Podcast Summary: Next Up with Mark Halperin Episode: Partisan Divide on Iran, Inside Trump’s Big Decision, with Rachael Bade, and Sage Steele Unfiltered
Release Date: June 24, 2025

Section 1: Introduction to the Episode

In this episode of Next Up with Mark Halperin, host Sage Steele delves into the recent military strike on Iran orchestrated by President Donald Trump. Joining her are prominent voices in politics and media, including Rachael Bade, Capitol Bureau Chief of Politico, and Mark Calperin, editor-in-chief of the live video platform Two Way. The conversation centers around the partisan reactions to Trump's decisive actions, the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy, and the evolving dynamics within the Republican Party.

Section 2: Mark Calperin's Analysis of Trump's Iran Strike

Mark Calperin opens the discussion with a comprehensive analysis of President Trump's recent military action against Iran. He emphasizes the historical bipartisan consensus regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions and threats to Israel and the West.

“By all measures, a pretty exciting, pretty dramatic move and pretty successful... This was classic Trump. He said to the Iranians, make a deal or you will pay a price.”
[05:30] Mark Calperin

Calperin argues that Trump's approach, though unconventional, effectively addressed a long-standing international concern that previous administrations struggled to resolve. He highlights the coordinated efforts between the U.S. and Israeli leadership, noting that:

“Donald Trump acted decisively and he acted with a purpose... to solve a problem that has bedeviled the United States and Israel and the world for decades.”
[07:45] Mark Calperin

He further critiques the current partisan landscape, suggesting that Democratic criticisms of Trump's actions mirror past Republican disparagement of previous presidents, thus perpetuating deep political polarization.

“We live in this binary zero-sum world now in our politics where if Donald Trump does it for Democrats, it's bad... If Biden's for it, it's a bad idea.”
[11:50] Mark Calperin

Section 3: Rachael Bade on Journalism in the Trump Era

Sage Steele introduces Rachael Bade, who shares her experiences as a reporter navigating the tumultuous political climate under Trump’s second administration. Bade reflects on the challenges and excitements of covering such a polarized environment.

“Donald Trump might have ruined journalism for me... It's so exciting. It's fun, it's stressful.”
[18:50] Rachael Bade

She uses a farm metaphor to describe the overwhelming and unpredictable nature of current political stories:

“I feel like I'm on a farm and, and there's chickens all around me and each chicken is a different story.”
[20:12] Rachael Bade

Bade expresses her concern over the shift in presidential attitudes towards Iran and seeks clarity on what prompted Trump's aggressive stance, questioning the intelligence behind his decision:

“I want to know what changed President Trump's mind... something changed.”
[20:55] Rachael Bade

Section 4: The Impact of Partisanship on Policy and Leadership

The conversation shifts to the broader implications of extreme partisanship on national security and policymaking. Bade discusses how bipartisan efforts have been undermined, making unified responses to international threats more challenging.

“Partisanship should stop at the water's edge. On matters of national security, people should have a higher bar.”
[12:10] Mark Calperin

She further elaborates on the repercussions of this divide, noting that even when actions align with national interests, political loyalty often dictates responses:

“All Democrats now refuse to say, bravo, Mr. President... They continue to argue something that, and this is where the bad politics comes in.”
[25:37] Sage Steele

Section 5: Navigating Trump’s Political Alliances

Sage Steele and Rachael Bade explore the relationships between Trump and key Republican figures like John Thune, Mike Johnson, and J.D. Vance. Bade provides insights into how these allies have managed to maintain favorable standings with Trump amidst shifting political tides.

“Johnson has bought himself some real political capital with the president... he's in President Trump's good graces and that's all that matters.”
[30:58] Rachael Bade

Bade contrasts the approaches of past Republican leaders with Thune and Johnson, highlighting their strategic alignment with Trump’s agenda to secure legislative successes and maintain party unity.

“John Thune has played a big role behind the scenes... they were able to muscle these folks through.”
[33:40] Rachael Bade

Section 6: Personal Reflections and the Role of Courage in Leadership

Mark Calperin shares his personal journey from sports broadcasting to becoming a vocal supporter of Trump, emphasizing the importance of courage and kindness in leadership. He discusses the challenges he faced while standing up against corporate pressures at ESPN and the moral convictions that drove him to speak out.

“I choose to lead with kindness... my goal, in whatever way that is, whatever platform, is to try to stand up for those who live in fear like I did.”
[57:00] Mark Calperin

Calperin recounts his emotional experiences and the support from his family, illustrating how personal values guided his public stance:

“The prayer is, help me to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong... it actually makes everything very clear, even if it's scary.”
[60:38] Mark Calperin

Section 7: Conclusion and Future Outlook

In wrapping up the episode, Sage Steele reflects on the enduring impact of partisanship and the necessity for more unified leadership in addressing national and international challenges. The guests agree that while Trump's actions have sparked significant debate, they also highlight the critical need for principled and courageous leadership in turbulent times.

“We can't control what anyone else thinks... it's easier to be kind. And I feel like if I'm preaching that to my kids... Then I have won.”
[56:19] Mark Calperin

The episode concludes with a forward-looking perspective, emphasizing the importance of dialogue, understanding, and principled action in overcoming political divides and fostering effective governance.

Key Takeaways:

1. Bipartisan Concerns on Iran: There has historically been bipartisan agreement on addressing Iran's nuclear capabilities, a consensus that transcends individual administrations but is currently strained by heightened partisanship.

2. Impact of Partisanship: Extreme political polarization undermines unified responses to national security threats, with partisan loyalty often overshadowing shared national interests.

3. Leadership and Courage: Personal stories highlight the importance of courage and integrity in leadership, especially when confronting institutional pressures and advocating for principled actions.

4. Evolving Political Alliances: Key Republican figures have navigated their relationships with Trump by aligning closely with his agenda, demonstrating the complexities of political loyalty within the party.

5. Future of U.S. Foreign Policy: The episode underscores the need for cohesive and bipartisan strategies in managing international relations and maintaining global stability.

Notable Quotes:

• “Donald Trump acted decisively and he acted with a purpose... to solve a problem that has bedeviled the United States and Israel and the world for decades.”
  — Mark Calperin [07:45]

• “I feel like I'm on a farm and, and there's chickens all around me and each chicken is a different story.”
  — Rachael Bade [20:12]

• “We can't control what anyone else thinks... it's easier to be kind. And I feel like if I'm preaching that to my kids... Then I have won.”
  — Mark Calperin [56:19]

This episode offers a nuanced exploration of the intersection between partisan politics and critical national security decisions, enriched by personal anecdotes and expert insights from leading political commentators.