Four Truths About Trump and Iran, Netanyahu’s Gamble, and Bombshell Reports About “Leaderless” Dems

Next Up with Mark Halperin

Mark kicks off the show with a deep dive into the four truths about Trump and Iran, and the fundamentals about his biggest foreign policy decision yet. He breaks down the underreported dynamics inside the White House, how U.S.-Israel relations are shaping global responses, why the real divide goes far beyond MAGA, and what Trump has—and hasn’t—decided. Plus, a historical parallel to JFK’s handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and why Trump’s critics may be misunderstanding both his instincts and strategy.

Then, Dan Senor, host of the “Call Me Back” podcast, joins the show to break down the U.S.–Israel relationship in the context of the Iran crisis. He and Mark explore Netanyahu’s strained history with American presidents, whether it’s already too late to reach a diplomatic resolution with Iran, and why comparisons between Bibi and figures like Churchill or Kissinger may be more complicated than they seem—especially when it comes to Trump.

Later, Democratic strategist Patti Solis Doyle weighs in on the Democratic Party’s post-2024 meltdown and why the party has yet to rebound from the election “massacre.” The former Hillary Clinton campaign manager reacts to scathing new reports about dysfunction at the DNC, offers a blunt assessment of the Democrats’ attempt to cover up Joe Biden’s cognitive decline, and explains why the party remains rudderless heading into 2026 and 2028. Plus, Mark and Patti discuss the future of the party: is anyone on the Democratic team capable of leading the party out of what she calls a “messageless” and “leaderless” spiral?