Political Scandal Double Standards, the "Epstein Class" Divide, and Trump’s Cultural Impact, with Andrew Sullivan

Next Up with Mark Halperin · Feb 12, 2026 · 1h 13m

Mark Halperin opens the episode with a deep dive into the changing standards of political scandal, from Bill Clinton in 1992 to today’s Epstein fallout. In what he calls a political “Wild West,” Mark explores why some public figures survive controversy while others are taken down, and what 2028 presidential hopefuls should be quietly worried about right now.

Then Andrew Sullivan joins for a candid and wide ranging conversation about Donald Trump’s lasting impact on America. Sullivan argues that beyond policy, Trump has reshaped the country’s political culture, coarsened public discourse, and…