Chuck Todd at his best – unscripted, informed and focused on what really matters in politics. Join Chuck each Wednesday as he talks with top reporters from the nation’s capital, plus exclusive sit-down interviews and on-the-ground dispatches from across the campaign trail.
On this episode of The Chuck Toddcast, Congressman Greg Landsman joins Chuck for a wide-ranging conversation that begins with the shocking shooting of Charlie Kirk at an event on the Utah Valley University campus. The two dig into how political rhetoric has spiraled out of control, the role of social media algorithms in fueling polarization, and why platforms shouldn't be shielded from accountability. Landsman argues that leaders who cross the line with their rhetoric must be called out and stresses the urgent need to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people before the U.S. slips further into a dangerous cycle of political violence.From there, the discussion shifts to governing—what Landsman learned on Cincinnati's city council, why Congress has become dysfunctional since 9/11, and the frustrating reality that most bills are more about messaging than legislating. They also tackle foreign policy, including the stakes of defending Taiwan, the risks of Trump's trade war with China, and whether an “Asian NATO” could prevent a wider conflict. Plus, Landsman reflects on Kamala Harris's book, the pressures from party leadership, and the uncertainty of his own political future as redistricting looms.(This conversation was recorded prior to the news of Charlie Kirk's death)Timeline:00:00 Congressman Greg Landsman joins the Chuck Toddcast00:15 Charlie Kirk shot at event on UVU campus03:00 We need to turn down the temperature on political rhetoric04:15 Social media algorithms have accelerated polarization06:45 Being super online warps your brain08:00 Political leadership that crosses the line needs to be called out08:30 Social media companies shouldn't be shielded from litigation09:30 Algorithms turn social media platforms into publishers11:00 Need to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people12:30 We're likely to slide into a “which side is more violent” debate14:15 Why no committee investigation into Trump assassination attempt?16:30 The country is a tinderbox, the president needs to calm the waters19:15 Democrats have been chasing Trump for 10 years20:15 Democrats need to offer solutions and not just opposition to Trump22:15 What did Greg do before entering politics?23:15 What was the experience like on the city council?27:00 Local government teaches you the basics of governing31:00 After 9/11, congressional leaders ruined congress32:15 700 bills made it out of committee, 50 made it to the floor33:15 Most bills on the floor are messaging bills34:30 America is only united when we have a common external enemy35:30 We could be in World War 3 within a couple years36:30 U.S. needs to make clear that it will defend allies37:45 How do you sell defending Taiwan to the American people?38:45 Should we have an Asian NATO?40:00 We have to increase the cost to China for messing with Taiwan41:15 Trump's trade war increases the likelihood of a hot war43:35 Thoughts on the excerpts from Kamala Harris's book?45:00 Were you pressured by the administration into not saying anything?47:30 Will your seat be redistricted?
On this episode of the Chuck Toddcast, Chuck reflects on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it reveals about the tinderbox state of American politics. He explores how escalating rhetoric, dehumanization, and the amplification of fringe anger online have fueled a culture where violence replaces politics—and where children are left grieving the consequences. From the role of algorithms in supercharging extremism to the failure of leaders and tech companies to meet the moment, Chuck asks whether this tragedy can finally serve as the wake-up call for Americans to step back, recommit to the democratic process, and demand a safer political climate.Finally, he reacts to the newly released excerpts from Kamala Harris's book and answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction - Charlie Kirk assassinated01:30 We're in a tinderbox of our own making02:30 Political rhetoric has escalated out of control03:00 Young kids lost their father over a political dispute03:45 When you resort to violence, you are no longer practicing politics05:00 Dehumanizing rhetoric leads to violence07:15 We collectively need to step back in this movement09:00 The way politics has been conducted won't lead us to a better place10:15 We have underreacted to political violence in recent years11:30 Unity doesn't mean agreeing, it means agreeing to the process12:45 The super online angry fringe whips people up13:45 Hopefully this is the “enough is enough” moment15:45 Algorithms incentive and feed into the extremist rhetoric16:45 Hoping our leaders can rise up and meet the moment19:15 The tech companies have created this environment20:00 Excerpts from Kamala Harris's book released, are very direct 20:45 Harris was set up for failure as the "border czar" 21:45 Surprising that Biden staff treated Harris like Obama's treated him 23:45 Harris is cautious by nature 26:00 Harris likely to run again out of Biden's shadow 27:30 Dean Phillips is owed an apology, party needed an open debate 28:45 Ask Chuck29:00 Importance of Michigan politics? 32:30 Could the energy Detroit sports teams provide could impact politics? 35:30 How should Democrats call out corruption & unfavorables on their side? 40:15 Should Democrats invite the national guard, then highlight crime in red states? 43:45 If the media hounded Trump about Kennedy, would he be more reactive? 46:15 College football games to keep an eye on 51:15 Find your way to do your part to de-escalate
On this episode of the Chuck Toddcast, Chuck reflects on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it reveals about the tinderbox state of American politics. He explores how escalating rhetoric, dehumanization, and the amplification of fringe anger online have fueled a culture where violence replaces politics—and where children are left grieving the consequences. From the role of algorithms in supercharging extremism to the failure of leaders and tech companies to meet the moment, Chuck asks whether this tragedy can finally serve as the wake-up call for Americans to step back, recommit to the democratic process, and demand a safer political climate.Then, Congressman Greg Landsman joins Chuck for a wide-ranging conversation that begins with the shocking shooting of Charlie Kirk at an event on the Utah Valley University campus. (This conversation was recorded prior to the news of Charlie Kirk's death) The two dig into how political rhetoric has spiraled out of control, the role of social media algorithms in fueling polarization, and why platforms shouldn't be shielded from accountability. Landsman argues that leaders who cross the line with their rhetoric must be called out and stresses the urgent need to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people before the U.S. slips further into a dangerous cycle of political violence.From there, the discussion shifts to governing—what Landsman learned on Cincinnati's city council, why Congress has become dysfunctional since 9/11, and the frustrating reality that most bills are more about messaging than legislating. They also tackle foreign policy, including the stakes of defending Taiwan, the risks of Trump's trade war with China, and whether an “Asian NATO” could prevent a wider conflict. Plus, Landsman reflects on Kamala Harris's book, the pressures from party leadership, and the uncertainty of his own political future as redistricting looms.Finally, he reacts to the newly released excerpts from Kamala Harris's book and answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Chuck Todd's Introduction - Charlie Kirk assassinated01:30 We're in a tinderbox of our own making02:30 Political rhetoric has escalated out of control03:00 Young kids lost their father over a political dispute03:45 When you resort to violence, you are no longer practicing politics05:00 Dehumanizing rhetoric leads to violence07:15 We collectively need to step back in this movement09:00 The way politics has been conducted won't lead us to a better place10:15 We have underreacted to political violence in recent years11:30 Unity doesn't mean agreeing, it means agreeing to the process12:45 The super online angry fringe whips people up13:45 Hopefully this is the “enough is enough” moment15:45 Algorithms incentive and feed into the extremist rhetoric16:45 Hoping our leaders can rise up and meet the moment19:15 The tech companies have created this environment21:15 Congressman Greg Landsman joins the Chuck Toddcast 21:30 Charlie Kirk shot at event on UVU campus 24:15 We need to turn down the temperature on political rhetoric 25:30 Social media algorithms have accelerated polarization 28:00 Being super online warps your brain 29:15 Political leadership that crosses the line needs to be called out 29:45 Social media companies shouldn't be shielded from litigation 30:45 Algorithms turn social media platforms into publishers 32:15 Need to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people 33:45 We're likely to slide into a "which side is more violent" debate 35:30 Why no committee investigation into Trump assassination attempt?37:45 The country is a tinderbox, the president needs to calm the waters 40:30 Democrats have been chasing Trump for 10 years 41:30 Democrats need to offer solutions and not just opposition to Trump 43:30 What did Greg do before entering politics? 44:30 What was the experience like on the city council? 48:15 Local government teaches you the basics of governing 52:15 After 9/11, congressional leaders ruined congress 53:30 700 bills made it out of committee, 50 made it to the floor 54:30 Most bills on the floor are messaging bills 55:45 America is only united when we have a common external enemy 56:45 We could be in World War 3 within a couple years 57:45 U.S. needs to make clear that it will defend allies 59:00 How do you sell defending Taiwan to the American people? 1:00:00 Should we have an Asian NATO? 1:01:15 We have to increase the cost to China for messing with Taiwan 1:02:30 Trump's trade war increases the likelihood of a hot war 1:04:50 Thoughts on the excerpts from Kamala Harris's book? 1:06:15 Were you pressured by the administration into not saying anything? 1:08:45 Will your seat be redistricted?1:09:15 Thoughts on interview with Greg Landsman 1:10:00 Excerpts from Kamala Harris's book released, are very direct 1:10:45 Harris was set up for failure as the "border czar" 1:11:45 Surprising that Biden staff treated Harris like Obama's treated him 1:13:45 Harris is cautious by nature 1:16:00 Harris likely to run again out of Biden's shadow 1:17:30 Dean Phillips is owed an apology, party needed an open debate 1:18:45 Ask Chuck 1:19:00 Importance of Michigan politics? 1:22:30 Could the energy Detroit sports teams provide could impact politics? 1:25:30 How should Democrats call out corruption & unfavorables on their side? 1:30:15 Should Democrats invite the national guard, then highlight crime in red states? 1:33:45 If the media hounded Trump about Kennedy, would he be more reactive? 1:36:15 College football games to keep an eye on 1:41:15 Find your way to do your part to de-escalate
Political strategist and K-Street veteran Bruce Mehlman joins Chuck Todd to unpack how politics, media, and business have collided in the Trump era and beyond. From the days when three television networks shaped a shared national narrative to today's fractured landscape of Substack newsletters, podcasts, and hyper-partisan social feeds, Mehlman and Chuck explore how the internet broke traditional politics. They dive into how Washington has become a magnet for American business titans, the sky-high costs of lobbying access to President Trump, and whether bipartisan firms can even survive in the current climate.The conversation then widens to the global stage, connecting the 2008 financial crisis to the populist revolts of Brexit and Trump, and questioning whether the public underestimates just how much globalization has improved daily life. From Trump's reliance on tariffs to the reality-versus-perception debate over crime, immigration, and the economy, Mehlman outlines the policy flashpoints that will shape 2024 and beyond. Plus: what the redistricting wars could mean for democracy, and why some argue the House of Representatives needs to grow in size to reflect America's population.Timeline:00:00 Bruce Mehlman joins the Chuck ToddCast02:30 Traditional media is forced to “sand the edges”due to political climate03:15 The internet broke politics and media04:15 When there were 3 networks, news catered to the entire country05:45 The energy in media is in the podcast/substack space06:45 The importance of a varied media diet08:00 Twitter/X has become incredibly right-wing09:00 Washington D.C. has become a tent-pole for business titans10:15 Can bipartisan firms succeed in DC these days?13:30 How is the “Trump purge” affecting K-Street?15:15 Lobbying firms with access are charging astronomical rates16:15 Congress isn't passing legislation, it's all executive orders17:30 Does Mike Johnson have a go-to shop on K-Street?19:00 Was Brexit the event that caused this era of global instability?19:45 Brexit and Trump were downstream of the 2008 financial crisis21:15 The populist revolt was inevitable after the financial crisis23:30 The public takes for granted the benefits of globalization26:15 Successful western countries haven't compensated for globalization28:15 The public suffers from recency bias, things are better now30:00 The perception of the economy is the economic reality32:15 People who predict doom are perceived as right and smarter33:45 If SCOTUS takes away Trump's tariff power, will congress restore it?34:45 Trump views tariffs as the solution to every problem37:00 If Trump loses in court on tariffs, he'll just use another law38:15 There's no incentive for Dems to cut a deal due to recissions40:00 If Republicans agree to no recissions, they could find a deal41:15 If legislation passes one chamber, it should force a vote in the other42:15 Fallout from the raid on South Korean workers at the Hyundai plant?44:30 There's support for the “why” of Trump's immigration policy, not the “how”48:15 What pushback to Trump's deployment of troops to cities is most effective?50:30 The perception of crime in cities vs the reality51:45 Downplaying crime is a political loser52:30 Democrats' support for capitalism is falling and socialism is rising54:15 The most important electoral states will be GA, NC and AZ57:15 Socialism is least popular in the states Democrats need in the south59:00 Higher embrace of socialism in cities and amongst younger voters1:00:45 Thoughts on the redistricting wars?1:03:00 The size of the house needs to grow with the population
On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck unpacks a whirlwind of economic, geopolitical, and political developments shaping America's future. From Trump's tariffs likely surviving a fast-tracked Supreme Court review to rising fears of stagflation fueled by deportations and trade headwinds, the economic outlook is looking grim. Abroad, Russia escalates the war by sending drones into Polish airspace, while Israel's strike on Hamas in Qatar risks leaving it more isolated on the world stage. Back home, Trump once again rewrites reality, denying ties to Jeffrey Epstein as his allies echo the talking points — raising fresh parallels to Orwell's 1984.Chuck also looks ahead to the Democratic Party's long-term challenges: how can they remain competitive nationally by 2032, when the current path to 270 electoral votes is likely gone? With Georgia and North Carolina emerging as decisive swing states, Democrats will need to expand their map and rethink their message — particularly as the “socialism” label remains toxic to southern voters.Then, political strategist and K-Street veteran Bruce Mehlman joins Chuck to unpack how politics, media, and business have collided in the Trump era and beyond. From the days when three television networks shaped a shared national narrative to today's fractured landscape of Substack newsletters, podcasts, and hyper-partisan social feeds, Mehlman and Chuck explore how the internet broke traditional politics. They dive into how Washington has become a magnet for American business titans, the sky-high costs of lobbying access to President Trump, and whether bipartisan firms can even survive in the current climate.The conversation then widens to the global stage, connecting the 2008 financial crisis to the populist revolts of Brexit and Trump, and questioning whether the public underestimates just how much globalization has improved daily life. From Trump's reliance on tariffs to the reality-versus-perception debate over crime, immigration, and the economy, Mehlman outlines the policy flashpoints that will shape 2024 and beyond. Plus: what the redistricting wars could mean for democracy, and why some argue the House of Representatives needs to grow in size to reflect America's population.Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 states each party should target in order to make them battlegrounds by 2032, and answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:00 Trump's tariffs likely to stay in place despite expedited court ruling02:15 Trump's team pushed SCOTUS to rule quickly04:00 John Roberts is always hesitant to upset those in power06:00 The bad vibes surrounding the economy look to be right07:15 Economy was facing headwinds, tariffs & deportations make it worse09:30 The conditions for stagflation are forming11:30 Incursion of Russian attack drones into Polish airspace12:15 Putin has escalated the war since Alaska summit with Trump13:45 Israel makes brazen strike on Hamas political wing in Qatar15:45 There's no chance Trump would have approved strike in advance16:45 Strike could further isolate Israel18:00 Israel is a wedge issue amongst the American electorate20:00 Trump goes full George Orwell, denies letter to Epstein21:15 Trump staffers have been willing to double down on behalf of Trump22:30 We're living through Orwell's 198424:30 Democrats can weaponize Epstein to highlight Trump's dishonesty26:30 How can Democrats become a competitive national party in 2032?27:30 By 2032, the current path to 270 won't be there for Democrats29:15 Georgia and North Carolina will become the most important swing states30:30 Democrats need to figure out how to expand their path to 27032:30 The word socialism is toxic to voters in the south34:30 Democrats will have to rebrand and back off the socialism label39:00 Bruce Mehlman joins the Chuck ToddCast 41:30 Traditional media is forced to "sand the edges"due to political climate 42:15 The internet broke politics and media 43:15 When there were 3 networks, news catered to the entire country 44:45 The energy in media is in the podcast/substack space 45:45 The importance of a varied media diet 47:00 Twitter/X has become incredibly right-wing 48:00 Washington D.C. has become a tent-pole for business titans 49:15 Can bipartisan firms succeed in DC these days? 52:30 How is the "Trump purge" affecting K-Street? 54:15 Lobbying firms with access are charging astronomical rates 55:15 Congress isn't passing legislation, it's all executive orders 56:30 Does Mike Johnson have a go-to shop on K-Street? 58:00 Was Brexit the event that caused this era of global instability? 58:45 Brexit and Trump were downstream of the 2008 financial crisis 1:00:15 The populist revolt was inevitable after the financial crisis 1:02:30 The public takes for granted the benefits of globalisation 1:05:15 Successful western countries haven't compensated for globalisation 1:07:15 The public suffers from recency bias, things are better now 1:09:00 The perception of the economy is the economic reality 1:11:15 People who predict doom are perceived as right and smarter 1:12:45 If SCOTUS takes away Trump's tariff power, will congress restore it? 1:13:45 Trump views tariffs as the solution to every problem 1:16:00 If Trump loses in court on tariffs, he'll just use another law 1:17:15 There's no incentive for Dems to cut a deal due to recissions 1:19:00 If Republicans agree to no recissions, they could find a deal 1:20:15 If legislation passes one chamber, it should force a vote in the other 1:21:15 Fallout from the raid on South Korean workers at the Hyundai plant? 1:23:30 There's support for the "why" of Trump's immigration policy, not the "how" 1:27:15 What pushback to Trump's deployment of troops to cities is most effective? 1:29:30 The perception of crime in cities vs the reality 1:30:45 Downplaying crime is a political loser 1:31:30 Democrats' support for capitalism is falling and socialism is rising 1:33:15 The most important electoral states will be GA, NC and AZ 1:36:15 Socialism is least popular in the states Democrats need in the south 1:38:00 Higher embrace of socialism in cities and amongst younger voters 1:39:45 Thoughts on the redistricting wars? 1:42:00 The size of the house needs to grow with the population1:44:30 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Bruce Mehlman 1:45:15 The Toddcast Top 5 - States each party should target as battlegrounds 1:46:30 Top 5 states Democrats should target 1:53:00 Top 5 states Republicans should target 1:57:30 Ask Chuck 1:57:45 Why be in congress if you have no interest in exercising power? 2:04:15 Potential democracy reforms that the U.S. could pass? 2:08:30 Was the eugenics movement similar to the current anti-vax movement?
On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck unpacks a whirlwind of economic, geopolitical, and political developments shaping America's future. From Trump's tariffs likely surviving a fast-tracked Supreme Court review to rising fears of stagflation fueled by deportations and trade headwinds, the economic outlook is looking grim. Abroad, Russia escalates the war by sending drones into Polish airspace, while Israel's strike on Hamas in Qatar risks leaving it more isolated on the world stage. Back home, Trump once again rewrites reality, denying ties to Jeffrey Epstein as his allies echo the talking points — raising fresh parallels to Orwell's 1984.He also looks ahead to the Democratic Party's long-term challenges: how can they remain competitive nationally by 2032, when the current path to 270 electoral votes is likely gone? With Georgia and North Carolina emerging as decisive swing states, Democrats will need to expand their map and rethink their message — particularly as the “socialism” label remains toxic to southern voters.Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 states each party should target in order to make them battlegrounds by 2032, and answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:00 Trump's tariffs likely to stay in place despite expedited court ruling02:15 Trump's team pushed SCOTUS to rule quickly04:00 John Roberts is always hesitant to upset those in power06:00 The bad vibes surrounding the economy look to be right07:15 Economy was facing headwinds, tariffs & deportations make it worse09:30 The conditions for stagflation are forming11:30 Incursion of Russian attack drones into Polish airspace12:15 Putin has escalated the war since Alaska summit with Trump13:45 Israel makes brazen strike on Hamas political wing in Qatar15:45 There's no chance Trump would have approved strike in advance16:45 Strike could further isolate Israel18:00 Israel is a wedge issue amongst the American electorate20:45 Trump goes full George Orwell, denies letter to Epstein 22:00 Trump staffers have been willing to double down on behalf of Trump 23:15 We're living through Orwell's 1984 25:15 Democrats can weaponize Epstein to highlight Trump's dishonesty 27:15 How can Democrats become a competitive national party in 2032? 28:15 By 2032, the current path to 270 won't be there for Democrats 30:00 Georgia and North Carolina will become the most important swing states 31:15 Democrats need to figure out how to expand their path to 270 33:15 The word socialism is toxic to voters in the south 35:15 Democrats will have to rebrand and back off the socialism label38:45 The Toddcast Top 5 - States each party should target as battlegrounds 40:00 Top 5 states Democrats should target 46:30 Top 5 states Republicans should target 51:00 Ask Chuck 51:15 Why be in congress if you have no interest in exercising power? 57:45 Potential democracy reforms that the U.S. could pass? 1:02:00 Was the eugenics movement similar to the current anti-vax movement?
Physician-turned-politician Abdul El-Sayed joins Chuck Todd to discuss why he left medicine for the rough-and-tumble of politics. From the challenges of running for office with a foreign name to centering his campaign on improving life for children, El-Sayed argues that healthcare isn't just about access—it's about fairness. He pulls back the curtain on a system where insurers and hospital CEOs collude to inflate prices, pharmaceutical companies raise costs simply because they can, and Americans are tricked into thinking “choice” in healthcare actually benefits them.The conversation doesn't stop at healthcare—it spans the crisis of trust in public health, the lessons El-Sayed learned from his 2018 gubernatorial run, and the corrosive role of money in politics. He weighs in on Gretchen Whitmer's record, Trump's overreach beyond Article II, and what sets him apart in Michigan's Senate race. And in a moment of global reflection, El-Sayed takes on the politics of genocide—from Israel and Gaza to China's treatment of the Uighurs—arguing that calling atrocities by their name is a test of values, even when nuance is hard to find in today's polarized climate.Timeline:00:00 Abdul El-Sayed joins the Chuck ToddCast01:45 What made you choose politics when your background is medicine?03:30 The challenge of running for office with a foreign name04:30 Centering politics around improving the world for children05:30 Disparities in access to health care based on money and connections07:00 Health insurance is getting worse despite rising cost08:15 Insurers and hospital CEOs collude to raise prices10:15 What should be the cost expectation for pharmaceuticals?11:45 Pharma companies raise prices because they can12:45 RFK Jr. shouldn't be anywhere near healthcare13:45 The impact of the internet on public health15:45 The crisis Kennedy is creating at HHS and CDC16:30 How can we restore trust in public health authorities?18:45 MAHA's appeal is the idea you can control your health future20:00 Parallels between public health and education21:45 Health relies on both the individual and public health22:45 Healthcare industry has tricked the public using concept of “choice”24:30 Would you keep a semi-privatized system under medicare for all?27:00 Health networks curtail choice and raise prices28:30 What did you learn from your 2018 run for governor?31:00 The disease of our political system is money buying politicians and policy32:15 Trump spoke to economic pain and was able to reach voters33:45 Assessment of Gretchen Whitmer's governorship35:45 Whitmer tried to work with Trump at times, will you?37:45 Trump is exercising far more power than Article 2 permits39:30 Differences between you and your opponents for MI senate?40:15 Taking corporate money is a major philosophical difference42:45 Reforming public health will require healthcare pros in D.C.44:30 The trend of public health officials running for office46:45 How much will Israel/Gaza factor into the election?48:00 Calling something a genocide when you see it is a values test49:15 Was Israel justified in going after Hamas? How much was justifiable?50:15 The extremes on both sides of the war strengthen each other51:15 We aim, arm and abet Israeli leaders who don't want two states52:15 Tax dollars should benefit taxpayers, not foreign militaries53:15 It's difficult to find nuance in our current politics55:30 Money in politics make it difficult to have an honest conversation56:15 Having a nuanced conversation around the world genocide58:30 The holocaust can't set the bar for use of the term “genocide”1:00:00 Is China committing genocide of the Uighurs?1:01:15 Using the word genocide can just “switch off” voters1:03:30 People assume having an Arab name means tribal loyalty to Arabs
On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, the conversation turns to the political battles shaping 2025. From the issues Democrats should lean into—and the ones they should avoid—to Trump's trolling of Chicago and his administration's push for a showdown over crime and “terrorism,” the stakes are high. Chuck dives into how the White House is setting the stage for possible military action against cartels and even Venezuela, with flimsy constitutional justifications that have sparked pushback from voices like Rand Paul. Finally, Chuck gives a history lesson on Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon and its impact on modern politics, recaps the weekend in college football, and answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 The issues Democrats should run on, and issues they should avoid 01:15 Trump's trolling of Chicago got the reaction he wanted 02:30 The administration wants a showdown over Chicago 04:30 The administration's aggressive application of the term "terrorism" 06:15 The Democratic base wants fight, government shutdown likely 08:15 Trump administration setting the stage for war with Venezuela 09:30 Administration needs to justify designating cartels terrorists 12:45 Trump's justification to congress for military action against cartels 15:00 Trump's justification was lacking, and didn't mention Venezuela 16:15 Trump ignoring the constitution in rationalizing action against cartels 17:45 Vance says fighting cartels is best use of military 19:15 JD gets into back and forth with Rand Paul on X 20:45 Venezuela story should be consuming Washington 22:15 Rand Paul has been willing to be combative with administration 25:15 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Abdul El-Sayed 26:45 This week in history - Chuck's history lesson 27:45 Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon on September 8th, 1974 29:30 The case for pardoning Nixon 31:45 The case against pardoning Nixon 34:30 Ford's decision implied the country couldn't handle a trial 35:45 A majority of the country thought the pardon was wrong 37:30 Nixon never got his due process 38:45 Pardon was a stain on presidential decision making 39:15 College football update 43:15 Ask Chuck 43:45 Why Putin won't grant Trump a ceasefire 46:45 Why do Epstein victims face dehumanization when Trump doesn't? 50:30 Thoughts on the political salience of this season of South Park?
On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, the conversation turns to the political battles shaping 2025. From the issues Democrats should lean into—and the ones they should avoid—to Trump's trolling of Chicago and his administration's push for a showdown over crime and “terrorism,” the stakes are high. Chuck dives into how the White House is setting the stage for possible military action against cartels and even Venezuela, with flimsy constitutional justifications that have sparked pushback from voices like Rand Paul. Meanwhile, Democrats face their own identity struggles, from the risks of being tied to “socialism” with Latino voters to Bernie Sanders' refusal to formally join the party. Plus, a look ahead to the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, where three strong contenders could reshape the party's futureThen, physician-turned-politician Abdul El-Sayed joins Chuck to discuss why he left medicine for the rough-and-tumble of politics. From the challenges of running for office with a foreign name to centering his campaign on improving life for children, El-Sayed argues that healthcare isn't just about access—it's about fairness. He pulls back the curtain on a system where insurers and hospital CEOs collude to inflate prices, pharmaceutical companies raise costs simply because they can, and Americans are tricked into thinking “choice” in healthcare actually benefits them.The conversation doesn't stop at healthcare—it spans the crisis of trust in public health, the lessons El-Sayed learned from his 2018 gubernatorial run, and the corrosive role of money in politics. He weighs in on Gretchen Whitmer's record, Trump's overreach beyond Article II, and what sets him apart in Michigan's Senate race. And in a moment of global reflection, El-Sayed takes on the politics of genocide—from Israel and Gaza to China's treatment of the Uighurs—arguing that calling atrocities by their name is a test of values, even when nuance is hard to find in today's polarized climate.Finally, Chuck gives a history lesson on Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon and its impact on modern politics, recaps the weekend in college football, and answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction04:00 The issues Democrats should run on, and issues they should avoid05:15 Trump's trolling of Chicago got the reaction he wanted06:30 The administration wants a showdown over Chicago08:30 The administration's aggressive application of the term “terrorism”10:15 The Democratic base wants fight, government shutdown likely12:15 Trump administration setting the stage for war with Venezuela13:30 Administration needs to justify designating cartels terrorists16:45 Trump's justification to congress for military action against cartels 19:00 Trump's justification was lacking, and didn't mention Venezuela 20:15 Trump ignoring the constitution in rationalizing action against cartels 21:45 Vance says fighting cartels is best use of military 23:15 JD gets into back and forth with Rand Paul on X 24:45 Venezuela story should be consuming Washington 26:15 Rand Paul has been willing to be combative with administration 29:00 The progressive left won't succeed if they're associated with socialism 30:45 "Socialism" isn't rebrandable with Latino voters 31:45 Bernie Sanders still hasn't joined the Democratic party 33:15 Michigan Democratic senate primary has 3 great candidates33:45 Abdul El-Sayed joins the Chuck ToddCast 35:30 What made you choose politics when your background is medicine? 37:15 The challenge of running for office with a foreign name 38:15 Centering politics around improving the world for children 39:15 Disparities in access to health care based on money and connections 40:45 Health insurance is getting worse despite rising cost 42:00 Insurers and hospital CEOs collude to raise prices 44:00 What should be the cost expectation for pharmaceuticals? 45:30 Pharma companies raise prices because they can 46:30 RFK Jr. shouldn't be anywhere near healthcare 47:30 The impact of the internet on public health 49:30 The crisis Kennedy is creating at HHS and CDC 50:15 How can we restore trust in public health authorities? 52:30 MAHA's appeal is the idea you can control your health future 53:45 Parallels between public health and education 55:30 Health relies on both the individual and public health 56:30 Healthcare industry has tricked the public using concept of "choice" 58:15 Would you keep a semi-privatized system under medicare for all? 1:00:45 Health networks curtail choice and raise prices 1:02:15 What did you learn from your 2018 run for governor? 1:04:45 The disease of our political system is money buying politicians and policy 1:06:00 Trump spoke to economic pain and was able to reach voters 1:07:30 Assessment of Gretchen Whitmer's governorship 1:09:30 Whitmer tried to work with Trump at times, will you? 1:11:30 Trump is exercising far more power than Article 2 permits 1:13:15 Differences between you and your opponents for MI senate? 1:14:00 Taking corporate money is a major philosophical difference 1:16:30 Reforming public health will require healthcare pros in D.C. 1:18:15 The trend of public health officials running for office 1:20:30 How much will Israel/Gaza factor into the election? 1:21:45 Calling something a genocide when you see it is a values test 1:23:00 Was Israel justified in going after Hamas? How much was justifiable? 1:24:00 The extremes on both sides of the war strengthen each other 1:25:00 We aim, arm and abet Israeli leaders who don't want two states 1:26:00 Tax dollars should benefit taxpayers, not foreign militaries 1:27:00 It's difficult to find nuance in our current politics 1:29:15 Money in politics make it difficult to have an honest conversation 1:30:00 Having a nuanced conversation around the world genocide 1:32:15 The holocaust can't set the bar for use of the term "genocide" 1:33:45 Is China committing genocide of the Uighurs? 1:35:00 Using the word genocide can just "switch off" voters1:42:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Abdul El-Sayed 1:44:15 This week in history - Chuck's history lesson 1:45:15 Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon on September 8th, 1974 1:47:00 The case for pardoning Nixon 1:49:15 The case against pardoning Nixon 1:52:00 Ford's decision implied the country couldn't handle a trial 1:53:15 A majority of the country thought the pardon was wrong 1:55:00 Nixon never got his due process 1:56:15 Pardon was a stain on presidential decision making 1:56:45 College football update 2:00:45 Ask Chuck 2:01:15 Why Putin won't grant Trump a ceasefire 2:04:15 Why do Epstein victims face dehumanization when Trump doesn't? 2:08:00 Thoughts on the political salience of this season of South Park?
Chuck Todd is joined by Punchbowl News co-founders Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer to unpack the turmoil gripping Capitol Hill in the Trump 2.0 era. With Congress ceding power and lawmakers increasingly preoccupied with their own reelection campaigns, the leadership is under fire as redistricting battles in states like California and Texas threaten to tip the House majority. Democrats' gamble on independent redistricting may backfire, institutionalists in the GOP have all but vanished, and even the Senate is starting to resemble the fractious House of a decade ago. The conversation also dives into whether John Cornyn can outmaneuver Ken Paxton, how redistricting uncertainty could push members into statewide races, and the looming prospect of a government shutdown with healthcare concessions as Democrats' strongest bargaining chip.Beyond the legislative fights, the episode explores high-stakes questions over tariffs, the White House's pressure campaign against releasing Epstein files, and GOP senators' unwillingness to challenge RFK Jr. 's controversial moves at HHS. With potential Senate retirements on the horizon and California's referendum putting Democrats in survival mode, Sherman and Palmer argue that members of Congress are increasingly acting less like lawmakers and more like elected pundits. As Punchbowl becomes the “local paper” of Capitol Hill, this episode maps the fault lines shaping both parties—and the country's future.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer join the Chuck ToddCast02:00 Congress has ceded their power in Trump 2.003:45 After Labor Day, lawmakers worry about reelection campaign04:45 Leadership is taking flak from members over redistricting05:30 California or Texas redistricting could swing majority06:15 Redistricting creating massive uncertainty for lawmakers07:45 Democrats backed independent redistricting and it hurt them08:30 Are there any institutionalists left in the GOP?09:45 The Senate is starting to behave like the House 10 years ago11:30 Redistricting could cause members to run for statewide office13:30 Is John Cornyn playing for time to prove he can beat Ken Paxton?14:45 Cornyn closing gap with Paxton, but still well behind17:00 Democrats have no incentive to cut deal, avoid government shutdown18:15 White House and Congress have different targets for CR19:15 Hidden perils for Dems if they shut down government21:00 Healthcare is the best concession Democrats can extract22:45 If Democrats shut down the government, how do they get out of it?23:45 Trump will make a shutdown painful for Democrats24:30 Dems in the minority have never caused a shutdown26:30 If Newsom loses the referendum, how will it affect congress?28:00 Polling shows referendum barely above 50%29:15 California's system has been good to Republicans30:45 If Newsom loses, the party goes into survival mode33:30 If courts stop tariffs, would Congress vote authority to Trump?35:30 House might capitulate on tariffs, the senate won't36:45 Any chance Schumer and Jeffries meet with Trump?38:30 Trump likely has the votes to prevent Epstein release40:00 Epstein files caused rules committee to freeze congress41:15 White House is pressuring/whipping members against file release43:15 Where are GOP senators on RFK Jr's actions at HHS?44:30 GOP senators are afraid to exercise any leverage45:45 Is Russia/Putin the only line that would divide Republicans?47:00 Will there be any more GOP senate retirements?49:00 Plans for Punchbowl news?51:30 Members of congress have become elected Trump pundits on TV53:45 Punchbowl has become the local paper for capitol hill
On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck unpacks the growing unease in the GOP over RFK Jr.'s influence and Florida's decision to drop school vaccine mandates, raising the question of how the once-fringe anti-vax movement went mainstream. Drawing historical parallels to the prohibition era, he examines how framing the issue as “personal freedom” and missteps like the COVID mandate fueled a cultural backlash that could take decades to undo, threatening long-term public health. The conversation then shifts to politics, with Trump maneuvering to dominate the NYC mayoral race—pressuring rivals, exploiting ranked-choice voting debates, and turning contests in New York and California into referendums on his influence, just as Democrats look to tie special elections back to Trump himself.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:00:00 Introduction02:30 Alarm over RFK growing in GOP congress, but don't expect action03:15 Florida dropping the vaccine mandate for kids in schools06:30 How did the kooky anti-vax movement go mainstream?07:00 Anti-vaxx movement has historical parallel in prohibition movement08:30 Anti-alcohol movement seized on a particular moment in time09:15 Anti-vaxx movement has been framed as a personal freedom issue10:15 Biggest mistake by public health officials was the Covid vaccine mandate11:30 Prohibition created crime & deaths from bootlegged alcohol14:00 Officials know potential harm, and made the decision anyway15:30 Older generation has memories of deaths from these diseases16:45 It could take decades to reverse the damage to public health18:30 Pro vaccine messaging needs to not be political20:00 Trump trying to clear field in NYC mayoral to beat Mamdani21:00 NYC voters should get ranked choice voting in general election22:45 If Trump gets Adams to drop out, race will become all about Trump24:00 NYC mayoral and CA redistricting could become Trump referendums26:00 Democrats are making special elections all about Trump27:15 Ask Chuck 27:45 Are Dems just living in "the world as it is" when it comes to redistricting? 33:30 Are Trump's attacks on mail-in voting an effort to contest 2026 results? 38:00 Is there a line where Democrats fighting will be the "wrong" move? 44:00 Why is Lisa Cook being targeted for mortgage fraud when Trump did it? 49:45 How long would it take the DNC to find viable candidates in light red districts? 53:15 Could Texas/CA gerrymander backfire and put more safe seats in play
On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck unpacks the growing unease in the GOP over RFK Jr.'s influence and Florida's decision to drop school vaccine mandates, raising the question of how the once-fringe anti-vax movement went mainstream. Drawing historical parallels to the prohibition era, he examines how framing the issue as “personal freedom” and missteps like the COVID mandate fueled a cultural backlash that could take decades to undo, threatening long-term public health. The conversation then shifts to politics, with Trump maneuvering to dominate the NYC mayoral race—pressuring rivals, exploiting ranked-choice voting debates, and turning contests in New York and California into referendums on his influence, just as Democrats look to tie special elections back to Trump himself.Then, Chuck is joined by Punchbowl News co-founders Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer to unpack the turmoil gripping Capitol Hill in the Trump 2.0 era. With Congress ceding power and lawmakers increasingly preoccupied with their own reelection campaigns, the leadership is under fire as redistricting battles in states like California and Texas threaten to tip the House majority. Democrats' gamble on independent redistricting may backfire, institutionalists in the GOP have all but vanished, and even the Senate is starting to resemble the fractious House of a decade ago. The conversation also dives into whether John Cornyn can outmaneuver Ken Paxton, how redistricting uncertainty could push members into statewide races, and the looming prospect of a government shutdown with healthcare concessions as Democrats' strongest bargaining chip.Beyond the legislative fights, the episode explores high-stakes questions over tariffs, the White House's pressure campaign against releasing Epstein files, and GOP senators' unwillingness to challenge RFK Jr. 's controversial moves at HHS. With potential Senate retirements on the horizon and California's referendum putting Democrats in survival mode, Sherman and Palmer argue that members of Congress are increasingly acting less like lawmakers and more like elected pundits. As Punchbowl becomes the “local paper” of Capitol Hill, this episode maps the fault lines shaping both parties—and the country's future.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction02:30 Alarm over RFK growing in GOP congress, but don't expect action03:15 Florida dropping the vaccine mandate for kids in schools06:30 How did the kooky anti-vax movement go mainstream?07:00 Anti-vaxx movement has historical parallel in prohibition movement08:30 Anti-alcohol movement seized on a particular moment in time09:15 Anti-vaxx movement has been framed as a personal freedom issue10:15 Biggest mistake by public health officials was the Covid vaccine mandate11:30 Prohibition created crime & deaths from bootlegged alcohol14:00 Officials know potential harm, and made the decision anyway15:30 Older generation has memories of deaths from these diseases16:45 It could take decades to reverse the damage to public health18:30 Pro vaccine messaging needs to not be political20:00 Trump trying to clear field in NYC mayoral to beat Mamdani21:00 NYC voters should get ranked choice voting in general election22:45 If Trump gets Adams to drop out, race will become all about Trump24:00 NYC mayoral and CA redistricting could become Trump referendums26:00 Democrats are making special elections all about Trump29:15 Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer join the Chuck ToddCast 31:15 Congress has ceded their power in Trump 2.0 33:00 After Labor Day, lawmakers worry about reelection campaign 34:00 Leadership is taking flak from members over redistricting 34:45 California or Texas redistricting could swing majority 35:30 Redistricting creating massive uncertainty for lawmakers 37:00 Democrats backed independent redistricting and it hurt them 37:45 Are there any institutionalists left in the GOP? 39:00 The Senate is starting to behave like the House 10 years ago 40:45 Redistricting could cause members to run for statewide office 42:45 Is John Cornyn playing for time to prove he can beat Ken Paxton? 44:00 Cornyn closing gap with Paxton, but still well behind 46:15 Democrats have no incentive to cut deal, avoid government shutdown 47:30 White House and Congress have different targets for CR 48:30 Hidden perils for Dems if they shut down government 50:15 Healthcare is the best concession Democrats can extract 52:00 If Democrats shut down the government, how do they get out of it? 53:00 Trump will make a shutdown painful for Democrats 53:45 Dems in the minority have never caused a shutdown 55:45 If Newsom loses the referendum, how will it affect congress? 57:15 Polling shows referendum barely above 50% 58:30 California's system has been good to Republicans 59:30 If Newsom loses, the party goes into survival mode 1:02:45 If courts stop tariffs, would Congress vote authority to Trump? 1:04:45 House might capitulate on tariffs, the senate won't 1:06:00 Any chance Schumer and Jeffries meet with Trump? 1:07:45 Trump likely has the votes to prevent Epstein release 1:09:15 Epstein files caused rules committee to freeze congress 1:10:30 White House is pressuring/whipping members against file release 1:12:30 Where are GOP senators on RFK Jr's actions at HHS? 1:13:45 GOP senators are afraid to exercise any leverage 1:15:00 Is Russia/Putin the only line that would divide Republicans? 1:16:15 Will there be any more GOP senate retirements? 1:18:15 Plans for Punchbowl news? 1:20:45 Members of congress have become elected Trump pundits on TV 1:23:00 Punchbowl has become the local paper for capitol hill1:25:00 Ask Chuck 1:25:30 Are Dems just living in "the world as it is" when it comes to redistricting? 1:31:15 Are Trump's attacks on mail-in voting an effort to contest 2026 results? 1:35:45 Is there a line where Democrats fighting will be the "wrong" move? 1:41:45 Why is Lisa Cook being targeted for mortgage fraud when Trump did it? 1:47:30 How long would it take the DNC to find viable candidates in light red districts? 1:51:00 Could Texas/CA gerrymander backfire and put more safe seats in play?
Chuck Todd digs into the looming threat of a government shutdown and the political gamesmanship behind it. He explores whether Democrats will force a showdown with Republicans, the risks and rewards of standing their ground, and how history shows the party that triggers a shutdown usually pays the price. With Trump giving Democrats little incentive to compromise and a restless base demanding a fight, Chuck explains why avoiding confrontation could hurt incumbents more than a shutdown itself. Plus, in the ToddCast Top 5, he breaks down the best Senate pickup opportunities for both Democrats and Republicans heading into the midterms.Then, Pulitzer prize winning war correspondent Dexter Filkins joins Chuck to explore whether the U.S. military is prepared for the realities of modern warfare. From Ukraine's innovative battlefield tactics to Israel's use of AI, militaries around the world are embracing cheap, agile technologies that challenge America's reliance on massive, legacy weapons systems. They examine how Congress's instinct to protect jobs keeps outdated systems alive, why the Pentagon is scrambling to produce affordable drones, and how America's vast defense supply chain quietly runs through China. The conversation turns to Taiwan—home to 90% of the world's advanced microchip production—and whether the U.S. and its allies are truly ready to defend it in the event of a conflict with China.The discussion also delves into the vulnerabilities of low-earth orbit satellites, the role of companies like Palantir in military tech, and whether autonomous targeting and video game–like interfaces are desensitizing the nature of war. Beyond weapons, Filkins and Todd confront America's recruiting crisis, where three-quarters of young adults aren't eligible for service, forcing the military to experiment with “pre-boot camps.” They close with reflections on fractured alliances, Trump's effect on European defense spending, Putin's ambitions to reconstitute the Soviet Union, and Filkins's own harrowing experiences covering war zones—from Taliban executions in Kabul to jihadi training camps before 9/11.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction02:15 Will the Democrats force a showdown over a government shutdown?04:30 Can Democrats trust Republicans to spend appropriated money?05:15 Trump has given Democrats no incentive to come to the table06:15 GOP forced shutdown in 2013, paid a heavy political price08:45 Usually the party that forces shutdown goes down in polls10:45 Democrats would do well to get caught fighting13:00 If Democrats roll over, a “burn the establishment” mood will follow14:45 The Democratic base is angry, not fighting puts incumbents at risk16:00 Gavin Newsom has been rewarded for fighting18:00 Trump has written off catering to the middle19:15 Shutdown is risky, but provides a message for the midterms22:00 A government shutdown is more likely than not23:15 ToddCast Top 5 - Best senate pickup opportunities for each party24:30 Top 5 senate seats for Democrats to pick up31:45 Democrats need to put more seats in play32:30 Top 5 senate seats for Republicans to pick up40:45 Dexter Filkins joins the Chuck ToddCast 42:45 Is the U.S. military vulnerable to small tech innovation? 43:15 U.S. military is studying Ukraine and Israel's innovations 44:45 U.S. military relies on few, very expensive weapons 46:15 Legacy weapon systems get updated, rarely replaced 47:30 Congress defends status quo to protect jobs in their district 49:00 America spends huge money, doesn't get bang for buck 50:15 Pentagon has new program making cheap, accurate drones 51:30 50,000 American defense supply chains lead back to China 53:45 Defending Taiwan is a massive logistical challenge 54:30 Is America ready to help Taiwan survive war with China? 55:30 Taiwan produces 90% of the world's advanced microchips 56:30 If Taiwan falls, the world economy would grind to a halt 57:45 The Asian-Pacific alliance isn't rock solid 59:15 War between the U.S. and China would be ugly 1:00:00 Low-earth orbit satellites are vulnerable to attack 1:01:00 Destroying the satellite network is mutually assured destruction 1:02:15 China is watching the U.S. response to Ukraine war 1:04:30 Would Japan jump into a war between the U.S. and China? 1:05:30 Israel's military is using AI for targeting 1:08:30 What is Palantir's role with military applications? 1:10:00 Military systems aren't interconnected for cybersecurity safety 1:11:30 Modern warfare will require a rapid decision making process 1:12:45 Autonomous targeting required to avoid jamming 1:14:15 Modern targeting systems are incredibly advanced 1:16:00 How much is war desensitized by its video game nature? 1:18:00 Recruiting problems for the U.S. military 1:19:15 75% of prime age military recruits don't qualify for service 1:20:45 Military has set up a pre-boot camp for recruits to lose weight 1:22:15 What size of military force do we need? 1:23:45 The fracturing of U.S. alliances in an era of nationalism 1:25:15 Trump scared the Europeans into increasing defense spending 1:27:00 Putin has been clear he wants to reconstitute the Soviet Union 1:27:30 Would Trump defend/liberate the Baltics in an article 5 scenario? 1:28:30 If Europe gets serious about defense, Trump did a good thing 1:29:45 How did defense/military become your beat? 1:31:15 Surviving close calls when covering a war zone 1:32:30 Watching a live execution at the Kabul sports stadium in the 90s 1:33:30 Seeing the jihadi training camps in Afghanistan prior to 9/11 1:34:30 Any desire to cover an active war zone again?1:38:00 Ask Chuck 1:38:15 Book suggestions for 2000 era politics? 1:45:00 Love for the DeMaurice Smith interview 1:46:45 Why isn't the public more up in arms over unilateral tariffs?
Chuck Todd digs into the looming threat of a government shutdown and the political gamesmanship behind it. He explores whether Democrats will force a showdown with Republicans, the risks and rewards of standing their ground, and how history shows the party that triggers a shutdown usually pays the price. With Trump giving Democrats little incentive to compromise and a restless base demanding a fight, Chuck explains why avoiding confrontation could hurt incumbents more than a shutdown itself. Plus, in the ToddCast Top 5, he breaks down the best Senate pickup opportunities for both Democrats and Republicans heading into the midterms.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction02:15 Will the Democrats force a showdown over a government shutdown?04:30 Can Democrats trust Republicans to spend appropriated money?05:15 Trump has given Democrats no incentive to come to the table06:15 GOP forced shutdown in 2013, paid a heavy political price08:45 Usually the party that forces shutdown goes down in polls10:45 Democrats would do well to get caught fighting13:00 If Democrats roll over, a “burn the establishment” mood will follow14:45 The Democratic base is angry, not fighting puts incumbents at risk16:00 Gavin Newsom has been rewarded for fighting18:00 Trump has written off catering to the middle19:15 Shutdown is risky, but provides a message for the midterms22:00 A government shutdown is more likely than not23:15 ToddCast Top 5 - Best senate pickup opportunities for each party24:30 Top 5 senate seats for Democrats to pick up31:45 Democrats need to put more seats in play32:30 Top 5 senate seats for Republicans to pick up40:00 Ask Chuck40:15 Book suggestions for 2000's era politics? 47:00 Love for the DeMaurice Smith interview 48:45 Why isn't the public more up in arms over unilateral tariffs?
Pulitzer Prize winning war correspondent Dexter Filkins joins Chuck Todd to explore whether the U.S. military is prepared for the realities of modern warfare. From Ukraine's innovative battlefield tactics to Israel's use of AI, militaries around the world are embracing cheap, agile technologies that challenge America's reliance on massive, legacy weapons systems. They examine how Congress's instinct to protect jobs keeps outdated systems alive, why the Pentagon is scrambling to produce affordable drones, and how America's vast defense supply chain quietly runs through China. The conversation turns to Taiwan—home to 90% of the world's advanced microchip production—and whether the U.S. and its allies are truly ready to defend it in the event of a conflict with China.The discussion also delves into the vulnerabilities of low-earth orbit satellites, the role of companies like Palantir in military tech, and whether autonomous targeting and video game–like interfaces are desensitizing the nature of war. Beyond weapons, Filkins and Todd confront America's recruiting crisis, where three-quarters of young adults aren't eligible for service, forcing the military to experiment with “pre-boot camps.” They close with reflections on fractured alliances, Trump's effect on European defense spending, Putin's ambitions to reconstitute the Soviet Union, and Filkins's own harrowing experiences covering war zones—from Taliban executions in Kabul to jihadi training camps before 9/11.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Dexter Filkins joins the Chuck ToddCast02:00 Is the U.S. military vulnerable to small tech innovation?02:30 U.S. military is studying Ukraine and Israel's innovations04:00 U.S. military relies on few, very expensive weapons05:30 Legacy weapon systems get updated, rarely replaced06:45 Congress defends status quo to protect jobs in their district08:15 America spends huge money, doesn't get bang for buck09:30 Pentagon has new program making cheap, accurate drones10:45 50,000 American defense supply chains lead back to China13:00 Defending Taiwan is a massive logistical challenge13:45 Is America ready to help Taiwan survive war with China?14:45 Taiwan produces 90% of the world's advanced microchips15:45 If Taiwan falls, the world economy would grind to a halt17:00 The Asian-Pacific alliance isn't rock solid18:30 War between the U.S. and China would be ugly19:15 Low-earth orbit satellites are vulnerable to attack20:15 Destroying the satellite network is mutually assured destruction21:30 China is watching the U.S. response to Ukraine war23:45 Would Japan jump into a war between the U.S. and China?24:45 Israel's military is using AI for targeting27:45 What is Palantir's role with military applications?29:15 Military systems aren't interconnected for cybersecurity safety30:45 Modern warfare will require a rapid decision making process32:00 Autonomous targeting required to avoid jamming33:30 Modern targeting systems are incredibly advanced35:15 How much is war desensitized by its video game nature?37:15 Recruiting problems for the U.S. military38:30 75% of prime age military recruits don't quality for service40:00 Military has set up a pre-boot camp for recruits to lose weight41:30 What size of military force do we need?43:00 The fracturing of U.S. alliances in an era of nationalism44:30 Trump scared the Europeans into increasing defense spending46:15 Putin has been clear he wants to reconstitute the Soviet Union46:45 Would Trump defend/liberate the Baltics in an article 5 scenario?47:45 If Europe gets serious about defense, Trump did a good thing49:00 How did defense/military become your beat?50:30 Surviving close calls when covering a war zone51:45 Watching a live execution at the Kabul sports stadium in the 90s52:45 Seeing the jihadi training camps in Afghanistan prior to 9/1153:45 Any desire to cover an active war zone again?
Florida Democratic Congressman Jared Moskowitz joins Chuck Todd with a stark assessment of American politics: bipartisanship is dead, foreign interference has poisoned public discourse, and Democrats face an existential choice between fighting dirty or facing potential party destruction. Moskowitz, who represents Parkland and witnessed multiple system failures during that tragic shooting, argues that Trump's second term has fundamentally changed Democrats who now face primary voters demanding fighters while swing voters want uniters—an impossible contradiction that reflects deeper dysfunction where politicians receive no political reward for solving problems. He warns that increased gerrymandering from both parties will worsen congressional dysfunction while big tech companies have created a discourse environment where TikTok operates as a "psyop weapon" showing endless Gaza content while ignoring Uyghur genocide, demonstrating how public opinion gets manipulated by algorithms designed for engagement rather than truth.The conversation reveals a politician grappling with impossible strategic calculations as Florida officially becomes a red state through Trump-driven demographic shifts and COVID-era political realignment, while Democrats debate whether moderates should fall in line when progressives win or continue prioritizing electability over ideological purity. Moskowitz's insights into Israel's "generational reputational damage" and the effectiveness of Trump's intimidation politics—where physical threats cause Republican senators to cave—illustrate how normal democratic processes have been weaponized into permanent warfare. Looking ahead, he warns that Democratic failure in midterms could destroy the party entirely, while practical governance challenges like FEMA's disaster response capabilities face deliberate sabotage from a White House that realizes competent federal agencies undermine their political narrative, leaving states unable to handle hurricane logistics independently as climate disasters intensify.Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Congressman Jared Moskowitz joins the Chuck Toddcast01:30 As a Dem, could you ever get a job in a 2nd term DeSantis admin?02:45 The days of bipartisanship are long gone04:00 Why not stand on principle in the redistricting fight?05:00 The Democratic base wants to fight fire with fire06:00 Trump's second term has changed the Democrats07:15 Primary voters want a fighter, swing voters want a uniter08:00 More gerrymander will increase dysfunction in congress10:30 Both parties moved away from each other after cold war11:15 Foreign interference in American discourse has been effective12:45 DeSantis hasn't succeeded in repealing Florida's red flag laws14:15 Stopping school/mass shootings requires an “all of the above” approach16:15 There's no political reward for bipartisanship and solving problems18:15 There were multiple points of failure in Parkland shooting20:00 Public discourse is at the mercy of five giant tech companies 20:45 TikTok is a psyop weapon 22:45 TikTok shows Gaza content, but nothing about the Uyghurs 24:00 Restrictions government should place on social media/internet 25:15 The big tech lobby has become one of the strongest 27:30 Bipartisan support for internet regulations to protect kids 29:15 The Democratic party is losing the nuance on Israel 30:30 Social media has juiced coverage in Gaza, ignored other conflicts 32:45 Israel is doing generational reputational damage 35:30 Physical threats have caused Republican senators to cave 36:45 Trump's intimidation politics work effectively 37:45 Majority of Americans want to cut off aid to Israel 39:00 Will Israel be a true voting issue? 41:30 Populations move to the right after being attacked 42:30 Covid led to Republican dominance in Florida 46:00 Florida is officially a red state 47:15 Democrats have policy fights, Republicans have personality fights 48:45 When progressives win, should the moderates get on board? 49:45 Democrats have to value electability over purity 51:15 The power of strong political communication skills 52:00 Any interest in a Florida senate run? 53:15 Trump's presence created big rightward shift in Palm Beach county 54:30 Potential to be gerrymandered out of your seat? 55:30 If Democrats don't win in midterms it could destroy the party 56:45 Democrats can't unilaterally disarm in gerrymandering war 58:15 Trump's cover up of Epstein is openly blatant 1:00:45 What will FEMA response look like when a hurricane hits? 1:02:45 States can't handle disaster logistics without FEMA 1:07:30 White House realizes FEMA will become a problem 1:09:00 Some of the people around Trump are worse than him
Chuck Todd unpacks how Putin's latest strikes reveal Trump was played in Alaska and why Labor Day marks a new stage in the political calendar. From looming government shutdowns and Supreme Court battles over tariffs to the total collapse of checks on Trump 2.0, the conversation digs into what—if anything—remains of the pre-Trump Republican Party. With GOP senators capitulating, RFK Jr. emboldened, and even Trump hesitant to cross him, the stakes for public health and American democracy have never been higher. Todd also explores how rumors about Trump's health could spark a political feeding frenzy, why Kennedy should be forced to prove his vaccine claims, and whether any non-MAGA Republicans are willing to buck Trump to save their party.Florida Democratic Congressman Jared Moskowitz joins Chuck Todd with a stark assessment of American politics: bipartisanship is dead, foreign interference has poisoned public discourse, and Democrats face an existential choice between fighting dirty or facing potential party destruction. Moskowitz, who represents Parkland and witnessed multiple system failures during that tragic shooting, argues that Trump's second term has fundamentally changed Democrats who now face primary voters demanding fighters while swing voters want uniters—an impossible contradiction that reflects deeper dysfunction where politicians receive no political reward for solving problems. He warns that increased gerrymandering from both parties will worsen congressional dysfunction while big tech companies have created a discourse environment where TikTok operates as a "psyop weapon" showing endless Gaza content while ignoring Uyghur genocide, demonstrating how public opinion gets manipulated by algorithms designed for engagement rather than truth.The conversation reveals a politician grappling with impossible strategic calculations as Florida officially becomes a red state through Trump-driven demographic shifts and COVID-era political realignment, while Democrats debate whether moderates should fall in line when progressives win or continue prioritizing electability over ideological purity. Moskowitz's insights into Israel's "generational reputational damage" and the effectiveness of Trump's intimidation politics—where physical threats cause Republican senators to cave—illustrate how normal democratic processes have been weaponized into permanent warfare. Looking ahead, he warns that Democratic failure in midterms could destroy the party entirely, while practical governance challenges like FEMA's disaster response capabilities face deliberate sabotage from a White House that realizes competent federal agencies undermine their political narrative, leaving states unable to handle hurricane logistics independently as climate disasters intensify.Finally, he gives his reaction to the first weekend of college football and answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction03:00 Putin's latest strikes show Trump was played in Alaska05:00 Labor day marks new stage in the political calendar06:00 Potential for showdown over government shutdown07:00 What is left of the pre-Trump Republican party?08:00 The checks on Trump 1.0 are gone in Trump 2.009:15 Rubio and Bessent are the only two checks left on Trump10:30 Supreme Court showdown looming over tariffs11:30 Trump has no legal authority to impose tariffs12:30 There will be a vote in Congress on tariffs14:00 Pre-Trump GOP would have stopped RFK Jr. 16:30 GOP Senators have all capitulated to Trump18:30 GOP Senators must grow a spine to build a post-Trump party20:00 Kennedy is putting children and seniors at risk of dying21:15 Even Trump seems to be afraid of crossing RFK Jr.22:00 Former CDC directors write joint op-ed sounding alarm on CDC24:00 Trumpworld only have themselves to blame for Trump health rumors25:00 Trump's health could become next “Epstein” frenzy26:15 If Trump limits appearances it will trigger a feeding frenzy27:30 Will non-MAGA Republicans buck Trump to save their seats?30:30 Is there anything left of the Republican party?31:45 People have forgotten the pre-vaccine era33:45 Kennedy should have to prove vaccines DON'T work35:30 Congressman Jared Moskowitz joins the Chuck Toddcast 37:00 As a Dem, could you ever get a job in a 2nd term DeSantis admin? 38:15 The days of bipartisanship are long gone 39:30 Why not stand on principle in the redistricting fight? 40:30 The Democratic base wants to fight fire with fire 41:30 Trump's second term has changed the Democrats 42:45 Primary voters want a fighter, swing voters want a uniter 43:30 More gerrymander will increase dysfunction in congress 46:00 Both parties moved away from each other after cold war 46:45 Foreign interference in American discourse has been effective 48:15 DeSantis hasn't succeeded in repealing Florida's red flag laws 49:45 Stopping school/mass shootings requires an "all of the above" approach 51:45 There's no political reward for bipartisanship and solving problems 53:45 There were multiple points of failure in Parkland shooting 55:30 Public discourse is at the mercy of five giant tech companies 56:15 TikTok is a psyop weapon 58:15 TikTok shows Gaza content, but nothing about the Uyghurs 59:30 Restrictions government should place on social media/internet 1:00:45 The big tech lobby has become one of the strongest 1:03:00 Bipartisan support for internet regulations to protect kids 1:04:45 The Democratic party is losing the nuance on Israel 1:06:00 Social media has juiced coverage in Gaza, ignored other conflicts 1:08:15 Israel is doing generational reputational damage 1:11:00 Physical threats have caused Republican senators to cave 1:12:15 Trump's intimidation politics work effectively 1:13:15 Majority of Americans want to cut off aid to Israel 1:14:30 Will Israel be a true voting issue? 1:17:00 Populations move to the right after being attacked 1:18:00 Covid led to Republican dominance in Florida 1:21:30 Florida is officially a red state 1:22:45 Democrats have policy fights, Republicans have personality fights 1:24:15 When progressives win, should the moderates get on board? 1:25:15 Democrats have to value electability over purity 1:26:45 The power of strong political communication skills 1:27:30 Any interest in a Florida senate run? 1:28:45 Trump's presence created big rightward shift in Palm Beach county 1:30:00 Potential to be gerrymandered out of your seat? 1:31:00 If Democrats don't win in midterms it could destroy the party 1:32:15 Democrats can't unilaterally disarm in gerrymandering war 1:33:45 Trump's cover up of Epstein is openly blatant 1:36:15 What will FEMA response look like when a hurricane hits? 1:38:15 States can't handle disaster logistics without FEMA 1:43:00 White House realizes FEMA will become a problem 1:44:30 Some of the people around Trump are worse than him1:55:00 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Jared Moskowitz 1:56:15 Chuck's experience at Miami vs. Note Dame game 2:00:45 LSU had the best win of the weekend 2:02:30 Utah had most impressive win nobody is talking about 2:03:30 Ask Chuck 2:03:45 Will politicians make changes to college NIL via legislation? 2:06:45 Can the U.S. learn from other countries for constitutional reform? 2:12:00 Does Mike Duggan running as an independent give him an advantage? 2:17:15 Will America actually be able to bring back manufacturing?
Chuck Todd unpacks how Putin's latest strikes reveal Trump was played in Alaska and why Labor Day marks a new stage in the political calendar. From looming government shutdowns and Supreme Court battles over tariffs to the total collapse of checks on Trump 2.0, the conversation digs into what—if anything—remains of the pre-Trump Republican Party. With GOP senators capitulating, RFK Jr. emboldened, and even Trump hesitant to cross him, the stakes for public health and American democracy have never been higher. Todd also explores how rumors about Trump's health could spark a political feeding frenzy, why Kennedy should be forced to prove his vaccine claims, and whether any non-MAGA Republicans are willing to buck Trump to save their party.Finally, he gives his reaction to the first weekend of college football and answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction03:00 Putin's latest strikes show Trump was played in Alaska05:00 Labor day marks new stage in the political calendar06:00 Potential for showdown over government shutdown07:00 What is left of the pre-Trump Republican party?08:00 The checks on Trump 1.0 are gone in Trump 2.009:15 Rubio and Bessent are the only two checks left on Trump10:30 Supreme Court showdown looming over tariffs11:30 Trump has no legal authority to impose tariffs12:30 There will be a vote in Congress on tariffs14:00 Pre-Trump GOP would have stopped RFK Jr. 16:30 GOP Senators have all capitulated to Trump18:30 GOP Senators must grow a spine to build a post-Trump party20:00 Kennedy is putting children and seniors at risk of dying21:15 Even Trump seems to be afraid of crossing RFK Jr.22:00 Former CDC directors write joint op-ed sounding alarm on CDC24:00 Trumpworld only have themselves to blame for Trump health rumors25:00 Trump's health could become next “Epstein” frenzy26:15 If Trump limits appearances it will trigger a feeding frenzy27:30 Will non-MAGA Republicans buck Trump to save their seats?30:30 Is there anything left of the Republican party?31:45 People have forgotten the pre-vaccine era33:45 Kennedy should have to prove vaccines DON'T work35:30 Chuck's experience at Miami vs. Note Dame game 40:00 LSU had the best win of the weekend 41:45 Utah had most impressive win nobody is talking about 42:45 Ask Chuck 43:00 Will politicians make changes to college NIL via legislation? 46:00 Can the U.S. learn from other countries for constitutional reform? 51:15 Does Mike Duggan running as an independent give him an advantage? 56:30 Will America actually be able to bring back manufacturing?
Chuck Todd is joined by former NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith to discuss his new book Turf Wars and the untold battles behind the modern NFL. Smith reflects on how he—despite never playing the game—won the trust of star athletes, navigated intense resistance from owners, and fought for free agency and labor protections. He shares candid stories of his uphill battle to lead the NFLPA, from owners attempting to block his election to risking his career to stand with players.Smith also offers a rare look inside the billionaire owners' club, likening it to a feudal kingdom where prestige and profit outweigh fairness. He reveals how Roger Goodell consolidated power, why Jerry Jones remains a polarizing force, and how owners exploit their franchises like personal toys. From hidden revenues to weak contract protections, Smith explains why the NFL has thrived financially while leaving players vulnerable. And with college athletes gaining leverage and younger NFL players more empowered, Smith warns that a seismic labor showdown between players and owners may be on the horizon.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 DeMaurice Smith joins the Chuck ToddCast03:00 Why write Turf Wars? Why did the story need to be told?05:00 Similarities between political oligarchs & NFL owners06:30 Why did you get the NFLPA job despite never playing?08:15 Players voted to strike in 80's then crossed picket line 10:00 Players went through years of litigation to get free agency11:30 NFL tried to stop NFLPA from hiring DeMaurice14:30 DeMaurice forced to risk his job to run for NFLPA job16:30 Was it hard to connect with the players?18:30 Star players vouched for DeMaurice to their teammates20:15 Goodell visited with multiple teams and it went BADLY24:30 DeMaurice was warned, NFL owners are the worst people25:00 NFL owners view their team as a toy, vehicle for prestige27:00 Owners try to pull equity out of their team without selling it28:15 Relationship with Robert Kraft30:15 Tension between younger and older owners 30:45 The good and bad of Jerry Jones31:30 Jerry Jones frustrated with “freeloading” owners33:15 The NFL is a feudal kingdom33:45 Pete Rozelle vs Roger Goodell36:15 Goodell has done an incredible job generating revenue37:15 Mike Brown isn't a billionaire without Goodell37:45 What would the league look like without owners, Packers model?39:15 Packers requirement to publicly report gives insight into league41:15 The only rule NFL placed on itself was Rooney Rule, don't follow it42:00 The NFL is comfortable knowing it's basically above the law43:00 How much revenue was the NFL hiding under its nonprofit status?44:00 The league gave up nonprofit status to hide salaries, legal issues45:15 NFL contract protections weaker than other sports46:00 NFL culture is “psychologically militaristic”47:30 Players/owners showing solidarity over kneeling for anthem48:45 NFLPA is a microcosm for labor standing up to capital. 50:15 College players have more leverage than NFL players51:30 Newer generation of players will change relationship with owners53:45 NFL owners fear educated and empowered players55:30 School should mandate financial literacy courses for players56:45 Are players concerned about the mess at the NFLPA?58:00 Players need to understand owners aren't their friends58:45 There's a war coming between players and ownership
Chuck Todd unpacks the troubling patterns that emerge after every mass shooting, from how the public rushes to confirm their priors to how culture wars are inflamed when a shooter's identity becomes politicized. With the FBI investigating the latest tragedy as a possible hate crime, trust in law enforcement once again splits along partisan lines, reflecting the deeper polarization running through government agencies and public perception alike. Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Chuck Todd's Introduction01:00 There's a pattern to every mass/school shooting02:15 People always look to confirm their priors with every shooting03:30 The shooter being trans could inflame the culture wars04:30 Shooting could be politicized in all the wrong ways06:00 FBI announces it will be investigated as terrorism/hate crime07:00 Trust and favorability of law enforcement is polarized10:00 Agencies are being run by partisans acting partisanly12:45 The public & Trump view everything through a partisan lens14:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with DeMaurice Smith 16:45 Ask Chuck 17:00 Could local sports coverage change the local news landscape? 28:30 Friendly trash talk of Chuck's Miami Hurricanes and Green Bay Packers 31:00 Is Marco Rubio having any regrets or second thoughts? 36:15 What publication details generational voting records? 41:45 Artificial chocolate + coffee flavoring?
Chuck Todd unpacks the troubling patterns that emerge after every mass shooting, from how the public rushes to confirm their priors to how culture wars are inflamed when a shooter's identity becomes politicized. With the FBI investigating the latest tragedy as a possible hate crime, trust in law enforcement once again splits along partisan lines, reflecting the deeper polarization running through government agencies and public perception alike. Then, Todd previews his conversation with DeMaurice Smith as he turns to the looming era of labor strife in professional sports—examining how the NFL operates as a “socialist experiment,” how name-image-likeness deals and the transfer portal are shifting the mindset of athletes, and why collective bargaining disputes will be on the horizon.Then, Chuck Todd is joined by former NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith to discuss his new book Turf Wars and the untold battles behind the modern NFL. Smith reflects on how he—despite never playing the game—won the trust of star athletes, navigated intense resistance from owners, and fought for free agency and labor protections. He shares candid stories of his uphill battle to lead the NFLPA, from owners attempting to block his election to risking his career to stand with players.Smith also offers a rare look inside the billionaire owners' club, likening it to a feudal kingdom where prestige and profit outweigh fairness. He reveals how Roger Goodell consolidated power, why Jerry Jones remains a polarizing force, and how owners exploit their franchises like personal toys. From hidden revenues to weak contract protections, Smith explains why the NFL has thrived financially while leaving players vulnerable. And with college athletes gaining leverage and younger NFL players more empowered, Smith warns that a seismic labor showdown between players and owners may be on the horizon.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Chuck Todd's Introduction01:00 There's a pattern to every mass/school shooting02:15 People always look to confirm their priors with every shooting03:30 The shooter being trans could inflame the culture wars04:30 Shooting could be politicized in all the wrong ways06:00 FBI announces it will be investigated as terrorism/hate crime07:00 Trust and favorability of law enforcement is polarized10:00 Agencies are being run by partisans acting partisanly12:45 The public & Trump view everything through a partisan lens14:45 DeMaurice Smith TEASE18:00 We're about to enter an era of labor strife in professional sports19:45 The NFL is one of the great socialist experiments in America22:30 The attitude of future NFL players will change due to NIL/Xfer portal23:45 We'll likely see collective bargaining amongst college players26:45 DeMaurice Smith joins the Chuck ToddCast 29:45 Why write Turf Wars? Why did the story need to be told? 31:45 Similarities between political oligarchs & NFL owners 33:15 Why did you get the NFLPA job despite never playing? 35:00 Players voted to strike in 80's then crossed picket line 36:45 Players went through years of litigation to get free agency 38:15 NFL tried to stop NFLPA from hiring DeMaurice 41:15 DeMaurice forced to risk his job to run for NFLPA job 43:15 Was it hard to connect with the players? 45:15 Star players vouched for DeMaurice to their teammates 46:00 Goodell visited with multiple teams and it went BADLY 51:15 DeMaurice was warned, NFL owners are the worst people 51:45 NFL owners view their team as a toy, vehicle for prestige 53:45 Owners try to pull equity out of their team without selling it 55:00 Relationship with Robert Kraft 57:00 Tension between younger and older owners 57:30 The good and bad of Jerry Jones 58:15 Jerry Jones frustrated with "freeloading" owners 1:00:00 The NFL is a feudal kingdom 1:00:30 Pete Rozelle vs Roger Goodell 1:03:00 Goodell has done an incredible job generating revenue 1:04:00 Mike Brown isn't a billionaire without Goodell 1:04:30 What would the league look like without owners, Packers model? 1:06:00 Packers requirement to publicly report gives insight into league 1:08:00 The only rule NFL placed on itself was Rooney Rule, don't follow it 1:08:45 The NFL is comfortable knowing it's basically above the law 1:09:45 How much revenue was the NFL hiding under its nonprofit status? 1:10:45 The league gave up nonprofit status to hide salaries, legal issues 1:12:00 NFL contract protections weaker than other sports 1:12:45 NFL culture is "psychologically militaristic" 1:14:15 Players/owners showing solidarity over kneeling for anthem 1:15:30 NFLPA is a microcosm for labor standing up to capital. 1:17:00 College players have more leverage than NFL players 1:18:15 Newer generation of players will change relationship with owners 1:20:30 NFL owners fear educated and empowered players 1:22:15 School should mandate financial literacy courses for players 1:23:30 Are players concerned about the mess at the NFLPA? 1:24:45 Players need to understand owners aren't their friends 1:25:30 There's a war coming between players and ownership1:27:30 Chuck's thoughts on interview with DeMaurice Smith 1:29:30 Ask Chuck 1:29:45 Could local sports coverage change the local news landscape? 1:41:15 Friendly trash talk of Chuck's Miami Hurricanes and Green Bay Packers 1:43:45 Is Marco Rubio having any regrets or second thoughts? 1:49:00 What publication details generational voting records? 1:54:30 Artificial chocolate + coffee flavoring?
Chuck Todd dives into the shifting political and cultural landscape—from Trump's transformation of the information ecosystem and the “civics lesson” his presidency has provided to the American public. He weighs in on the administration's use of militarized “law and order” tactics and Trump's constant economic brinkmanship. The conversation ranges from Trump's similarities to Turkey's president Erdogan and his clashes with the Fed.. Chuck also introduces the new “ToddCast Top 5,” spotlighting rising Democratic contenders for 2028—from Gavin Newsom's leadership and Ruben Gallego's surge, to James Talarico's Buttigieg-style buzz and the ongoing question of when Bernie Sanders will pass the torch to AOC. Then, former Republican operative turned Harris campaign strategist Maria Comella joins Chuck to deliver a brutal post-mortem on Democratic failures and to reflect on her unique career path across the political spectrum. From her early days in Republican politics to the inner workings of the Harris campaign, Comella offers candid insights on what it takes to run for office in an era defined by partisanship, shifting voter coalitions, and struggling party identities. She shares stories about Christie's sharp self-awareness, Giuliani's early years, and the challenges Harris faced in balancing her legal background with her political ambitions.Together, Chuck and Maria dive into the pitfalls of Democratic messaging in the Trump era, why Harris couldn't connect with Republican voters, and how Biden and Harris miscalculated their approach to the left. They also explore the rise of outsider candidates like Sanders and Trump, the failure of movements like “No Labels,” and whether a third party—or even a unifying military figure—could ever gain traction. With upcoming races in New Jersey and New York on the horizon, Comella weighs in on the donor class panic over Mamdani, Cuomo's uncertain future, and what it will take for either party to break through with an electorate hungry for reform.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:15 Miami vs Notre Dame rivalry04:30 Trump has changed the information ecosystem and expectations05:30 Trump is giving the public a long overdue civics lesson06:30 Turkey & Erdogan are the model for Trump08:15 Trump backs off when the market reacts negatively09:30 Trump's firing of member of Fed board of governors heads to court11:30 If the economy was booming, the Fed wouldn't cut interest rates13:30 Administration will ramp up “law and order” tactics in blue cities14:45 National guard deployment is more about optics than crime15:45 The issue of crime in cities divides the Democratic party17:30 Trump is creating different standards between red and blue states18:45 Politicizing the economy will only go badly19:45 Trump will own the bad economy20:30 Trump inserts himself into the Roger Clemons Hall of Fame debate21:30 Trump sides with people who are caught cheating23:45 Clemons belongs in the Hall of Fame25:45 Will someone drop out of the NYC Mayoral race to stop Mamdani?27:30 The rise of, and reaction to Mamdani is similar to rise of Trump29:15 Howard University president resigns… hire Kamala Harris?31:00 Introducing the “ToddCast Top 5”31:30 Which Democrat has had the best 2025 to position presidential run?32:15 Gavin Newsom has become the leader of the Democratic party33:45 If Newsom loses referendum it will be a huge blow to his prospects34:30 Ruben Gallego has greatly increased his standing35:30 3 archetypes of Democratic presidential candidates37:45 James Talarico buzz reminiscent of Pete Buttigieg in 201740:00 Andy Beshear & Wes Moore have made waves41:30 Bernie Sanders hasn't officially passed the torch to AOC44:00 The Democratic base wants a fighter, the middle wants a uniter46:00 Maria Comella joins the Chuck Toddcast 48:00 Maria's origin story 52:30 Difficulty running for state/local offices after being in unpopular congress 53:30 Experience of working for Rudy Guiliani 57:15 Moving from Republican politics to the Harris campaign 58:15 Do Cuomo, Giuliani and Christie have much in common? 59:15 All three are voracious readers 1:00:15 Chris Christie was the most self-aware of the three 1:01:30 Christie was mad at Chuck over Meet the Press interview 1:04:00 Did you have a seat at the table with the Harris campaign? 1:05:45 Kamala Harris tried to be everything to everyone 1:07:30 Harris seemed like a more natural fit in law than in politics 1:08:15 Harris had ideological identity issues 1:09:45 Why Harris didn't appear on Joe Rogan's podcast 1:10:45 Harris for Republicans vs. Republicans for Harris 1:11:30 Biden & Harris didn't know how to talk to Republican voters 1:13:00 Liz Cheney wasn't effective as a surrogate 1:15:00 Biden & Harris were afraid to go after the left 1:16:15 Harris campaign said she'd be different, but didn't show it 1:17:30 Harris's appearance on The View symbolized her loss 1:19:15 Harris had nearly a difficult, but not impossible task 1:20:30 Harris didn't need to campaign with never Trump Republicans 1:22:00 Harris was too late with her closing argument message 1:23:30 Dukakis's closing message was just an airing of grievances 1:24:45 Harris's closing message didn't meet voters where they were 1:26:00 Democratic messaging has been dumb and lazy in Trump era 1:27:30 Obama was the last candidate the public voted "for" 1:28:45 Rise of Sanders and Trump show how weak the parties are 1:29:15 Is there room for a third party? 1:30:45 Why the "No Labels" party fell flat 1:33:30 Could a less partisan military leader bring the country together? 1:35:15 The system was built to force compromise rather than win/lose 1:37:00 Voters want a reformer/change, Harris didn't offer that 1:39:30 The GOP "establishment" let problems fester and ended up with Trump 1:41:30 Rand Paul & Josh Hawley have stayed true to themselves 1:43:15 Imitating Trump doesn't ever work for GOP candidates 1:45:30 Who on the Democratic side could break through with GOP voters? 1:47:30 The "Stop Mamdani" movement can't coalesce around one candidate 1:49:00 Donor class panicking they can't stop Mamdani 1:50:15 Schumer & Jeffries failed to find good NYC mayor candidate 1:52:30 What will Cuomo do? Could he drop out? 1:54:15 Money & ad buys won't stop Mamdani 1:56:30 New Jersey governors race will be the closest race in November 1:58:00 The Democratic consultant class is out of touch with voters2:01:15 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Maria Comella 2:01:45 Ask Chuck 2:02:00 Potential reform to remove political bias from DOJ? 2:09:00 Would a congressionally drafted amendment be better than a convention? 2:12:15 Thoughts on a non-binding constitutional convention?
Chuck Todd dives into the shifting political and cultural landscape—from Trump's transformation of the information ecosystem and the “civics lesson” his presidency has provided to the American public. He weighs in on the administration's use of militarized “law and order” tactics and Trump's constant economic brinkmanship. The conversation ranges from Trump's similarities to Turkey's president Erdogan and his clashes with the Fed.. Chuck also introduces the new “ToddCast Top 5,” spotlighting rising Democratic contenders for 2028—from Gavin Newsom's leadership and Ruben Gallego's surge, to James Talarico's Buttigieg-style buzz and the ongoing question of when Bernie Sanders will pass the torch to AOC. Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:15 Miami vs Notre Dame rivalry04:30 Trump has changed the information ecosystem and expectations05:30 Trump is giving the public a long overdue civics lesson06:30 Turkey & Erdogan are the model for Trump08:15 Trump backs off when the market reacts negatively09:30 Trump's firing of member of Fed board of governors heads to court11:30 If the economy was booming, the Fed wouldn't cut interest rates13:30 Administration will ramp up “law and order” tactics in blue cities14:45 National guard deployment is more about optics than crime15:45 The issue of crime in cities divides the Democratic party17:30 Trump is creating different standards between red and blue states18:45 Politicizing the economy will only go badly19:45 Trump will own the bad economy20:30 Trump inserts himself into the Roger Clemons Hall of Fame debate21:30 Trump sides with people who are caught cheating23:45 Clemons belongs in the Hall of Fame25:45 Will someone drop out of the NYC Mayoral race to stop Mamdani?27:30 The rise of, and reaction to Mamdani is similar to rise of Trump29:15 Howard University president resigns… hire Kamala Harris?31:00 Introducing the “ToddCast Top 5”31:30 Which Democrat has had the best 2025 to position presidential run?32:15 Gavin Newsom has become the leader of the Democratic party33:45 If Newsom loses referendum it will be a huge blow to his prospects34:30 Ruben Gallego has greatly increased his standing35:30 3 archetypes of Democratic presidential candidates37:45 James Talarico buzz reminiscent of Pete Buttigieg in 201740:00 Andy Beshear & Wes Moore have made waves41:30 Bernie Sanders hasn't officially passed the torch to AOC44:00 The Democratic base wants a fighter, the middle wants a uniter46:30 Ask Chuck 46:45 Potential reform to remove political bias from DOJ? 53:45 Would a congressionally drafted amendment be better than a convention? 57:00 Thoughts on a non-binding constitutional convention?
Former Republican operative turned Harris campaign strategist Maria Comella joins Chuck Todd to deliver a brutal post-mortem on Democratic failures and to reflect on her unique career path across the political spectrum. From her early days in Republican politics to the inner workings of the Harris campaign, Comella offers candid insights on what it takes to run for office in an era defined by partisanship, shifting voter coalitions, and struggling party identities. She shares stories about Christie's sharp self-awareness, Giuliani's early years, and the challenges Harris faced in balancing her legal background with her political ambitions.Together, Chuck and Maria dive into the pitfalls of Democratic messaging in the Trump era, why Harris couldn't connect with Republican voters, and how Biden and Harris miscalculated their approach to the left. They also explore the rise of outsider candidates like Sanders and Trump, the failure of movements like “No Labels,” and whether a third party—or even a unifying military figure—could ever gain traction. With upcoming races in New Jersey and New York on the horizon, Comella weighs in on the donor class panic over Mamdani, Cuomo's uncertain future, and what it will take for either party to break through with an electorate hungry for reform.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Maria Comella joins the Chuck Toddcast02:00 Maria's origin story06:30 Difficulty running for state/local offices after being in unpopular congress07:30 Experience of working for Rudy Guiliani11:15 Moving from Republican politics to the Harris campaign12:15 Do Cuomo, Giuliani and Christie have much in common?13:15 All three are voracious readers14:15 Chris Christie was the most self-aware of the three15:30 Christie was mad at Chuck over Meet the Press interview18:00 Did you have a seat at the table with the Harris campaign?19:45 Kamala Harris tried to be everything to everyone21:30 Harris seemed like a more natural fit in law than in politics22:15 Harris had ideological identity issues 23:45 Why Harris didn't appear on Joe Rogan's podcast24:45 Harris for Republicans vs. Republicans for Harris25:30 Biden & Harris didn't know how to talk to Republican voters27:00 Liz Cheney wasn't effective as a surrogate29:00 Biden & Harris were afraid to go after the left30:15 Harris campaign said she'd be different, but didn't show it31:30 Harris's appearance on The View symbolized her loss33:15 Harris had nearly a difficult, but not impossible task34:30 Harris didn't need to campaign with never Trump Republicans36:00 Harris was too late with her closing argument message37:30 Dukakis's closing message was just an airing of grievances38:45 Harris's closing message didn't meet voters where they were40:00 Democratic messaging has been dumb and lazy in Trump era41:30 Obama was the last candidate the public voted “for”42:45 Rise of Sanders and Trump show how weak the parties are43:15 Is there room for a third party?44:45 Why the “No Labels” party fell flat47:30 Could a less partisan military leader bring the country together?49:15 The system was built to force compromise rather than win/lose51:00 Voters want a reformer/change, Harris didn't offer that53:30 The GOP “establishment” let problems fester and ended up with Trump55:30 Rand Paul & Josh Hawley have stayed true to themselves57:15 Imitating Trump doesn't ever work for GOP candidates59:30 Who on the Democratic side could break through with GOP voters?1:01:30 The “Stop Mamdani” movement can't coalesce around one candidate1:03:00 Donor class panicking they can't stop Mamdani1:04:15 Schumer & Jeffries failed to find good NYC mayor candidate1:06:30 What will Cuomo do? Could he drop out?1:08:15 Money & ad buys won't stop Mamdani1:10:30 New Jersey governors race will be the closest race in November1:12:00 The Democratic consultant class is out of touch with voters
Chuck Todd breaks down the political paradox of August 2025, a month that generated significant headlines yet produced little actual movement in Washington's power dynamics. Despite a DC law enforcement surge that failed to target high-crime areas and escalating redistricting wars that continue eroding institutional trust, Todd argues that distractions like the worthless Ghislaine Maxwell testimony release and questionable personnel moves at the IRS are overshadowing more serious concerns about DOJ's politicization and economic warning signs. With only Rubio and Bessent providing cabinet stability as cracks emerge in the economy and potential stagflation looms by spring 2026, Todd explores how Trump's promised restrictions on mail-in voting in red states will likely backfire as voters demand expanded early voting options, while examining the broader phenomenon of "nutpicking" – when entire political parties get defined by their most outlandish members, a dynamic perfectly satirized in recent South Park episodes that mirror Elon Musk's bizarre Macrohard announcement.Then, Chuck welcomes Politico's politics bureau chief Jonathan Martin to discuss the rapidly evolving political landscape as both parties grapple with structural weaknesses and Trump's continued dominance of the political conversation. The conversation covers the Democratic Party's primary calendar shake-up, with New Hampshire maintaining its first-in-the-nation status despite ongoing debates about Iowa's role, while examining how the party's focus on winning over traditional early-state voters may not address deeper issues with rural constituencies. Martin and Todd analyze Trump's economic challenges, from emerging tariff impacts to his desperate attempts to influence interest rates, alongside his strategic use of government power to shape elections and avoid potential legal consequences.The discussion shifts to key electoral battlegrounds, particularly the New Jersey gubernatorial race featuring Mikie Sherrill and her challenger Ciattarelli, which could serve as a crucial midterm bellwether. They explore the broader implications of weak party structures, redistricting battles that Obama has now blessed, and whether Democrats are ceding their traditional "adult in the room" positioning. Their discussion concludes with lighter fare about college football, including LSU's playoff aspirations and James Madison's surprising rise as Virginia's emerging football power, offering a perfect blend of serious political analysis and seasonal sports commentary.Finally, Chuck answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Chuck Todd's Introduction02:45 August is always the slowest month in DC04:30 August made lots of headlines, but made no movement05:15 DC law enforcement surge hasn't been to high crime areas05:45 Redistricting war ramps up, corrosive to institutions06:15 Ghislaine Maxwell testimony is worthless but a distraction07:45 Billy Long firing at IRS stinks to high heaven08:45 DOJ being used to prop up Virginia's GOP governor candidate10:15 Rubio and Bessent are the only cabinet members providing stability11:30 Cracks are showing up in the economy13:15 Stagflation could show up by spring of 202614:00 DOJ could bring bogus investigations against Dem candidates 15:45 Most recent South Park episode was perfect satire of big tech16:15 Elon Musk's announcement of Macrohard feels like South Park plot17:45 Trump will order end of mail-in voting in red states18:30 Voters will demand longer early voting period20:00 Same day voting only isn't feasible21:30 “Nutpicking” - When an entire party is painted by one outlandish member23:45 Jonathan Martin joins the Chuck Toddcast! 24:15 College football kicks off 6:15 Democrats debating where to host first primary 26:30 New Hampshire will be first primary state 29:00 Winning over NH voters doesn't solve Dems issues with rural voters30:45 Iowa won't move back to first in the nation status 31:15 Democrats vacate endorsement of DSA candidate in Minneapolis 33:30 The two traditional parties are incredibly weak 34:30 Trump is creating a lot of noise, but can't distract from economy 36:15 Trump's ultimate goal is attention 24/7 37:00 Tariff impacts are starting to show up 38:45 Trump is desperate to bring down interest rates 40:00 Trump will use the power of government to affect elections 41:15 Texas redraw shows Trump is desperate to avoid third impeachment 42:30 Could Mike Johnson refuse to seat a new congress? 43:30 DOJ releases Ghislaine Maxwell testimony to appease base 45:00 DOJ's reputation will take years to recover 47:00 Democrats get no credit when being fair on redistricting 47:45 Obama gives his blessing to redistricting effort 48:30 Are Democrats ceding "adult in the room" status? 49:45 Biden overreached beyond his mandate 51:15 Redistricting will be a massive legal mess 52:00 Trump takes partial state ownership of major companies 53:30 Trump's endorsement is decisive in GOP primaries 54:45 Huge reliance on Scott Bessent to keep lid on Trump 56:45 New Jersey governor race will be a bellwether for the midterms 58:30 Mikie Sherrill bungled her answer on Mamdani 59:15 Trump is sympathetic to Ciattarelli 1:00:30 Ciattarelli has a Chris Christie quality to him 1:02:00 Sherrill would be the least "Jersey" governor 1:03:30 Will any Republican senators announce retirement? 1:05:30 Sherrod Brown's outlook in Ohio senate race 1:07:15 Brown's prize for winning is an election in two years 1:09:30 Democrats too focused on DC rather than states 1:10:30 Which college football games will you attend? 1:11:45 LSU needs to make a playoff run for Kelly to keep his job 1:14:00 James Madison becoming the football power in Virginia 1:16:30 Ask Chuck 1:16:45 How can a VP candidate hurt or boost a campaign? 1:24:15 Non-political book recommendations? 1:28:30 Will there be modifications to limit executive power post-Trump? 1:31:45 What happens if Trump declares Democratic party a terrorist organization?
Chuck Todd welcomes Politico's politics bureau chief Jonathan Martin to discuss the rapidly evolving political landscape as both parties grapple with structural weaknesses and Trump's continued dominance of the political conversation. The conversation covers the Democratic Party's primary calendar shake-up, with New Hampshire maintaining its first-in-the-nation status despite ongoing debates about Iowa's role, while examining how the party's focus on winning over traditional early-state voters may not address deeper issues with rural constituencies. Martin and Todd analyze Trump's economic challenges, from emerging tariff impacts to his desperate attempts to influence interest rates, alongside his strategic use of government power to shape elections and avoid potential legal consequences.The discussion shifts to key electoral battlegrounds, particularly the New Jersey gubernatorial race featuring Mikie Sherrill and her challenger Ciattarelli, which could serve as a crucial midterm bellwether. They explore the broader implications of weak party structures, redistricting battles that Obama has now blessed, and whether Democrats are ceding their traditional "adult in the room" positioning. Their discussion concludes with lighter fare about college football, including LSU's playoff aspirations and James Madison's surprising rise as Virginia's emerging football power, offering a perfect blend of serious political analysis and seasonal sports commentary.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Jonathan Martin joins the Chuck Toddcast!00:30 College football kicks off02:30 Democrats debating where to host first primary02:45 New Hampshire will be first primary state 05:15 Winning over NH voters doesn't solve Dems issues with rural voters 07:00 Iowa won't move back to first in the nation status 07:30 Democrats vacate endorsement of DSA candidate in Minneapolis09:45 The two traditional parties are incredibly weak 10:45 Trump is creating a lot of noise, but can't distract from economy 12:30 Trump's ultimate goal is attention 24/7 13:15 Tariff impacts are starting to show up 15:00 Trump is desperate to bring down interest rates 16:15 Trump will use the power of government to affect elections 17:30 Texas redraw shows Trump is desperate to avoid third impeachment 18:45 Could Mike Johnson refuse to seat a new congress? 19:45 DOJ releases Ghislaine Maxwell testimony to appease base 21:15 DOJ's reputation will take years to recover 23:15 Democrats get no credit when being fair on redistricting 24:00 Obama gives his blessing to redistricting effort 24:45 Are Democrats ceding "adult in the room" status? 26:00 Biden overreached beyond his mandate 27:30 Redistricting will be a massive legal mess 28:15 Trump takes partial state ownership of major companies 29:45 Trump's endorsement is decisive in GOP primaries 31:00 Huge reliance on Scott Bessent to keep lid on Trump 33:00 New Jersey governor race will be a bellwether for the midterms 34:45 Mikie Sherrill bungled her answer on Mamdani35:30 Trump is sympathetic to Ciattarelli 36:45 Ciattarelli has a Chris Christie quality to him 38:15 Sherrill would be the least "Jersey" governor 39:45 Will any Republican senators announce retirement? 41:45 Sherrod Brown's outlook in Ohio senate race 43:30 Brown's prize for winning is an election in two years 45:45 Democrats too focused on DC rather than states 46:45 Which college football games will you attend? 48:00 LSU needs to make a playoff run for Kelly to keep his job 50:15 James Madison becoming the football power in Virginia
Chuck Todd breaks down the political paradox of August 2025, a month that generated significant headlines yet produced little actual movement in Washington's power dynamics. Despite a DC law enforcement surge that failed to target high-crime areas and escalating redistricting wars that continue eroding institutional trust, Todd argues that distractions like the worthless Ghislaine Maxwell testimony release and questionable personnel moves at the IRS are overshadowing more serious concerns about DOJ's politicization and economic warning signs. With only Rubio and Bessent providing cabinet stability as cracks emerge in the economy and potential stagflation looms by spring 2026, Todd explores how Trump's promised restrictions on mail-in voting in red states will likely backfire as voters demand expanded early voting options, while examining the broader phenomenon of "nutpicking" – when entire political parties get defined by their most outlandish members, a dynamic perfectly satirized in recent South Park episodes that mirror Elon Musk's bizarre Macrohard announcement.Finally, Chuck answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Chuck Todd's Introduction02:45 August is always the slowest month in DC04:30 August made lots of headlines, but made no movement05:15 DC law enforcement surge hasn't been to high crime areas05:45 Redistricting war ramps up, corrosive to institutions06:15 Ghislaine Maxwell testimony is worthless but a distraction07:45 Billy Long firing at IRS stinks to high heaven08:45 DOJ being used to prop up Virginia's GOP governor candidate10:15 Rubio and Bessent are the only cabinet members providing stability11:30 Cracks are showing up in the economy13:15 Stagflation could show up by spring of 202614:00 DOJ could bring bogus investigations against Dem candidates 15:45 Most recent South Park episode was perfect satire of big tech16:15 Elon Musk's announcement of Macrohard feels like South Park plot17:45 Trump will order end of mail-in voting in red states18:30 Voters will demand longer early voting period20:00 Same day voting only isn't feasible21:30 “Nutpicking” - When an entire party is painted by one outlandish member23:45 Ask Chuck 24:00 How can a VP candidate hurt or boost a campaign? 31:30 Non-political book recommendations? 36:15 Will there be modifications to limit executive power post-Trump? 39:00 What happens if Trump declares Democratic party a terrorist organization?
Legendary political analyst Charlie Cook joins Chuck Todd with sobering insights about America's polarized democracy, revealing that despite perceptions of a Democratic wipeout, 2024 represented a narrow rejection of Biden and Harris rather than an embrace of Trump—part of a pattern where six of the last seven presidential elections have been decided by five points or less, creating a perpetually divided nation where small shifts carry enormous consequences. Cook argues that true undecided voters now represent only 2-3% of the electorate while "independent leaners" are essentially partisan, meaning campaigns have learned that undecideds aren't centrists but often hold contradictory views that defy traditional political logic. He traces Biden's downfall to the chaotic first nine months of 2021, noting that Biden only won because the party consolidated to stop Sanders, while Trump's identification of public demand for border security proved politically prescient even as both parties operate with zero policy or values overlap.Cook delivers a stark diagnosis of systemic dysfunction, declaring there's "NO reason to have a U.S. Senate anymore" and arguing that when 50% plus one became the electoral standard, polarization inevitably followed, creating a republic that desperately needs new guardrails in the post-Trump era. He explains how the 1991 reapportionment sparked today's gerrymandering wars while weak parties paradoxically coexist with stronger partisan allegiances than ever, leaving journalists struggling to avoid being "used" by sources and voters consuming incoherent news diets without basic knowledge of history, civics, or economics. The conversation explores whether doubling the House size could restore representation, how robust third-party challenges might sober both major parties, and why it takes extraordinary people or events to unite a country where non-aggression pacts between opposing candidates—common in the 1980s—are now unthinkable, while warning against drawing too many conclusions from midterm results that may reflect pandemic-induced educational disruption more than lasting political realignment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Charlie Cook joins the Chuck ToddCast!03:00 Almanac of American Politics is best reference for each district05:30 Democrats decline happened nearly across the board06:30 2024 wasn't the Democrat wipeout it's portrayed to be09:30 All of the movement happens in the purple states10:45 Non-aggression pacts between candidates of different parties in 80s13:00 Journalists don't want to be “used” when being given information14:15 Parties are weak, but allegiances are stronger than ever15:30 The two parties have no overlap on policy or values17:00 Campaigns learned undecideds aren't always centrists19:00 Undecideds are only 2-3% of voters20:30 Independents with a “lean” are basically partisan22:00 There hasn't been a landslide since the 80's23:15 With a country this divided, small shifts are consequential24:30 When elections are close, it doesn't inspire reflection & change26:00 2024 was a rejection of Biden, not an embrace of Trump27:15 Biden's downfall was the first 9 months of 202129:15 Biden won because party consolidated to stop Sanders31:30 Trump identified public wanted border security33:45 6 of last 7 presidential elections decided by 5 points or less36:00 When 50% +1 became the standard, polarization set in36:45 There's NO reason to have a U.S. Senate anymore39:15 The republic needs new guardrails post-Trump40:00 A robust third party challenge sobers up the two parties41:00 It takes a great person or event to unite the country42:45 Pros/Cons of doubling the size of the house44:30 The public isn't learning history, civics or economics46:00 Most people don't have coherent consumption of news47:00 Where do the redistricting wars end?49:30 The 91' reapportionment started the gerrymandering mess50:30 Who is in better shape, Donald Trump or Brian Kelly?52:00 The pandemic really affected students and learning53:00 Will we take away too much from the midterm results?
Chuck Todd unpacks the political storm brewing around redistricting and its ripple effects on both voter and donor enthusiasm, as Democrats struggle to spark a surge of energy despite making gains in candidate recruitment. He digs into why the New Jersey governor's race could be unexpectedly tight, with Mamdani looming as a potential wildcard, and how an anti-incumbent mood paired with shaky economic signals could reshape the midterms. From voters increasingly motivated by who they're against rather than who they're for, to the larger question of whether this cycle is about personalities or policies, it's a sharp look at the forces defining the next election.Then, legendary political analyst Charlie Cook joins Chuck Todd with sobering insights about America's polarized democracy, revealing that despite perceptions of a Democratic wipeout, 2024 represented a narrow rejection of Biden and Harris rather than an embrace of Trump—part of a pattern where six of the last seven presidential elections have been decided by five points or less, creating a perpetually divided nation where small shifts carry enormous consequences. Cook argues that true undecided voters now represent only 2-3% of the electorate while "independent leaners" are essentially partisan, meaning campaigns have learned that undecideds aren't centrists but often hold contradictory views that defy traditional political logic. He traces Biden's downfall to the chaotic first nine months of 2021, noting that Biden only won because the party consolidated to stop Sanders, while Trump's identification of public demand for border security proved politically prescient even as both parties operate with zero policy or values overlap.Cook delivers a stark diagnosis of systemic dysfunction, declaring there's "NO reason to have a U.S. Senate anymore" and arguing that when 50% plus one became the electoral standard, polarization inevitably followed, creating a republic that desperately needs new guardrails in the post-Trump era. He explains how the 1991 reapportionment sparked today's gerrymandering wars while weak parties paradoxically coexist with stronger partisan allegiances than ever, leaving journalists struggling to avoid being "used" by sources and voters consuming incoherent news diets without basic knowledge of history, civics, or economics. The conversation explores whether doubling the House size could restore representation, how robust third-party challenges might sober both major parties, and why it takes extraordinary people or events to unite a country where non-aggression pacts between opposing candidates—common in the 1980s—are now unthinkable, while warning against drawing too many conclusions from midterm results that may reflect pandemic-induced educational disruption more than lasting political realignment.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segmentTimeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Chuck Todd's Introduction03:30 Redistricting fight fallout will be intense04:45 What will redistricting fight do for voter/donor enthusiasm?06:45 No surge in Democratic enthusiasm yet09:45 Democrats are doing better on candidate recruitment 11:15 NJ governor's race could be close12:30 Mamdani could loom over the NJ governor's race15:00 We're in an anti-incumbent environment16:30 State of the economy could determine midterms17:30 Public is voting AGAINST candidates rather than for them18:00 Charlie Cook joins the Chuck ToddCast! 21:00 Almanac of American Politics is best reference for each district 23:30 Democrats decline happened nearly across the board 24:30 2024 wasn't the Democrat wipeout it's portrayed to be 27:30 All of the movement happens in the purple states 28:45 Non-aggression pacts between candidates of different parties in 80s 31:00 Journalists don't want to be "used" when being given information 32:15 Parties are weak, but allegiances are stronger than ever 33:30 The two parties have no overlap on policy or values 35:00 Campaigns learned undecideds aren't always centrists 37:00 Undecideds are only 2-3% of voters 38:30 Independents with a "lean" are basically partisan 40:00 There hasn't been a landslide since the 80's 41:15 With a country this divided, small shifts are consequential 42:30 When elections are close, it doesn't inspire reflection & change 44:00 2024 was a rejection of Biden, not an embrace of Trump 45:15 Biden's downfall was the first 9 months of 2021 47:15 Biden won because party consolidated to stop Sanders 49:30 Trump identified public wanted border security 51:45 6 of last 7 presidential elections decided by 5 points or less 54:00 When 50% +1 became the standard, polarization set in 54:45 There's NO reason to have a U.S. Senate anymore 57:15 The republic needs new guardrails post-Trump 58:00 A robust third party challenge sobers up the two parties 59:00 It takes a great person or event to unite the country 1:00:45 Pros/Cons of doubling the size of the house 1:02:30 The public isn't learning history, civics or economics 1:04:00 Most people don't have coherent consumption of news 1:05:00 Where do the redistricting wars end? 1:07:30 The 91' reapportionment started the gerrymandering mess 1:08:30 Who is in better shape, Donald Trump or Brian Kelly? 1:10:00 The pandemic really affected students and learning 1:11:00 Will we take away too much from the midterm results?1:14:00 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Charlie Cook 1:19:45 Ask Chuck 1:20:00 Why do wealthy democracies let Putin get away with so much? 1:26:30 What can small market MLB teams replicate the Brewers success? 1:32:00 Why can't Democrats win statewide in Florida? 1:37:45 How to reverse the damage from cutting research grants? 1:43:00 What amendments would you like to see at a constitutional convention?
Chuck Todd unpacks the political storm brewing around redistricting and its ripple effects on both voter and donor enthusiasm, as Democrats struggle to spark a surge of energy despite making gains in candidate recruitment. He digs into why the New Jersey governor's race could be unexpectedly tight, with Mamdani looming as a potential wildcard, and how an anti-incumbent mood paired with shaky economic signals could reshape the midterms. From voters increasingly motivated by who they're against rather than who they're for, to the larger question of whether this cycle is about personalities or policies, it's a sharp look at the forces defining the next election.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Redistricting fight fallout will be intense 01:15 What will redistricting fight do for voter/donor enthusiasm? 03:15 No surge in Democratic enthusiasm yet 06:15 Democrats are doing better on candidate recruitment 07:45 NJ governor's race could be close 09:00 Mamdani could loom over the NJ governor's race 11:30 We're in an anti-incumbent environment 13:00 State of the economy could determine midterms 14:00 Public is voting AGAINST candidates rather than for them15:15 Ask Chuck 15:30 Why do wealthy democracies let Putin get away with so much? 22:00 What can small market MLB teams replicate the Brewers success? 27:30 Why can't Democrats win statewide in Florida? 33:15 How to reverse the damage from cutting research grants? 38:30 What amendments would you like to see at a constitutional convention?
Chuck Todd opens with critical media industry news as Nexstar's acquisition of Tegna threatens to devastate local TV journalism through consolidation that will create duopolies and slash newsroom jobs while fundamentally altering how Americans receive local information at the worst possible moment for democratic accountability. He shifts to Trump's complex role as a self-perceived "mediator" rather than Western ally in Ukraine negotiations where his deliberate inaction has inadvertently forced Europe to take security more seriously while Putin's biggest strategic miscalculation remains never giving Trump a political win that could justify backing off. Then, he offers an analysis of how American political strategy has become deliberately divisive through sophisticated microtargeting technologies. He explains that Obama's 2012 victory was misinterpreted and incorrectly assumed identity politics would define future elections when class divisions have actually become the primary fault line in American life. He argues that the American public still responds positively to authentic unity messaging—suggesting the current toxic political environment is more a product of deliberate strategic choices than inevitable differences and could be reversed by leaders willing to reject a divisive playbook.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:00 Housekeeping note - Will release 3 different versions of audio pod03:00 Nexstar buys Tegna, will consolidate and devastate local TV news 05:15 Merger will create local duopolies for TV affiliates, fewer journalists07:30 Merger will have drastic effects on how people get local information08:30 Trump holds court with Zelenskyy and European leaders09:45 Trump sees himself as a mediator rather than ally of the west11:00 Trump's inaction has forced Europe to take security more seriously12:45 Can't sell American public on putting U.S. troops in Ukraine15:30 Putin's miscalculation is never giving Trump a win18:15 If Trump exerted leverage, Putin would back off21:15 Putin has united Europe22:15 American political strategy is deliberately divisive & polarizing23:15 Campaigns used to treat undecideds as moderates24:30 Campaigns discovered independents had a wide range of views25:15 Digital tools allowed for microtargeting of voters26:45 Obama's reelection win was misinterpreted29:00 Both parties thought identity would define politics when it was class30:15 Class is the dividing line in American life32:00 The public does respond to authentic unity messaging34:15 Ask Chuck 34:30 Have the Reagan Republicans given up? 38:45 Are the modern American oligarchs similar to those of the 1860s? 42:30 Is Trump taking over DC to dictate the results of elections?
Chuck Todd opens with critical media industry news as Nexstar's acquisition of Tegna threatens to devastate local TV journalism through consolidation that will create duopolies and slash newsroom jobs while fundamentally altering how Americans receive local information at the worst possible moment for democratic accountability. He shifts to Trump's complex role as a self-perceived "mediator" rather than Western ally in Ukraine negotiations where his deliberate inaction has inadvertently forced Europe to take security more seriously while Putin's biggest strategic miscalculation remains never giving Trump a political win that could justify backing off. Then, he offers an analysis of how American political strategy has become deliberately divisive through sophisticated microtargeting technologies. He explains that Obama's 2012 victory was misinterpreted and incorrectly assumed identity politics would define future elections when class divisions have actually become the primary fault line in American life. He argues that the American public still responds positively to authentic unity messaging—suggesting the current toxic political environment is more a product of deliberate strategic choices than inevitable differences and could be reversed by leaders willing to reject a divisive playbook.Moody's Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi joins Chuck with a stark warning: the U.S. economy is heading toward a recession largely of its own making, driven by Trump's tariff policies, immigration crackdowns, and federal spending cuts that are creating a perfect storm of economic headwinds. Zandi explains that while tariff impacts are just beginning to surface as companies burn through pre-tariff inventory, the real damage will come from unfilled jobs due to deportations, AI displacing professional services workers, and federal layoffs hitting employment just as troubling indicators emerge—from empty Vegas casinos reminiscent of the 2008 financial crisis to homebuilder sentiment at its lowest levels since COVID. The economist argues that Trump's potential corruption of Bureau of Labor Statistics data makes forecasting nearly impossible at the exact moment when reliable economic intelligence is most crucial for navigating mounting risks.The conversation reveals how global economic interconnectedness makes America's policy mistakes everyone's problem, with Zandi warning that U.S. recession would likely trigger worldwide downturn while protectionist policies reverse decades of beneficial globalization—pointing to Brexit's GDP damage as a cautionary tale. He explains why the Federal Reserve faces impossible choices between supporting growth and fighting inflation, while businesses turn to shrinkflation rather than price increases and courts may ultimately strip Trump of tariff powers. Looking ahead to spring 2026, Zandi sees persistent inflation, unfilled jobs, and productivity gains from AI investment that won't materialize quickly enough to offset immediate economic damage, all while massive national debt creates long-term fiscal pressures that could force a reckoning sooner than anticipated—making this recession uniquely self-inflicted through deliberate policy choices rather than external shocks.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:00 Housekeeping note - Will release 3 different versions of audio pod03:00 Nexstar buys Tegna, will consolidate and devastate local TV news 05:15 Merger will create local duopolies for TV affiliates, fewer journalists07:30 Merger will have drastic effects on how people get local information08:30 Trump holds court with Zelenskyy and European leaders09:45 Trump sees himself as a mediator rather than ally of the west11:00 Trump's inaction has forced Europe to take security more seriously12:45 Can't sell American public on putting U.S. troops in Ukraine15:30 Putin's miscalculation is never giving Trump a win18:15 If Trump exerted leverage, Putin would back off21:15 Putin has united Europe22:15 American political strategy is deliberately divisive & polarizing23:15 Campaigns used to treat undecideds as moderates24:30 Campaigns discovered independents had a wide range of views25:15 Digital tools allowed for microtargeting of voters26:45 Obama's reelection win was misinterpreted29:00 Both parties thought identity would define politics when it was class30:15 Class is the dividing line in American life32:00 The public does respond to authentic unity messaging34:45 Mark Zandi joins the Chuck ToddCast 35:30 Tariff impacts starting to show up in the economy 37:15 Surprising the impacts haven't been more stark? 38:30 Companies haven't gone through all pre-tariff inventory 39:15 Are there conditions for an interest rate cut? 40:30 Fed will weigh growth over inflation 42:30 Federal layoffs and funding cuts impact on employment 44:00 Major trouble for the jobs market on the horizon 45:15 Immigration policy will leave jobs unfilled 46:15 AI is impacting professional service jobs 48:45 Vegas is empty, similar to before the financial crisis 49:45 Indicators of brewing economic trouble? 51:45 Homebuilder sentiment the lowest since Covid 52:30 If we don't dip into recession, what prevents it? 54:30 What will the economy look like in the spring of 2026? 57:15 Will tariff increases lead to persistently high inflation? 58:45 Businesses are choosing shrinkflation over price increases 1:01:15 Courts could take tariff power away from Trump 1:02:45 Is there hidden productivity in the data due to AI? 1:05:15 AI will boost productivity in the future, just not yet 1:06:00 Will huge investment in AI create jobs/growth? 1:07:30 How can we forecast economics if BLS data is corrupted? 1:11:30 The BLS needs more resources to produce better data 1:12:00 If government data isn't reliable, what's the alternative? 1:15:15 The economic impacts of unreliable government data 1:17:15 If U.S. goes into recession, the world likely does too 1:18:45 The long term effects of a global race toward protectionism 1:21:00 US benefitted from globalization, reversing it is a negative 1:22:00 Brexit the perfect example of protectionism hurting GDP 1:23:45 U.S. economy bounced back best from Covid 1:25:00 When will the massive national debt catch up with us? 1:26:45 Trend lines show a day of reckoning over debt is coming 1:28:00 U.S. policy will be directly responsible for a recession1:30:15 Chuck thoughts on interview with Mark Zandi 1:31:00 Ask Chuck 1:31:15 Have the Reagan Republicans given up? 1:35:45 Are the modern American oligarchs similar to those of the 1860s? 1:39:30 Is Trump taking over DC to dictate the results of elections?
Moody's Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi joins Chuck with a stark warning: the U.S. economy is heading toward a recession largely of its own making, driven by Trump's tariff policies, immigration crackdowns, and federal spending cuts that are creating a perfect storm of economic headwinds. Zandi explains that while tariff impacts are just beginning to surface as companies burn through pre-tariff inventory, the real damage will come from unfilled jobs due to deportations, AI displacing professional services workers, and federal layoffs hitting employment just as troubling indicators emerge—from empty Vegas casinos reminiscent of the 2008 financial crisis to homebuilder sentiment at its lowest levels since COVID. The economist argues that Trump's potential corruption of Bureau of Labor Statistics data makes forecasting nearly impossible at the exact moment when reliable economic intelligence is most crucial for navigating mounting risks.The conversation reveals how global economic interconnectedness makes America's policy mistakes everyone's problem, with Zandi warning that U.S. recession would likely trigger worldwide downturn while protectionist policies reverse decades of beneficial globalization—pointing to Brexit's GDP damage as a cautionary tale. He explains why the Federal Reserve faces impossible choices between supporting growth and fighting inflation, while businesses turn to shrinkflation rather than price increases and courts may ultimately strip Trump of tariff powers. Looking ahead to spring 2026, Zandi sees persistent inflation, unfilled jobs, and productivity gains from AI investment that won't materialize quickly enough to offset immediate economic damage, all while massive national debt creates long-term fiscal pressures that could force a reckoning sooner than anticipated—making this recession uniquely self-inflicted through deliberate policy choices rather than external shocks.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:00 Housekeeping note - Will release 3 different versions of audio pod02:45 Mark Zandi joins the Chuck ToddCast 03:30 Tariff impacts starting to show up in the economy 05:15 Surprising the impacts haven't been more stark? 06:30 Companies haven't gone through all pre-tariff inventory 07:15 Are there conditions for an interest rate cut? 08:30 Fed will weigh growth over inflation 10:30 Federal layoffs and funding cuts impact on employment 12:00 Major trouble for the jobs market on the horizon 13:15 Immigration policy will leave jobs unfilled 14:15 AI is impacting professional service jobs 16:45 Vegas is empty, similar to before the financial crisis 17:45 Indicators of brewing economic trouble? 19:45 Homebuilder sentiment the lowest since Covid 20:30 If we don't dip into recession, what prevents it? 22:30 What will the economy look like in the spring of 2026? 25:15 Will tariff increases lead to persistently high inflation? 26:45 Businesses are choosing shrinkflation over price increases 29:15 Courts could take tariff power away from Trump 30:45 Is there hidden productivity in the data due to AI? 33:15 AI will boost productivity in the future, just not yet 34:00 Will huge investment in AI create jobs/growth? 35:30 How can we forecast economics if BLS data is corrupted? 39:30 The BLS needs more resources to produce better data 40:00 If government data isn't reliable, what's the alternative? 43:15 The economic impacts of unreliable government data 45:15 If U.S. goes into recession, the world likely does too 46:45 The long term effects of a global race toward protectionism 49:00 US benefitted from globalization, reversing it is a negative 50:00 Brexit the perfect example of protectionism hurting GDP 51:45 U.S. economy bounced back best from Covid 53:00 When will the massive national debt catch up with us? 54:45 Trend lines show a day of reckoning over debt is coming 56:00 U.S. policy will be directly responsible for a recession
Chuck Todd breaks down the Trump–Putin Alaska summit and the uncomfortable reality it revealed: Trump siding with Moscow while European leaders rallied behind Zelenskyy. From Putin's effortless manipulation to Trump's worldview that could leave Ukraine out in the cold, the conversation exposes how America's message to the world has shifted away from defending democracy. He also unpacks how today's GOP—reshaped by MAGA, not conservatism—has abandoned Reagan-era principles, embraced government expansion and authoritarianism, and morphed into a party unrecognizable from its past. Then, legendary sports analyst and Radio Hall of Fame inductee Colin Cowherd joins Chuck for a wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond game scores. From the craft of storytelling to the evolution of “edginess” in sports media, Cowherd reflects on his path from radio guy to national voice, why podcasting feels like “radio with a cocktail,” and how he balances audience feedback with staying true to himself. Along the way, he and Chuck dig into the overlap of sports and politics, the state of modern media, and why Gen X may have lost its leadership moment.The conversation also veers into college football's money-fueled future, Major League Baseball's challenges, and the broader question of where traditional networks fit in a fractured media landscape. Whether it's the shifting power of the Big Ten and SEC, the relevance of Johnny Carson, or how podcasting creates a uniquely intimate experience, Cowherd makes clear that for him, it's always been about the joy of preparation, the art of storytelling, and the thrill of connecting with an audience.Finally, Chuck unloads takes on several stories from the world of sports and answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction02:00 Putin owned the show at the Trump/Putin Alaska summit03:00 European leaders physically joining Zelenskyy to back him up04:00 Trump is more generous to Russia than Europe/Ukraine05:30 Trump's worldview leads him to back Putin07:00 Trump doesn't view Zelenskyy as an ally08:00 Putin tells Trump what he wants to hear09:15 Putin is playing Trump like a fiddle 10:15 Trump's administration is divided over Russia12:30 Trump sent a message that America doesn't defend democracy13:45 Today's Republican party is NOT the “party of Reagan”17:30 The Republican party has MAGA in its DNA, not conservatism18:30 Trump is expanding government power, not shrinking it20:30 If Trump rebranded the party as MAGA, the GOP would go along22:15 The GOP has been changed for a generation24:15 Other than the name, the Republican party is gone25:30 Steve Witkoff is in over his head28:00 Colin Cowherd joins the Chuck ToddCast! 29:30 Commenting on sports and politics without sensationalizing 30:45 The importance of educating your audience 32:00 Loving the process and preparation 33:30 Colin always thought of himself as a radio guy 35:15 Did you want to be a play by play guy? 36:30 Colin's journey to a national platform 37:45 Regardless of the medium, storytelling is what matters 39:15 The evolution of "edginess" in sports broadcasting 40:30 Podcasting is radio with a cocktail, is looser 41:45 When did you get over caring what the public thought of you? 42:45 Critics and audience feedback matter 44:30 Favorite books - Johnny Carson 47:30 Relevance of major networks in new media landscape 49:15 FOX has been a perfect fit for Colin 50:15 Colin's corporate partners have let him be himself 51:45 Will Roger Goodell make sure over the air TV gets NFL rights? 53:15 Linear TV viewers are boomers 54:30 Do you consider yourself Gen X or boomer? 55:30 Gen X lost the leadership fight 56:30 Sportscasters like Stephen A. venturing into politics 57:45 The joy has been sucked out of modern politics 59:45 The media has gotten more neurotic as it's gotten younger 1:00:30 When people say "the media" who are they referring to? 1:03:00 Traditional media had more guardrails than new media 1:04:45 COVID dinged traditional media's credibility in Colin's eyes 1:06:30 The siloing of information in the modern ecosystem 1:09:00 Colin's first sports love was college football 1:11:30 Miami won with many coaches, 2000/2001 teams were insane 1:13:15 Miami, USC and Texas are the glamour teams in college football 1:14:00 Non-profit hospital systems fund many of the best football programs 1:15:30 Big Ten schools are massive and flush with cash 1:16:15 What does college football look like in 5 years? 1:18:00 The Big Ten and SEC are diminishing the rest of the schools 1:19:30 College football was lacking in great games before realignment 1:21:00 Chances there's no baseball season in 2027? 1:22:30 The disparity in money between team owners 1:24:45 MLB's star players are in the right cities 1:25:30 Does the MLB need to contract and have fewer teams? 1:26:45 The playoffs are the equalizer in baseball 1:28:30 Baseball needs some level of a salary cap 1:29:15 Any advice on getting into a radio mindset for podcasting? 1:31:15 Podcasts are a more intimate experience for the audience1:32:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Colin Cowherd 1:33:15 Spike Lee's comments on the LeBron/MJ GOAT debate 1:36:00 Player prop bets shouldn't be legal 1:39:45 Big Ten's new college football playoff plan is great 1:45:00 Nats split with Phillies, giving fans hope 1:46:30 Ask Chuck 1:46:45 A pathway for older people to get into local journalism? 1:50:15 Could the Republicans postpone elections? 1:53:45 Would there be more criticism if America didn't use nukes in WW2?
Rising Democratic star and Mississippi state representative Justis Gibbs joins Chuck Todd to challenge the conventional wisdom that Mississippi is irreversibly red, arguing that the state is slowly trending purple and could be politically transformed with proper Democratic investment and a willingness to break free from an entitled older generation of politicians who've written off entire regions. Gibbs, representing the younger generation jumping into Democratic politics, explains how Mississippi's deep-red reputation masks a more complex electoral reality where disengaged Black voters and moderate white Republicans could be mobilized if Democrats brought "visual change" and stopped underinvesting in states they've prematurely conceded. The conversation explores the ongoing Jackson water crisis as a symptom of broader political dysfunction, where Republican officials refuse to work with Democratic leaders even on basic infrastructure, while Gibbs argues that Democrats' reluctance to disagree with their own coalition and their toxic brand perception prevent them from competing in culturally conservative areas where they could actually win.Gibbs makes the provocative case that Mississippi Democrats need to embrace ideological flexibility and invest in long-term organizing rather than assuming demographic destiny will deliver victories, pointing to the benefits swing states enjoy from competitive politics and arguing that proper investment could make Mississippi politically relevant again. He addresses the challenge of overcoming voter perceptions that youth equals inexperience while navigating a political landscape where established politicians feel entitled to office regardless of results, particularly in addressing crises like Jackson's water emergency that expose the consequences of partisan gridlock. The discussion reveals how national Democratic strategy has abandoned entire regions, missing opportunities to build sustainable majorities in states where cultural conservatism doesn't necessarily translate to permanent Republican dominance, offering a roadmap for how younger politicians can challenge both entrenched incumbents and defeatist party orthodoxy to expand the electoral map in unexpected places.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Justis Gibbs joins the Chuck ToddCast!01:00 How Justis got into politics/origin story02:45 The younger generation is jumping into Democratic politics04:00 Older generation of politicians feel entitled to their office05:15 Voters don't perceive youth as qualified for office06:30 Mississippi shouldn't be deep red, how can Democrats change that?08:15 Mississippi is slowly trending more purple/blue09:15 The Democratic party has underinvested in Mississippi10:45 Lack of engagement from black voters and moderate white voters12:45 The importance of bringing “visual change”14:45 Status of the underreported Jackson water crisis 17:45 Is the water crisis a symptom of longstanding political dysfunction?19:00 Lack of bipartisan cooperation in Mississippi20:00 Republicans refuse to work with Democratic leaders in Jackson22:00 Are Mississippi Democrats culturally conservative across the board?23:45 Democrats need to be willing to disagree with their coalition25:30 What's wrong with the Democratic brand, and how do you fix it?27:45 Democrats could win Mississippi if they put in the work30:00 The benefits of being a swing state33:00 Mississippi could be transformed politically with proper investment34:30 Ole Miss or Mississippi State?
Chuck Todd opens with a revealing moment that perfectly encapsulates Trump's psychology: after praising Todd on Truth Social for comments taken completely out of context, Trump exposes his desperate hunger for validation and his dangerous ability to rewrite reality, while the six-week delay reveals how information bubbles work in his administration and his "neediness" for historic affirmation drives increasingly erratic behavior that's systematically dismantling constitutional norms. He argues we're witnessing a fundamentally different Trump 2.0 where the resistance that constrained his first term has evaporated, leaving Republicans as a "unified defense mechanism" while Democrats fracture over strategy, all as Trump successfully convinces the country that rules simply don't apply to him anymore. Then, he looks ahead to several key developments shaping the 2026 midterms, from Eleni Kounalakis's California governor exit clearing the field for Rick Caruso, to Sherrod Brown's strategic Ohio Senate bid against likely GOP nominee Vivek Ramaswamy with Amy Acton as a Democratic wildcard, to Mamdani's commanding New York City poll lead over flailing campaigns from Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo. Throughout, he warns that Trump's systematic destruction of institutional norms threatens America's constitutional republic at the exact moment when international credibility and democratic checks and balances matter most for global stability, while his apocalyptic vision of Washington creates a permission structure for authoritarianism that will outlast his presidency.Then, author Jonathan Mahler joins Chuck Todd for a deep dive into his new book “The Gods of New York” which explores the cultural and political forces that shaped New York City during its transformative 1980s era. They discuss figures like Ed Koch who pioneered the "celebrification" of NYC mayors, and Donald Trump who was considered a "fleeting cultural figure" despite learning how to manipulate tabloid culture for attention. Mahler traces the interconnected stories of power brokers like Roy Cohn, who connected Trump with NYC's elite before his death signaled the end of an era, and the complex relationship between Trump and Al Sharpton, who "fed off each other" while Sharpton strategically chose which politicians could attend high-profile funerals like that of murdered teenager Yusef Hawkins. The conversation explores how Trump inserted himself into politics through cultural commentary starting in 1988, mirroring George Steinbrenner's attention-grabbing tactics from the 1970s, while the city grappled with the AIDS epidemic and Ed Koch's failure to meet the moment due to fears of being outed.The discussion examines the broader cultural awakening of the era, from the rise of ACT UP during the AIDS crisis to Spike Lee's movie "Do the Right Thing" serving as a wake-up call for white America, all occurring under the looming presence of Mario Cuomo, who was "larger than life" in New York politics. Mahler details how Trump mastered the art of becoming one of New York's "tabloid gods" before heading toward spectacular bankruptcy in 1990 and entering his "hibernation" period in the '90s, while also drawing parallels between historical political dynamics and contemporary figures like Zohran Mamdani. The episode concludes with insights into why transformational mayors like David Dinkins struggled with reelection and how the Yankees' resurgence became symbolic of the city's broader renewal, providing essential context for understanding how New York's unique political and cultural ecosystem created the conditions that would eventually propel Trump from local celebrity to national political figure.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:00:00 Chuck Todd's Introduction03:45 Trump praises Chuck on Truth Social04:45 Trump missed the context of Chuck's comments05:30 It took six weeks for Chuck's comment to make it to Trump06:45 Trump wants to be historic and shows he's needy08:00 Trump is desperate for affirmation, whether it's positive or negative09:15 Trump bullies everyone into believing there are no rules10:15 Trump ran into resistance in 1.0, but not in 2.011:15 Why the pushback to Trump has dissipated14:00 The Republican party is a unified defense mechanism for Trump14:45 Democrats are split on how to push back on Trump18:00 The apocalyptic vision of DC Trump paints is inaccurate20:30 Trump's actions are terrible for the long term image of the U.S.22:15 If we want to stay a constitutional republic, we need checks and balances24:15 Two big developments in CA governor race25:15 Eleni Kounalakis drops out of CA gov race26:15 Rick Caruso setting up run for governor? Would be frontrunner28:45 Stephen Kloobeck and Caruso could eat into each other30:15 Sherrod Brown opts to run for senate rather than governor32:30 Brown puts the Ohio senate seat in play34:30 Amy Acton could present real challenge to Ramaswamy in Ohio38:30 Ohio will be a stress test for Republican brand in a bad year39:30 Mamdani leads by wide margin in new poll, Adams gets no traction40:00 Cuomo campaign is flailing41:30 Jonathan Mahler joins the Chuck ToddCast! 43:00 Jonathan's New York "credentials" 46:00 Inspiration for "The Bronx is Burning" 48:15 Ed Koch started the celebrification of NYC mayors 50:00 Koch presided over a rebirth of NYC before it unraveled 51:15 Why Roy Cohn's death signaled the end of an era 52:30 Cohn connected Trump with the NYC elite 54:00 Al Sharpton & Donald Trump fed off each other 55:30 Trump was considered a "fleeting cultural figure" in the 80s 57:30 The civil rights community wanted to break with Sharpton 59:00 Sharpton publicized the murder of Yusef Hawkins 1:00:00 Sharpton chose the politicians allowed at the funeral 1:01:30 Mario Cuomo was larger than life, loomed over NYC 1:04:15 Trump begins his rise as celebrity beyond NYC in 1988 1:05:30 Trump inserts himself into politics via cultural commentary 1:07:00 The Rise of Act up amidst the AIDS epidemic 1:09:45 Anger that Ed Koch wasn't meeting the moment during epidemic 1:11:00 Koch didn't bring attention to AIDS for fear of being outed 1:14:00 Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" breaks into cultural zeitgeist 1:19:00 "Do the Right Thing" was a wake up call for white America 1:21:15 The "Gods of New York" are tabloid gods 1:22:30 Trump learned how to grab attention in NYC tabloid culture 1:23:30 Steinbrenner in the 70s was Trump in the 80s 1:25:00 The Yankees resurgence importance to NYC's resurgence in 70s 1:26:30 Trump headed for a spectacular bankruptcy in 1990 1:28:15 Trump's "hibernation" period in the 90s 1:29:30 Is there a parallel to Mamdani's victory? 1:30:30 Why David Dinkens couldn't win reelection1:33:15 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Jonathan Mahler 1:36:00 Ask Chuck 1:36:15 Will Democrats' strategy of gerrymandering help or hurt them? 1:39:00 Top cities for MLB expansion? 1:46:00 What's the response to Texas redistricting if not California?
In part two of this two-part special of the Chuck Toddcast, Chuck sits down with New York Times reporter German Lopez to explore one of America's most pressing criminal justice challenges: why police solve far fewer murder cases than their international counterparts. Lopez, breaks down the complex factors behind America's low homicide clearance rates, from resource allocation and detective shortages to the critical role of community trust. The conversation reveals how departments struggle with everything from evidence analysis—which isn't nearly as straightforward as television suggests —to the stark disparities in solve rates for cases involving Black victims.The discussion moves beyond statistics to examine real-world solutions and the political realities of police reform. Lopez explains how high-crime communities often want more effective policing rather than less, while politicians frequently weaponize public sentiment instead of funding proven solutions. From exploring whether the FBI should play a larger role in murder investigations to discussing how journalism can better cover criminal justice issues outside major metropolitan areas, this wide-ranging conversation offers both sobering insights into America's murder problem and hope for evidence-based reforms that could save lives.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:00:00 Introduction01:00 DC is much safer today than it was in the 90s03:30 German Lopez joins the Chuck Toddcast! 05:15 Lack of law enforcement resources towards solving homicides 06:15 Other countries have much higher rates of solving murder cases 08:15 It's possible police are more focused on preventive policing 09:45 The chance of leaving evidence is higher than ever 11:00 We have better tools than ever for solving cases 12:45 Analyzing evidence isn't as easy as TV makes it look 15:00 How many murders are gang related? 16:30 Lack of trust in minority communicates leads to lower solve rates 18:00 It feels much worse in high crime communities than the statistics 21:00 We haven't best targeted police resources 24:00 There are plenty of solutions available, politicians have to fund them 25:45 The clearance rate for cases with black victims are much lower 27:30 What would it take to make Louisville's PD better? 29:00 Departments struggle to find officers in communities with low trust 31:00 Politicians weaponize public anger against police departments 32:15 High crime neighborhoods want more policing, not less 33:15 Is recruiting detectives as difficult as recruiting officers? 36:00 Is there a better role for the FBI in solving murders? 38:45 What to make of the current crime rates? 39:45 Murder rates have collapsed, but higher than peer nations 41:45 The civil rates movement created crime and upheaval 42:45 Trust is down, but crime is down… why? 44:30 German's journey to becoming a criminal justice reporter 47:30 Journalism has too many reporters on the coasts 51:00 Bengals or Reds? 53:00 Moving to the opinion section of the NYT 53:30 What does an editorial board do?58:00 Chuck's thoughts on interview with German Lopez 58:45 Ask Chuck 59:00 Why haven't Democrats pushed for DC & Puerto Rico statehood? 1:03:30 Is Bobby Kennedy the model for Democrats to emulate? 1:09:30 AOC, Gavin or Beto for Dems in 2028? 1:12:30 Would Dr. Oz be allowed to override RFK on any policies?
In part one of this two-part special episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck speaks with Janessa Goldbeck, a military veteran and advocate, about the escalating concerns over Trump's use of military forces for domestic purposes. Goldbeck draws on her military experience to explain why deploying the National Guard and Marines for civilian policing represents a dangerous escalation that the military isn't trained for, while discussing how Trump appears to be deliberately seeking confrontation to normalize military involvement in domestic affairs. The conversation explores the critical shortage of resources facing D.C.'s police department and how local leaders like Mayor Muriel Bowser are trying to navigate an increasingly tense political landscape.The discussion delves into broader questions about military leadership, political neutrality, and institutional resistance during what Goldbeck describes as a "once in a generation threat." She examines whether the military truly operates as a meritocracy, how service members' diverse political ideologies are being tested, and why military leaders have remained largely silent in the face of norm-shattering orders. From war-gaming potential scenarios of insurrection to discussing the systematic dismantling of the VA, Goldbeck offers insights into how veterans are grappling with feeling politically homeless while warning about sustained efforts to change election rules and undermine democratic institutions.Timeline:00:00 Introduction02:30 There's a lack of resources for policing04:30 Trump has the authority to take control of DC temporarily07:00 Trump escalates hoping to provoke backlash09:00 Military policing is anti-American, but regular policing does have issues11:30 Janessa Goldbeck joins the Chuck ToddCast! 13:15 Janessa's experience in the military/origin story 16:30 Mandatory public service would help unify the country 17:45 The military's overseas role in policing/humanitarian efforts 18:30 The military isn't trained for domestic policing 20:30 Trump deploying the guard/marines is escalatory 21:45 D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser has tried to be diplomatic 23:15 There's been a shortage of resources for D.C's police department 24:30 Trump is looking for a fight 26:30 Trump is trying to normalize military use for civilian missions 27:30 How do military leaders resist politicization? 29:15 Is the military a true meritocracy? 31:00 Is DoD recruiting policy now based on ideological agreement? 32:30 Service members are fairly split on their political ideology 34:00 Military leadership has remained silent 35:45 Why should military leaders speak out? 38:30 Capitulating to Trump just emboldens him further 39:30 Advice to veterans who feel politically homeless? 41:45 When do you fight fire with fire, and when do you stand on principle? 43:45 There's a crisis of faith in the system 45:00 Facing a once in a generation threat in Trump 47:00 The military won't "rise up" to defy Trump, it will go through courts 48:00 Trump's military orders haven't been unlawful, just norm shattering 49:30 War gaming a insurrection/coup 54:00 There's a sustained effort to change election rules & law 54:45 The administration is destroying the VA in order to privatize it 56:15 Vets have a libertarian streak 58:00 New guardrails needed for preventing politicization of the military?1:00:45 Expand the house, abolish the senate
“New Voices” is a series highlighting contributors to journalism, news and politics who are under the age of 30.On this bonus episode of the ChuckToddCast, Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times political journalist Maya King joins Chuck Todd to discuss her evolution from potential activist to political reporter, exploring how the Trump era fundamentally changed political journalism and the misconceptions Democrats harbor about deserving softer media coverage. She explains her approach to checking cynicism while covering politics, the importance of avoiding national lenses when reporting on local NYC politics, and why Mamdani's recent victory proves that persuasion still matters in politics—while arguing that class has always been more significant than race in determining political outcomes. She provides insider insights into The New York Times editorial process, from the multiple layers of fact-checking before publication to the modern reality that push alerts carry more weight than front-page placement in today's digital media landscape.The conversation delves into the evolving NYC mayoral race and the potential for other candidates to coalesce against Mamdani, King also offers broader insights about how giant cities like Atlanta are reshaping state politics, using Georgia as a test case for the "demographics are destiny" theory while noting that Georgia Democrats tend to be more culturally conservative than their national counterparts. Throughout the discussion, King reflects on the challenge of maintaining journalistic integrity in an era where political figures expect coverage to match their partisan preferences, while emphasizing the continued importance of local political reporting that resists oversimplified national narratives.Timeline:00:00 Maya King joins the Chuck ToddCast!01:00 How did Maya get into political journalism?03:15 Why did you choose journalism over activism?04:45 Reporting on politics in the pre-Trump era vs Trump era06:45 Democrats have misconception they deserve softer coverage08:15 How do you check your cynicism about politics?10:00 Can't apply a national lens when covering NYC politics12:15 Persuasion still matters in politics. Mamdani is proof13:30 Class has always been more important than race in politics15:00 What is the editing process at The New York Times?18:15 How many people double check a story before it is published?20:00 What does it mean to get a story on the front page?21:15 The push alert means more than the front page22:00 Has the Cuomo campaign changed after losing the primary?24:15 Is Eric Adams running a full-fledged campaign?26:00 Did you know the Guardian Angels prior to Curtis Sliwa?29:00 Will other candidates drop out and coalesce to stop Mamdani?30:30 Giant cities like Atlanta are redefining the politics of their state32:30 Atlanta was a test case for the theory of “demographics are destiny”34:30 Georgia Democrats are more culturally conservative
Chuck Todd delivers a searing indictment of American democracy's collapse as Trump agrees to a Putin summit in Alaska without including Ukraine's Zelenskyy, while both parties abandon constitutional principles in favor of a destructive "cold civil war" over redistricting and power. He warns that Trump's desperation for a peace deal with Putin poses enormous dangers, while Republicans openly flout the Constitution and Democrats have taken the bait to "fight fire with fire" in an immoral game that betrays the founders' vision of preventing both kingship and tyranny of the majority. He argues that constitutional guardrails only work when enforced, and that leaders are capitulating to Trump and refusing to use the tools the founders provided. Then, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and intelligence expert Tim Weiner joins Chuck for a devastating assessment of how Trump's appointment of "crackpots" to lead America's national security apparatus threatens catastrophic intelligence failures and the potential collapse of democratic institutions. Weiner warns that figures like John Ratcliffe, who has worked to absolve Russia of election interference, and Tulsi Gabbard, whom he describes as an "agent of influence" for the Kremlin, represent unprecedented political bias at intelligence agencies that could lead Trump to declare martial law and cancel elections if another attack occurs. He argues that Trump has taken a "wrecking ball to national security," systematically destroying the trust that serves as the "only currency" in intelligence work, while allied agencies now hesitate to share critical information about Russia and other threats with an administration they cannot trust.The conversation explores the broader implications of Trump's intelligence appointments, from Marco Rubio putting his "manhood in a blind trust" to serve Trump, to Ratcliffe's exposure of CIA agents recruited during Biden's tenure, making DOGE staffers prime targets for Chinese intelligence operations. Weiner details how China seeks to project its surveillance state into America while Russia continues its aggressive expansion, warning that Putin will attack the Baltics if allowed to keep Ukrainian territory. The episode also delves into the CIA's evolution since the Cold War, their departure from secret prisons, the agency's struggles with cyber capabilities compared to the NSA, and why conspiracy theories—including persistent questions about JFK assassination files—could contribute to democracy's death, even as Weiner definitively states that the CIA didn't kill Kennedy while acknowledging the agency's fear of revealing their Oswald connections.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction03:30 Trump agrees to summit with Putin in Alaska05:30 Western democracies on edge ahead of summit06:15 Zelenskyy should be at the summit07:30 The danger is Trump wants a peace deal too badly08:45 Redistricting war is a sign of a cold civil war09:30 Trump and Republicans are flouting the constitution11:00 The Democrats response of “fight fire with fire”13:00 If Democrats go low, then Trump wins14:00 Founders feared a king and tyranny of the majority15:30 The founders gave us tools, people in power refuse to use them17:00 Congressional Republicans have refused to perform oversight19:00 Guardrails only work if they're used and enforced20:00 Everyone is capitulating to Trump22:30 Democrats have taken the bait, will play Trump's immoral game24:15 The founding fathers would be appalled25:45 RFK Jr.'s decision will kill people, and they still won't impeach him27:15 Leaders in both parties are failing the people30:30 Fancis Collins desperate to communicate public health tragedy31:30 It will take years to undo damage RFK has done to health and science32:30 Vaccine disinfo led to shooting at the CDC35:15 Tech companies allowed Kennedy's terrible ideas to spread37:00 Kennedy has committed multiple impeachable offenses38:30 Tim Weiner joins the Chuck ToddCast! 40:00 Is the CIA still trying to figure out its role post Cold War? 44:45 The CIA out of the business of secret prisons 46:00 Is there regret at the CIA for their post 9/11 tactics 47:15 The people in currently in charge of national security are crackpots 49:15 Jon Rattcliffe has worked to absolve Russia of election interference 51:00 Political bias at intel agencies is at an unprecedented level 53:00 Fealty to Trump at intel agencies increases risk of catastrophic failure 53:45 How Trump would react if another attack happened 54:45 Trump could use an attack to declare martial law, cancel elections 56:15 Is intelligence sharing with allies at huge risk now? 58:00 The CIA relies on friendly foreign intelligence services 59:15 Allied agencies would hesitate to share intel on Russia with Gabbard 1:00:00 Trump has taken a wrecking ball to national security 1:01:00 If Putin gets to keep a piece of Ukraine, he'll attack the Baltics 1:02:45 What to make of Trump's bromance with Putin? 1:03:45 Trump isn't Putin's agent, he's Putin's ally 1:05:00 Tulsi Gabbard acts as an "agent of influence" for the Kremlin 1:06:15 Trump has ordered intel & DOJ to cook up investigation of Obama 1:07:30 Is Marco Rubio the only hope for the intel community? 1:09:00 Rubio put his manhood in a blind trust and gave Trump the key 1:10:30 Allied intel agencies can't trust anyone in Trump's cabinet 1:13:30 The CIA is not allowed to recruit foreign journalists 1:15:00 The overlap between journalism and spycraft 1:17:45 The CIA is not at all like what you see in the movies 1:20:00 Has the CIA penetrated China the same way they have Russia? 1:21:45 The CIA built a network of agents in China, but they were caught 1:24:15 Ratcliffe fired and exposed the agents recruited during Biden's tenure 1:25:15 DOGE staffers are huge targets for Chinese intel 1:27:30 Chinese intel vs Russian intel 1:28:45 China wants to project their surveillance state into the U.S. 1:30:15 Is the CIA as forward leaning in cyber as the NSA? 1:32:30 William Burns understood the CIA's mission best 1:34:15 Which CIA directors would have warned the world of Russian invasion? 1:37:00 Why does the CIA fight the release of the JFK files? 1:40:45 Conspiracy theories could contribute to the death of democracy 1:42:00 CIA afraid of their Oswald ties? 1:44:00 The CIA didn't kill Kennedy 1:45:15 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Tim Weiner 1:46:45 Colts have been in Indy longer than they were in Baltimore 1:48:00 Mariano Rivera tears his achilles 1:49:00 Nats win 2 out of 3 against Giants 1:51:15 Ask Chuck 1:51:30 How did the U.S. and E.U. drift apart diplomatically? 1:57:15 How was Trump's mental decline been missed by media 1:59:15 How should Democrats fight back against redistricting? 2:00:30 How do you know so much about individual districts?
Chuck Todd begins with a scathing assessment of RFK Jr.'s dangerous tenure as health secretary, detailing how Kennedy has systematically dismantled America's public health infrastructure through lies, conspiracy theories, and decisions that will harm low-income children for decades to come. Todd chronicles Kennedy's destructive timeline from canceling $500 million in mRNA vaccine contracts to funding the largest anti-vaccination organization while lying during his Senate confirmation hearings, culminating in his role in triggering a massive measles outbreak that disproportionately affects vulnerable communities. The episode also covers Seattle's recent elections and Derek Dooley's Senate candidacy announcement in Georgia, while Todd warns that being an incumbent anywhere will be politically treacherous in the current climate. Throughout the discussion, Todd expresses frustration with Congress's silence on Kennedy's actions and the White House's nervousness about confronting what he calls "the least qualified person to lead public health," arguing that there needs to be far more public outrage over Kennedy's "menace" to American public health and the generational consequences of his anti-science agenda.Then, Dr. Terence Lester, an Atlanta-based community activist and educator, joins Chuck Todd to explore how America's growing inequality and resegregation are creating cycles of poverty that trap entire communities despite urban economic booms. Lester explains how Atlanta's prosperity has left many neighborhoods behind, with interstate highways deliberately used to segregate cities and redlining policies affecting not just housing but educational opportunities for generations. He argues that the resegregation of schools and society has contributed to America's current polarization, as many people never truly experienced integration and lack the diverse experiences necessary to build empathy across racial and economic lines. The conversation examines whether property taxes remain a viable method for funding schools, the critical role of impactful teachers in breaking cycles of poverty, and how top-down approaches often fail where community-stakeholder partnerships succeed.The discussion takes on urgent contemporary relevance as Lester warns that current affordability crises will create a "third era of mass homelessness" while communities increasingly criminalize rather than address the root causes of housing insecurity, which he argues violates the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. He emphasizes education as the pathway to empathy and highlights the crucial role faith communities can play in restoring local connections, while addressing how the dismantling of the Department of Education has strained public school systems that could serve as 24-hour community resource centers. Throughout the conversation, Lester advocates for grassroots solutions that combine public policy with community engagement, arguing that sustainable change requires both faith in humanity and practical action to ensure schools and nonprofits can provide the wraparound services that struggling families need to break generational cycles of poverty and homelessness.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction04:30 Elections held in Seattle06:30 Being an incumbent anywhere will be tough07:45 Derek Dooley announces senate candidacy in Georgia09:00 RFK Jr. is a menace to American public health10:00 Timeline of Kennedy dismantling American public health system12:30 RFK canceled $500 million in MRNA vaccine contracts13:45 RFK lied during senate confirmation hearings14:45 Kennedy funded largest anti-vax organization16:30 Kennedy is responsible for massive measles outbreak17:45 Low income children will pay the price for Kennedy's decisions18:45 The consequences will last for decades19:30 Congress has been silent on Kennedy, WH is nervous22:15 There needs to be more public outrage over Kennedy25:30 Kennedy is the least qualified person to lead public health27:00 Dr. Terence Lester joins the Chuck ToddCast! 29:00 Dr. Lester's origin story 32:00 How did so many areas of Atlanta fall behind as the city boomed? 34:00 Poverty was hard to escape in Atlanta in the 80's 34:30 The interstates were used to segregate cities 36:30 The importance of diversity of experience 37:45 Kids suffering from poverty can't connect with diverse experiences 39:15 The school system has resegregated 40:00 Redlining didn't just affect housing, it affected schooling 41:45 The ressegregation of society has led to polarization 43:15 Many people didn't really experience desegregation 45:00 The feeling of progress is relative 48:30 Is property tax an outdated way of funding schools? 50:15 The stakeholder approach vs the top-down approach 52:30 The importance of an impactful teacher for struggling students 54:00 The need to provide students with work readiness 56:30 Is the solution to homelessness public policy, or the community 57:30 Affordability will create a third era of mass homelessness 59:00 The rise of criminalizing homelessness 1:00:30 Punishing homelessness is a violation of the 8th amendment 1:01:45 The two narratives surrounding homelessness 1:03:00 The lack of empathy for the homeless 1:04:45 Education is the pathway to empathy 1:06:00 The role of the faith community in restoring local communities 1:10:00 Faith in humanity vs faith in the divine 1:11:45 How much strain has dismantling the Department of Education caused? 1:15:30 The role of nonprofits and foundations in working with public schools 1:17:00 Schools can be a 24 hour resource and center of a community 1:18:00 How can viewers/listeners contribute if they want to help? 1:19:15 Which Atlanta sports team affects the mood of the city most?1:21:45 Chuck's thoughts on conversation with Dr. Lester 1:22:15 Ask Chuck 1:22:30 Should congress outlaw political parties and create a wealth tax? 1:24:15 Why don't we have a "Meet the Press" for sports? 1:29:30 When will Republicans stop clinging to Trump? 1:33:30 Did Trump flip on Epstein over a real estate deal? 1:37:45 Insights on Brady House?
Chuck Todd examines Trump's disastrous CNBC interview filled with demonstrable lies and errors, questioning whether the president is mentally declining or being fed bad information as he poisons government data and threatens economic stability by claiming false achievements like having the "highest vote total ever in Texas" when he actually ranked just 7th since World War II. He warns that Trump's calls for rigged elections in Texas to maintain power, combined with his corruption of federal statistics, represents a fundamental threat to democracy that even elected Republicans won't support—though the party remains largely silent as Trump advocates for systematic unfairness. The episode also covers emerging political developments including Arnold Schwarzenegger's vow to fight Gavin Newsom over redistricting, Democratic donor Steve Kloobeck launching TV ads in California focused on Trump's Epstein connections after Kamala Harris bows out, and the growing likelihood that Sherrod Brown will mount another Senate run in Ohio despite being positioned as Republicans' top 2028 target. He rounds out the discussion with updates on crowded Democratic primary fields in Iowa, potential presidential ambitions from Hawaii Governor Josh Green, Jerry Demings' Florida political future, and the economic reality of shrinkflation hitting grocery stores as Americans face continued price increases.Then, nuclear weapons historian Greg Mitchell joins Chuck Todd to discuss his documentary "Atomic Bowl" and the largely forgotten story of a football game played in Nagasaki just four months after the atomic bombing, revealing how both American and Japanese governments worked to quickly turn the page on nuclear devastation. Mitchell explores why Nagasaki became the "forgotten city" compared to Hiroshima, despite the horrific targeting of civilian populations rather than military bases, and how the military-ordered football game featuring a Heisman Trophy winner was part of a broader effort to westernize Japan and normalize post-war relations. The conversation delves into the decades-long government cover-up of radiation health effects on American troops, the "downwinders" affected by nuclear testing, and how the true decision-making process behind the bombings remains buried by official narratives that claimed the bombs saved a million American lives.The discussion takes on contemporary urgency as Mitchell warns that nuclear weapons are being made "more useable" while the horror of their effects fades from living memory, with AI now integrated into nuclear protocols and the Trump administration proposing nuclear reactors on the moon. Todd and Mitchell examine how Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" brought renewed attention to nuclear issues, the ongoing radiation monitoring in Japanese cities, and whether there's a modern equivalent to muckraking journalists like Upton Sinclair who could expose nuclear truths today. The episode highlights the critical importance of remembering nuclear history as policymakers consider the role of nuclear power in clean energy transitions while the Pacific Theatre's lessons remain overshadowed by European World War II narratives, making the atomic bombings' anniversaries increasingly forgotten despite their lasting global implications.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Chuck Todd's Introduction02:00 Trump's crazy interview with CNBC was full of errors and lies03:15 Trump is either losing it or is being given bad information04:30 Trump is poisoning government data05:45 Corrupting data can destroy the economy06:15 Trump claims highest vote total ever in Texas… not true07:30 Trump had the 7th highest vote total in Texas just since WW208:45 Trump is calling for an unfair election in Texas to hold power09:45 Illinois is the most gerrymandered Democratic state10:45 Arnold Schwarzenegger vows to fight Newsom over redistricting13:15 Advocating for unfairness is terrible for the democracy14:45 Elected Republicans are not on board with manipulating BLS stats16:00 Steve Kloobeck running TV ads in CA after Harris bows out17:45 Kloobeck's first ad is about Trump & Epstein19:15 Looking likely Sherrod Brown will run for senate in Ohio21:15 If Brown wins he'll be the #1 target for Republicans in 28'23:15 Democrats now have 4 senate candidates in Iowa25:30 Democrats will have a hard time clearing the primary field26:45 Hawaii governor Josh Green might run for president28:00 Jerry Demings might run for governor or senate in Florida30:00 Shrinkflation is showing up at grocery stores as prices rise33:45 Greg Mitchell joins the Chuck ToddCast! 35:30 How Greg ended up on the nuclear weapons beat 37:00 Nagasaki is the "forgotten city" 38:00 Oppenheimer brought nukes back into public consciousness 39:15 The "atomic bowl" was played 4 months after Nagasaki bombing 40:30 The story of the game was swept under the rug 43:00 Why was Nagasaki bombed if Hiroshima "made the point"? 44:45 Why were Hiroshima and Nagasaki chosen for bombing? 46:00 Target wasn't military bases, it was the middle of the cities 47:00 Truman put a stop to use of additional nukes 48:30 Anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is largely forgotten 50:00 U.S. troops sent in after bombing had health problems from radiation 51:30 Government took decades to deal with health fallout for troops 52:45 Oppenheimer brought attention to the "downwinders" of nuke tests 54:00 Both U.S. & Japanese governments wanted to turn page on WW2 56:00 The atomic bowl featured a Heisman trophy winner 57:30 Why was the game played? 58:45 Game was part of an effort to westernize Japan 1:01:15 Game was ordered by military command, not Washington 1:02:15 Participants didn't talk about playing in the game 1:03:45 There's been no feedback on the film from the Pentagon 1:05:15 Horror of nuclear weapons barely exists in living memory 1:07:00 Is there a robust community of historians in Japan for this topic? 1:08:15 Do the Japanese still monitor radiation fallout in these cities? 1:10:15 Justification narrative was saving a million American lives 1:11:30 The Pacific theatre receives far less attention than Europe 1:13:00 Decision making process has been buried by the government 1:14:00 Trump administration wants a nuclear reactor on the moon 1:15:15 The role of nuclear power in clean energy transition 1:16:30 AI is being used in our nuclear weapons protocols, but can't launch 1:17:30 J. Robert Oppenheimer's conversation with Truman 1:19:45 Thoughts on Nolan's portrayal of Oppenheimer? 1:22:45 American public perception on use of the bomb 1:23:45 Nukes are being made "more useable" 1:25:00 The taboo around using nukes 1:26:45 Is there someone in political culture today like Upton Sinclair? 1:30:45 How to watch "Atomic Bowl"1:31:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Greg Mitchell 1:33:45 Ask Chuck 1:34:00 What can Democrats do to reconnect with young men? 1:40:00 How will high housing prices and inequality shape young voters? 1:44:45 What is Dems 2032 path without turning Texas and Florida purple?
Chuck Todd begins with newly released data showing an economic slowdown and why it could potentially spell doom for Trump's presidency. He compares it to Biden's chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, an event that permanently eroded Biden's public support, and predicts that Trump's presidency could end in major economic hardship.Then, political journalist Ron Fournier joins Chuck to explain why Michigan has emerged as America's ultimate political bellwether, driven by a populace that feels deeply let down by traditional politics and is hungry for alternatives to the two-party system. Fournier highlights Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan's potential independent gubernatorial run as a test case for whether effective local governance can translate into statewide success, noting that even Trump voters are giving Duggan serious consideration due to his impressive record revitalizing Detroit's brand and economy. The conversation explores Michigan's uniquely competitive political landscape, featuring three viable gubernatorial candidates and the strategic advantages of running against the political duopoly in an era where voters are increasingly dissatisfied with the status quo.The discussion delves into the broader implications for both parties, including whether Governor Gretchen Whitmer damaged her standing with the Democratic base by being cordial to Trump, and whether Democrats have lost by enough to engage in meaningful soul-searching or if they'll remain trapped in a cycle of swing elections that prevent real reform. They examine rising political stars like Abdul El-Sayed and Mallory McMorrow, the possibility of Elissa Slotkin mounting a presidential campaign, and how Michigan's labor unions could shape future political outcomes. They also address the crisis facing journalism, from the collapse of traditional business models to the disconnect between national media and local communities, while celebrating Detroit's remarkable transformation through sports venues and urban development that mirrors the city's broader political and economic renaissance.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!Timeline:00:00 Introduction03:30 Voters say they want independent candidates but don't vote for them05:30 Michigan Democratic senate primary overview06:45 Do new troubles spell the beginning of the end for Trump?08:30 Bad economy could be Trump's “Afghanistan withdrawal”11:45 Trump can't “outspin” a bad reality 14:45 Voters wanted the Trump 1.0 economy, not the current one16:00 Presidents preside over the prior president's economy18:15 Trump's tariff authority could be overturned in court20:00 Data shows a slowing economy25:00 Politicizing health agencies and the fed are terrible ideas27:15 Trump has turned the GOP into a kleptocratic party29:00 Trump's parallels with Nixon31:00 Fractures in GOP over trade policy?33:00 Protectionism doesn't work in the modern economy35:00 Trump's presidency will end in economic hardship36:45 Ron Fournier joins the Chuck ToddCast! 37:45 Michigan will be the bellwether for American politics 39:15 What makes Michigan the bellwether? 40:45 The people of Michigan feel let down by politics 42:15 Can Mike Duggan break through as an independent? 43:15 Trump voters are taking a serious look at Duggan 45:15 Duggan's effective record in Detroit means he could win 47:00 Detroit's brand has made a comeback 50:00 Michigan has three viable, qualified candidates for governor 52:00 Running against the duopoly is a strong strategy for Duggan 54:45 Is there a case to be made against Gretchen Witmer? 56:30 It's tough for Benson to run against Whitmer now, that could change 58:30 You have to run against the status quo in American politics 59:45 Whitmer hurt her standing with the base by being cordial to Trump 1:01:45 Whitmer may not want to run for president 1:03:15 Have the Democrats lost by enough to do any real soul searching? 1:06:00 We're stuck in a cycle of swing elections that prevent real reform 1:07:30 Democrats all trying to model themselves after Beshear and Shapiro 1:09:15 Abdul El-Sayed is a candidate to watch 1:10:45 Mallory McMorrow's prospects? 1:12:15 Will Michigan Republicans face tough primary races? 1:13:15 Elissa Slotkin gearing up to run for president? 1:15:45 If Duggan wins in Michigan, would his next move be a presidential run? 1:18:30 The vast majority of the public is dissatisfied with our current politics 1:20:00 Shocking but not surprising that media bosses aren't standing up for journalists? 1:22:15 The business model for news has been upended 1:24:45 Journalists need to provide a valuable service in order to build trust 1:27:45 Major news networks need local affiliate connection 1:29:15 "All the President's Men" created a disconnect for journalists 1:32:00 Feeling good about the Detroit Lions? 1:33:30 Stadiums transformed downtown Detroit 1:35:15 Which labor union will make the difference politically in Michigan?1:38:15 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Ron Fournier 1:38:45 More humiliation for the Washington Nationals 1:42:15 Nats ownership is completely incompetent 1:45:00 Advice for recent grads in a tough economy? 1:49:45 What 5 amendments would you make to the constitution? 1:54:30 Where is the public outcry over the gerrymandering battle?
Chuck Todd begins with how Trump continues to damage himself with tone-deaf comments about Jeffrey Epstein that reveal his complete lack of empathy for victims, viewing himself rather than trafficking survivors as the real victim in the scandal. He argues that if Trump truly wants to move past the Epstein controversy, he should pivot to something that could actually win him praise—intervening in Gaza to provide humanitarian aid, which could even earn him the Nobel Peace Prize he desperately wants while addressing voter discomfort with Israel's actions. He also explores emerging Democratic Party fractures over police funding that hint at presidential ambitions from figures like Cory Booker, Trump's concerning signals about abandoning Taiwan, and the troubling spectacle of MAGA influencers like Dan Bongino backtracking on Epstein file demands with McCarthy-esque conspiracy theories.Progressive media entrepreneur Tara McGowan joins Chuck to discuss her journey from Democratic operative to founder of Courier Newsroom, a values-driven journalism platform that openly rejects traditional notions of journalistic neutrality. McGowan argues that independent journalism freed from corporate ownership constraints can better serve democracy by being "offensively oriented" with good information rather than defensively trying to appear neutral while misinformation spreads unchecked. She traces how American media has returned to its openly partisan 19th-century roots after a brief mid-20th-century experiment with objectivity, explaining why Courier embraces progressive values while maintaining journalistic integrity and how the conservative media machine that emerged after Watergate has successfully won the information war by understanding that politics and media have always been intertwined.The conversation explores the structural challenges facing modern media, from the collapse of the newspaper "bundle" that once accidentally informed audiences to the dominance of big tech algorithms that can make or break media companies overnight. McGowan discusses why individual personalities now earn trust better than institutional brands, how right-wing podcasts excel at moving audiences while building relationships with them, and why Democrats lost their early dominance in new media due to a consultant culture that stifled adaptation to the modern media ecosystem. She argues that the future belongs to younger Democratic talent who are native to digital platforms and compares today's media landscape to the muckraking era of the early 20th century, while addressing how Trump's Epstein controversy represents more than just algorithmic manipulation and reflects his broader pattern of covering up damaging information.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Chuck Todd's introduction03:30 Trump keeps digging his own grave when talking about Epstein04:30 Trump's “poaching employees” comment shows no empathy for victims07:15 Trump underestimates the passion in his base for Epstein victims09:15 Trump doesn't see the victims, he sees himself as a victim10:15 If Trump wants to turn the page, he needs to intervene in Gaza* 12:45 Feeding Gaza could win Trump the Nobel peace prize he covets15:15 Voters on both sides are uncomfortable with what Israel is doing17:45 It would be in Trump's, Israel's, and America's interest to intervene in Gaza19:00 Democratic party infighting breaks out over bill for police funding21:15 Cory Booker is showing his presidential ambitions 23:15 Elected Democrats haven't figured out how to challenge Trump26:00 Foreshadowing for Democrats internal civil war?28:15 Trump only governs for his supporters, Democrats can't do the same30:15 The most talented politicians serve all voters and their base simultaneously31:00 Trump denies Taiwanese president visit to New York32:00 Trump sends message he wouldn't intervene on behalf of Taiwan33:15 MAGA influencers are backtracking on Epstein files34:15 Dan Bongino puts out McCarthy-esque tweet over files36:00 Bongino says he found something “shocking”, but can't say what it is?38:30 Bongino is terrified his audience will think he's a turncoat41:00 Bongino is doing terrible damage to the rule of law42:00 Tara McGowan joins the Chuck ToddCast! 43:30 Tara's political origin story 46:00 Founding Courier Newsroom 46:45 Why lean against journalistic neutrality? 47:45 Independent journalism isn't beholden to corporate owners 50:00 Courier isn't partisan, but has values they won't compromise 51:15 Media was openly partisan in the 19th century, becoming so again 52:30 Do you worry about reporting being tainted by bias? 53:45 The antidote to misinformation is offensively oriented good information 55:15 Media is currently operating out of fear and favor under Trump 57:30 The newspaper used to be a bundle that accidentally informed people 59:15 Watergate created the modern conservative media machine 1:00:30 What does the right wing media do well that you want to emulate? 1:01:45 The right understands the importance of winning the information war 1:03:45 There's always been a convergence of politics and media 1:05:15 Media companies get put into a "box" based on their perceived leanings 1:06:15 Right wing podcasts are moving their audiences and moving with them 1:07:00 Do you struggle finding conservative voices to platform? 1:08:30 Individual personalities earn trust better than brands 1:09:30 Downsides to the influencer media model? 1:12:30 There's value in aggregating good journalism 1:13:15 All the persuasion will be targeted at millennials 1:14:00 Distribution of media is at the mercy of big tech algorithms 1:15:30 Epstein isn't purely an algorithm creation, Trump is covering up something 1:18:30 Young people don't trust either party but really don't like Trump 1:19:30 Facebook changed algorithm and decimated Daily Caller and Buzzfeed 1:21:00 MAGA doesn't like consolidated power, and big tech has amassed it 1:23:00 How to adjust strategy when the algorithm changes 1:25:30 How did Democrats go from dominating new media to losing it? 1:28:30 Democrats' consultant culture strangled adaptation 1:30:00 The younger Democrat talent is native to the modern media ecosystem 1:32:00 Modern media is looking like the muckrakers of the early 20th century1:32:30 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Tara McGowan 1:34:00 Ask Chuck 1:34:15 What to make of Trump denying disaster aid to blue states? 1:38:30 How should the Democrats schedule their primary calendar? 1:44:00 Miami vs UF football + Pro wrestling 1:46:00 Can Democrats be competitive in Ohio in 26' and 28'?
Chuck Todd begins by surveying the electoral landscape for the midterms after six months of Trump's presidency. He argues that gerrymandering could potentially backfire on both parties, highlights the advantages each party has heading into the midterms and why Democrats may not find a coherent message until the presidential primary produces a candidate.Semafor reporter Dave Weigel joins Chuck for a comprehensive analysis of how dramatically American politics has shifted since Trump's first term, revealing a Democratic Party still searching for its identity after its first failed presidency since Carter. Weigel argues that both parties have fundamentally transformed over the past eight years, with Democrats struggling to move beyond the failed Obama coalition strategy while grappling with divisive issues like trans rights and immigration that have left them "walking on eggshells" and lacking coherent, united positions. The conversation explores how the country has moved rightward as a backlash to Biden, why Republicans are acting like a party that believes it can't lose, and whether Democrats' overreaction to Trump prevented them from developing substantive policy frameworks on key issues voters actually care about.The discussion dives deep into the strategic challenges facing both parties, from the left's perceived "softness" on cultural issues to the sustainability of Trump's gains with Latino voters in states like Nevada and Texas. Weigel examines why the fight for trans rights has proven more politically costly than the gay marriage battle, how urban voters' flirtation with socialism doesn't translate beyond coastal cities, and whether rising stars like Michigan's Mike Duggan can bridge the gap between metro Detroit and rural areas. Looking ahead to 2026 and 2028, they analyze the emerging Republican primary landscape with potential matchups between J.D. Vance and Rand Paul, why so many Democrats are eyeing Iowa's Senate race despite the party's broader retreat from the state, and how the changing media landscape—from podcasts to new campaign infrastructure—will reshape how candidates connect with voters in an increasingly fragmented political environment.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction02:45 Taking the pulse of the midterm elections after 6 months of Trump04:15 There are only 25-30 seats up for grabs in the house05:00 Gerrymandering could backfire for both parties05:45 Democrats' advantages in a midterm election07:30 The “out” party is more motivated to vote in midterms09:00 The Republican party is more unified than past midterms in Trump era11:00 House Republicans are outraising Dems in most vulnerable districts12:45 Far less unity in the Democratic party now compared to 201714:15 Since 90', Democrats winning the midterms led to winning the presidency16:30 The presidential primary may help the Democrats cohere 19:30 Dave Weigel joins the Chuck ToddCast! 21:30 Similarities/differences in political landscape between 2017 & 2025? 22:45 The parties are very different compared to 8 years ago 24:15 Democrats had their first failed presidency since Carter 26:45 Democrats could learn the wrong lessons from a successful midterm 29:00 Democrats tried to replicate the Obama coalition and failed 31:00 The media and campaign infrastructure are completely different now 32:30 Battle over trans rights has Democrats flailing 34:30 Democrats are walking on eggshells over immigration 35:30 Democrats don't have clear, united positions on major issues 38:00 Voters want tight border security, but not mass deportations 40:30 Democrats believed they could make Trump "never happen again" 43:00 Dems overreacted to Trump, didn't have coherent immigration policy 44:00 The country has moved right as a backlash to Biden 45:30 Republicans acting like a party that thinks they can't lose 48:00 The left is seen as soft, is trans rights the issue creating that perception? 50:00 Trump has forced the conversation on immigration 52:00 The fight for gay marriage vs fight for trans rights 53:45 Why hasn't the gender rights fight been punted to states? 55:15 Trump endorsed gay marriage before Hilary Clinton 57:15 Both parties demonstrated hubris on gay marriage/gender rights 58:30 Voters care more about immigration than trans rights 1:00:30 Urban voters are more willing to flirt with socialism, not transferrable 1:01:30 Will Democrats distance themselves from Mamdani? 1:02:45 Dem socialists get dinged for cultural issues, not economics 1:04:00 Cost of living is biggest issue in big coastal cities, not as salient in other places 1:05:45 Michigan will be a bellwether for Democratic politics 1:07:15 Nevada and Texas will show whether Latino swing toward Trump sustains 1:11:00 How many Bernie voters would have come out in Michigan? 1:14:00 Will Mike Duggan work outside of the metro Detroit area? 1:16:30 When Trump isn't on the ballot, Democrats sweep Michigan 1:17:45 Will lack of Republican infighting boost the party in midterms? 1:21:00 Republicans haven't found "sweet spot" candidates in some races 1:22:30 Ability to appear on podcasts will matter for candidates 1:23:45 Any R's on 2028 trail besides Paul and Youngkin? 1:25:30 A tight primary race between Vance & Paul wouldn't be surprising 1:27:15 Why are so many Democrats interested in running for Iowa senate? 1:30:00 Kim Reynolds not running after DeSantis endorsement 1:31:30 Democrats surrendered Iowa and Florida 1:33:00 Favorite state fair food?1:36:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Dave Weigel 1:37:30 Ask Chuck 1:37:45 How were so many people duped by Trump? 1:45:45 Why does the US give such unconditional support to Israel? 1:54:25 Why doesn't Virginia produce politicians with a large national profile? 2:01:15 Why can states call a redistricting session on a whim? 2:04:45 Why wouldn't a constitutional convention be incredibly risky?
Chuck Todd begins with the public and media feeding frenzy over Donald Trump and the Epstein files and explains that the best explanation for the administration's defensiveness is that Trump's reputation would be tarnished rather than Trump being implicated in crimes. He also weighs in on the FCC and chairman Brendan Carr deciding that the government should have a role in editorial decisions for broadcast networks and why that's a clear violation of the first amendment. He also breaks down recent polling that shows how badly the Democratic brand is with the general public.Then, John Della Volpe, Director of Polling at the Harvard Kennedy School's Institute of Politics joins Chuck to dissect the political awakening of America's youngest voters and the warning signs Democrats can't afford to ignore. Della Volpe explains why Harris's underperformance with young voters compared to Biden signals a deeper crisis for Democrats, particularly with young men who have been drifting away from the party for years. The conversation explores how economic anxiety trumps cultural issues when voters are struggling, why Trump's approval rating is cratering below 30% with under-30 voters despite his election victory, and how COVID-19 became a defining generational experience that shaped Gen Z's worldview in ways politicians are only beginning to understand.The discussion delves into the complex psychology of young male voters, from Della Volpe's "10 archetypes" framework to why many feel abandoned by institutions and drawn to figures like Charlie Kirk who project strength. Della Volpe argues that while Gen Z has largely given up on Washington, they remain deeply engaged in their local communities—as evidenced by progressive victories like Mamdani's win when young voters feel genuinely heard. The episode tackles uncomfortable truths about how Democrats might be losing the messaging war to MAGA influencers, why the party can't manufacture its own "Joe Rogan," and whether this generation that "loves Bernie and hates woke" will ultimately become transformational political actors shaped by Trump-era strongman politics.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction02:00 Gen Z's politics haven't been set in stone yet03:30 Huge trend in voters registered as “No Party”05:30 Epstein feeding frenzy is being driven by algorithms07:15 If Maxwell had more info, why didn't she talk in exchange for a lesser sentence?08:45 The biggest question mark is Trump's defensiveness09:45 There was no Epstein “cover up” by the media11:45 The most likely explanation is that releasing files would tarnish Trump13:15 The DOJ is losing all credibility with the public15:15 The information ecosystem is terrible and unregulated AI will make it worse*16:30 Elon giving Grok a political bias will make people think all AI's are biased17:15 FCC restrictions will turn CBS into state television18:45 Most important diversity in a newsroom is geography and socioeconomic20:30 Our news ecosystem has been hijacked by the Epstein conspiracy22:00 The FCC is violating the first amendment24:00 Brendan Carr believes the FCC's job is to dictate content26:15 Newsroom leaders have mostly stayed silent on FCC overreach29:45 Epstein story shows that the public can be whipped up by misinformation31:00 “How to” guide for assessing public polling34:00 Polling with registered voters is good for R's, “All adults” polls good for D's35:45 Dems only lead by 3 points on the generic ballot37:00 Democrats 60% unfavorable in same WSJ poll39:00 Dems can be unpopular and still win the midterms41:00 Voters trust Republicans in Congress on most issues43:15 A midterm electorate is much different than the entire population45:15 John Della Volpe joins the Chuck ToddCast! 46:45 When Democrats win 60% of the youth vote, they win 48:15 Harris did worse with both young men and women than Biden in 20' 49:45 Democrats' problem with young men has been brewing for years 51:30 Democrats need to get closer to voters 52:45 Did Obama create a coalition that was unique to him? 54:30 Abortion was a more salient issue in 22' than in 24' 55:30 When the economy is bad, cultural issues take a backseat 57:45 Trump hasn't addressed cost of living and his approval is dropping 59:45 Trump's approval is under 30% with voters under 30 1:01:00 Where do Millennials and Gen-Z align and diverge? 1:03:00 Covid was a defining moment for Gen-Z 1:04:45 Migration patterns are south and west, not north 1:06:15 Gen-Z knows they won't do as well as their parents 1:07:15 Eras tour showed Gen-Z craves in-person experiences and community 1:10:15 Can Democrats manufacture a "Joe Rogan of the left"? 1:11:45 Young men came out of Covid more isolated than young women 1:12:45 MAGA developed relationships with influencers outside of politics 1:14:15 Young men grow up with expectations they'll be providers 1:15:30 The 10 archetypes of young men 1:16:45 "Provider" types are feeling abandoned by institutions 1:18:30 "The Scroller" has been shaped by algorithms 1:20:00 AOC is the only politician to reach young voters via gaming 1:21:30 Will Gen Z be a transformational generation politically? 1:23:00 Gen Z has given up on Washington but not their communities1:25:00 The lesson from Mamdani's win is young voters show up when they feel heard 1:26:15 Gen Z loves Bernie and hates "woke" 1:27:45 Gen Z white men have felt mocked and shamed 1:29:00 Gen Z men see strength in Charlie Kirk 1:31:00 At what stage of life do political preferences get calcified? 1:33:15 Gen Z will be shaped by Trump 1:34:15 Strongman politics will be formative to Gen Z 1:36:00 Is it too soon to understand Gen Alpha?1:39:00 Chuck's thoughts on interview with John Della Volpe 1:40:00 The cultural impact of the celebrities we lost in the past week 1:42:45 Professional wrestling and Donald Trump go hand in hand 1:44:30 Ask Chuck 1:45:00 What areas can the U.S. recover from quickly after Trump leaves office? 1:49:15 Can Democrats learn anything from the "sewer socialists" in Milwaukee? 1:53:00 What was it like doing your cameo in "Heads of State"? 1:54:00 Why are we so fixated on Iran's ability to build a nuke? 1:57:30 Baseball Hall of Fame inductions
Epstein Backlash Could Fracture Trump's Coalition + Could AOC Become President? + Will Israel Divide Democrats Chuck Todd begins with the story that won't quit: Jeffrey Epstein. He explains why failing to release the files amounts to a major broken campaign promise to Donald Trump's base and why it could fracture the Republican coalition if they can't find a resolution by the time the house reconvenes in September. He also addresses the resolution to his Google AI debacle and highlights the challenges and opportunities being presented to independent parties.Then, Semafor's editor-in-chief, Ben Smith joins Chuck to discuss the evolving media landscape and the challenges facing modern journalism. Smith explains Semafor's mission to operate without paywalls while producing network-quality content, and explores how new technology causes media to fragment before consolidating. The conversation delves into the transition from print to digital journalism, the incentive structures that drive sensationalized content for clicks, and how the current fragmented media environment mirrors pre-World War II politics rather than the more stable Cold War era.The discussion also covers major political developments, including the implications of New York City's mayoral race results and what they reveal about energy on the political left. Smith and Todd analyze the prospects of various Democratic figures like AOC and Hakeem Jeffries, the ongoing divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel-Palestine, and Trump's immigration policies that appear to be testing voter patience. They conclude by examining whether America's polarized politics are being exported to Israel or if Israel's political dynamics are a preview of America's future, while touching on the broader question of whether wealthy elites recognize the growing populist sentiment against them.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction02:45 Trump can't shake the Epstein story04:00 Some Republican voters have been “conditioned” on Epstein conspiracy06:00 Trump voters will view Epstein files as a broken campaign promise 08:30 Republican members of congress are breaking with Trump10:15 Shutting down the house made the problem worse12:30 Trump has made his relationship with Epstein the story14:15 J.D. Vance's response to birthday card was BAD16:00 Trump fed deep state conspiracies, now he's becoming the deep state17:30 This story could blow over by the fall, or could stick for a long time20:15 Trump can't blame the mainstream media to distract22:00 If they don't rip the band-aid off, the Republican party could fracture23:30 Trump should tell Mike Johnson to reconvene the house and deal with it24:00 Google's AI has fixed incorrect report of Chuck having Parkinson's 26:15 Delta Airlines announces that they'll be using AI to set fares27:30 Surveillance pricing is predatory29:00 Roy Cooper will run for senate in NC, will Lara Trump?31:00 The demographic makeup of independent voters33:00 The best constituency for independent candidates is young voters34:30 Ballot access is the biggest hurdle for independent candidates35:30 Semafor's Ben Smith joins the Chuck ToddCast! 37:30 New tech causes media to fragment, then consolidate 38:30 Semafor's mission and approach to reporting 41:00 Why has Semafor decided to operate without a paywall? 44:30 Independent outlets can produce network quality content 46:00 Journalists owning their own content and reporting 49:00 The bumpy transition from print journalism to digital 51:00 There's always a version of mainstream media that's dying 53:15 The Cold War stabilized our politics, our current politics is like pre-WW2 54:30 The current media model is incentivized to spread lies for clicks 55:45 Pedophilia is central to every right wing conspiracy about the left 57:30 When does this Epstein firestorm end? 58:00 Sexual smears have been central to politics for centuries 59:45 NYC Mayor race result will reverberate around the world 1:00:45 Mamdani win shows where the real energy is on the left 1:03:30 Democratic leaders failed by letting Cuomo become the candidate 1:06:30 Would Hakeem Jeffries have been the strongest mayoral candidate? 1:07:30 Surprising that Schumer still wants to be senate leader? 1:08:45 AOC's prospects if she runs for president? 1:10:30 AOC is one of the best political athletes in congress 1:12:30 Voters on both sides have a "burn it down" mentality 1:13:45 Democrats will likely move Iowa back to the first primary slot 1:15:00 Progressive candidates have struggled in South Carolina 1:16:30 History won't be a guide to the next election 1:18:30 The internal divide over Israel will factor into the Democratic primary 1:22:00 Pro-palestinian voices in media actually have been silenced 1:24:00 Is Israel's politics our future or did we export our politics to Israel? 1:26:30 Trump is doing what he promised on immigration and voters don't like it 1:28:00 Could Trump turn on Stephen Miller on the immigration issue 1:29:30 Who is Semafor's competitor? 1:31:00 Do the wealthy realize the pitchforks are coming for them?1:36:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Ben Smith 1:37:00 Ask Chuck 1:37:15 Has Rob Manfred failed to hold teams to major league standards? 1:47:00 Will we ever see a sitting US president get primaried and lose? 1:49:45 Where does all the money collected from tariffs go? 1:51:15 Why don't parties draft celebrities to run in non competitive states? 1:57:15 What if AI mistakenly declares someone dead?
Chuck Todd begins by addressing the “two shiny objects” in media this week: Epstein and Hunter Biden. He compares Donald Trump's defensive, suspicious response to the Epstein files to his response to the Russia investigation in his first term, and explains why Trump's denials won't appease the conspiracists in his base. He comments on Hunter Biden's recent appearances in media and explains why he wouldn't book him for the ToddCast. He also examines the field of candidates that could succeed Trump for the Republican nomination in 2028.Then, best-selling novelist Daniel Silva joins Chuck for a wide-ranging conversation about his acclaimed Gabriel Allon spy thriller series and the craft of writing. Silva discusses how real-world events and changing global perceptions, particularly around Israel, inform his fictional narratives, while sharing behind-the-scenes insights into his research process—from Vatican experiences to staying current with evolving spycraft and art restoration techniques. The conversation reveals how Silva has attracted high-profile fans like Presidents Clinton and Bush, and explores his concerns about populist movements and antisemitic elements within contemporary politics.The discussion also delves into Silva's creative process, his passion for art and restoration, and his thoughts on the future of publishing in an AI-dominated world. Silva reflects on the challenges facing the next generation of writers, the evolution of independent bookstores, and whether artificial intelligence poses a threat to novelists who dream of building long-running series like his 25-book Gabriel Allon collection. The episode concludes with Silva's summer reading recommendations and a playful question about whether he ever dreams as his famous protagonist.Finally, he reflects on the life of Ozzy Ozborne and the impact Ozborne made on him growing up, and answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:30 Resurrecting and revitalizing local news02:30 The best journalism is done in service of local audiences05:00 Michigan gubernatorial race has three viable candidates08:00 The two shiny objects this week are Epstein and Hunter Biden09:30 Mike Johnson shut down the house out of fear of Epstein vote12:00 There are enough facts in the Epstein case to validate the conspiracists14:30 Crazy is rewarded in Republican primaries16:30 Trump's behavior creates suspicion, like he did with Russia18:00 Trump doesn't own the conspiracist base, he borrowed it20:00 Trump is trying all kinds of distractions21:15 Obama allegations are pure distraction and propaganda23:30 Hunter Biden doesn't offer any value as a guest in media24:30 Hunter's media appearances don't do Joe Biden or Dems any good26:00 Running for president can do major damage to a candidate's family27:30 A president has to put the country over their family30:15 There's no “invisible primary” on the Republican side31:30 The runner up usually becomes the next Republican nominee33:30 Will the front runner be someone Trump anoints?35:00 If Trump tanks the economy, it could open up the primary36:00 The different archetypes of potential Trump successors42:15 The primary will be a campaign for the affection of Trump42:45 Daniel Silva joins the Chuck ToddCast! 44:00 Do you know the title of a book before writing it? 45:15 Do you get to know Daniel by reading his books? 46:45 The real world informs the imagined world of his books 49:45 How have changing perceptions of Israel informed his book? 51:15 No desire to write about the Israel/Palestine conflict 52:45 Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are both fans of the books 55:00 The books reflect the importance of institutions 56:45 Populists on both sides don't care about the post cold war order 57:30 The MAGA movement is dripping with antisemetic elements 59:00 Daniel's journey into Vatican themed fiction 1:01:15 Daniel's personal experiences at the Vatican 1:02:15 Where did his passion for art come from? 1:03:45 How does he keep up with changing trends in spycraft and art? 1:06:45 When does art go from restoration to completely remodeled? 1:09:30 What defines a "fraudulent restoration"? 1:10:45 How much are actual intelligence agents part of your source material? 1:11:45 Gabriel Allon wouldn't have pulled the trigger on the Israeli "beeper" op 1:13:15 Cell phones are the greatest surveillance tool ever created 1:15:00 Will you pivot to China as the boogeyman in the books? 1:15:45 How many more Gabriel Allon books are left to be written? 1:18:15 Does Daniel's family see their own stories in his books? 1:19:15 The evolution of the publishing/printing industry 1:21:45 Independent bookstores need to host events to sell books 1:25:00 The ability of AI to write in your voice 1:26:00 More worried about societal disruptions caused by AI 1:27:00 Skills you can pass to a child might not be relevant in 15 years 1:28:15 Will a 30 year old novelist be able to make a 25 book series in the future? 1:29:00 The Daniel Silva summer reading list 1:31:15 Do you ever dream as Gabriel Allon?1:37:00 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Daniel Silva 1:37:30 RIP to Ozzy Osborne 1:42:15 Ask Chuck 1:42:30 Talking politics and current events with kids? 1:46:15 How will the Department of Education changes affect small districts? 1:48:30 Why don't you start a "get to know your district" show with Colbert?
Chuck Todd begins with new polling that shows that the more Donald Trump enacts his promised agenda, the less the public likes it. He also highlights that Trump is underwater with the public on immigration, which was his strongest issue. Chuck also discusses the many distraction tactics Trump has unsuccessfully deployed to distract from the Epstein files, and previews the brewing battle over gerrymandering.Then, Harvard professor and former presidential candidate Lawrence Lessig joins Chuck Todd to tackle one of America's most persistent political problems: campaign finance reform. Despite overwhelming public support for getting money out of politics, meaningful reform has remained elusive for decades. Lessig discusses his innovative legal strategy to challenge Super PACs at the Supreme Court, arguing that if direct campaign contributions can be limited, then unlimited Super PAC spending should face the same restrictions. He explains how an originalist interpretation of the First Amendment could win over conservative justices like Barrett and Gorsuch, potentially ending the era of unlimited political spending that has dominated elections since Citizens United.The conversation expands beyond campaign finance to explore broader constitutional reforms, including the possibility of a constitutional convention that could address everything from electoral college reform to fractional voting systems. Lessig argues that both Trump supporters and traditional Democrats share a desire to reduce the influence of money in politics, creating unprecedented bipartisan momentum for change. He envisions citizens assemblies that could help reconnect politics with ordinary Americans' concerns, while discussing practical reforms like multi-member districts and proportional electoral vote allocation that states could implement immediately. The episode offers both hope and concrete pathways for restoring democratic governance "by the people" rather than by wealthy donors and special interests.Finally, Chuck gives his thoughts on The Open Championship, the lack of leadership for the Washington Nationals and answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction02:45 The more Trump succeeds on his terms, the less popular he becomes04:15 Trump's aggressive immigration approach is receiving backlash08:00 The public is starting to feel the pain from Trump's economic agenda10:00 A strong majority believe Trump isn't prioritizing deporting criminals12:00 Immigration was Trump's best issue, now he's underwater in polling14:00 Deportations will have a massive negative effect on the economy15:30 All of Trump's policies will contribute to inflation17:15 The public wants the Fed to remain independent.19:15 Trump's approval rating has continually dropped21:00 America could end up with a string of one term presidents22:00 89% of Americans want the Epstein files released23:00 Tulsi Gabbard's Obama/Russia conspiracy is a distraction from Epstein26:00 Russian election interference has been proven28:00 Trump's latest distraction is demanding sports teams change names29:45 Trump demanded release of grand jury testimony to buy time32:15 Michael Wolff says Epstein believed Trump turned him in 33:45 Huge battle brewing over gerrymandering/redistricting35:15 Democrats willing to cede the moral high ground and aggressively gerrymander37:00 Trump has normalized anti-democratic behavior39:00 A constitutional convention could address many modern issues40:15 Professor Lawrence Lessig joins The Chuck ToddCast! 42:15 Why can't we get traction on campaign finance reform? 43:45 Most Americans want reform but don't think it's possible 45:45 Is Trump's "pay to play" system making reform more likely? 47:30 Effort to challenge Super PACs at the Supreme Court 49:30 If outside money isn't quid pro quo, then why aren't campaign contributions? 50:45 If you can limit campaign contributions, why not Super PACs? 52:45 When can you get your case in front of the Supreme Court? 54:15 The 1st amendment doesn't say anything about contributions 56:15 Does Congress need to pass a new law if you win the case? 57:15 Winning the case would effectively end Super PACs 1:00:30 The two justices to win over are Barrett and Gorsuch 1:02:30 Winning the argument by following originalism 1:04:30 There are clear examples of quid pro quo for donations 1:05:30 Will they try to change contribution limits if you win? 1:06:15 Trump supporters also want money out of politics 1:08:30 Electors not being able to vote their conscience is unconstitutional 1:11:00 Conservatives have been pining for a constitutional convention 1:12:00 What issues would be on the table at a convention? 1:13:45 There's bipartisan energy to reform campaign finance 1:15:15 Issues addressed at a convention would need support of 34 states 1:17:15 What would surprise the founders the most about modern politics? 1:20:15 The voters need to be trusted, or it's not a government "By the People" 1:22:15 We should have citizens assemblies in the states to review amendments 1:24:00 Politics has become detached from citizens' concerns 1:25:45 Fractional voting would be healthy for our democracy 1:28:00 State legislatures can decide how to deliver electoral votes 1:29:00 Unintended consequences of fractional voting 1:30:45 Viability of multi-member districts? 1:33:30 Unequal representation between big and small states in the Senate 1:34:45 Political environment is ripe for a convention 1:38:15 Many donors would love to do away with Super PACs1:40:00 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Larry Lessig 1:41:15 The great weather at the Open Championship made it boring 1:42:15 The moment is never too big for Scottie Scheffler 1:43:00 The Washington Nationals have no leadership 1:46:00 Ask Chuck 1:46:15 Should we hold a constitutional convention? 1:48:00 Could Ohio's gubernatorial and senate races be competitive? 1:51:45 A Democrat wins a statewide race in Texas when ____ happens?
Chuck Todd begins with the growing firestorm surrounding President Donad Trump's decision to withhold the Epstein files and why his behavior is only adding to the suspicion. He explains why Epstein is a central figure to the QAnon conspiracy many Trump supporters subscribe to, and why Trump's continued dismissals of a theory he has fed for years will only further fracture his base and prolong the outrage over his broken promise to release all the files.Then, Chuck is joined by formal FTC Chair Lina Khan to reflect on her transformative tenure leading the Federal Trade Commission and the critical battles she fought against corporate monopolization. Khan discusses how the concentration of corporate power today mirrors the early 20th century, exploring whether capitalism itself is failing as tech giants like Google and Amazon wield unprecedented control over commerce, media distribution, and information flow. She delves into the surveillance economy that has emerged from companies monetizing user data, the regulatory challenges posed by AI development, and controversial practices like surveillance pricing and non-compete agreements that trap both consumers and workers.Khan also addresses the structural limitations of the FTC, noting how the agency is too small for its ambitious mission, while highlighting unexpected bipartisan support from the populist right for her antitrust work. The conversation covers her efforts to tackle everything from pharmacy benefit managers and subscription cancellation difficulties to the urgent need for algorithm regulation, particularly for content affecting children. As she prepares to leave the FTC, Khan reflects on the media's focus on markets rather than the broader economy, the ongoing fight for data privacy rights, and the "ferocious pushback" lawmakers face when challenging powerful corporate interests, offering practical advice for consumers seeking to protect their privacy in an increasingly surveilled digital landscape.Finally, Chuck shares his experience of discovering that Google's Gemini AI claims that he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease… which is not true. Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:30 Seemed like Trump would fire Jay Powell to distract from Epstein03:30 Markets reacted badly to potential firing of Powell04:15 Trump attacks his own supporters over Epstein06:15 “Hoax” is Trumpspeak for not having a good explanation08:00 Trump's behavior is creating more suspicion11:30 Most Epstein associates probably just looked the other way12:30 The more defiant Trump sounds, the more guilty he looks13:15 Most right wing media has fallen in line behind Trump14:15 Michael Flynn is the pope of QAnon, and is expressing doubts16:45 The central tenet of QAnon is the idea of an elite pedophile cabal18:15 If Trump says it's a hoax, it knocks down the foundational pillar of Qanon19:00 Epstein became the face of the conspiracy20:30 Trump and his associates have fed the conspiracy theorists for years22:00 If they had evidence of crimes, they would have brought charges23:45 This could be the moment Trump supporters finally feel conned25:15 Trump's age is showing, possible health issue they won't disclose28:00 You can't trust any press release the administration puts out29:30 Trump won't get out of the Epstein debacle unscathed31:15 Lina Khan joins the Chuck ToddCast! 32:15 Lina's path to becoming the FTC chair 34:15 Concentration of corporate power is similar to the early 20th century 37:15 Is capitalism failing? 39:00 Large corporations control the distribution of media and information 40:15 Will the consolidation of power destroy the media ecosystem? 42:00 Google and Amazon have enormous power over commerce 43:00 Why are users forced to give up their data in order to use a product? 43:45 Companies monetized by surveilling users 45:15 South Park perfectly parodied the concept of "Terms and Conditions" 46:30 Making the same regulatory mistakes with AI that we did with social media? 47:45 The barrier to entry to starting an AI company is very high 48:45 Collected data is being used for surveillance pricing 49:30 Is the FTC set up to be proactive or reactive? 50:30 Non-compete agreements are being used to trap employees 51:30 The FTC is too small for its mission 52:15 The populist right supported Lina's work at FTC 54:15 Can independent pharmacists survive in this market? 55:45 Why do pharmacy benefit managers exist? 57:30 What cases that she pursued has the FTC continued to ligitage? 59:45 Subscriptions are incredibly difficult to cancel 1:01:00 Companies have made subscriptions their business model 1:03:45 How do you make the public aware of your work at the FTC? 1:06:15 The media covers markets rather than the economy 1:08:30 Who is regulating algorithms? 1:09:45 There's a massive need for regulating algorithms that affect kids 1:11:00 Will we ever get a data "bill of rights" or more individual control over data? 1:12:30 Some data should be off limits for monetization 1:14:00 Apple store's "Ask Not To Track" setting made a positive difference 1:15:00 Younger users are more comfortable with giving up their data 1:16:15 Lawmakers face ferocious pushback and lobbying 1:16:45 Best ways for consumers to protect their privacy 1:18:15 What's next for Lina?1:19:45 Google AI search says Chuck has Parkinson's disease… he doesn't 1:22:45 The AI confused Chuck with a man named Todd in Florida 1:23:45 AI tools have been trained on the garbage saved on the internet 1:24:45 AI still has terrible flaws based on the data it trains on 1:26:15 The dragnet approach to AI can cause people real problems 1:27:30 AI products are half baked when released to the public 1:28:45 Ask Chuck 1:29:15 Why didn't the administration deport criminal migrants already in prison? 1:30:45 Thoughts on 18 year term limits?
Chuck Todd begins with a rant about his beloved Washington Nationals before pivoting to Trump strong-arming congressman Zach Nunn into running for reelection and Texas into holding a mid decade restricting process to try and maintain control of the house. He weighs in on California governor Gavin Newsom's threat to gerrymander his state in response to Texas and why that plan may not work. He also surveys the state of several 2026 races. Then, Chuck is joined by renowned CBS News Capitol Hill correspondent Scott MacFarlane who delivers an unflinching analysis of American politics in the post-January 6th era and recounts his harrowing experience of being in attendance during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump. MacFarlane, drawing from his extensive experience covering the insurrection trials and congressional proceedings, explores how the events of January 6th continue to reshape the political landscape, from Trump's recent blanket pardons to the ongoing divisions within the Republican Party. He provides insider perspectives on the Secret Service's challenges during campaign season, the diverse backgrounds of January 6th defendants, and the broader implications of political violence in American democracy.The conversation spans critical topics including the decline of local journalism, the judiciary's politicization, and the increasingly siloed information ecosystem that defines modern American politics. MacFarlane offers candid insights into the DOJ's handling of January 6th prosecutions under Merrick Garland, the death threats faced by trial witnesses, and how Trump's survival of the Butler assassination attempt reinforced his supporters' belief in divine intervention. The discussion also touches on contemporary challenges facing journalists, from the pressure to develop personal brands to declining morale in newsrooms, while examining ongoing political realignments and the future of democratic institutions in America.Finally, Chuck answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment about Trump trying to rescind some of Biden's late-term pardons, Gavin Newsom's political evolution and why Dan Osborne is running for senate rather than governor in Nebraska.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction00:45 James Wood didn't have competent pitching in HR derby02:00 Lack of summer sports programming04:45 Trump has unprecedented control over the Republican party07:30 Zach Nunn flirting with run with Iowa governor or switching seats09:30 Trump forced Nunn into seeking reelection 10:30 Trump strong arming Texas into mid decade redistricting11:45 Additional gerrymandering is risky for Texas Republicans13:30 Gavin Newsom threatens to gerrymander CA in response to Texas15:15 Newsom's rhetoric may not match the political reality16:30 Republicans are trying to rig their house majority17:30 Donald Trump is dictating all of these actions18:15 Trump is trying to destroy Thomas Massie for no vote on BBB19:15 Republicans risk candidates being tied to an unpopular president21:15 Democrats are grappling with whether to fight fire with fire23:15 Gerrymandering fights are popping up around the country24:30 The White House is obsessed with holding the house26:00 Trumpworld will stoke fear of impeachment to juice turnout27:00 NRSC has gone all-in on stopping Ken Paxton in Texas28:15 John Cornyn could walk away and back Wesley Hunt30:30 Susan Collins is raising money as if she's seeking reelection31:30 Jonathan Bush may run for governor in Maine32:45 Mary Peltola may run for governor or senate in Alaska35:15 The PGA Tour announcing a new tournament at Trump Doral38:00 Scott MacFarlane joins the Chuck ToddCast! 38:30 Scott's origin story 40:30 Local news has been decimated in recent years 42:30 People have the closest connection with local news outlets 44:30 Local news should be targeting millennial parents 46:30 Why was the response to the Butler assassination attempt so muted? 48:30 Secret service is stretched thin during campaign season 49:30 Was the secret service underresourced? 51:00 Scott felt the vibe was "off" at the event 53:00 If Trump hadn't survived, the crowd would have attacked media 54:15 Trump surviving created a divine intervention belief in his supporters 57:00 Many J6ers admitted "they don't know what got into them" 58:30 The J6ers are an incredibly diverse group of people 59:45 Only two J6ers were acquitted 1:01:00 The electorate sees almost everything through a red/blue lens 1:02:30 The senate broke the judiciary 1:03:30 There's only ONE apologetic January 6th defendant 1:05:00 Republicans now in congress wouldn't condemn J6 1:07:15 The blanket pardon was Trump condoning political violence 1:08:45 Have all the DOJ prosecutors who worked on J6 cases been fired? 1:10:00 People who testified at J6 trials have received death threats 1:12:30 Merrick Garland slow rolled DOJ's J6 prosecutions 1:14:30 It's surprising how quickly Republicans came back to Trump after J6 1:15:30 If the senate voted to convict, we'd have a president Ron DeSantis 1:18:00 Mitch McConnell's surrender handed the keys over to the MAGA wing 1:19:30 The information ecosystem is incredibly siloed 1:21:15 The public dismisses Trump's corruption as "they all do it" 1:23:00 January 6th is still ongoing, it's just taken different forms 1:24:30 What to make of the ongoing Epstein files saga? 1:26:15 Trump's people fanned the flames of Epstein conspiracies 1:28:00 You can't release names of Epstein associates without proof of a crime 1:30:00 America's political realignment is fascinating and potentially disastrous 1:31:15 Is Pam Bondi's job safe? 1:32:30 Trump flexing his power over the city of Washington D.C. 1:34:00 Muriel Bowser has handled Trump well 1:35:00 Morale for journalists is low and unsettled 1:36:00 Journalists are now required to have a personal brand 1:37:30 Every journalist wants to be Woodward and Bernstein 1:39:30 The state of D.C. professional sports1:40:15 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Scott MacFarlane 1:40:30 Ask Chuck 1:40:35 What to make of Trump trying to undo Biden's late term pardons? 1:45:45 Will Gavin Newsom's "pivot to the middle" work in middle America? 1:49:30 What is the advantage of Dan Osborne running for senate over governor?
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