratic Party is in shambles." – Corey Lewandowski (48:08)
• "Letting Donald Trump be who he is, not trying to change him." – Corey Lewandowski (21:04)
• "Detroit's revitalization is proof that working together can yield significant results." – Mike Duggan (53:15)

Key Takeaways

• Kamala Harris is perceived as indecisive and lacking in public engagement post-2024, contrasting sharply with Donald Trump's active and dominant political presence.
• Corey Lewandowski offers a critical view of Harris’s effectiveness while commending Trump’s disciplined and impactful presidency.
• Mike Duggan showcases successful urban revitalization in Detroit as a blueprint for his independent gubernatorial campaign, emphasizing bipartisan cooperation and practical policy implementation.
• The episode underscores the growing dissatisfaction with traditional party dynamics and highlights the potential for independent candidates to drive meaningful change.

For listeners interested in the intricate dynamics of American politics and the potential shifts within political parties, this episode provides a comprehensive analysis from influential voices within the current landscape.