Next Up with Mark Halperin: "Top Political Soundbites of 2025, Trump’s Israel and Tucker Friendships, and Life After a Pardon"

Date: December 18, 2025
Host: Mark Halperin
Guests: Dan Senor, Chris Collins

Episode Overview

This final episode of 2025 offers a dynamic mix of year-in-review political soundbites, in-depth analysis of the Trump administration’s foreign policy, lively discussion of antisemitism’s political implications, and a candid interview with former Congressman Chris Collins about his legal troubles, pardon, and political comeback. Halperin curates and contextualizes the year’s most impactful political moments, then pivots to conversations that dissect U.S.–Israel dynamics, Republican Party fractures, and the costs of legal battles in public life.

Standout Segments & Key Insights

1. 2025 in Political Soundbites

(00:32–26:44)

Halperin frames this as a review of defining political moments through the year’s most memorable audio clips—delivering both context and commentary.

A. Vice President J.D. Vance’s Unprecedented Influence

• Zelensky Confrontation (02/28/25)
  A tense Oval Office exchange presses Zelensky on gratitude for U.S. aid, setting a tone for American assertiveness:

  “Have you said thank you once? ...Offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the President who’s trying to save your country.”
  (J.D. Vance, 07:24–07:29)
  Halperin notes:
  “That moment shocked everybody ...it rocked the Ukrainians back on their heel.” (07:29–08:00)

• Munich Security Conference Speech
  Vance emphasizes internal rot as a bigger threat to Europe than foreign adversaries—criticizing “woke” politics and uncontrolled borders:

  “The threat that I worry most about vis-à-vis Europe is not Russia, it’s not China...The biggest threat is the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values.”
  (J.D. Vance, 13:00–13:17 paraphrased)

B. Democratic Party Ascendancy

• Gavin Newsom’s ‘Shadow Presidency’
  Newsom, post-Prop 50 victory, projects optimism and Democratic confidence:

  “A party that is in its ascendancy, a party that's on its toes, no longer on its heels, from coast to coast.”
  (Gavin Newsom, 15:01–15:23)
  Halperin’s analysis:
  “...if he becomes a Democratic nominee...that night, that speech...will be a massive part of the story.” (15:23–16:00)

• AOC’s Fiery House Floor Speech
  On the Republican ‘reconciliation package’:

  “This bill is a deal with the devil. It explodes our national debt. It militarizes our entire economy...to give Elon Musk a tax break...”
  (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 17:31–18:02)

C. MAGA Tensions on Display

• Ted Cruz v. Tucker Carlson (MAGA Infighting on Foreign Policy)
  Carlson grills Cruz’s knowledge of Iran amid foreign policy debate:

  “You don’t know the population of the country you seek to topple?”
  (Tucker Carlson, 20:20)
  Cruz snaps back:
  “I don't sit around memorizing population tables.”
  (Ted Cruz, 20:18–20:30)
  Halperin:
  “This clip is ...representative of the kind of tensions that exist with people who have been allies, who agree on most things, who are supportive of the president, and yet...real tensions.” (20:30–21:00)

• Erica Kirk’s Forgiveness at Charlie Kirk Memorial

  “That man...that young man, I forgive him.”
  (Erica Kirk, 21:30–21:32)
  Halperin emphasizes:
  “An incredible moment...the elevation of Erica Kirk as a...known figure...moment of grace.” (21:32–22:00)

D. Trump’s Inaugural Pledge

• "During every single day of the Trump administration, I will very simply put, put America first."
  (Donald Trump, 22:45–23:00)

2. Interview: Dan Senor—Antisemitism, U.S. Policy on Israel, and Secretary Rubio’s Unique Power

(28:07–48:12)

A. The Global Surge in Antisemitism

Senor discusses the psychological weight of Hanukkah amid anti-Jewish violence worldwide:

“...these last few days...there’s been a string of...anti Semitic violence...globally…Should the holiday also be about Jewish might not just light?”
(Dan Senor, 28:38–29:51)

• Political Roots:
  Senor argues that on the American left, rising antisemitism has been permitted by party gatekeepers:

  “The Democratic leadership gave it permission...it became this Frankenstein thing that got out of control.”
  (Dan Senor, 32:40–34:08)

B. Trump’s Pro-Israel Record vs. MAGA’s Problematic Friends

Halperin presses on Trump's close relations with Tucker Carlson, who’s platformed controversial figures, and the silent response around this.

• Senor defends Trump’s record:

  “He is right about that...look at what I’ve done.” (Dan Senor, 36:08–38:30)

• Yet acknowledges: silence permits toxicity.

C. Middle East Peace Deal—Why It’s “Not Collapsed”

• Senor underlines surprising but overlooked stability:

  “Hamas doesn’t pose a strategic threat to Israel anymore...All the living hostages are out of Gaza...”
  (Dan Senor, 39:32–41:33)

• The search for a peacekeeping force is stymied; only Saudis/Emiratis could realistically address radicalization among Palestinians:

  "The wild card—will the Saudis or the Emiratis come in? That’s the real question."
  (Dan Senor, 41:36–42:01)

D. Marco Rubio’s Unprecedented Foreign Policy Power

• Rubio is both Secretary of State and National Security Advisor:

  “Structurally...there’s only one other precedent...which is Kissinger. Rubio has...unprecedented...power.”
  (Dan Senor, 45:04–46:53)

• Rubio deftly manages turf wars with outsized players like Kushner.

3. Interview: Chris Collins—Life, Scandal, Pardon, and Return to Politics

(50:33–77:32)

A. Early Trump Backer: The Payoff and Risks

• Collins recounts his leap to endorse Trump first among congressmen:

  "I stood firmly with now-President Trump...There were only 11 of us in the entire United States Congress standing with Donald Trump."
  (Chris Collins, 51:39–57:24)

B. Legal Trouble, DOJ Tactics, Personal Fallout

• Collins narrates his insider trading conviction:

  “It comes back to the Department of Injustice...they leveraged my son, basically forcing me...to plead guilty.”
  (Chris Collins, 57:45–61:41)

• Shares the burden of family leverage, overcharging, and the near-inevitability of pleas in federal prosecution:

  “98% of all individuals charged with a federal crime plead guilty...because they leverage family where they can.”
  (Chris Collins, 62:12–63:37)

• Suggests modest reforms (mandatory FBI recording of interviews), but concedes limited recourse to prosecutorial overreach.

C. Pardon and Path Back

• Trump’s loyalty noted as exceptional:

  “He is the most loyal individual that ever walked...His loyalty is truly amazing.”
  (Chris Collins, 72:57–74:48)

• Collins faces a crowded Florida primary but hopes for Trump endorsement:

  “If I was able to get his endorsement, that would pretty much be a game changer.”
  (Chris Collins, 72:19–72:40)

• On Trump’s true personality:

  “He’s very quiet, he’s very thoughtful…asks everyone at the table…a quiet listener, probing and asking the opinions…before he makes the decision.”
  (Chris Collins, 72:57–74:48)

• Collins describes Trump as funny, human:

  “He’s very funny. He’s a human being…he just happens to be the leader of the world.”
  (Chris Collins, 74:48–75:31)

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Halperin on the year’s political chaos:

  “The pace of news is so vast now. But for some reason, this year seemed particularly packed.” (02:04)

• J.D. Vance lays down the new America-first line to Zelensky:

  “Offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the President who’s trying to save your country.” (07:24–07:29)

• Gavin Newsom’s post-victory self-crowning:

  “A party that is in its ascendancy, a party that's on its toes, no longer on its heels, from coast to coast...” (15:01–15:23)

• AOC’s condemnation of ‘reconciliation’:

  “This bill is a deal with the devil...To give Elon Musk a tax break and billionaires the greedy taking of our nation.” (17:31–18:02)

• Ted Cruz–Tucker Carlson spat on foreign policy:

  “You don’t know the population of the country you seek to topple?” (Carlson, 20:20) “Well, it’s kind of relevant because you’re calling for the overthrow of the government.” (Carlson, 20:30)

• Erica Kirk forgives her husband’s accused killer:

  “That man...that young man, I forgive him.” (21:30–21:32)

• Trump’s second inaugural mantra:

  "I will very simply put, put America first." (22:45–23:00)

• Senor on antisemitism’s permission structure:

  “Antisemitism...simply thrives with permission, that if...gatekeepers…give it permission...it kind of became this Frankenstein thing.” (34:08–34:45)

• Collins on DOJ pressure:

  “They typically leverage family where they can. And in my case...they leveraged my son, basically forcing me...to plead guilty.” (57:45–61:41)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Main Theme Setup: 00:32–02:30
• Top Soundbites & Commentary: 07:23–26:44
• Dan Senor Interview (Antisemitism, Israel, Rubio): 28:07–48:12
• Chris Collins Interview (Scandal, Pardon, Return): 50:33–77:32

Conclusion

Mark Halperin’s year-end episode stitches together the political, personal, and psychological fabric of 2025: exceptional soundbites, nuanced takes on intraparty feuds, evolving Democratic strategy, the complexity of U.S.–Israel relations, and the unforgiving grind of prosecutorial politics. Both guests—Senor and Collins—provide insider perspectives: Senor decoding global and domestic trends on antisemitism and foreign policy, Collins offering a first-hand account of rise, scandal, and resurrection in Trump’s orbit. The episode stands as both a chronicle and weather vane for America’s current, conflicted, frenetic moment.