Mark Halperin

Mark Evan Halperin (born January 11, 1965) is an American journalist, author, and political commentator known for his insider analysis of U.S. presidential campaigns.

Halperin began his career at ABC News in 1988 as a desk assistant and researcher, advancing to roles including White House reporter and political director from the mid-1990s to early 2000s, during which he oversaw coverage of major elections. He later served as a senior political analyst for Time magazine and contributed to MSNBC's election coverage. Halperin co-authored several bestselling books with John Heilemann, including Game Change (2010), which detailed the 2008 presidential race and was adapted into an Emmy-winning HBO film, and Double Down (2013), chronicling the 2012 election. These works established him as a key chronicler of political strategy and behind-the-scenes dynamics based on extensive sourcing from campaign insiders.

In October 2017, multiple women alleged that Halperin had engaged in sexual harassment and assault during his ABC News tenure in the 1990s and 2000s, prompting his immediate suspension and termination from MSNBC and Showtime's The Circus, as well as the cancellation of a planned book on the 2016 election. Halperin issued public apologies for conduct that made colleagues uncomfortable but denied some specific assault claims, with no criminal charges filed. Following a period of absence, he resumed political commentary through independent platforms, launching the "Next Up with Mark Halperin" podcast and hosting discussions on 2WAY, while contributing to Newsmax TV as a commentator focused on election forecasting and party realignments. By 2024 and into 2025, Halperin has analyzed Donald Trump's second term preparations and Democratic Party shifts, drawing on his experience in predictive modeling and voter behavior.