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.
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?
Chuck Todd begins with a rant about his beloved Washington Nationals interesting selection with the #1 overall draft pick. He pivots to the firestorm surrounding the Trump administration over their refusal to release the promised Epstein files to the public and why Trump's reality TV style of governance is colliding with actual reality. He also discusses Trump's retribution campaign having a chilling effect on dissent, the ongoing effort to fire Fed chairman Jay Powell, and highlights a troubling trend for Democrats.Then, Chuck is joined by congresswoman Brittany Pettersen, who offers an insider's perspective on the challenges facing both Congress and her swing district in Colorado. The conversation begins with her advocacy for modernizing congressional rules, particularly around proxy voting for pregnant members, before diving into broader structural issues plaguing the institution. Pettersen argues that Congress has become increasingly dysfunctional due to the consolidation of power in leadership and the erosion of legislative authority, making it especially difficult for women and minority party members to effectively serve their constituents.The discussion covers a wide range of policy challenges, from the housing crisis and healthcare access to immigration reform and climate change. Pettersen emphasizes the need for massive federal investment in housing rather than tax incentives, warns that Trump's policies will exacerbate the housing crisis, and predicts that the homeowners insurance industry will force Congress to act on climate change. She also tackles the politically sensitive topic of immigration, arguing that outdated policies have worsened border security issues and that comprehensive reform would be the best way to address rising costs. Throughout the conversation, Pettersen stresses the importance of transparency in government spending, believing voters deserve to know exactly what services are sacrificed when tax cuts are implemented.Finally, Chuck answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding Trump administration salaries, third party candidates in presidential elections and the immigration bill that never received a vote. Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction00:15 Nationals perplexing #1 draft pick02:45 The pick isn't reassuring to Nats fans04:00 You can't win if you aren't willing to spend money07:00 Trump's reality TV approach is clashing with reality08:30 Trump is acting very nervous about the Epstein files10:00 The most simple explanations for the Epstein file debacle11:00 What is Trump trying to distract from?11:45 Trump's immigration narrative doesn't match reality14:00 “Alligator Alcatraz” is a disgusting P.R. stunt15:15 The fear Trump has created will hurt the economy16:15 Misinformation made the Texas disaster far worse18:45 Reality will always get the last word20:30 Our broken information ecosystem is running into reality21:30 Trump's retribution campaign is chilling dissent23:30 People who know better are staying silent24:45 Trump is looking for a pretext to fire Jay Powell from the Fed26:00 Trump wants to use a “cost overrun” loophole to fire Powell29:00 There is a gender crisis brewing for the Democratic party31:00 Democrats are being viewed as the “women's party” and against men33:30 Check out Chuck's interview with Rahm Emmanuel on Noosphere!35:00 Brittany Pettersen joins the Chuck ToddCast! 35:30 Tour of Colorado's 7th district 37:15 Changing congressional rules for proxy voting by pregnant members 40:45 Will she introduce legislation for proxy voting if there's a new speaker? 42:30 What guardrails should be put on proxy voting? 44:30 Congress isn't set up for women 46:45 How difficult is it being in the house minority? 48:30 Big beautiful bill removed substance abuse waiver from Medicaid 49:30 Consolidation of power in leadership has been bad for democracy 52:30 Congress has given away its authority to leadership and the executive 55:00 Balancing voter concerns in a swing district 57:30 Social safety nets are being cut off 1:00:00 Is the housing crisis a state or federal issue? 1:01:00 Housing needs massive investment, not tax incentives 1:02:30 What does that investment look like? 1:04:15 Trump's policies will make the housing crisis worse 1:05:45 The homeowners insurance industry will force congress to act on climate 1:07:30 Will leaders re-think killing FEMA after the Texas disaster? 1:10:15 Will FEMA become Medicaid for disasters? 1:12:15 Voters deserve a receipt for their tax dollars 1:14:00 Voters should know what services get sacrificed for tax cuts 1:15:15 How can the immigration system be improved? 1:17:00 Fixing immigration would be the best way to address rising costs 1:18:30 Did Democrats blow it on the issue of border security? 1:20:00 Outdated immigration policy made the border issue far worse 1:21:30 Any interest in running for Michael Bennet's senate seat? 1:23:00 Should there be an age cap for legislators? 1:25:15 What is wrong with the Colorado Rockies?1:27:30 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Brittany Petterson 1:28:45 Ask Chuck 1:29:00 Do Trump appointees with multiple roles get multiple salaries? 1:31:00 Would a viable third party cause a deadlock in presidential elections? 1:35:00 Thoughts on the prior immigration reform bill that was tanked? 1:40:30 Andrew Cuomo trying to rally support against Mamdani
Chuck Todd begins by highlighting potential Trump cabinet members that are likely to be resigned or fired in the near future. He rails against the damage RFK Jr. is inflicting on public heath, but predicts Pete Hegseth or Pam Bondi will exit first for making Trump “look bad”. He also recounts recent polling show Democratic voters want drastic action from their lawmakers and points out the 2028 presidential hopefuls that have made stops in early primary states.Then, Chuck is joined by Nathan Gonzalez, editor and publisher of “Inside Elections”, to analyze the evolving political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterms. They dive into potential Senate retirements, the challenges facing Trump nominees like Pete Hegseth and RFK Jr., and how issues like tariffs and aggressive deportations could impact Republican prospects. The conversation explores whether we'll see more competitive Democratic primaries as the party searches for a new identity, and examines key races from New York and New Jersey that could foreshadow national trends.The discussion also covers some fascinating political developments, including the IRS decision to allow churches to endorse candidates and what that means for the intersection of politics and religion. Gonzalez and Todd speculate about Elon Musk's potential influence on third-party movements, analyze gubernatorial races in states like Ohio and Michigan, and consider how "Biden baggage" might affect Democratic candidates. They wrap up with some college sports talk, debating conference realignment, misleading conference names and the upcoming Pac-12 season.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment about Pakistan, RFK Jr. and a potential rebranding opportunity for Democratic Socialists.Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:00 Which Trump cabinet secretary will be next to leave?02:30 Record measles outbreak under RFK Jr.03:45 RFK Jr could hurt Republican candidates in midterms05:00 Measles outbreak should be a bigger story06:30 RFK Jr lied to Senator Bill Cassidy08:30 Kennedy is doing tremendous damage to public health09:45 Hegseth and Bondi are doing most damage to Trump politically11:00 Outsiders get eaten alive at the Pentagon12:15 Joni Ernst is the most likely Hegseth replacement13:00 MAGA media has turned on Pam Bondi over Epstein15:00 Howard Lutnick's media appearances have stopped15:45 Scott Bessent could get the fed chair job17:00 Will the Senate pick a fight with Trump over fed chair?18:30 Bondi most likely to go in the short term19:30 Democratic voters want drastic action from their representatives21:30 Trump's re-election is creating a reactionary revolution on the left24:00 The Big Beautiful Bill could be a huge political loser for MAGA26:30 Democrats will distance themselves from Biden28:30 New poll mapping voter preferences was revealing30:15 The “invisible primary” for 2028 presidential election31:15 2028 Democratic hopefuls are visiting early primary states33:15 Ruben Gallego is getting lots of buzz 35:30 IRS won't revoke churches' tax-exempt status for practicing politics37:00 Nathan Gonzalez joins the Chuck ToddCast! 39:00 Anticipating any senate retirements prior to 2026? 41:00 Joni Ernst most likely to replace Hegseth if he's fired? 42:30 Hegseth and RFK Jr are causing problems for Trump 44:00 What Kennedy is doing at HHS will be a big midterm issue 46:30 The tariff bomb will hit hard, but hasn't hit yet 49:30 Did Biden's team set up the bad debate on purpose? 51:45 Will NY and NJ elections foreshadow the midterms? 53:45 How Mikie Sherrill handles Zohran Mamdani will be telling 56:00 Will we see more competitive Democratic primaries? 57:30 Democrats are wrestling with finding a new identity 58:15 IRS will allow candidate endorsements by churches 1:00:00 Could other entities claim to be churches for political purposes? 1:01:45 Politics and religion have always mixed, will be more overt now 1:03:15 The IRS decision will be bad for churches 1:05:45 How heavy will "Biden baggage" be in 2026? 1:08:00 Will Biden ties sink Pete Buttigieg? 1:09:30 Is a Ramaswamy victory a done deal in Ohio? 1:10:30 Where should Musk target his money to boost third parties? 1:13:45 Musk should support both the Libertarian and Forward parties 1:16:15 Musk hasn't indicated what he's FOR 1:17:30 Alaska and Maine could be ripe for third party success 1:19:30 Dan Osborne's viability in Nebraska? 1:21:30 Rural states could be in play due to tariff turmoil 1:22:30 Dynamics of Michigan Democratic governor primary 1:25:30 Are Mike Duggan's Biden ties a liability? 1:26:30 What under the radar issues could bubble up in 2026? 1:27:45 Aggressive deportations will hurt Republicans 1:29:15 Republican voters care about immigration nationally, not locally 1:30:45 Bigger sin for college conferences: misleading name or geography? 1:33:00 What to expect in the Pac-12 this season? 1:36:45 Oregon State and Washington State should be playing with big schools 1:38:30 Where to find Nathan's work1:40:00 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Nathan Gonzalez 1:41:40 Ask Chuck 1:42:00 Why isn't the U.S. government tougher on Pakistan? 1:46:45 Why don't leftist Democrats frame their politics as pre-Reagan Democrat? 1:51:15 Why is anti-vax sentiment only framed as an RFK Jr. issue? 1:55:00 James Wood in the home run derby a bright spot for Nats fans
Chuck Todd begins with Donald Trump receiving criticism and backlash from his own base after essentially declaring “case closed” on the Epstein files and why it's a “reap what you sow” situation after several members of the administration stoked Epstein conspiracies for years. He also provides Elon Musk with a roadmap for his “America Party” and highlights states where third party candidates would be viable as trust erodes in the two major parties.Then, veteran Boston media personalities Jim Braude and Margery Eagan join Chuck for a wide-ranging discussion about the crisis facing American journalism and democracy. The conversation explores how journalists are compromising their ethics out of personal preservation, the devastating impact of local journalism's decline on political accountability, and the broader media landscape shaped by figures like Roger Ailes since Watergate. Braude and Eagan reflect on how toxic politics has driven good people away from public service, with harassment and threats becoming commonplace for public figures, while an increasingly uninformed public receives information through polarized channels like Fox News and social media.The discussion turns to specific political dynamics, from the deteriorating Kennedy brand in Massachusetts—with RFK Jr. damaging the family legacy while Ted Kennedy's effectiveness as a politician is remembered—to broader questions about whether America can survive and recover from the Trump era. The hosts examine why Americans have become numb to Trump's inflammatory rhetoric, debate whether Democrats should break rules in defiance of Trump (citing the gun violence sit-in as an example of constructive rule-breaking), and discuss the messaging challenges facing the Democratic Party. They also explore how cultural issues rather than economics serve as the glue for both parties, why democratic socialist policies are popular but the socialist label is toxic, and whether politicians from Massachusetts can win nationally, before concluding with reflections on local Boston politics and the ultimate question of whether America can extract itself from its current political mess.Finally, Chuck answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding a cultural swap between the left and the right, whether we're living through the fall of the American empire and what it would take to break Trump's spell over MAGA.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction02:15 The right wing Epstein conspiracy theorists are turning on Trump 03:30 The CIA withheld info on Lee Harvey Oswald for 60 years05:30 Right wing media created atmosphere of distrust06:15 The conspiracy theorists are now in power07:15 The Trump administration won't be believed by their followers08:00 The administration is behaving like they have something to hide*09:45 Misinformation has polluted the discourse11:30 Trump acolytes lied about Epstein at some point13:15 When you stoke conspiracies, you aren't believable when in power15:00 The government has earned its distrust16:30 In a functional administration, Patel, Bondi and Bongino would be fired*17:30 The two party system is on brink of collapse, and that's a good thing19:30 Musk isn't wrong to want to break the two party system21:15 The country would be better served by a four party system23:00 There is a path for Elon to succeed due to his money23:45 Texas and Florida are the two best states for a third party to succeed25:15 Several other states are viable for third party senate candidates29:30 The midterm electorate will be volatile30:30 Jim Braude and Margery Eagan join the Chuck ToddCast! 32:30 The state of journalism and public radio 34:00 Journalists compromising ethics out of personal preservation 36:00 The death of print journalism 38:00 The impact of local journalism on political accountability 39:30 John's background in politics led him to radio/journalism 40:45 Media is harsher on activists than politicians 42:00 John's experience in city council made him a better journalist 43:15 Harassment/threats to public figures 44:45 Politics is so toxic that good people don't run 47:15 Toxic politics/liberal media discourse goes back to Roger Ailes & Watergate 48:45 How do educated elected Republicans sleep at night? 49:30 The country is woefully uninformed 50:45 Fox News & social media have been incredibly effective for the right 52:15 What's the state of the Kennedy brand in Massachusetts? 54:30 Ted Kennedy was one of the most effective politicians ever 56:30 RFK Jr. is doing tremendous damage to the family name 57:30 Americans have become numb to Trump's outrages 59:00 Will America survive and recover from the Trump era? 1:00:45 The administration is reaping what they've sown with Epstein 1:03:00 Trump gets away with "I hate Democrats" comments 1:04:00 Should Dems break rules in defiance of Trump? 1:06:00 Democrats sit-in over guns was an example of good rulebreaking 1:07:30 Democrats are bad messengers 1:08:45 Politicians have to be performative 1:12:15 The left needs to have a socialism vs capitalism debate 1:13:00 Cultural issues are the glue for both parties, not economics 1:14:45 Democratic socialist policies are popular, the socialist label is not 1:17:00 Can a Massachusetts politician win nationally? 1:20:15 State of the Boston mayoral race 1:23:45 Should Michelle Wu be worried about being an incumbent 1:25:45 Can Andrew Cuomo make a comeback against Mamdani? 1:27:45 Can America get itself out of this mess?1:32:30 Thoughts on interview with Jim and Margery 1:33:00 Ask Chuck 1:33:15 Why did the left take the "hall monitor" vibe from the right? 1:37:15 Are we living through the fall of the American empire? 1:42:15 What would it take to break Trump's hold over MAGA? 1:44:00 How and where can Musk succeed with a third party?
Chuck Todd begins with the flooding disaster in Texas and why America's toxic political landscape makes preparing for extreme weather events unlikely, if not impossible. He also reacts to Elon Musk launching the “America Party” and expresses doubts about Musk's motives, while applauding the idea of launching a viable third party. Finally, he blasts Florida governor Ron DeSantis for vetoing funding for a veterans program over a personal gripe with another Florida lawmaker.Then, directors Cecilia Aldarondo, Salima Koroma, and Alice Gu join Chuck to discuss their HBO documentary "Dear Ms.: A Revolution In Print," which chronicles the groundbreaking feminist magazine that launched in 1972. The filmmakers share the origins of their collaboration and the challenges of distilling Ms. magazine's complex 50-year legacy into a cohesive narrative, using iconic covers as launching points for exploring three main themes. They discuss how Ms. magazine differentiated itself from traditional women's publications focused on homemaking, instead tackling controversial subjects like pornography, workplace harassment, and the objectification of women—topics that generated significant male backlash and revealed the deep cultural resistance to feminist ideas.The conversation explores how the documentary's themes resonate in today's political climate, examining whether the Trump era represents a step backward for women's rights or simply exposed hidden truths about persistent inequality. The directors reflect on the evolution of feminist discourse, from the magazine's early battles against normalized harassment to contemporary debates about pornography, violence, and the #MeToo movement. They also consider Gloria Steinem's enduring legacy and discuss how early feminists faced far greater challenges than modern advocates, while acknowledging ongoing struggles around pay gaps in sports and the need for systemic rather than merely optical changes. The filmmakers conclude by reflecting on what didn't make the final cut and speculating about what a future installment might explore, including the recent rise of women's sports as a potential focal point.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment about a potential second civil war, what life in an authoritarian state actually looks like, and why the American media has completely neglected the conflict between Rwanda and Congo.To help support the Santa Rose Veterans Treatment Court, visit santarosavtc.comTimeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction03:00 Politics is making tragedies like Texas even worse04:30 No evidence that budget cuts played a role in the tragedy05:30 We're not prepared for the extreme weather that's coming06:30 Voters don't reward “preventative” policy09:00 The insurance industry is sounding the alarm on climate10:30 The climate/disaster debate will only grow12:30 It's not “too soon for politics”, we need to be better prepared13:45 Elon Musk launches the “America Party”15:15 Musk wants to own, not share a movement17:00 We need TWO new parties20:00 Only a few defections to third parties would force change21:30 There's massive interest in a third party23:30 Trump says he “hates” Democrats25:30 Ron DeSantis vetoes veterans treatment over personal dispute27:45 Lawmaker blew the whistle on the DeSantis charity30:00 Line-item vetoes are fraught for political corruption32:00 Petty politics is being used to harm veterans34:30 Cecilia Aldarondo, Salima Koroma & Alice Gu join the Chuck Toddcast! 35:00 What was the origin of "Dear Ms.: A Revolution In Print"? 37:00 The biggest challenge making Dear Ms. 39:45 HBO wanted iconic covers as the launching point for storytelling 41:00 The three main themes of the documentary? 42:00 Pornography was the most difficult issue for the magazine to cover 44:30 1972 was an iconic year for women 46:45 It was hard to have a black woman on the cover of a magazine 48:30 Most women's magazines were about homemaking 51:30 Ms. highlighted the objectification of women 53:00 Culture has evolved significantly since the release of Animal House 54:00 Harassment used to be commonplace and accepted 56:15 Technology has supercharged pornography into the mainstream 57:30 The backlash against feminism rose with the evangelical movement 59:00 There's still plenty of sexual taboos, but also more sexual content 1:00:30 The effort to draw a distinction between violence and pornography 1:02:30 Anti-porn sentiment puts women in danger 1:03:45 Would the documentary be different if we weren't in the Trump era? 1:06:45 The false sense that America had achieved equal rights 1:08:00 The feminist focus on women's rights over other rights 1:09:00 Is the Trump era a step back? Or has it revealed the hidden truth? 1:12:00 "Me too" should have been "Them Too" 1:14:00 Gloria Steinham's legacy 1:16:45 Early feminists faced far greater challenges than modern feminists 1:18:00 The emergence of women in elected politics 1:20:30 The importance of this film coming out now 1:21:45 If there's a Part 4 in ten years, would it be the rise in women's sports? 1:23:15 The pay gap in sports is massive 1:26:00 Sports politics has focused on optical change over systemic change 1:28:00 What didn't make the cut for Dear Ms.?1:34:15 Chuck's thoughts on the interview 1:34:45 Nats announce they are firing the manager and GM 1:37:30 Ask Chuck 1:37:45 If the country descends into civil war, who would the "sides" be? 1:41:30 What does life look like in authoritarian/kleptocratic countries? 1:45:00 Why is there no coverage of the Congo/Rwanda conflict?
Chuck Todd begins by reacting to Paramount agreeing to settle Trump's bogus 60 Minutes lawsuit and explains why it's demoralizing for journalists and delegitimizing for corporate owned media. He also dives into the news that Trump has cut off weapons shipments to Ukraine despite a large majority of Americans supporting Ukraine and why it makes strategic sense to do so.Then, Chuck is joined by Florida gubernatorial candidate David Jolly for an in-depth conversation about Florida's evolving political landscape and his own remarkable transformation from GOP loyalist to Democratic candidate. Jolly shares his Florida origin story and analyzes how the state's politics have shifted, exploring whether Miami's political evolution offers hope for broader American reconciliation. The discussion delves into immigration dynamics, examining why some immigrant communities have gravitated toward Republicans and the potential backlash from deportation policies, while also addressing whether Democratic socialism remains politically toxic in South Florida.Jolly recounts his political evolution, emphasizing that while his policy positions have changed, his core values remain constant. He reflects on pivotal moments including the Pulse nightclub shooting that served as a reckoning for his views on gun ownership, his departure from the NRA after rejecting their "quid pro quo" offer for an A rating, and his decision to run as a Democrat rather than an Independent. Throughout, Jolly offers candid insights into Florida's systemic challenges—from the unaffordable "Florida dream" and housing crisis exacerbated by hurricane risks, to 27 years of Republican trifecta rule that he argues has led to corruption, gutted public schools through voucher programs, and political interference with state universities. The discussion also touches on everything from NIL regulations in college sports to public financing for professional stadiums, painting a comprehensive picture of Florida's political and social complexities.Finally, in homage to Independence Day, Chuck examines the state of “independents” and third-parties and explains why the appetite for candidates outside the two party system is higher than ever.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction 01:45 Paramount agrees to pay off Trump's CBS lawsuit to secure merger03:00 The pay off stains all corporate media and news04:15 It is a gut punch for practicing journalists06:00 Corporate owned media are losing their legitimacy08:15 There's no good explanation for capitulation10:30 For media to have credibility, they have to be ethical11:30 Trump cuts off military aid to Ukraine13:00 A majority of the American public supports Ukraine15:45 Supporting Ukraine makes strategic sense for the U.S.17:30 The Russians helped Trump in 20016, even if there wasn't collusion19:00 American news doesn't prioritize covering the war20:30 David Jolly joins the Chuck ToddCast! 21:15 David's Florida origin story 23:00 The current state of Florida's politics 24:45 The "Florida dream" is becoming out of reach 27:30 Is Miami's political evolution a sign of hope for the rest of America? 28:45 Backlash to deportations from Florida's immigrant communities? 29:45 What caused immigrants to gravitate towards Republicans? 31:15 Cruelty and broken promises are the two themes of deportations 32:30 Is Democratic socialism politically toxic in south Florida? 34:15 Balancing housing affordability with hurricane safety 36:30 Private insurers can't keep up with risk 37:45 Remove hurricane damage from private insurance policies 38:45 David's political evolution from Republican to Democrat 42:15 His policy positions have changed, his values have not 43:30 What do responsible gun ownership laws look like? 44:15 Differences between a Bush 41 and Bush 43 Republican? 45:15 The NRA's "quid pro quo" offer for A rating 46:30 Pulse nightclub shooting was a reckoning for him 48:30 Running as a Democrats vs an Independent 53:00 Too many Floridians are living paycheck to paycheck 54:15 Republicans have had a trifecta in Florida for 27 years 55:15 Corruption in Florida politics 57:15 Florida's public school system has been gutted due to voucher program 59:15 Vouchers have just subsidized the private schools 1:01:00 There's no vetting process for charter/private schools 1:03:30 Republican meddling with Florida's universities 1:05:45 De-politicizing government job appointments 1:08:45 Should the state play a role in regulating NIL in college sports? 1:11:45 Public financing for professional sport stadiums? 1:13:15 Would the Rays be more successful in Tampa or Orlando? 1:14:30 Favorite governors you'd lean on if elected?1:16:00 What's happening in third party and independent politics 1:17:00 Ballot access is a huge deterrent for third party candidates 1:18:45 Update on independent candidates around the country 1:21:00 Huge appetite for independent & third party candidates 1:22:00 Many states have big pools of independent voters 1:31:15 If voters want change, they have to challenge the status quo 1:34:00 Democratic socialists need a rebrand, not a new agenda
Chuck Todd begins by reacting to the senate passing Trump's signature piece of legislation: “The Big Beautiful Bill.” He reviews the excuses and rationales given by the senators who had expressed issues with the bill but still voted for it, and explains why the fear of Donald Trump's wrath is enough to get lawmakers to fall in line and explains why the bill's passage is emblematic of the broken state of Congress.Then, Chuck is joined by political scientist and Eurasia Group president Ian Bremmer to dissect the most pressing geopolitical challenges facing the world today. The discussion begins with analysis of recent Iranian strikes and the Middle East conflict, exploring whether Iran has been exposed as a "paper tiger" and examining the complex dynamics between Trump, Netanyahu, and regional powers like Saudi Arabia. Bremmer offers insights into Iran's domestic vulnerabilities—noting the regime's mere 20% public support—while assessing the likelihood of nuclear developments and potential exit strategies from current conflicts.The conversation expands to cover Trump's relationship with NATO allies, the slowly deteriorating situation in Ukraine, and Putin's potential next moves, including the concerning possibility of nuclear escalation if his regime faces existential threats. Bremmer and Todd also tackle the rise of populist movements globally, the erosion of democratic guardrails in America, and the fundamental shift toward reactionary politics that may define a generation. Throughout, Bremmer provides his characteristic blend of realpolitik analysis and concern for democratic institutions, culminating in a sobering assessment of how America's political system now rewards winners over leaders and creates conditions where "socialists can't beat capitalists, but they can beat kleptocrats."Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding the potential for erosion of Trump's support, election denialism and a fun alternate history theory where legendary Bears coach Mike Ditka beat Barack Obama for state office in Illinois.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction00:15 90 days from Liberation Day and “90 deals in 90 days”, there are two deals01:30 Trump will back off on tariffs again to avoid economic damage02:30 The Big Beautiful Bill passes the Senate04:15 Josh Hawley votes for bill despite promises not to cut health care06:00 Lisa Murkowski cites tax break expiration for her yes vote08:15 Murkowski has always been Alaska first over America first09:30 Republicans fall in line out of fear of Trump11:00 Congress is broken 13:00 Bipartisanship is dead in the 21st century14:30 Both parties have weaponized partisanship16:15 How do we fix the broken congress?17:30 The public needs to understand WHY congress is broken19:00 Independents could force congress to function better21:00 Bill was rushed due to Trump's impatience22:30 We're in the kleptocracy stage, headed toward authoritarianism24:00 Dysfunction in congress has created a more powerful presidency26:00 Ian Bremmer joins the Chuck ToddCast! 28:00 Media cycle has already moved on from the Iran strike 29:15 The strike wasn't meant to be a war 30:15 Steve Bannon's theory that we're on the brink of WW3 31:45 Trump wanted a negotiated settlement with Iran 33:00 Netanyahu was always going to force the US's hand 34:30 Trump is capable of telling Bibi "no" 36:15 Would Trump support a two state solution? 38:30 Iran has no friends on the global stage willing to support them 40:15 After investigators access Gaza, Israel will lose support 41:45 Saudis will demand a two state solution 43:15 Did we expose Iran as a "paper tiger"? 45:30 The Iranian regime only has 20% support from the public 46:30 Iran's strong enough to put down an uprising 47:30 The U.S. won't put boots on the ground in Iran 49:00 What is Iran's exit strategy from this conflict? 52:00 Iran is likely 3 years away from a bomb 53:15 Iran may be a theocracy, but doesn't act irrationally 54:45 The state of Iraq's leadership? 56:15 Is there global investment in Iraq? 57:15 Status of Trump + NATO? 59:30 Europe underinvested in defense for decades 1:01:15 Pushing Europe to spend more on defense is one of Trump's best achievements 1:02:00 Status of Russia/Ukraine war? 1:03:00 Ukraine is losing slowly 1:04:15 Chances Putin would attack one of the Baltic states? 1:06:15 Putin could use a nuke if he felt his regime was at risk 1:08:15 The rise of left wing populism 1:10:00 American elections will be free and fair, but public won't think so 1:12:00 Guardrails on the executive branch have been weakened 1:13:15 Are we stuck with reactionary politics for a generation? 1:14:45 Trump didn't attend funeral for assassinated Minnesota lawmakers 1:15:45 The U.S. doesn't create leaders, it creates winners 1:18:30 The lack of bipartisanship creates bad legislation 1:19:45 The Big Beautiful Bill will create more Mamdanis 1:20:45 Socialists can't beat capitalists, but they can beat kleptocrats1:23:30 Thoughts on conversation with Ian Bremmer 1:24:00 Mamdani beat Cuomo by double digits in final tally 1:25:30 There will be a fight for the soul of the Democratic party 1:26:15 Ask Chuck 1:26:30 Could Trump's support erode like Marion Barry's? 1:30:30 Election denialism now coming from both sides regularly? 1:36:30 How different would things look if Mike Ditka had beat Obama in Illinois?
Chuck Todd reacts to the news that North Carolina senator Thom Tillis won't seek reelection, why harassment from the Trump team led to his decision, and why his decision gives Democrats another opportunity to pick up a senate seat in the 2026 midterm elections. He also highlights the path for Democrats to win the senate in 26' and cautions Republicans about the potential of a Democratic president abusing their power in a similar way to Trump.Then, Chuck sits down with renowned pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson to dissect the seismic shifts in American politics following the 2024 election. They dive deep into the surprising demographic realignments that defined Trump's victory, including his unprecedented gains with young and Latino voters, while exploring whether traditional demographic-based political messaging has become obsolete. Anderson shares insights from Pew Research's unique voter validation methodology and explains why the biggest story of 2024 wasn't who showed up to vote, but rather the millions of Biden 2020 supporters who stayed home.The conversation spans from foreign policy contradictions—where only 8% support attacking Iran but majorities back preventing Iranian nuclear weapons—to the evolving nature of political coalitions and whether we're witnessing a return to pre-Obama era electoral patterns. Anderson and Todd examine the psychological profile of different generations, particularly Gen Z's political malleability and loss of societal trust shaped by COVID, while discussing the future challenges facing pollsters as AI technology threatens traditional survey methodology. They conclude by analyzing whether 2024 represented a "vote for" or "vote against" election, and how both parties must adapt to meet an increasingly anti-establishment electorate.Finally, Chuck answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment about baseball, the media, and the prospects of Republican congressman Mike Lawler running for governor in New York.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:00 Senator Thom Tillis won't seek reelection02:00 Tillis struggled to fully embrace Trumpism/MAGA03:00 Tillis felt harassed by the Trump team05:30 Rep. Don Bacon also not seeking reelection08:00 Tillis retirement makes Roy Cooper senate run more likely09:15 Lara Trump may run for Tillis's seat11:00 Trump has caused multiple senate seats to flip blue12:15 How Democrats can pick up the seats to flip the senate13:15 North Carolina, Texas, Maine could all be in play for Democrats15:30 Susan Collin managed to make both sides mad17:00 Louisiana probably out of reach for Democrats18:30 Other states Democrats can target22:00 Budget cuts to rural states could create openings for Democrats24:15 It's an uphill battle for Democrats, but they're in the game28:00 It's been a tumultuous week in politics28:30 Trump has pushed the limits of his powers29:30 Trump has created a blueprint for successors to follow31:00 We've grown numb to power being used for personal gain32:00 Politics was becoming less corrupt until Trump34:00 After Nixon, the country wanted a high character president35:15 The constitutional guardrails are being weakened37:00 Is the ability to get attention the most important skill in politics?37:45 Kristen Soltis Anderson joins the Chuck ToddCast! 39:15 How Pew Research's voter validation poll works 41:15 Why Pew's poll is the best survey of both voters and non-voters 42:30 Voters have an Iraq hangover when viewing the Iran strikes 43:30 Public opinion on foreign policy is complicated and contradictory 44:15 Only 8% of the public supports attacking Iran 45:00 The public supports intervention to prevent Iran nuclear weapon 46:45 Are Republican voters party first, or Trump supporters? 48:30 Polling on Iran hinges on what we actually achieved with strikes 50:00 Huge jump in Hispanic support for Trump in 2024 52:15 Trump gained most with young and latino voters 53:45 Has the electorate reverted to the pre-Obama era? 55:30 Are demographics overrated in messaging? 57:15 Urban/rural divide shrank in 2024 1:00:15 Biggest story of 24' was Biden 20' voters that didn't show up1:02:15 The parties need to meet voters where they are 1:03:15 Takeaways from Mamdani's victory in NYC? 1:04:30 Bullish on media savvy populists 1:06:15 AOC is a 5 star political athlete 1:08:45 Was 2024 a "vote for" or "vote against" election? 1:10:15 Voters continue to vote against the status quo 1:11:30 Where is the electorate stable/unstable? 1:14:00 Has Trump changed the perception of what government should do? 1:16:00 Republicans want state intervention in "woke" business over illegality 1:17:15 What is the best methodology for conducting polls? 1:20:30 Best way to contact people for polls? 1:22:30 Generative AI will cause major problems for pollsters 1:25:15 Can averaging polls be helpful? 1:27:45 Averaging national polls vs. state polls 1:29:15 Impact of millennials becoming largest voting bloc 1:30:30 Gen Z is politically malleable 1:31:15 The COVID effect on Gen-Z's politics 1:33:15 Gen Z has lost trust and faith in society 1:35:15 How lasting is someone's "coming of age" moment in politics?1:38:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Kristen Soltis Anderson 1:41:45 Ask Chuck 1:42:15 Naming the Florida Marlins the "Miami Marlins"? 1:47:15 Is the media failing to handle Trump's flood the zone strategy? 1:51:30 Could Mike Lawler win in New York or rise in the Republican party?
Chuck Todd examines Zohran Mamdani's stunning primary victory as a seismic shift for the Democratic Party, analyzing how the young progressive candidate's win represents a broader rejection of establishment politics and legacy candidates. The discussion explores the Democratic establishment's lukewarm response to Mamdani's victory, their history of imposing flawed candidates on voters, and the growing disconnect between party leaders and their base. The conversation delves into whether the Democratic Party is ripe for a progressive takeover, the uncomfortable alliance between progressives and wealthy Democrats, and how Mamdani's success could inspire primary challenges against older politicians like Chuck Schumer, while also touching on the challenges of governing New York City and the unpopularity of recent legislative packages that fail to energize the Democratic base.Then, Reid Wilson, founder and editor of Pluribus News joins Chuck for a comprehensive discussion that spans from sports stadium financing to the future of artificial intelligence regulation. The conversation begins with lighter topics like public funding for entertainment complexes and the Seattle Mariners' playoff prospects, but quickly dives into substantive policy discussions about AI regulation at both federal and state levels. Wilson provides insights into how different industries are responding to AI oversight, the infrastructure challenges posed by data centers, and why state-level politics often achieves more bipartisan cooperation than federal governance.The discussion shifts to examine critical domestic policy issues, particularly the ongoing privatization of public education through school voucher programs that Wilson argues are draining state budgets while transferring wealth from poor to rich families. They also analyze upcoming gubernatorial races across multiple states, exploring how local issues like housing policy, education reform, and infrastructure development could influence political outcomes in Virginia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Alabama, and Tennessee. The episode concludes with speculation about whether abortion rights will remain a driving force in state legislative sessions, offering listeners a thorough examination of how local and state politics are shaping America's political landscape.Finally, Chuck answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding politics in Louisiana, journalism, and bridging the gap between progressives and moderates!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction00:30 Zohran Mamdani is a political earthquake for the Democratic party01:30 The Democratic party's lukewarm reaction to Mamdani's victory03:30 The Democratic establishment has imposed flawed candidates on their voters06:30 The establishment doesn't understand how unpopular their candidates are07:45 Voters never got due process for Cuomo08:30 Republicans are trying to weaponize Mamdani10:30 Democrats need to stop supporting legacy names/candidates12:00 If the wealthy are upset, Mamdani is winning13:00 Democrats want to embrace Mamdani without adopting his positions15:00 Is the Democratic party ripe to be overtaken by progressive candidates?16:30 The uncomfortable alliance between progressives and wealthy Democrats20:45 Cuomo felt out of touch to the voters22:30 Chuck Schumer has becoming the establishment punching bag24:15 Who can replace Chuck Schumer in leadership?26:30 Gerry Nadler endorses Mamdani28:00 Governing New York City is incredibly difficult29:30 Mamdani's victory could inspire primaries against older politicians31:30 The “Big Beautiful Bill” is incredibly unpopular33:30 There's nothing positive in the bill to sell to their base34:30 Polling shows voters want the government to do MORE36:15 Almost every pick in the NBA draft had been traded38:15 Reid Wilson joins the Chuck ToddCast! 40:15 As a Seattle native, do you care about the OKC Thunder? 42:00 Public financing for sports stadiums 43:45 Teams aren't just building stadiums, they build entertainment complexes 45:45 Adding housing to complexes makes them easier to pass politically 47:00 Members of Congress didn't read the "Big Beautiful Bill" 47:45 Will a ban on AI regulation make it into the final bill? 50:15 Is any other industry trying to push back against AI? 52:15 There's more bipartisanship in state level politics 54:15 State lawmakers make the best legislators in Congress 55:15 What AI regulation has been easiest to pass? 56:45 Who will enforce AI regulation? 58:30 Urgency to get AI in place to compensate for boomers retiring 59:15 Meeting power requirements for data centers 01:01:30 Public pushback against data centers 01:03:15 NIMBY's fighting against ADUs as solution for housing crisis 01:05:15 Housing policy fights take a LONG time 01:06:45 The privatization of the public school system 01:08:15 Red state legislatures are all pushing school vouchers 01:09:45 Voucher programs are draining state budgets 01:10:30 Voucher programs are a wealth transfer from poor to rich 01:12:45 Far less standards and accountability for private schools 01:14:45 Are any states innovating in public education? 01:16:15 Education could be a winning issue in a presidential election 01:17:45 Which states are ripe to flip politically based on local issues? 01:20:45 Virginia gubernatorial race won't be close, New Jersey will 01:23:45 Any chance for Republicans in Massachusetts? 01:25:00 Chances for Republican senators running for governor? 01:26:15 Could the Alabama governor's race be competitive? 01:28:15 Is Marsha Blackburn too far to the right for Tennessee? 01:31:15 Tennessee Republicans don't want Memphis to become Nashville 01:32:15 Naming airports after presidents 01:34:30 Will the Mariners ever make the playoffs? 01:38:30 Will abortion be an issue this legislative season?01:41:30 Ask Chuck - Is there a path for a Democrat to win the Senate seat in Louisiana? 01:45:45 Why don't more journalists explain how their work is done? 01:49:00 Could Andy Beshear be a bridge between populists and moderates?
Chuck Todd begins with Zohran Mamdani's stunning victory over Andrew Cuomo in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary. He points to Mamdani's cost of living messaging and youth as major factors in the victory, but cautions the party against embracing the “socialist” label, and wonders whether the party establishment will embrace or shun Mamdani.Then, Chuck is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, who shares his deeply personal journey of living as an undocumented immigrant in America and how it shaped his perspective on one of the nation's most divisive issues. Vargas, who publicly revealed his undocumented status over a decade ago, discusses the atmospheric shift in immigration discourse under Trump, the bipartisan failures that have plagued reform efforts, and why he believes coming out as gay was actually easier than revealing his immigration status. He offers a unique insider's view of working at major outlets like the Washington Post while hiding his legal status, living in constant fear of deportation.The conversation delves into the broader media and political landscape surrounding immigration, with Vargas arguing that Democrats have failed to provide a positive counter-narrative to right-wing messaging that has made anti-immigration sentiment central to Republican identity. He challenges both parties for using immigration as a political football rather than addressing the human reality of 40 million people of Mexican heritage living in America. Vargas advocates for journalism that goes beyond economic impact stories to humanize immigrants' experiences, while grappling with the tension between objective reporting and advocacy journalism. The discussion also touches on America's demographic future, the need for immigrant labor to offset declining birth rates, and whether the nation can reconcile its identity as both a country of immigrants and a Judeo-Christian society.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding the viral Ted Cruz vs Tucker Carlson interview and addresses the conspiracy theory that Starlink hacked voting machines in the 2024 election.Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:00 Zohran Mamdani beats Andrew Cuomo in NYC mayoral primary02:30 Multiple possible explanations for Mamdani's victory03:30 Cost of living messaging resonated04:30 This will supercharge the young vs old debate in the party05:30 Will the “democratic socialism” label become a liability for the party?08:00 Moderates rallying around Cuomo made no sense09:00 This should be a wake up call for the Democratic establishment10:00 Democratic voters are looking for “new”11:45 Mamdani fired first shot in battle to rebrand the party13:30 Rallying around Eric Adams would be a bad move for the establishment15:30 Mamdani needs to expand his tent17:30 The big tent illusion - Both parties claim to be "big tent" but aren't 19:15 It's hard to not have a "label" in our current politics 21:00 The Republican party has become a cult of personality 21:45 Politicians can't ever agree with the other side 22:30 The only politicians with a big tent approach are governors 25:00 The coalition that elected Trump is big tent, he isn't governing like it 26:30 Our politics would be healthier if there was four parties 28:00 Politics wasn't designed to be winner-take-all 29:30 Bipartisanship would produce better, more durable legislation 33:30 John Cornyn may drop out, but only if he can stop Ken Paxton 35:45 If Ken Paxton is the nominee, Democrats could win the TX senate seat 37:00 Center-right voters in Texas are homeless 37:45 The TikTok extension via executive order is illegal 38:30 Donald Trump has refused to enforce the law with TikTok 39:45 Politicians are fearful of alienating TikTok users41:30 Jose Antonio Vargas joins the Chuck ToddCast! 42:00 What year did you go public with your undocumented status? 44:00 The atmospheric shift around immigration under Trump 45:30 George W. Bush was much more compassionate to immigrants 46:30 Immigration has been a bipartisan mess 47:30 Immigration has been the central issue in right wing media 49:00 Democrats haven't provided a positive counter narrative 50:15 Being undocumented is living a life of fear 51:45 Nobody at the Washington Post knew he was undocumented 53:30 People following the proper process are being arrested 56:00 Backlash to demographic changes 58:00 White immigrants can hide in plain sight 59:00 Anti-immigration is the currency of the Republican party 01:00:30 Immigration wasn't always covered politically 01:03:30 Jose was shocked he wasn't contacted by ICE 01:04:30 Both parties have used immigration to score political points 01:06:30 Coming out as gay was easier than coming out as undocumented 01:09:00 Obligation to be doing advocacy journalism? 01:11:30 We haven't felt the economic effects of mass deportation yet 01:13:45 Why is it so hard to positively sell immigration to conservatives? 01:16:30 Journalists need to be educators 01:18:15 We live in a post-literate world 01:21:15 Journalism vs Advocacy 01:22:30 Helping people tell immigrant stories 01:25:15 Holding people in power to account 01:26:30 Need for immigrants to compensate for declining birth rates 01:28:00 Immigrant stories rarely get told outside of economic impact 01:31:00 Segregation still exists, but it's in media/information ecosystems 01:32:45 Are we a nation of immigrants or a Judeo-Christian society? 01:37:30 The case for optimism 01:39:15 Journalists need to humanize the immigration issue01:40:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Jose Antonio Vargas 01:42:00 Is the rift between Tucker Carlson and Ted Cruz real or manufactured? 01:47:05 When did U.S. politics become so hyperpartisan? 01:52:00 Thoughts on the theory that Starlink tampered with voting machines?
Chuck Todd begins by reacting to President Donald Trump's decision to order airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. He explains that diplomacy was still on the table, that Israel backed him into a corner, and why he believes that Kamala Harris would have made the same decision if she was president. He highlights the potential ways Iran could strike back, and debates whether this move actually will make the world safer. He also examines the state of the New York mayoral primary and why the Democratic establishment is scared of one particular candidate.Then CNN's Jake Tapper joins Chuck for an in-depth discussion that spans politics, media, and personal insights. The duo discuss Tapper's bestselling new book “Original Sin” and explore critical questions about journalism's role in vetting political candidates, particularly examining President Biden's age and cognitive health, the media's coverage of his decline, and whether there was a coordinated effort to shield him from scrutiny. They offer their perspectives on Biden's decision to run for re-election, the dynamics surrounding Kamala Harris's selection as VP, and how the political establishment rewards seniority over merit in Congress.Beyond the serious political analysis, the conversation takes a more personal turn as Tapper discusses his approach to social media detox, his upcoming book about Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie, and his thoughts on political satire from South Park to SNL. They also dive into lighter territory, covering everything from Philadelphia sports fandom and memorabilia collecting to streaming recommendations and the challenges of maintaining work-life balance as a high-profile journalist. This episode offers both sharp political commentary and genuine personal insights from two veteran journalists reflecting on their craft and the current media landscape.Finally, he answers questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment, and reflects on the life of his family dog Ruby after her passing. Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:00 Trump orders attack on Iran's nuclear facilities02:00 Nobody wants a nuclear arms race in the middle east02:30 Bombing was a choice, there were other options03:45 The consequences will affect the entire globe05:15 Other countries could race toward nukes06:00 Israel cornered the US government into airstrikes07:45 Kamala Harris probably would have ordered the airstrikes*09:15 Israel would have forced the president's hand either way10:15 Trump didn't make the case for strikes in remarks to the nation12:00 Iran could strike back asymmetrically 12:45 Congress has been sidelined, this is Trump's war14:45 Did this make the U.S. and the world safer?17:30 Trump violated the law by not notifying Democrats about the strike19:30 Eric Swalwell issues an alarming statement about 2028 election20:45 NYC mayoral primary will show where the energy in the party is23:00 Mamdani's candidacy scares the Democratic establishment24:20 Jake Tapper joins the Chuck ToddCast! 25:20 How Jake and Chuck met 29:40 Covid set back younger generation's social development 31:35 Disengaging from social media 33:50 Negative feedback online vs. in-person 35:20 Are politicians constantly suspicious of journalists? 37:20 Give politicians the benefit of the doubt? 38:20 Congress won't pass the STOCK Act 39:05 Biden's decision to run was the "original sin" 40:35 Biden originally ran with his family under duress 42:35 There are myths in the legend of Joe Biden 43:50 Biden's resilience led him to the bad decision to run 44:35 The "blame the media" narrative around Biden 45:50 How should the media change its vetting process for candidates? 47:35 Presidential health reports should be subject to perjury 48:20 Biden never took a cognitive test 49:20 Age cap on politicians requires constitutional amendment 50:20 No evidence that autopen was used 51:35 There's a culture of coddling "too old" members in congress 53:50 The system rewards seniority over accomplishment 55:50 Kay Granger being in a dementia center was covered up 57:20 Loss of local urgency in political coverage 59:20 Older politicians are less invested in the future 1:00:50 In any other sphere, Biden's decline is disqualifying 1:02:20 Was the cover up a lack of faith in Harris? 1:03:35 Harris VP choice was for political reasons, not governing 1:05:20 VP pick was between Harris and Whitmer 1:07:05 The super original sin was Obama endorsing Clinton 1:10:35 Start of Biden's decline can be traced back to Beau's death 1:12:20 Obama has never spoken on Biden's decline 1:14:50 What style of book do you like to write the most? 1:18:05 Jake's next book is about Klaus Barbie 1:19:05 Best current political satire? 1:22:35 South Park is the best at capturing the culture 1:24:20 Trump bit on SNL is worn out 1:26:20 Jake's streaming recommendations 1:30:20 Does Jake ever stop working? 1:31:50 Staying off social media 1:33:20 Journalists shouldn't be celebrities 1:34:35 Which Philly sports team will you follow even if they suck? 1:36:50 Collecting sports memorabilia 1:39:05 The entire SEC cheated 1:40:20 The long form podcast format vs short TV interviews 1:43:20 The public's reaction to "Original Sin" 1:45:20 Trump has been backed into a corner with Iran1:48:00 Chuck's thoughts on the interview Jake Tapper 1:48:30 Ask Chuck - Who would you put on Mt. Rushmore of DC media figures? 1:51:30 What should happen with the Nats after getting swept by the Rockies? 1:53:45 Chuck remembers his family dog Ruby. Rest in peace.
Chuck Todd is joined by former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of American politics and governance. McCrory, who describes himself as a Reagan conservative, discusses how modern politics has become trapped in rigid left/right binary thinking and reflects on his experience managing civil unrest during the 2016 Charlotte riots. The conversation explores the breakdown of civil discourse, the infiltration of legitimate protests by anarchists, and the failure of political leaders to work across party lines during crises like the recent LA fires.The discussion delves into pressing questions about federal disaster response, including whether states can manage without FEMA and how the two-party system is failing Americans. They argue that dark money has turned campaign finance into "legal corruption." He also weighs in on whether the Republican Party can be reformed or if America needs a viable third party, while addressing the political survival prospects of senators like Thom Tillis in an increasingly polarized landscape.Timeline00:00 Governor Pat McCrory joins the Chuck ToddCast!01:30 Everything in modern politics is framed in left/right binary terms03:15 What type of conservative is he?04:15 What attracted him to Reagan conservatism?06:00 Americans don't always demand their leaders show empathy or grace07:15 We used to be able to have conversations with people we disagree with10:00 Mayors have less power than people realize11:00 Congress has given away too much power to the executive branch12:00 Handling the 2016 riots in Charlotte over a police shooting12:45 A handful of anarchists have infiltrated the LA protests15:00 Anarchists try to turn legitimate protests into riots16:00 Is there a playbook for managing protests and civil unrest?19:30 Trump, Newsom and Bass should be working together during protests20:15 The Trump administration views working with Democrats as weakness21:30 Newsom + Bass not holding joint press conferences during fires was a mistake23:00 Leaders have to go beyond politics during disasters24:00 Can states manage disaster relief on their own without FEMA?26:00 Does FEMA's need for expediency make it ripe for waste and abuse?27:00 Disasters are a money making venture for contractors28:45 FEMA cuts will hurt Trump's voters the most30:00 Bad communications after a disaster endanger the public30:45 Certain government roles shouldn't be politically appointed32:30 FEMA needs to be reformed, not eliminated33:45 Would it be better to reform the GOP, or create a viable third party?35:15 The two party system is failing America36:15 The two parties are acting like the mafia37:15 There is political correctness on both sides of the aisle39:00 The protests end up being misrepresented on television41:15 Is the Republican party redeemable?42:30 Dark money has corrupted our politics44:15 Crypto has become the top spending lobbying group48:00 Is crypto really currency if you have to cash it out to spend it?50:30 Campaign finance has turned into legal corruption51:45 Can Tom Thillis survive a Republican primary challenge?55:00 Thillis holds strong convictions about the separation of powers
Chuck Todd begins by reflecting on the 10th anniversary of Trump descending his golden escalator and the profound impact he's had on both our politics and culture since. He argues that Trump has had the greatest impact of any president since FDR, why Trump's “fake it til you make it” persona appeals to voters and believes the negative impacts Trump has had on society will last for decades. He also highlights the anniversaries of the Watergate break-in and the OJ Simpson chase, and the lasting impacts those two events have had on American media.Then, Chuck is joined by journalist and staff writer for The Atlantic, Mark Leibovich, for a wide-ranging conversation that seamlessly weaves together sports, politics, and cultural commentary. The discussion begins with Leibovich's criticism of Howard Schultz's role in Seattle losing the Sonics, before diving into whether Obama should be more vocal during this political moment. Leibovich argues that Obama's presence might actually reinforce elitist stereotypes about Democrats and questions whether the former president is out of touch with today's electorate.The conversation takes fascinating detours through Beatles history (with Leibovich making the case that Ringo was the band's essential glue), speculation about whether Biden's debate performance was intentionally designed to showcase his decline, and pointed observations about Trump 2.0 being "almost beyond satire." Leibovich doesn't hold back on Trump's blatant corruption or Chuck's assessment that "Idiocracy was a documentary," while also analyzing the genuine nature of enthusiasm around Kamala Harris's campaign. The episode concludes with thoughts on baseball's pitch clock, the Red Sox's future, and advice for Democrats to meet voters where they are.Finally, Chuck answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment about discrepancies in polling and why poor campaign finance laws allow for the outsized influence of money in Virginia's gubernatorial race.Timeline:00:00 Introduction00:30 June 16th marks the 10th anniversary of Trump descending the escalator01:45 Trump's staying power isn't an accident02:30 Trump's impact has been greater than any modern president04:00 Trump's “fake it til you make it” strategy worked*05:45 Trump is comfortable being an outsider and disrespected07:00 Trump remade the Republican party in his image09:00 The poison he's injected is division and politicization11:00 The culture Trump built will shape politics for decades13:00 June 17th the anniversary of Watergate break in13:45 The biased liberal media narrative was manufactured by Nixon15:15 Republicans mistake press neutrality with antagonism 16:30 Service journalism has become rare18:15 June 17th also anniversary of OJ Simpson chase19:30 OJ chase/trial massively changed media23:00 CNN saw CourTV's ratings and changed strategy25:15 Before OJ, news networks didn't chase ratings29:00 Mark Leibovich joins the Chuck ToddCast! 32:30 Mark's homage to the Oklahoma City Thunder 33:45 Howard Schultz deserves the blame for Seattle losing the Sonics 35:00 Is there an NBA market that needs to be eliminated/moved? 37:30 Is it a mistake to brand teams to a state/region over a city? 39:30 Should Obama be speaking out more due to the vacuum of leadership? 41:30 Obama to blame for not grooming the next generation? 42:30 Obama favored Hillary Clinton more than Joe Biden 43:00 Obama didn't believe in identity politics 44:45 Can Obama lead by example at this moment? 46:15 Obama's presence reinforces elitist stereotypes about Democrats 48:45 If John Lennon had lived, would the Beatles have just been the Rolling Stones? 51:15 Ringo was the glue for the Beatles 53:30 Ringo is non judgemental and appeals to both sides 55:45 Ringo was a huge American football fan 58:00 Obama seems out of touch with the current electorate 59:15 Was the energy around Harris genuine enthusiasm, or just relief? 1:00:15 Biden probably loses 6-8 more states than Harris 1:02:30 Was the Biden debate intentional to showcase he wasn't up to it? 1:05:15 There was no cover up of Biden's decline, it was obvious 1:06:00 Will "Biden baggage" sink Pete Buttigieg or other Biden alum? 1:08:00 Trump 2.0 is almost beyond satire 1:09:00 Idiocracy was a documentary 1:10:15 Why is there no mass outrage over Trump's blatant corruption? 1:13:00 What traits will the next Democratic president have post-Trump? 1:14:00 Trump's skill set isn't transferable within the Republican party 1:15:45 Trump is the definition of "Fake it til you make it" 1:19:00 Trump weaponized the NFL in the culture war 1:21:00 The pitch clock has been great for baseball 1:22:30 Thoughts on the Devers trade 1:25:00 Are the Red Sox for sale? 1:26:00 Democrats need to meet voters where they are 1:26:45 You can't write off Gavin Newsom1:28:00 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Mark Leibovich 1:28:30 Ask Chuck 1:28:45 How can two respected polling companies have very different results? 1:35:00 Outside money flooding the Virginia gubernatorial race?
Chuck Todd reacts to the bizarre limbo President Donald Trump has put the country and world into as he weighs bringing the United States military into the conflict between Israel and Iran. Chuck weighs the benefits and risks of such a move, explains why Israel can't end Iran's nuclear program without the U.S. and why Trump is treating foreign policy like reality TV.He provides some updates and analysis on several primaries and special elections across the country, and concludes by answering listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment about the ability of unknown candidates to emerge in a crowded media environment and why voters can't impeach elected officials for bad behavior like we saw from Senator Mike Lee.Timeline:00:00 Trump has put the country into a bizarre limbo over Iran 01:00 It feels like there is a drumbeat towards U.S. military action 01:50 Iran knows nuclear weapons are a powerful deterrent 04:05 Trump got traction in the Republican party by opposing the Bush doctrine 06:20 Iran is weaker than ever after Israel destroyed their proxies 07:20 Israel can't eradicate Iran's nuclear program without the U.S. 08:05 Congress isn't likely to confront him over war powers 09:50 This situation rhymes with the pretense of the Iraq war 11:20 Trump would be taking a great risk by accepting Israeli intelligence 12:50 Trump is treating foreign policy like it's a reality TV show 14:20 America playing world police worked… until it didn't 15:20 Trump has been backed into a corner 16:35 There are diverse opinions in the situation room 17:50 Trump making war decisions via tweet has been normalized 18:35 Virginia primaries have set up governor's race for later this year 19:20 Democrats should be poised for clean sweep in Virginia 20:20 Either way, Virginia will elect its first female governor 21:20 NY and NJ elections will be closer than Virginia 22:50 Ranked choice voting in NYC mayor's race creates unique coalitions 25:20 Ritchie Torres won't run for governor if Zoran Mandani wins mayoral race 26:50 Sen. Michael Bennett to leave Senate and run for Colorado governor 28:50 Byron Donalds is already running attack ads in Florida governor race 30:05 Ohio's gubernatorial race will be closer than you think34:15 Ask Chuck34:45 Can an unknown candidate emerge in this media ecosystem?38:10 Why aren't house members or senators impeached by their voters? 41:45 The need for straight shooters in media(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
Chuck Todd begins with a solemn observation… that the world and country are both in a very unstable and combustible moment and needs President Donald Trump to offer stable leadership to help turn the temperature down… but is likely incapable of, or unwilling of doing so. He also reflects on Trump's role in creating an environment ripe for political violence and why he believes we're living in an Orwellian moment where it's hard to know what to believe.Then Chuck sits down with Mike Pesca, host of "The Gist," for a deep dive into media, politics, and culture. The conversation kicks off with observations about the podcast industry's shift toward video content and marketing strategies and how news has evolved from reporting to commentary, blurring the traditional lines between journalism and opinion. They explore the trend of audiences gravitating toward partisan content and echo chambers.They discuss cryptocurrency's similarities to collectibles and its role in financial privacy, to Trump's media strategy and the Democrats' failure to match his "everywhere" approach to communication. They examine specific policy proposals like DOGE's potential costs, Trump's penny elimination plan, and his willingness to negotiate with hostile nations. They conclude with an intriguing look at the potential politicization of sports media, Caitlin Clark's unexpected role as a political lightning rod and the rarity of overtly political sports coaches like Auburn's Bruce Pearl.Finally, he concludes the show by answering listeners' questions about Elon Musk's access to government data, what may have been different if Trump hadn't pulled America out of the Iran nuclear deal and his thoughts on podcasting compared to hosting Meet the Press.Timeline00:00 Introduction00:15 Nats swept by the Marlins01:00 The country and the world depend on Donald Trump's leadership02:30 The only person who can end the Israel/Iran war is Trump03:30 Trump has infused the Republican Party with isolationism 05:30 Israel can't end Iran's nuclear program without direct US support07:15 Trump's deportation policy is a major driver of instability08:30 Economic damage could cause Trump to back off deportations09:15 Minnesota shooter was radicalized online10:45 Most of the political violence in the country has come from the right12:15 Trump is not interested in lowering the temperature13:30 Trump won't accept that he's contributed to the tension14:30 Trump's parade fell flat, but the No King's protests were massive15:30 Chuck ended up on the hit list of a radical in 201816:50 Trump has created an environment of violence with the J6 pardons 18:45 We've entered an Orwellian moment with disinformation online 19:45 Kristi Noem's “liberate California” rhetoric was insane21:15 When people don't know what to believe, it makes democracy unstable23:00 Mike Pesca joins the Chuck ToddCast! 25:00 Is video format actually good for podcasts? 28:00 Video feels like the only good way to market a podcast 30:30 The public hasn't published the podcast industry for not being in real time 32:15 News has become more commentary than news reporting 34:00 The lines between news and opinion have been blurred 37:00 Chuck's take on having two first names 38:30 What topic doesn't make the cut for "The Gist"? 40:25 Comedians are the modern day philosophers 43:00 So many podcasts are just people agreeing with each other 44:30 Audiences gravitate towards partisan content 47:00 AI will make the media ecosystem more efficient 48:45 There's a lack of ideological diversity in the two parties 50:15 The political duopoly has been bad for voters 52:45 Crypto is not much different from baseball cards and comic books 54:00 Crypto is inefficient but it's good for hiding money 58:00 Political criticisms aren't always partisan 59:30 DOGE will cost taxpayers more money than it saves 1:00:30 Trump is great a diagnosing problems but isn't interested in solving them 1:03:30 Democrats haven't adopted Trump's "everywhere" strategy with media 1:04:30 Democrats can learn from Trump without emulating him 1:06:15 Trump's plan to eliminate the penny is a good one 1:07:15 Trump is willing to cut deals with hostile countries 1:09:15 Will sports & sports media end up becoming partisan? 1:10:20 Caitlin Clark is a political lightning rod 1:12:00 Bruce Pearl is the only college coach that's overtly political 1:14:45 What is Mike reading that would surprise people?1:19:00 Ask Chuck 1:19:20 Was Elon Musk's access to government data considered corruption?1:23:15 Where would we be now if Trump didn't withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal? 1:28:15 Long-form podcast format vs Sunday show format?
Chuck Todd criticizes the controversial military birthday parade planned by Trump in Washington, D.C., which marks both the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary and Trump's 79th birthday. He calls out the event as a politicization of the military, a costly spectacle ($25–$45 million) that could have been spent addressing critical social needs such as homeless veterans, Medicaid funding, or infrastructure repair. He takes particular issue with the military personnel being vetted for political loyalty to Trump, which undermines the traditionally apolitical nature of the military and risks eroding public trust. Chuck examines the broader consequences of Trump's actions, including his use of military intervention in domestic unrest and harsh rhetoric against protestors, which contributes to the dangerous polarization of Americans and threatens democratic norms.Chuck Todd sits down with former Congresswoman Barbara Comstock to discuss her ongoing efforts to reform the Republican Party from within and the challenges facing the GOP in the Trump era. Comstock argues that the party's fundamental problem isn't ideological but character-based, as Republicans have abandoned character as a voting issue and are now required to lie to their voters to maintain political viability. She believes reform must come from the bottom up through state and local politics, which have been less infected by Trumpism, and warns that MAGA Republicans' indifference to whether government actually works has created a dangerous dynamic where loyalty to Trump is the only qualification that matters.The conversation explores the practical consequences of Republican governance, from potential Medicaid cuts that could devastate rural hospitals and long-term care facilities, to the party's abandonment of Christian principles regarding care for the vulnerable. Comstock sees an opportunity for reform during the eventual succession fight after Trump, arguing that it will take just one person of character to begin rebuilding the party. She's particularly critical of figures like JD Vance, whom she describes as a charlatan who cannot represent the party's future, while expressing cautious optimism about leaders like Glenn Youngkin. Throughout the discussion, Comstock draws parallels to international politics, praising Zelenskyy as the world's greatest leader while condemning the Tucker Carlson wing of the party for siding with Putin, ultimately arguing that voters will punish incumbents of both parties if government continues to fail.00:00 Introduction01:05 The two types of ex-Repubicans03:40 The bleak future of the two-party system04:30 Trump's military birthday parade07:20 Longterm damage of politicizing the military08:55 Conservative's absurd renaming of Confederate bases11:30 The HUGE price of this military parade13:30 What the $45 million COULD have been used to fix15:10 Why politicizing the military would be end of the republic16:00 How this stunt is escalating tensions w/ ongoing protests17:15 Why this Trump scandal is particularly un-American19:45 Barbara Comstock joins the Chuck ToddCast!20:45 Efforts to reform the Republican party from within23:00 State and local level politics have been less infected by Trumpism25:15 Republicans are required to lie to their voters26:15 Reform will come from the bottom up27:00 Character is a bigger problem for Republicans than ideology28:30 Republicans have given up on character as a voting issue30:30 Winsome Earle-Sears has capitulated to the Trump movement33:15 Should Republicans embrace Trump's ideology but with high character candidates?35:15 MAGA Republicans don't care if government doesn't work36:00 Loyalty is the only qualification Trump cares about39:00 Attrition and incentives are a better way of cutting government42:15 Emergency care for illegal immigrants is mandated by law43:00 Christian Republicans want to kick the samaritan to the curb44:00 Medicaid cuts will cause rural hospitals to close45:00 Medicaid sustains the long term care industry46:45 Congress has abdicated its responsibility to govern48:15 It takes one person of character to begin reforming the GOP49:15 There will be opportunity for reform during the succession fight50:45 When you make government work well, voters notice52:00 Could Republicans get wiped out like the Tories in the UK?53:30 Zelenskyy is the greatest leader on the world stage55:00 The Tucker Carlson wing has sided with Putin56:15 Can a non MAGA Republican win over MAGA voters in the future?58:45 Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon have looked clueless1:00:15 The Republican party has become an anti-intellectual party1:01:30 Has JD Vance always been a charlatan?1:03:30 JD Vance can't be the future of the party1:04:45 Is Glenn Youngkin redeemable?1:07:00 Trump will want to anoint his successor1:07:30 Who are some current Republicans that could reclaim the GOP?1:10:15 The potential GOP reformer needs to be someone new1:13:15 Voters won't be kind to incumbents of either party1:17:45 Analyzing the Musk-Trump breakup1:22:30 What would happen if Trump... raised taxes on billionaires?
Chuck Todd reflects on his recent conversation with Steve Bannon and proposes his theory for what Donald Trump and his MAGA movement's populism is really tapping into not just in America, but as a global phenomenon. Chuck says that the Democrats have an opportunity to position themselves as an opposition party that taps into the American populace's skepticism of concentrated power, and that if the current Democratic leadership isn't equipped to navigate the moment, they could set themselves up to get steamrolled by Trumpism the same way that the George Bush and Mitt Romney wing of the Republican Party did. Chuck goes on to look at some of the races he's most excited for in 2026.Chuck Todd welcomes filmmakers Lindsay Utz and Michelle Walshe to discuss their documentary "Prime Minister," an intimate portrait of former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's extraordinary leadership during some of the most challenging moments in recent history. The film, built around Ardern's personal audio diaries that weren't meant to be released until after her death, chronicles her navigation through three defining crises: the Christchurch shooting, the COVID-19 pandemic, and giving birth while in office. The filmmakers had unprecedented access to Ardern, capturing her reflections on leading a nation through tragedy and global upheaval, while New Zealand became the first country to eradicate COVID-19 through decisive leadership and strong public health measures. The conversation explores the broader themes of the documentary, including the misogynistic backlash Ardern faced both for her COVID response and her decision to ban semi-automatic weapons after Christchurch. Utz and Walshe discuss the challenge of misinformation during the pandemic, the export of American political mistrust to other democracies, and how Ardern's millennial confidence shaped her leadership style. Despite her international popularity, the filmmakers reveal that Ardern has sworn off politics forever, making this documentary a crucial historical record of her tenure. The film serves as both a case study in crisis leadership and an inspiration for young women considering political careers, showcasing how Ardern became a global role model while navigating the unique pressures facing female leaders in the modern political landscape. Finally, he addresses listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!00:00 Introduction03:50 Steve Bannon's theory about Trump & the global populist movement06:10 Why Trump's character is a distraction for Democrats08:10 Democrats' advantage as an outsider party10:45 New Jersey gubernatorial race14:30 Democratic Senate candidates popping up in Iowa18:30 Minnesota Senate Democratic primary20:45 New candidate alert in Georgia!23:00 Louisiana getting rid of runoffs?24:10 Mark Green stepping down in Tennesee29:30 Lindsay Utz and Michelle Walshe join the Chuck Toddcast!30:30 What was the origin story of their documentary “Prime Minister” 31:30 How often did they have access to Jacinda Ardern? 32:50 Ardern's audio diaries weren't supposed to be released until she died 34:00 Ardern showed extraordinary leadership after the Christchurch shooting 35:30 Adrern's story wasn't local and could resonate worldwide 37:30 Was Ardern surprised when reflecting on her diaries? 38:30 Ardern had to lead through 2 crises 39:30 The tentpoles of the documentary are Covid, Christchurch and giving birth in office 42:30 Great responsibility to get the story right due to historic nature 44:30 Was Arden's book coordinated with the release of the documentary? 45:30 What was the hardest thing to leave out? 47:30 New Zealand's great response to Covid relied on strong leadership 49:30 New Zealand was the first country to eradicate Covid 51:00 Citizens of every country blamed their leaders for Covid 52:30 Misinformation was a huge problem during Covid 53:30 Was there an anti-vax community in NZ prior to Covid? 54:45 Was the widespread mistrust in the American government exported to NZ? 55:45 Ardern received terrible misogynistic blowback from the public 56:30 Was the backlash worse for Covid or for banning semiautomic weapons? 59:40 Ardern swears she'll never go into politics again 1:02:30 Is Ardern more popular outside of New Zealand? 1:03:45 What do you hope a young female politician takes away from “Prime Minister”? 1:05:15 Was Ardern's confidence a byproduct of being a millennial? 1:07:45 Ardern was a great role model for young women 1:08:30 Do they have another project planned in the future? 1:11:40 Where can people see “Prime Minister”?1:14:00 Ask Chuck!
Chuck Todd reacts to Donald Trump's escalating conflict with the state of California and Governor Gavin Newsom over the ICE raids and protests. Chuck warns that if Trump makes good on his threats to arrest Newsom, he could make him a powerful martyr. He also weighs in Barack Obama's lack of presence for the Democrats while they struggle with a leadership vacuum.Then Chuck sits down with Jamie Shor and Sky Sitney, the co-founders of DC/DOX, Washington D.C.'s premier documentary film festival now in its third year. The duo discusses how they merged their individual visions to create a festival that perfectly captures the capital city's unique position as a hub for storytelling about politics, power, and social change. They explore how modern film festivals have evolved from simple showcases to essential curators in an era where the barrier to entry for documentary filmmaking has never been lower, yet the challenge of finding distribution and audience has never been greater.The conversation highlights some of the festival's most compelling offerings, from the visceral war documentary "2000 Meters To Adiivka" to the humorous AI exploration "Deepfaking Sam Altman," and the shocking government surveillance tale "The Spies Among Us." Shor and Sitney discuss the delicate balance between activism and entertainment in documentary filmmaking, the importance of transparency around AI usage in film production, and how their curation reflects the current cultural moment. They also address the ongoing distribution crisis facing independent filmmakers and explain how festivals like DC/DOX provide crucial visibility for smaller creators who lack major studio backing, while partners like Netflix and National Geographic help amplify important voices in documentary storytelling.Finally, he addresses listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!Timeline:00:00 Introduction02:30 Trump is in a showdown with the state of California03:30 The “Newscum” nickname makes Trump look unserious05:30 The first amendment doesn't only apply to citizens07:30 The Trump recession has begun08:30 The Big Beautiful Bill fight is going poorly for Republicans09:30 Trump wants to make California a political punching bag10:15 Trumpworld wants to make Gavin Newsom the face of the Democratic party11:30 If Trump arrests Newsom, Newsom could become a martyr12:00 Should Barack Obama be filling the Democratic leadership vacuum?13:30 DNC leadership seems to be paralyzed 14:30 Obama is the only leader the entire coalition trusts17:45 There's not enough faith in the Democratic bench18:45 Obama has stayed above the fray19:20 Obama speaking out would raise the alarm amongst disengaged voters20:30 Biden failed to make the country turn the page on Trump 22:45 If Trump tries to seek a third term, so can Barack Obama24:00 Jamie Shor & Sky Sitney join the Chuck ToddCast! 25:45 What is DC/DOX and how has it evolved over three years? 28:20 How did Jamie and Sky meld their visions into one? 30:00 Why D.C. is the perfect host city for the festival. 32:30 The barrier to entry for making documentaries is lower than ever 34:30 Modern film festivals are a curator for films rather than just a showcase 36:30 Most of the documentaries presented don't have major studio backing 37:45 Netflix and NatGeo were early partners of DC/DOX 40:15 Festivals provide visibility for smaller filmmakers 41:00 Sky's favorite feature length films being featured at DC/DOX? 42:30 "2000 Meters To Adiivka" is a visceral war documentary 44:15 Jamie's favorite films being featured at DC/DOX? 47:00 What is "Andy Kaufman Is Me" about? 49:00 What is "Barbara Walters Tells Me Everything" about? 51:00 "Deepfaking Sam Altman" is a great and funny exploration of AI 53:00 "The Spies Among Us" is a shocking tale of government surveillance 54:15 What are the best documentary shorts featured at DC/DOX? 58:45 Activist documentaries still have to be entertaining to make change 1:00:45 The films curated have to be reflective of the time 1:02:45 Filmmakers must be transparent about their use of AI1:06:15 AI ethics in filmmaking will continue to evolve 1:07:15 What is the state of the industry for documentary filmmakers? 1:10:00 Is there a distribution crisis in the film industry? 1:12:00 Where do you go to buy tickets or get more info for DC/DOX?01:14:40 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Jamie Short & Sky Sitney 01:15:50 Ask Chuck 01:16:05 Should the US consider Sunday voting & a Presidential Reform Act? 01:24:10 National security book recommendations? 01:29:10 Members seem clueless…who is actually writing the legislation in Congress?
Chuck Todd begins with the apparent de-escalation of the feud between Donald Trump and Elon and why the power imbalance between the two meant that Elon would be forced to back down. Then, he explains why Trump is deliberately manufacturing a crisis by federalizing the National Guard and sending them to LA to deal with protests over ICE raids. He calls it a “political trap” set by Stephen Miller and that the administration has chosen to use California as a political punching bag. He also weighs in on the crisis of leadership at the DNC after an internal call was leaked to the press and why it could be the end of Ken Martin's time as chair.Then, Chuck welcomes filmmaker Chase Joynt and Congresswoman Sarah McBride to discuss the documentary "State of Firsts," which chronicles McBride's historic journey as the first openly transgender person elected to Congress. Joynt explains the origins of the film and the decision to focus on McBride's political coming of age amid the intensifying national debate over trans rights. The conversation explores the broader LGBTQ civil rights movement, the challenges of media coverage around trans issues, and how Trump has weaponized transgender Americans as political scapegoats. They discuss the ongoing tensions within the gay community about whether the fight for trans rights is "worth it," and examine how civil rights have historically advanced incrementally through strategic battles.McBride joins the conversation to reflect on the personal toll of being thrust into the spotlight as a symbol for an entire community while trying to serve her Delaware constituents effectively. She discusses the unique pressures that come with being the "first" of any identity group in Congress, the performance incentives that can bring out the worst in politicians, and her approach to picking battles strategically rather than fighting on every front. The discussion touches on Delaware's distinctive political dynamics, her relationship with President Biden, the complexities of the trans women in sports debate, and whether she would accept a meeting with Trump. Throughout, both guests emphasize the importance of seeing transgender people as whole individuals rather than reducing them to a single issue, while acknowledging the weight of representation in advancing civil rights.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding filibuster reform in the Senate, whether age limits for lawmakers are a good idea, and whether Trump would be best served resigning the presidency in order to receive a pardon from JD Vance.Timeline:00:00 Introduction01:15 Trump backs off when dealing with rich and powerful people02:15 Elon is a bridge between MAGA and the tech elite03:00 Steve Bannon says Musk's money might have made the difference in election05:00 Trump is always for sale, but the deals aren't stable 06:15 Musk is powerful but not irreplaceable 07:00 Trump could destroy Musk's companies before his term ends08:45 The fate of our country hinges on a pissing match between two powerful people10:15 Voters think all politicians are equally corrupt11:00 The Trump administration is trying to manufacture a crisis in Los Angeles12:30 What you're reading and seeing online isn't what's happening on the ground13:30 Majority of voters want immigration enforced, but humanely and with due process15:00 Stephen Miller believes he's setting up a political trap16:15 The administration wants to use California as a cultural punching bag18:00 DNC chair Ken Martin caught on recording saying he might not be up to the job20:00 Martin defined himself as a placeholder with doubts20:45 Democrats don't know who's in charge, or who they want to be in charge21:45 Ken Martin will be defined by this moment24:00 Chase Joynt joins the Chuck ToddCast! 25:00 What was the origin of "State of Firsts"? 26:45 Were there any ground rules or "no goes" when creating the film? 28:00 Sarah's ascent to Congress amidst the brewing fight over trans rights 29:45 Is the debate over trans rights being "worth it" still happening in gay community? 31:00 Does the fight for trans rights feel like two steps forward, one step back? 32:30 The value in unearthing the history of the fight for equal LBGTQ rights 34:20 They chose to tell the story of Sarah's political coming of age 36:15 Frustrations with media coverage of the fight for trans rights? 37:00 Trump understands that he created a scapegoat 38:00 The fight over trans women in sports 39:00 Had Chase ever done a political documentary before "State of Firsts"? 41:00 What did you learn about how politics is conducted? 42:30 Politics dominates the public space in America 44:00 What surprised you most after being around congress? 45:15 Being the "first" of an identity group in congress 47:30 The pressure on McBride of being forced to speak on behalf of an entire community 48:45 Civil rights have always been advanced incrementally 51:40 Worried that the Democratic party will abandon the trans community?53:10 Sarah McBride joins the Chuck ToddCast! 53:40 Was it hard to let people into your private life for the documentary? 54:55 Managing the burden of being a symbol for the trans community 57:10 The pressure that comes with being the "first" representative of an identity group 58:40 Delaware voters were able to see her as a whole person and not just trans 1:00:10 Was it easier to be bipartisan in state government than in Congress? 1:01:25 The performance incentives in Congress can bring out the worst in people 1:04:25 The political dynamics of Delaware 1:06:10 Delaware's status as the home of corporate America 1:09:40 Other states don't have the legal framework to outcompete Delaware for incorporations 1:10:25 Is the criticism of Biden fair? 1:13:10 Hakeem Jeffries is doing a fantastic job managing the caucus 1:14:55 Should Democrats extend an olive branch to Elon Musk? 1:15:40 Is someone who embraces trans rights but not in sports an ally? 1:16:40 Sports governing bodies should oversee the trans women in sports issue 1:18:40 Worried about backlash from the trans community for not fighting hard enough? 1:20:10 Civil rights movements have to pick their battles 1:23:40 Would you accept an invitation from Trump for an oval office meeting? 1:24:40 What achievements in Congress would you consider success? 1:26:10 Did you ever dream of becoming president as a kid?1:27:05 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Sarah McBride 1:28:05 Ask Chuck 1:28:15 If the Big Beautiful Bill doesn't pass, should the Senate end the filibuster? 1:31:20 Thoughts on Andor season 2? 1:33:55 Are age limits for elected officials a good idea? 1:36:35 Would Trump's best outcome be resigning and having Vance pardon him?(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
Chuck Todd reacts to the escalating feud brewing between Donald Trump and Elon Musk after Elon's departure from the administration. He warns the audience… NOBODY can predict where this will go from here.Timeline:00:00 Trump and Elon attack each other on social media01:00 Trump threatens to terminate Elon's government contracts01:20 Elon accuses Trump of being in the Epstein files02:30 Trump and Elon think they've bought each other's loyalty04:15 Trump and Elon are basically the same guy05:00 This was the most predictable split07:15 Elon doesn't understand how politics work08:45 This feud will run into a reality check at some point09:45 They are basically teenagers fighting
Chuck Todd begins by trying to make sense of the Elon Musk vs. Donald Trump public feud and why Trump will likely be muted in his criticism. Chuck also weighs in on the NYC mayoral race, why Andrew Cuomo shouldn't be allowed to run this soon after resigning in disgrace and why voters were deprived of closure in the Cuomo scandal.Then, Chuck sits down with Lindsey Williams Drath, CEO of the Forward Party, to explore the challenges and opportunities facing America's newest third-party movement. Williams discusses the party's "purple" approach to politics, rejecting traditional left-right labels while focusing on governance over party affiliation. The conversation covers the significant barriers third parties face, from institutional pushback to the infrastructure advantages held by Republicans and Democrats, who have "pulled the ladder up behind them" through restrictive ballot access requirements and partisan primaries.Looking ahead to the 2026 and 2028 elections, Drath outlines the Forward Party's strategic approach to building from the ground up at the state level, targeting swing districts and disaffected voters from both major parties. The discussion touches on fusion voting, potential mergers with other independent groups, and the party's unique challenge of maintaining unity without a rigid ideology. Williams also addresses whether candidates with contradictory positions can coexist under one party banner, the role of money in politics, and how the Forward Party plans to avoid becoming a spoiler while building toward federal party status and meaningful electoral competition.Finally, Chuck answers listeners' question in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding whether he'd ever consider working in the White House comms shop, what type of leader could best correct the erosion of American democracy, and who he thinks are the top 3 candidates to be at the top of the Democratic ticket in 2028.Timeline:00:00 Introduction02:30 There is tremendous dissatisfaction with both political parties04:00 What to make of the Elon Musk vs Donald Trump feud?05:00 One party governance breeds bad governance07:30 Trump vs Musk was always going to be a test of wills08:30 Trump isn't as aggressive with people wealthier than him10:15 Democrats likely won't forgive Elon if he turns on Trump11:30 Winner of the Democratic NYC mayoral primary will be the mayor12:45 Andrew Cuomo hasn't lived in NYC in 35 years13:45 Cuomo shouldn't have resigned because we never got closure on accusations15:45 If you resign in disgrace, there needs to be an electoral penalty16:30 Cuomo never faced an impeachment trial18:30 Multiple governors have resigned in order to dodge investigations21:00 We never got an accounting of Al Franken's ethics committee report23:00 Cuomo shouldn't be able to run again so soon24:00 Lindsey Williams Drath joins the Chuck ToddCast! 24:50 What is the Forward Party and what do they believe? 26:30 Barriers to entry for a third party 27:10 There's growing sentiment for the need for a third party 28:30 There's major institutional pushback to third parties 29:30 Republicans and Democrats have an infrastructure advantage 30:20 10-year goal. What is success? 31:15 Built the party from the ground up at the state level 32:30 Andrew Yang's role in building the party 35:30 Administrative roles in Forward Party 37:45 Goal for the midterms is not a third party spoiler; but party-building; state level 40:15 Working toward federal party status; looking at seats in 2026 & 2028 42:10 What districts will they be targeting? 44:30 How Forward candidates can register for ballot access 47:00 Major parties have pulled the ladder up behind them. 47:50 Partisan primaries are unconstitutional 49:30 Defining fusion voting 51:30 Merging with the Independence Party? 53:15 There are lots of disaffected voters; and many "formers" in the Forward Party 55:45 We need to prioritize governance over party affiliation 57:30 What did the Problem Solvers Caucus fail at? 59:00 Lisa Murkowski building trust from her base while caucusing with both parties 59:45 John Cornyn missing opportunity to be more independent from GOP 1:01:45 What's stopping candidates from working with the Forward party? 1:03:45 What candidates do they want to target? What's the win? 1:05:30 Voters have closer relationships with mayors & governors1:08:50 The Forward Party is planning a convention 1:10:45 Can you be a political party that doesn't have an ideology or candidates that contradict? 1:14:30 Money in politics & government debt are linked1:27:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Lindsey Willams Drath 1:30:30 Ask Chuck 1:30:45 Would you ever want to work at the White House in communications? 1:34:15 What type of leader can fix the erosion of our democracy and civic unity? 1:38:30 Which three democrats are most likely to win the nomination in 28?
Chuck Todd begins by analyzing whether Donald Trump or Joe Biden will be a bigger political liability for their respective parties in the 2026 midterms. He also examines the trend of urban vs rural voters happening worldwide and reacts to some newsworthy quotes from American politicsThen, he welcomes Jane Coaston to the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation that spans college football, media, and politics. They dive deep into how conference realignment is reshaping college sports, discussing everything from the demise of the Pac-12 to whether Fox can maintain compelling broadcasts without marquee matchups. The conversation explores how football innovation happens from the ground up and why geographic realignment may be inevitable for smaller schools facing logistical nightmares.The discussion then shifts to broader media and political dynamics, examining how algorithms and internet discourse are warping public conversation. They analyze why political hosts get captured by their audiences, how conspiracy theorists find community online, and why politically engaged people are actually the "weirdos" in American politics. They tackle tough questions about media coverage of Biden's age, the responsibility of press versus politicians in covering presidential fitness, and why treating voters as real people rather than demographic categories might be the key to better political communication.Finally, he addresses listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding consuming political interviews, whether Democrats need their own Project 2025 and whether a moderate Republican running third party would have enabled a Harris win in 2024.Timeline:00:00 Introduction02:00 Biden or Trump the bigger liability in 2026 midterms?03:35 It's rare for a former president to cast a bigger shadow than the current one05:30 Democratic voters are still mad at Joe Biden07:30 Trump won't have much to sell in 202609:45 Voters won't feel any impact from Trump's tax cut11:15 Democrats can't sit back and expect to win in 202613:00 Trump is the bigger liability14:00 Should Republicans have won 2024 in a landslide?16:45 The rural vs. urban political divide is a worldwide phenomenon18:30 Mexico to make all judges elected positions, terrible for rule of law 21:00 Character doesn't matter to voters, results do23:00 Joe Biden still believes he would have won the election24:15 Tim Walz suggests Democrats should be a little meaner27:15 Jane Coaston joins the Chuck ToddCast! 29:35 Mountain time is the best time zone for watching sports 32:15 Has college football hurt itself by losing the Pac-12? 34:15 Conference realignment really hurts the smaller schools logistically 35:45 Schools will be forced to realign into geographic regions 38:15 College football benefits from having fanbases in hundreds of markets 39:45 College football risks concentration only in the midwest and south 41:45 Football innovates from the bottom up 42:45 Can Fox's broadcast stand on its own without two marquee teams? 45:45 If CFB contracts were similar to NFL contracts, everyone makes more money 47:00 Money for college football isn't zero sum 48:15 How do you decide what your daily news lead will be? 49:15 The rhetoric around medicaid cuts is identical to welfare rhetoric 50:45 Many people on Medicaid have jobs that don't offer insurance 52:30 It's important to offer your audience views they don't always agree with 53:45 Algorithms are a major problem for public discourse 55:45 Hosts end up being captured by their audience and public criticism 57:15 The human psyche isn't equipped for the internet 58:15 Conspiracy theorists and cranks can find community online 59:45 The internet is not representative of real life people 1:00:45 Voters hold multiple conflicting views 1:03:00 High information, politically engaged people are weirdos 1:04:15 Politics has become too much like sports 1:06:15 In polling, the way a question is asked can distort responses 1:07:45 To reach voters, they need to be thought of as people and not voters 1:09:15 Political hobbyism has been terrible for our politics 1:09:55 Who owns blame for Biden decline cover up, media or Biden/Democrats? 1:12:45 Biden's age couldn't be viewed in a vacuum by the media 1:15:35 The criticism of the press over Biden has been overblown 1:16:15 Biden couldn't sell his accomplishments 1:18:15 How hot is the seat under Michigan's new coach?1:23:20 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Jane Coaston 1:24:40 College football should motivate teams to play tougher schedules 1:25:55 Ask Chuck 1:26:25 What should viewers focus on when consuming political interviews? 1:28:50 Are Democrats working on their own version of Project 2025? 1:34:15 Would a "traditional" Republican running 3rd party have created a Harris win?
Chuck Todd reacts to Elon Musk leaving the Trump Administration and discusses the valuable lessons to be learned from Elon's tenure. Chuck also reacts to the recent pardons by Donald Trump and explains why they are bad for the country. Then he discusses the problems with the “big, beautiful bill”.Then, Chuck is joined by Amanda Litman, co-founder and president of Run For Something, to discuss the future of Democratic leadership and the urgent need to recruit a new generation of candidates. They examine how Republicans, following the lead of Newt Gingrich's GoPAC, have outpaced Democrats in preparing talent for public office — and why the Democratic bench remains so thin.Litman shares insights into the challenges young progressives face, from lack of institutional support to financial and family pressures. They discuss the messy but well-intentioned efforts like David Hogg's DNC initiative, the communication gap with younger voters, and why the information ecosystem is reshaping political engagement.Together, they explore the mechanics of candidate recruitment, debates over ideological litmus tests, and how Run For Something navigates hot-button issues like trans rights and independent candidacies. From socioeconomic diversity in elected office to the underrepresentation of renters and working-class Americans, this conversation is a candid look at how Democrats can rebuild from the ground up — and what success might look like in the 2026 midterms.Finally, in “Ask Chuck,” Chuck digs into the mailbag to answer one of the biggest questions about the state of politics.00:00 - Chuck recaps his weekend06:26 - Elon's Exit from Trump Administration14:43 - Reaction to Trump's pardons21:49 – Amanda Litman joins the Chuck Toddcast!22:19 – What is “Run For Something”?24:19 – Newt Gingrich started GoPAC to prep candidates on the right25:19 – The DNC dropped the ball on prepping candidates27:34 – Emily's List was good for candidate training, but only for women29:04 – There are very few young elected Democrats30:04 – David Hogg's DNC effort is a noble one, but messy for the DNC32:19 – The generational divide in the Democratic party33:49 – Democrats need younger leaders to speak to younger voters34:49 – The Republican party changed drastically in ten years35:49 – Voters under 35 have seen a lot of government failure37:49 – Voters receive their information so differently now39:04 – What is the process for recruiting and training candidates?42:49 – Is there an ideological litmus test for prospective candidates?44:04 – Trans issues have been very challenging for progressives45:49 – What if a candidate's passion issue isn't a voting issue?47:04 – Will “Run For Something” recruit and run independent candidates?49:49 – Could we see a lot of former federal employees run for office?51:49 – Will Run For Something get involved in debates about updating the democracy53:19 – Legislators should be paid more55:19 – Lack of money and kids are a huge impediment to candidates under 4057:19 – We need more socioeconomic diversity in elected office*59:19 – Renters aren't represented in Congress*61:04 – The Democrats have become the “presidency or bust” party*63:04 – If you want to improve the Democratic brand, you have to change the politicians65:19 – What does success look like in 2026 midterms?67:22 – “Ask Chuck”
Chuck Todd starts with new polling showing Trump's damaging down ballot effect on the Republican party and highlights some key races for the upcoming midterm elections.Then, he sits down with New York Times reporters Michael Schwirtz and Jane Bradley to discuss their explosive investigation into Russia's sophisticated "spy factory" operation in Brazil. The reporters reveal how they uncovered a years-long Russian intelligence program that used Brazil as the perfect cover to create false identities for spies who would then be deployed around the world. The discussion explores how the Ukraine war may have intensified efforts to uncover these operations, and details the meticulous process Russian operatives used to obtain authentic Brazilian birth certificates and build elaborate backstories for their agents.The conversation delves into the remarkable scope of this espionage network, including how one spy successfully infiltrated Johns Hopkins University as a student, before being caught by Brazilian authorities. Schwirtz and Bradley discuss the similarities between their real-world investigation and the plot of "The Americans," the complaints from captured spies about their Russian handlers, and how this program's roots trace back to Cold War tactics. The interview also touches on broader questions about American engagement in Latin America, Brazil's surprisingly robust rule of law, and the ongoing challenges facing international journalism, including reporting in conflict zones like Ukraine and the risks of travel to Russia.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the Ask Chuck segment regarding small state primaries, whether an atheist could ever be elected president and Democratic messaging.Timeline:00:00 Introduction01:30 Trump is putting the Republican party in a precarious position for midterms03:30 Trump's only big win is the border04:00 Swing voters wanted lower prices and aren't getting them04:30 Every election is now a “change” election06:30 Trump has become the party08:00 Republicans won't have anything that's easy to sell to the public09:30 New Texas poll shows Trump's growing unpopularity12:00 Shrinking the size of government is popular with voters13:15 Bad economic approval is a warning for Republicans16:00 Incumbency may be a big problem for John Cornyn18:00 New Michigan poll released on senate race19:30 Michigan poll shows anti-incumbent bias in voters20:30 Lindsay Graham in a closer than expected race22:15 Michael Schwirtz & Jane Bradley join the Chuck ToddCast! 23:55 What is the origin story of their story on Brazil's "Spy Factory" 24:45 Did the Ukraine war cause countries to double efforts to uncover spies? 27:15 Were the feds in Brazil aware of this spy operation? 30:25 Brazil was the perfect place to create cover identities for spies 31:45 The spy operation was years in the making 32:45 Investigations into spies' birth certificates showed they weren't doctored 34:45 Other Latin American countries are investigating as well 35:45 Was the spy ring uncovered in America in 2010 related to this program? 37:15 The goal wasn't to infiltrate Brazil specifically, but move spies abroad 38:15 The most "successful" spy was arrested by Brazilian authorities 39:30 One spy infiltrated John Hopkins university posing as a student 41:30 Has Putin punished any of the spies that were caught? 43:15 It feels like this story was a plot ripped straight from "The Americans" 44:30 The spies that talked complained about their bosses 45:30 Does America run similar "spy factories?" 48:15 Western agencies don't have the same spy budgets as the Russians 50:15 The seeds of the spy program go back to the Cold War 52:30 Are Brazilian authorities extra motivated to get to the bottom of this? 53:45 Brazil's rule of law is stronger than we give it credit for 55:15 Is this a failure of American engagement in Latin America? 58:00 What other threads are they pulling in their investigation? 1:00:00 When was Michael last in Ukraine? 1:01:30 Does the Times still have reporters in Russia? 1:02:45 Should Americans avoid travel to Russia? 1:05:00 Does the espionage reporting beat make spy TV shows less watchable?1:05:40 Chuck's thoughts on interview1:06:10 Ask Chuck1:06:55 Why is America stuck with a first, single small state primary format?1:09:00Will America ever elect a president that's atheist or agnostic?1:16:15 Why are Democrats so clueless at messaging?(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
Chuck Todd opens with two issues he calls “dead rail” issues; issues that voters care about but don't vote on… campaign finance reform and the national debt. He explains why both parties aren't incentivized to address either issue, and provides a brief update on the latest developments for the upcoming midterm and presidential elections.Then, he sits down with acclaimed television writer and producer Debora Cahn, the creative force behind both "The West Wing" and Netflix's hit series "The Diplomat." Cahn shares behind-the-scenes insights from her time in Aaron Sorkin's writers' room, revealing how the team worked to make "The West Wing" realistic and even infused elements of musical theater into the show. She discusses the origins and development of "The Diplomat," explaining how her experience working on "Homeland" prepared her for tackling international diplomacy, and how COVID-19 unexpectedly helped with the show's early development process.They delve into how real-world events have shaped "The Diplomat's" narrative, particularly Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which completely changed the show's plot trajectory. Cahn explores the challenges of creating "news adjacent" content in today's rapidly changing political landscape, where she notes that satire feels off-limits for this decade. She also discusses her approach to writing strong but complex female characters, the differences between working with Shonda Rhimes versus Aaron Sorkin, and how she uses storytelling to give voice to government workers. The interview touches on everything from using real UK embassy locations for filming to incorporating recent political events and the casting of Michael McKean in a Biden-inspired role.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the Ask Chuck segment, addressing topics like the best path to learning journalism, whether Kamala Harris could lose the California gubernatorial race and how to maximize black voter turnout in the south.Timeline:00:00 Introduction00:30 The “third-rail” issues in American politics that are untouchable01:45 Medicaid is a lifeline for more than just poor people02:20 Dead rail issues are issues that you can ignore and voters don't care03:10 Voters agree on need for campaign finance reform, but don't vote on it05:00 Both parties only care about the national debt when they're out of power07:00 Voters don't care about campaign finance or the debt until it affects them09:00 The Republicans are more fiscally irresponsible than Democrats10:30 New campaign ad rolls out with purely AI generated people11:30 Senator Jeff Merkeley may step down12:30 Senator Ed Markey may face primary challenge13:00 Rahm Emmanuel attending Iowa event, could it regain 1st primary status?14:30 Debora Cahn joins the Chuck ToddCast! 15:45 How did she create "The Diplomat" and "West Wing"? 17:00 How important was it to make the West Wing realistic? 19:00 How did you infuse musical theater into West Wing? 20:15 What was the writers' room like? 22:30 How long has she been working on The Diplomat? 25:15 How did working on Homeland prepare her for The Diplomat? 28:30 The origin of The Diplomat 30:00 Covid actually HELPED with early development 31:00 Were the characters modeled off real people? 33:45 Using a real embassy for the set 36:30 Has the narrative arc changed from the original vision? 38:45 Russia's invasion of Ukraine changed the show's entire plot 40:45 Using the PM of the UK character to caricature Trump 42:15 Satire is off the table for this decade 43:30 Giving voice to government workers via storytelling 47:00 Has the UK foreshadowed trends in US politics? 48:15 The downside to being "news adjacent"? 49:45 Writing about strong women but making it messy 51:15 Working with Shonda Rhimes vs Aaron Sorkin 53:30 Whose story would she like to tell? 56:00 Traditional journalism vs. influencer culture 56:45 The Newsroom wasn't an accurate portrayal of TV journalism 58:00 What events from the past few months does she want to incorporate? 59:45 Michael McKean is great as the Biden character57:50 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Debora Cahn 58:20 Ask Chuck 58:40 Is college or an apprenticeship better for learning journalism? 1:02:30 Could Kamala Harris lose in the primary for CA governor? 1:06:05 What can Democrats do to maximize the black vote in the south? 1:11:50 NBA playoffs reaction
Chuck Todd begins by examining whether Democrats have lost by enough to force meaningful change or if they're simply tinkering around the edges. He covers Trump's recent controversial moves, including hosting dinners for his memecoin buyers and politicizing his West Point commencement speech, while exploring how "whataboutism" and Trump creating a culture of fear have become pervasive in our political discourse. Chuck analyzes new polling data on potential Democratic matchups and discusses why being an incumbent may be a liability in upcoming elections.Then, he's joined by political analyst and author of “Where Have All The Democrats Gone”, Ruy Teixeira, who provides insights into America's ongoing political realignment and the challenges facing both major parties. They explore whether Democrats need to move toward the center to win back working-class voters, discuss the possibility of party collapse similar to what happened with the UK's Tories, and examine why neither party seems capable of forming a truly dominant coalition. The conversation covers everything from the Democrats' branding problems and communication failures to Trump's enduring influence on American politics and the potential for viable independent candidates in 2028.Chuck concludes with upcoming Republican primary dynamics, including Senator John Cornyn's hiring of Trump's campaign manager and why it could be an UGLY campaign.Timeline:00:00 Introduction02:00 Have Democrats lost by enough to force them to change?04:30 Democrats seem intent on tinkering rather than an overhaul05:45 Trump hosts dinner for buyers of his memecoin06:45 Mike Johnson defends corruption if it's “done in the open” * (14:30)08:30 Trump politicizes his West Point commencement speech10:30 “Whataboustism” is plaguing our politics12:00 Neither party has a monopoly on crazy or violence12:45 Trump has created a culture of fear which mutes criticism14:30 The public has become numb to Trump's bad behavior15:45 Corruption will eat away the credibility of the MAGA movement*16:30 New poll released on AOC vs Schumer and Torres vs Hochul18:30 Being an incumbent will be a negative in 2026 and 202822:10 Ruy Texeira joins the Chuck Toddcast 23:40 What is the current state of America's political realignment? 26:25 Do Democrats need to move to the center to win working class voters? 28:10 Lower turnout benefits Democrats 29:55 Democrats have only changed rhetoric, not their positions 31:40 Neither party can form a dominant coalition 32:40 Despite the chaos, Trump's approval rating isn't that bad 34:25 Could we see one party collapse like the Tories in the UK? 36:10 Could a third party replace one of our two parties 37:55 Voters in the western world feel the system is broken 38:40 Democrats are viewed as the status quo party 41:10 What are some lessons Democrats can take from the early 90's? 43:10 Neither party loses by enough to change 46:40 The DNC doesn't grasp how bad the brand has become 47:40 The problem is bigger than communications 49:40 Trump is the towering figure of 21st century American politics 51:10 What to make of Gavin Newsom's political maneuvering? 52:30 Who could be the Democrats next Bill Clinton? 54:40 What states should Democrats be targeting for future elections? 57:10 Democrats made a mistake not having Iowa first in their primary calendar 58:10 Why has Wisconsin stayed so competitive? 1:00:10 What to make of the red shift in blue states where they didn't campaign? 1:02:40 Party strategists are too out of step with the voters 1:04:25 What will we learn from statewide elections in 2025? 1:07:25 Will Joe Biden become a pariah like Jimmy Carter for the Democratic party? 1:09:10 Being a cabinet member for Biden will tank Pete Buttigieg's presidential hopes 1:10:10 The cover up of Biden's decline will haunt the Democrats for years 1:11:25 Any positives for the Democrats? 1:12:25 There could be a viable independent candidate in 20281:16:00 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Ruy Texeira1:17:30 Senator John Cornyn has hired Trump's campaign manager1:19:00 We're about to see new level of negativity in a Republican primary1:20:45 The new traffic patterns out of Nationals games are annoying
Chuck begins with house Republicans struggling to pass their “Big Beautiful Bill” and reflecting on the president's ability to influence the culture versus imposing on the culture.Then, Chuck welcomes Spencer Kornhaber, staff writer at The Atlantic to discuss his piece on contemporary pop culture and its perceived decline in quality. They dive into the impact of streaming algorithms impacting music discovery, revealing that old music now earns three times the streams of new releases as algorithms trigger nostalgia rather than innovation. The conversation explores how the music industry has lost its traditional gatekeepers, leading to a landscape where new music often sounds "rehashed and doesn't move the ball forward," while examining whether rock music has stopped evolving and how country music is experiencing a resurgence. They also tackle the growing influence of AI on music production and debate whether algorithms, despite their flaws, are actually helping people discover music in different languages and cultures.The discussion expands to examine whether television represents the one area where pop culture is genuinely "better than ever," with prestige TV becoming the cultural center and episodic storytelling reshaping moviemaking. They explore the "Barbenheimer summer" phenomenon as evidence that theatrical experiences still matter, before diving into literature's current state amid declining readership among younger generations. They debate whether high-resolution photography and AI are diminishing visual arts, speculate about experiences becoming the next major art form for Gen Z, and examine how competition with AI might actually make human artists more innovative. They conclude by discussing the enduring popularity of live elements in sports and music—with Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift reigning as pop royalty—while questioning who truly rules Hollywood and acknowledging the surprising innovations happening in live theater.Finally he addresses listeners' questions in the Ask Chuck segment, weighing in on Europe's race to rearm itself, his preferred voting method to incentivize legislative compromise and whether the questions surrounding Joe Biden's decline will loom over the 2028 presidential race.Timeline:00:00 Introduction00:30 Republicans struggling to pass the “Big Beautiful Bill”02:00 Partisan governance is bad governance03:30 The bill will pass, it's just a matter of when05:45 We're in a “culture cold war”08:00 Should political leaders impose culture, or influence it?09:45 Who we elect as president is reflective of the culture11:45 If a president imposes on culture, they impose on speech14:45 The public will want a president who doesn't impose on culture17:40 Spencer Kornhaber joins the Chuck ToddCast 18:40 What inspired his piece on current pop culture being terrible? 22:25 Algorithms are terrible at introducing new music 23:10 Old music earns 3x the streams of new music 24:40 Algorithms use music to trigger nostalgia 26:10 New music sounds rehashed and doesn't move the ball forward 28:10 The music industry lost its gatekeepers 29:55 Algorithms help people discover music in a different language 32:10 Has rock music stopped evolving? 33:20 Country music is having a resurgence 34:00 The impact of AI on music production 35:40 Is television the one area of pop culture that's better than ever? 36:55 Prestige TV has become the center of the culture 38:25 How has episodic tv impacted moviemaking? 40:40 "Barbenheimer summer" wasn't a fluke 42:40 Are we also in a golden age of literature? 45:25 Younger generations are reading less 46:10 Do high resolution pictures + AI diminish the visual arts? 48:55 Will experiences become the next big artform for Gen Z 50:25 How well will his piece age? 51:55 Will competition with AI make human artists more innovative? 54:25 Will society decide to reinvest in the arts? 55:25 Gaming and sports are more popular than ever 57:10 Is the live element of sports and music driving popularity? 58:10 Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift are the king and queen of pop 59:10 Who rules Hollywood? 1:02:25 We've seen major innovation in live theater1:04:45 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Spencer Kornhaber 1:05:00 Algorithms suck at making culture, humans are good at it 1:05:15 Ask Chuck - Should we be concerned about Europe rearming? 1:07:55 What is your preferred voting method to incentivize compromise? 1:13:45 Will the Biden cognitive question loom over the 2028 election?
Chuck Todd begins the episode with an examination of the election landscape starting with the California gubernatorial race and a demographic breakdown that indicates Democrats could perform very well in both 2025 and 2026.Then, is joined by businessman Stephen Cloobeck, who discusses his candidacy for California governor as the "only non-traditional candidate" in the race. Cloobeck offers sharp criticism of the Harris/Walz presidential campaign, which he characterizes as "tone deaf," while proposing concrete solutions for California's most pressing issues. Cloobeck outlines his vision for a new department of "performance and results" to increase government accountability and presents his approach to addressing California's homelessness crisis. Drawing on lessons learned from his adopted father, former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Cloobeck positions himself as a Democrat who understands business concerns, directly addressing why corporate leaders are "tempted" to leave California while asserting that "you can't buy an election" and pledging not to self-fund his campaign.Chuck presses Cloobeck on whether Democrats need their own version of "Donald Trump," and what the party should learn from Trump's political approach. He also offers insight into his success in the timeshare industry, explaining how Marriott ultimately copied his business model and addressing whether AirBnB has undermined the traditional timeshare market. Chuck challenges Cloobeck about potential competition from other business figures like Rick Caruso and former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, with Chuck speculating that by 2026, voters might be "burned out on bravado" after Trump's presidency.Finally, Chuck digs into the mailbag of listeners' questions in Ask Chuck and responds to questions about six year presidential terms, quirky personal preferences that lead to political preferences and whether it's harder for him to land interviews with Republicans.Timeline:00:00 Introduction00:30 The importance of the California gubernatorial race01:15 Kloobeck intro02:30 Kamala Harris preparing to run for governor in California?03:45 Younger and infrequent voters were Trump's “secret sauce”05:00 Can a Democratic woman win the presidency?06:30 Higher turnout is better for Republicans08:15 Trends favor Democrats in non-presidential elections09:30 Democrats became the “rules” party11:15 Jared Golden not running for must-win Maine senate seat12:30 Republicans are already writing off Virginia13:30 Could New Jersey become a swing state?14:30 Can the Trump coalition succeed without Trump on the ballot?15:45 Could Senator Bill Cassidy retire for LSU chancellor job?17:15 Stephen Cloobeck joins the Chuck ToddCast! 18:30 Why is he the only non-traditional candidate running for CA governor? 23:05 Are California's issues a governor issue or does it run deeper? 26:05 What should Gavin Newsom have done differently? 29:00 The Harris/Walz campaign was tone deaf 30:25 What did Gray Davis get right as governor? 31:55 Creating a department of "performance and results" 33:30 Solution to California's homelessness problem 35:00 Schwarzenegger was an outsider that ran into the bureaucracy 39:30 What makes him a democrat and not an independent? 41:55 Why are business leaders "tempted" to leave California? 44:35 What he learned from his adopted father, Harry Reid 46:15 Do we need a "Donald Trump" in the democratic party? 48:00 What should the democratic party learn from Trump? 48:45 You can't buy an election. Won't self fund his campaign. 51:00 Why couldn't Trump start a casino in Nevada? 53:20 Should people be skeptical of the timeshare industry? 54:35 Has AirBnB killed the timeshare industry? 58:00 Marriott copied his timeshare model 58:45 What would you say to Harris if she wanted help with the governor race? 1:02:00 Are you ready for the arrows coming your way 1:04:25 Did you have high expectations for Joe Biden? 1:07:15 If Rick Caruso jumps in, will you cannibalize each other's candidacies 1:10:35 Would Arnold Schwarzenegger be the front-runner if he ran? 1:11:35 By 2026 could voters be burned out on bravado by Trump1:13:30 Chuck's thoughts on Stephen Kloobeck interview 1:14:45 Check out Chuck's interviews on Noosphere! 1:16:20 Ask Chuck 1:16:45 If congress was expanded, should the president get one 6 year term? 1:19:50 What odd voter personal preferences indicate their political preferences? 1:24:00 Do you find it harder to get interviews with Republicans?(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
Chuck Todd welcomes Congressman Ritchie Torres for a wide-ranging conversation that begins with a tour of New York's 15th district and the unique challenges of representing one of America's most diverse urban areas. Torres offers candid insights on governance, highlighting how term limits disadvantage legislators compared to lobbyists. The conversation shifts to the current political landscape, with Torres expressing deep concerns about President Trump's approach to his second term, arguing that Trump is "poisoning the well" for bipartisanship despite Biden's successful record of cross-party legislation. Torres delivers a stark warning that America is "planting the seed of its own decline" and characterizes the consequences of proposed GOP Medicaid cuts as "barbaric," particularly in light of the brewing long-term care crisis. They weigh the merits of pragmatism versus idealism in American foreign policy and scrutinize Qatar's growing financial influence in American politics. Torres argues that "Republicans would impeach Joe Biden if he had accepted a plane" while addressing whether Democrats should adopt Trump's aggressive approach to wielding power. Torres acknowledges that Democrats "should have spoken out sooner about Biden's decline" and offers his vision for how the party can project strength moving forward. They conclude with Torres addressing his political future—including speculation about mayoral and gubernatorial ambitions—before outlining his solutions for New York's housing crisis, crime concerns, and utility costs. Timeline:00:00 Introduction00:50 Joe Biden diagnosed with aggressive form of cancer02:00 Was Biden's decline covered up, or just willful ignorance?03:00 Robert Hur recording has supercharged the Biden story06:45 Joe Biden couldn't assure voters he was up to the job08:30 Chris Murphy says it's the Democrats fault that Trump was re-elected11:45 Democrats need to do soul searching like they did with Bill Clinton13:30 Clinton had to run against the party and its prior leadership15:00 Democrats misread the 2020 election result18:00 Democrats will take some blame for problems Trump causes19:00 Democrats need to reinvent themselves21:00 Trump released the Hur tapes as a distraction 23:00 Democrats should be angrier about Biden than Republicans25:00 Mike Johnson needs Trump to pressure members of congress26:00 Ritchie Torres joins the Chuck ToddCast 26:30 Tour of the NY-15 district 28:30 The enormity of the New York city council 30:00 Would he support expanding the size of the house? 32:00 Term limits disadvantage legislators compared to lobbyists 33:00 Can any bipartisan agreement be reached with Trump 34:30 Biden had multiple pieces of bipartisan legislation 35:30 Trump is poisoning the well in his second term 37:30 America is planting the seed of its own decline 38:00 Medicaid cuts will be devastating 40:00 Will the Medicaid cuts be delayed where a future congress could fix it? 41:30 Medicaid work requirements don't work 42:45 The consequences of the GOP budget will be barbaric 44:45 How do we address the long-term care crisis? 47:00 Should America's foreign policy be pragmatic or idealistic? 49:45 How should we view Qatar's infusion of money into American politics? 51:30 Republicans would impeach Joe Biden if he had accepted a plane 54:15 Should Democrats wield power like Trump when they're in charge? 55:50 Democrats should have spoken out sooner about Biden's decline 1:00:00 How can the Democrats project strength as a party? 1:01:15 Democrats need to let the cream rise to the top 1:02:30 Campaigning makes candidates sharper 1:03:30 Why aren't you running for NYC mayor? 1:05:30 Andrew Cuomo is a great "builder" 1:07:30 Will you run for governor in 2026? 1:08:00 How would you address the housing crisis in New York? 1:10:30 Addressing crime in New York 1:13:00 New York's budget has increased, the quality of services hasn't 1:14:45 Public ownership of utilities would lower costs for New Yorkers 1:16:30 Progressives have overprioritized ideological purity over results1:19:15 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Ritchie Torres 1:20:00 If Torres faces Hochul 1 on 1 he could beat her 1:21:00 Rumors that Kamala Harris could run for governor of California 1:21:45 CA governor race will be tough for Harris 1:25:15 If Harris loses governor race, her political career is over(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
Chuck Todd opens with a personal reflection on his father's connection to Vietnam before welcoming distinguished guests Ambassador John Negroponte and filmmaker Brian Knappenberger to discuss the new documentary series Turning Point and the lasting impacts of the Vietnam and Iraq wars on American politics and society. The conversation explores how Vietnam fundamentally shifted America's perception of itself, with Ambassador Negroponte sharing his firsthand experiences from the conflict. They examine how televised coverage transformed public perception of war, debate whether Vietnam was "worth it" in the context of the Cold War, and analyze why America ultimately lost the conflict. The discussion dives deep into how Vietnam became the Baby Boomers' defining generational experience, shattering trust in government institutions.They explore the military's evolution into a predominantly Republican constituency, the long-term political fallout of pardoning draft dodgers, and the devastating impact of drug use among soldiers during the conflict. The guests offer a rare perspective on how the Vietnamese people recovered from the war's effects and draw striking parallels between the withdrawals from Saigon and Afghanistan. They reflect on how these historical conflicts continue to shape modern American politics, noting that despite multiple Vietnam veterans running for president, none have ever won the office. They conclude with a thought-provoking consideration of how future generations might commemorate the 75th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, leaving listeners with a deeper understanding of how America's past military engagements continue to influence its present and future.Timeline:00:00 Introduction00:30 Chuck's personal connection to Vietnam was his dad02:30 Vietnam + Iraq still haunt American politics04:10 John Negroponte and Brian Knappenberger join the Chuck Toddcast! 06:35 What do you hope people take away from Netflix's Turning Point?08:55 Vietnam's shadow loomed over the Iraq wars 10:55 We rarely talk about the war itself, mostly just the fallout 12:40 Vietnam shifted America's perception of itself 13:25 Ambassador Negroponte's experience of being in Vietnam 16:55 Was Vietnam viewed as a proxy war at the time? 20:00 The Iraq war has the same effect on our political psyche as Vietnam23:00 How did daily press coverage affect the ability to control the narrative 25:00 Vietnam being televised drastically changed the public's perception 27:00 Embedded reporters caused new challenges for managing the narrative 28:15 Was Vietnam worth it since we won the cold war? 30:05 Why did we lose the war? 32:45 Watergate ruined historians ability to document presidents 34:15 Vietnam was the boomer's coming of age story, shook their trust in government 35:30 Many January 6th rioters were Vietnam vets37:40 The importance of equipping and training local forces 39:10 Why did the military become a Republican constituency? 40:40 Pardoning the draft dodgers had long term political impacts 42:40 The horrible impact of drug use by soldiers in Vietnam 47:40 The perspective from the side of the north? 49:10 When did the Vietnamese recover from the effects of the war? 52:25 No Vietnam vet has ever been president 55:10 The military is America's only institution that has bipartisan support 58:35 How similar/different were the withdrawals from Saigon and Afghanistan? 59:25 What will the retrospective be on the 75th anniversary of the fall of Saigon1:02:35 Chuck's thoughts on the interview
Chuck Todd opens with a critical analysis of President Trump's approach to governance, suggesting that while his Middle East trip may yield positive results, his administration is missing crucial opportunities for bipartisan cooperation. He argues that Trump's executive order on prescription drugs lacks substance without legislative backing and that the president should "get caught trying" bipartisanship on issues where common ground exists. He also explores Putin's refusal of peace talks as a potential humiliation for Trump, and examines what recent political developments like the Omaha mayoral race might signal about Democratic prospects in upcoming elections.Then, he's joined by Congressman Ro Khanna, who delivers a candid assessment of the Democratic party's leadership crisis and brand damage. Khanna argues that Chuck Schumer has squandered his leadership position and addresses concerns about deportations in rural communities. The conversation delves into the economic realities facing the Midwest, and calls for Democrats to work more closely with business leaders. Khanna argues that deplatforming Trump after January 6th was "a huge mistake" and discusses the rightward shift among tech leaders. They conclude with Khanna's perspectives on America's global retreat, the timeline for presidential campaigns, and Gen Z's trust issues with politics. The episode wraps with "Ask Chuck," where Todd addresses questions about media coverage of Trump, potential Republican party fractures, and Chuck gives his thoughts on Pete Rose's posthumous Hall of Fame eligibility.Timeline:00:00 Introduction01:45 Trump's middle east trip may net some positive results02:30 Trump won't work with Democrats on issues they agree on04:15 Bipartisanship has become toxic06:30 Trump's executive order on prescription drugs is meaningless without legislation07:45 Congress has been useless08:30 Trump should “get caught trying” bipartisanship10:00 There are multiple issues where Trump could make bipartisan deals12:15 Trump made some great points in his middle east speech13:45 Trump has been pragmatic with his middle east policy 16:30 Trump can't pick and choose who to be pragmatic with18:00 The ball is in Trump's court after Putin turned down peace talks19:15 Putin is humiliating Trump… will he sit back and take it?19:50 Does the Omaha mayoral race show a blue wave building? 21:00 Pete Buttigieg admits Joe Biden is political baggage in Iowa town hall23:30 Chuck Schumer punting on the Biden question was cowardly25:30 Donald Trump is unpopular and the Democratic brand is still worse26:15 Ro Khanna joins the Chuck Toddcast! 27:45 Who is the leader of the Democratic party? 28:45 Chuck Schumer has squandered his leadership position 31:30 Rural communities are highly concerned about deportations 32:15 Is Hakeem Jeffries stuck in Nancy Pelosi's shadow? 34:00 How damaged is the Democratic brand and how to fix it? 37:15 Do midwestern voters want to work multigenerational factory jobs? 40:30 NAFTA benefitted the south and hurt the midwest 43:15 Republicans have become the big government party 45:45 Democrats need to work with business leaders 46:45 What caused the rightward shift of the tech leaders? 48:30 Deplatforming Trump was a huge mistake 50:30 Should Kamala Harris be the next governor of California? 53:30 What characteristics will voters be looking for in 2028 55:15 Will Democratic voters want a "celebrity" president? 58:25 What's the lesson learned from Biden's communications failure? 1:00:15 How do Democrats win over independent voters? 1:03:00 One issue he'd work with Trump on? 1:03:45 Will he debate JD Vance? 1:05:45 America's retreat is making the world more dangerous 1:07:15 Rubio needs to step up and assert America globally 1:10:00 It will take a generation to repair America's reputation 1:10:45 When is it appropriate to begin a run for president? 1:12:15 Kamala Harris and her team were too cautious in 24 1:13:45 Gen Z has trust issues with politics1:15:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Ro Khanna1:16:15 Ask Chuck1:16:55 Why are reporters not more combative with Trump?1:19:05 If the Republican party fractures, who would be in the traditional wing?1:21:45 Pete Rose finally eligible for Hall of Fame posthumously(Timestamps vary based on advertisements)
Chuck Todd opens with a blistering analysis of America's current political landscape, arguing that both major parties are fundamentally weak and surviving only through their duopoly of ballot access. He examines the potential for political realignment, questioning whether MAGA and establishment Republicans might fracture and if figures like Senator John Cornyn would fare better as independents. Chuck doesn't hold back on the Biden administration either, calling out what he sees as selfishness from the Bidens and criticizing aides who failed to report the President's decline sooner, suggesting cabinet secretaries will need to answer for what he terms a "cover up."Then he's joined by Rob Sand, Democratic candidate for governor of Iowa, who discusses his record of uncovering government waste and his vision for the state. Sand outlines his bipartisan approach to governance and delivers a sharp critique of Iowa's school voucher program, arguing it lacks transparency and has allowed private schools to raise tuition while turning away disabled students. The conversation covers Iowa's political shift, education policy, and whether Democrats should restore Iowa's first-in-the-nation primary status. The episode concludes with "Ask Chuck," where Todd answers listener questions on topics ranging from the theoretical "Limbaugh effect" in Obama's election to the practicality of expanding the House of Representatives, and even touches on the NBA draft lottery's impact on Texas basketball teams.Timeline:00:00 Introduction01:30 Both the Republican and Democratic parties are very weak03:00 Without the duopoly of ballot access, one of the two parties would have disappeared04:30 Interparty splits and the potential for independents?06:00 Could MAGA vs establishment factions fracture in the GOP?07:30 Would John Cornyn be better served running as an independent in Texas?11:10 Republicans have too many crowded primaries in Senate races12:30 Both parties brands are broken14:30 The Bidens have been selfish16:30 Shame on the anonymous aides who didn't report Biden's decline sooner17:45 Biden's aides pushed back publicly and privately before he stepped down18:20 Biden's cabinet secretaries will have to answer for the cover up21:10 The DNC drama surrounding David Hogg23:55 The DNC looks ridiculous right now26:15 Rob Sand joins the Chuck ToddCast 26:45 Why run for governor of Iowa? 29:30 Rob found a record amount of waste and abuse in Iowa government 30:15 Did you think about running as an independent? 34:35 If you win, is it a victory for Democrats or for independents? 36:45 Rob would appoint a bipartisan cabinet 37:30 The school voucher program in Iowa isn't transparent 38:45 The public school vouchers can be audited, the private ones can't 41:15 Iowa's public schools are falling behind 43:00 Private schools can turn away disabled students 44:15 Private schools just raised tuition after voucher program rollout 45:30 What's the plan to improve public schools in Iowa? 49:10 What are some Kim Reynolds policies he would keep? 51:05 Has Iowa shifted right, or is it a Trump phenomenon? 53:15 Should Democrats make Iowa their first primary state again? 56:30 Pete Buttigieg broke through in Iowa 59:00 Lottery scam in Iowa 1:03:00 What hurts Iowa more; tariffs or the USAID contracts being terminated? 1:05:15 Does he expect a primary challenger?1:06:05 Chuck's thoughts on Rob Sand interview 1:06:30 Ask Chuck 1:06:35 Has there ever been a study on the "Limbaugh effect", encouraging Democrats to vote for Obama? 1:11:35 If you doubled the size of the House, would there be physical space constraints? 1:14:15 Would a third party like the forward party focused on a singular issue be effective? 1:17:05 The NBA draft lottery ensured that all three Texas teams will be great(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
Chuck opens with an analysis of President Trump's controversial upcoming Middle East trip, focusing on reports that Trump will receive a luxury Boeing airplane as a gift from Qatar. He characterizes this as potentially "the most corrupt bargain a president has ever made," questioning the ethics and legality of such an arrangement while examining Trump's pattern of personal enrichment in office. The discussion extends to Trump's cryptocurrency ventures, the growing influence of Gulf states in American politics, and the administration's unorthodox approaches to foreign policy and homeland security.Then he's joined by a rising star in the Democratic party, Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett. She provides insights into her rapidly growing Dallas district and discusses the economic benefits of immigration that contrast sharply with current policies. Crockett, known for her viral moments in congressional hearings, offers a candid assessment of the partisan circus in the House Oversight Committee and the ideological divide within the Democratic Party. The conversation delves into factors behind Trump's victory, whether racism and misogyny impacted Kamala Harris's campaign, and the complex political landscape in Texas, including potential opportunities for Democrats if Ken Paxton defeats John Cornyn in a future primary.Finally, the episode concludes with an "Ask Chuck" segment addressing why abortion has faded from national discourse despite its continued importance.Timeline:00:00 Introduction01:55 Trump's first planned overseas trip is to the middle east02:50 Trump to receive a luxury Boeing airplane as a gift from Qatar04:50 Most corrupt bargain a president has ever made07:10 Whether it's illegal or not, it's a terrible look08:20 Trump didn't want to wait to get a new Air Force One09:15 Trump believes he's untouchable10:30 Trump's crypto token is purely a bribery scam12:30 Will any elected Republicans stand up to Trump?14:30 Trump views personal enrichment as a commission 16:00 The gulf states are openly bribing American politicians17:45 It was good that Rubio and Vance intervened in India/Pakistan conflict19:50 Homeland security is running campaign ads with taxpayer dollars22:30 Trump's Iran deal won't get done until after his middle east trip24:30 Taking a plane as a gift feels like a bad movie plot25:25 Jasmine Crockett joins the Chuck ToddCast! 25:25 Tour of TX-30 (Dallas) 28:55 TX-30 is a hub for aviation 31:45 Dallas is growing exponentially 33:40 How can St. Louis be revitalized? 37:15 Immigrants produce economic dynamism and we're treating them horribly 39:45 How important are viral moments for political communications 43:25 The partisan circus in the oversight committee 44:40 We have people in government that don't understand how it works* 45:40 DOGE hearing became about trans people competing in fencing 47:25 Is it a generational divide or ideological divide in the Democratic party 48:25 Some members cling to the institutions while they're burning around them* 50:10 State of the Union displayed the differences of approach between members 51:25 How did Democrats end up in this situation? 53:15 Why did Trump win? 55:25 How much did racism and misogyny factor into Kamala Harris losing? 56:40 Did Harris's background as a prosecutor help or hurt her? 59:10 Trump's name being on buildings sold the public on his business acumen 1:01:05 Should Harris take another shot at the presidency?* 1:02:25 Democratic voters don't want "establishment" candidates 1:04:10 Democrats are fighting an uphill battle 1:05:10 Is Texas a 3 party state with two Republican wings? 1:06:10 If Ken Paxton beats John Cornyn, the Texas senate seat will be in play 1:08:40 Did Democrats miss the moment in Texas? 1:10:25 Will the Luka trade leave a lasting mark on Dallas? 1:11:10 Is she running for oversight chair? 1:11:35 Her advice for Hakeem Jeffries1:12:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Jasmine Crockett 1:13:15 Ask Chuck 1:13:30 Why has abortion disappeared from the national discourse? 1:16:30 Please let the Wizards get the #1 pick and Cooper Flagg(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
Chuck opens with an analysis of growing global tensions, including armed conflict between India and Pakistan, and the power vacuum created by America's retreat from its traditional leadership role. He discusses Joe Biden's recent BBC comments on foreign affairs and the potential for Vladimir Putin to test NATO's Article 5 commitment in the Baltics, suggesting that increased global conflict may be on the horizon as China and Russia fill the void left by the United States.Then he's joined by the author of the new book "Heaven Help Us" and former Ohio Governor John Kasich, who offers candid insights on the lost art of political compromise and consensus-building. Kasich discusses the toxic partisanship exemplified by the Obama/Christie hug controversy, shares his perspective on healthcare reform, and explores how faith can inform governance without violating church-state separation. The conversation covers the prospects for the 2026 and 2028 elections, Ohio's political landscape, and the need for spiritual renewal in American culture. Kasich offers sharp criticism of both Trump's approach to tariffs and Biden's presidency, which he characterizes as a failure due to insulation from contrarian views.Finally Chuck responds to listeners' questions in the "Ask Chuck" segment, addressing questions about increasing the size of the House of Representatives, how organizations earn the "non-partisan" label, and whether the national debt will trigger economic catastrophe.Timeline:00:00 Introduction03:15 Armed conflict between India and Pakistan07:30 We see more conflict when the U.S. is in retreat09:00 If America doesn't play the role of world police, Russia and China will11:00 We're likely to see more conflict around the world13:35 Joe Biden weighs in on foreign affairs on BBC14:45 Putin likely to test article 5 in the Baltics16:45 Democrat loss was 10 years in the making21:45 John Kasich joins the Chuck Toddcast! 23:15 Why have we lost the art of politics and compromise? 25:45 The Obama/Chris Christie hug shouldn't have been a controversy 27:00 Government never finds a way to get money out of politics 29:05 Faith in democracy? 31:35 The next president has the opposite traits of the prior president 33:05 What will the country look for in the next president? 33:55 Advice for 2028 candidates? 35:15 Could the MAGA candidates become toxic in the primaries by 2026? 36:15 Vivek Ramaswamy's prospects in the Ohio governor's race? 37:30 Ohio isn't ruby red 39:45 Voters care less about issues and more about personal connection 41:00 The issues John Kasich would focus most on addressing 43:30 The healthcare system is broken 46:15 For profit hospitals are less profitable than non-profits 48:30 Healthcare stakeholders need to be forced to compromise 49:55 We need politicians that can build consensus, not just offer a plan 53:05 Integrating faith into governance without violating separation of church and state? 56:15 The social gospel changed the culture from an "I" environment to a "we" society 57:15 Local journalism is service journalism, national journalism is civics journalism 1:00:30 How do we move America past its "I" culture? 1:02:00 We need a spiritual renewal 1:02:45 Pope Francis could be remembered as the most important of the century 1:04:15 Trump's tariff implementation shows his inability to listen and win people over 1:06:45 We've never updated the design for our public education system 1:08:30 The education industrial complex resists reform 1:11:00 Biden's staff kept him insulated from hearing contrarian views 1:11:45 Biden's presidency was a failure 1:16:15 College football has been turned into the minor leagues1:20:20 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with John Kasich 1:21:50 Ask Chuck 1:22:00 How would increasing the size of the house of representatives work? 1:24:40 How do entities/organizations earn the label "non-partisan"? 1:29:00 Will the national debt cause economic catastrophe?(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
Chuck Todd begins with analysis of the current travel chaos and President Trump's controversial comments on Alcatraz and movie tariffs. He highlights former Washington Governor Jay Inslee's successful tenure and discusses the evolving political landscape, including key Republican figures declining Senate runs and potential competitive races across the country that could reshape the balance of power.Then, former Washington Governor Jay Inslee joins the podcast, where he discusses his climate policy achievements and the existential threat of climate change. Inslee offers sharp criticism of Trump's energy and trade policies, warning they could cede technological leadership to China and harm American businesses. The conversation expands to examine political courage, institutional challenges, and what Democrats should be doing now to prepare for future elections. Finally, Chuck concludes with an "Ask Chuck" segment covering the promotion of moderate candidates, Glenn Youngkin's legacy, and papal politics00:00 Introduction01:15 The US travel situation is a mess03:15 Trump's alcatraz comment was a distraction07:00 Reopening Alcatraz isn't feasible07:20 Jay Inslee was wildly successful as governor09:20 Brian Kemp + Chris Sununu pass on senate run11:45 The political landscape is terrible for Republicans13:05 Senate map isn't great for Democrats15:45 If Ken Paxton beats Cornyn, Texas could be in play19:15 4 states where Democrats could put senate seats in play19:55 Joni Ernst in line to replace Pete Hegseth?22:20 200 house districts within a 20 point margin24:50 Jay Inslee joins the Chuck ToddCast 26:05 Do you feel less constrained outside of politics? 28:50 Inslee's biggest achievements achieved 60%+ support 31:10 What are the details of his Climate Commitment Act? 33:20 The potential of fusion power 35:50 Donald Trump's plan to kill clean energy makes no sense 37:50 Trump is ceding clean energy tech and production to China 38:50 Why aren't Americans in the streets en masse? 41:20 Americans will suffer under Trump's policies 42:35 A bad economy will wake up the public 43:50 We'll see empty shelves within weeks 45:50 Institutions capitulating to Trump only enables him 49:35 NAFTA created winners and losers 51:20 Trump is grossly incompetent 52:05 Trump gave away his leverage 53:20 Tariffs generally aren't productive for the economy 56:50 Flooding in WA a direct result of climate change 1:00:50 Americans don't truly understand climate change 1:02:50 The insurance industry will force the government's hand1:04:50 People in power KNOW climate will be a problem 1:08:50 What should the Democrats be doing? 1:10:20 What can we learn from Canada when dealing with Trump? 1:12:05 Trump took ownership of the economy at his own peril 1:13:05 There's a lot of talent in the Democratic Party 1:13:50 Republicans will get wiped out in the midterms 1:16:20 Congress is now a country club 1:18:20 Voters on each side have self-segregated 1:20:05 We need a president who follows the law1:22:00 Chuck's thoughts on Inslee interview 1:22:30 Ask Chuck 1:22:45 How can we promote more moderate candidates? 1:28:20 What will Glenn Youngkin's legacy be? 1:31:50 Thoughts on "Conclave" and papal politics?
Chuck begins with analysis of the Trump administration's tariff implementation and personnel changes, including Mike Waltz's removal as national security advisor and Marco Rubio's expanding role within the administration. Then, he's joined by Oren Cass, a leading conservative economic thinker, on America's trade policy and the challenges of reindustrialization. Cass argues that while tariffs and reindustrialization may be sound concepts, the Trump administration's implementation has been completely counter-productive. They discuss how traditional right-of-center thinking on free trade has evolved, questions whether China's integration into global markets has delivered promised benefits, and explores the regional winners and losers of trade agreements like NAFTA.Cass tackles questions about America's trade deficit, consumer willingness to pay more for domestic products, and whether reshoring manufacturing is practical for the American economy. The conversation examines the national security implications of trade agreements, the potential for losing allies to China's influence, and what realistic reindustrialization might look like in today's economy.Finally, Chuck answers listener questions on the executive branch's guardrails, expectations for "Resistance 2.0," potential federal intervention in college sports, and whether media scrutiny of public officials' backgrounds has gone too far.00:00 Introduction02:00 If tariffs actually are a good idea, the way they've been implemented hasn't given it a chance to succeed03:30 The administration is only interested in communicating to their base07:30 What should we take away from Mike Waltz being removed as national security advisor?08:55 Marco Rubio is now holding four jobs in the administration09:45 Rubio has earned Trump's trust13:15 Is the new model to move staff to new roles rather than fire them?15:15 Abigail Spanberger may have had the best 100 days of any Democrat17:55 Wes Moore announces he won't run in 202820:35 Oren Cass joins the Chuck ToddCast! 22:35 Tools for achieving re-industrialization 23:35 Tariffs and reindustrialization is a good idea, Trump's rollout has been disastrous 25:35 The U.S. needs credible and sustainable trade policy 27:20 Right of center thinking for 40 years was simply "Free trade is good" 29:05 Has free and open trade been a net positive worldwide? 30:35 Does trade policy of the early 20th century make sense in the 21st century 32:20 Bringing China into the world market didn't lead to liberalization 33:50 Will we be forced to cut an unfavorable trade deal with China? 36:35 Wouldn't it make sense that the US had a trade deficit based on our consumption? 38:35 If we aren't selling other countries goods we produce, they buy our assets and debt 40:50 NAFTA produced winners and losers regionally in the United States 41:50 What could we have done differently to minimize the negative impacts of NAFTA? 44:35 Production has shifted from country to country based on lower costs 46:05 Will American consumers actually be willing to pay more for American made products? 48:50 How can we unwind globalization without severely damaging the U.S. economy? 50:50 The Toyota Camry has more American made parts than the Detroit built cars 52:35 Does reshoring low-cost manufacturing make sense for consumers and American businesses? 53:50 Will poor implementation of policy hurt the goal of reshoring manufacturing? 56:35 How do you weigh the benefits of national security provided by trade agreements? 1:01:05 Does America risk losing allies to China's sphere of influence? 1:02:05 Should our allies get a better deal than those that are unaligned or adversarial? 1:04:15 Does more trade equal less war? 1:07:05 What type of reindustrialization is realistic and what isn't? 1:10:05 Lack of competition has led to problems with Boeing 1:12:35 How long will it take to reindustrialize? 1:13:35 Would TPP have furthered the goal of isolating China?1:16:35 Chuck's thoughts on the interview Oren Cass 1:17:27 Ask Chuck 1:17:35 Were the guardrails on the executive branch always this frail? 1:20:35 What do you expect out of Resistance 2.0? 1:21:30 Will the federal government intervene in college sports? 1:22:50 Does the media go too deep into the background of public officials prior to their public service?(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
Chuck Todd begins with a critical assessment of the Democratic Party's first 100 days under the Trump administration, noting widespread discontent among Democratic voters with party leadership. He examines the positioning of potential 2028 contenders, with AOC emerging as Bernie Sanders' heir apparent, Buttigieg and Pritzker carefully laying groundwork, and Gavin Newsom attempting to distance himself from his progressive reputation. He highlights Arizona's Ruben Gallego as a potential breakthrough national figure while acknowledging the Democratic brand remains problematic with many voters despite individual politicians' popularity.Then he dives into a fascinating conversation with "Black Mirror" creator Charlie Brooker, who discusses his dystopian anthology series through the lens of human response to technology rather than the technology itself. Brooker reflects on social media's evolution from optimistic beginning to profit-driven outrage machine, and shares insights on artificial intelligence's most pressing concerns: job displacement and algorithmic management. The conversation covers wide-ranging topics including healthcare differences between the US and UK, AI's impact on education and emotional connections, and the accelerating pace of technological change that feels increasingly destabilizing. Throughout, Brooker maintains his characteristic blend of dark humor and thoughtful analysis about our relationship with technology, even touching on how the COVID pandemic influenced his creative perspective. The episode concludes with "Ask Chuck," where Todd addresses listener questions about the potential echo chamber effect in local news, the potential fracturing of the Republican Party, and speculation about Trump's relationship with stock market fluctuations.00:00 Introduction02:15 The first 100 days report card for the Democratic Party03:00 Democratic voters are not happy with party leadership04:30 Which democratic leaders have performed well?07:20 AOC has become the heir apparent to Bernie Sanders10:30 Pete Buttigieg, JB Pritzker teeing up a 2028 run?12:45 Gavin Newsom is trying to distance himself from his progressive brand15:00 Ruben Gallego could break through on the national stage16:30 The Democratic brand is still toxic with voters18:25 Charlie Brooker joins the show! 18:45 Is Charlie the 21st century George Orwell 20:25 Is Black Mirror meant to be a warning? 22:25 The show isn't about technology, it's about the human response to these tools 25:25 First episode concept came from a podcast Charlie listened to 28:25 The concept of paying for healthcare is foreign outside of America 29:55 Facebook and X were fun at first, but then they turned up the dials for anger and grievance for profit 31:55 How long did Charlie have Black Mirror as an idea before it came to fruition? 33:55 Parallels between Black Mirror and The Twilight Zone?36:00 We thought social media would be great for society… then it turned out quite differently 37:00 How worried should we be about AI? 40:15 The worry with AI will be two things. Will it take my job, and will it be my boss? 41:45 Has Charlie used AI to help with writing on Black Mirror? 42:15 Charlie's writing 44:00 People will be willing to pay more for human customer service rather than dealing with AI 46:30 Is Charlie obsessed with privacy? 48:00 Technology will always put someone out of work 50:15 Will we have to teach spelling in the future? Have we taken away something from society? 52:45 Robocop was an influence on Black Mirror 54:45 The show deals with futuristic concepts, but also feels like it's taking place in the present 56:30 Is Charlie extrapolating the future on his own, or does he talk to experts? 58:00 The inspiration behind the honeybee episode 59:45 Will we see AI avatars teaching history? 1:02:15 People get emotionally attached to AI companions 1:04:30 Will AI conclude that humans are a threat to progress 1:05:15 Technology brought back the dire wolf from extinction 1:06:30 We're living through a period of accelerated technology 1:09:00 The pace of change feels dizzying and destabilizing 1:10:15 Whose to blame for this moment, tech CEO's or politicians? 1:11:00 Could AI rewrite history? 1:15:30 How did the COVID pandemic affect Charlie's thinking? 1:19:00 How long will Charlie continue making more Black Mirror?1:23:15 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Charlie Brooker1:24:00 Ask Chuck1:24:45 Does local news just become an echo chamber for that community?1:28:10 If the Republican party fractures, who would remain in the “traditional” wing of the party?*1:30:25 Is Trump manipulating the stock market so wealthy people can buy the dip?
Chuck Todd begins the show with a candid assessment of President Trump's troubled first 100 days, suggesting that Trump's authoritarian tendencies may stem more from laziness than deliberate strategy. He questions what it would take for Trump to improve his approval ratings, noting that someone truly interested in maintaining power would be working harder to communicate with non-supporters.Then he's joined by Dr. Jodi Vittori, an expert on kleptocracy – rule by thieves. Dr. Vittori explains why functioning democracies and kleptocracies cannot coexist, offering Russia as the clearest example while suggesting Hungary represents a more subtle version. She warns that America's potential kleptocracy would have unique characteristics, with the tariff exemption process potentially serving as a gateway. The discussion explores how the Constitution originally included anti-corruption measures, how the Supreme Court has eroded these protections, and specific warning signs of kleptocratic governance. Dr. Vittori highlights how crypto enables corruption, why state and local governments are particularly vulnerable, and offers concrete reforms to protect democratic institutions. Their conversation concludes with the provocative question of whether Trump initiated America's slide toward kleptocracy or simply accelerated an existing trend.The episode wraps with "Ask Chuck," tackling listener questions about whether politicians should face legal consequences for lying to the public, what it would take to end gerrymandering, the definition of political moderation in today's polarized climate, and lightens the mood by speculating about which elected officials are most knowledgeable about sports.00:00 Introduction01:15 Trump's first 100 days have gone badly03:00 Trump is mailing it in05:00 Trump's authoritarianism is a product of laziness08:00 What would it take for Trump to improve his approval rating?12:00 If Trump was truly interested in a third term, he'd be communicating to non-supporters… and he's not13:25 Dr. Jodi Vittori joins the show! 14:35 Define "kleptocracy" and what are some examples? 16:25 You can't have kleptocracy in a functioning democracy 17:35 Is Putin's Russia the clearest example of kleptocracy? 18:55 Hungary is the more subtle version of kleptocracy 19:55 The US kleptocracy will be unique 21:25 Is the tariff exemption process how we end up in kleptocracy? 23:10 Much of the constitution was set up for anti corruption as they knew it at the time 24:55 The Supreme Court laid the foundation for this crisis 26:25 How do you know when you're in a kleptocracy? 27:40 Lack of accountability for elites led us here 28:40 Conflict of interest is unethical but not a crime 30:25 Until 1992 members of Congress could pocket their campaign war chest 31:40 Citizens United made America unique compared to other democracies 32:45 What are the next steps on the road to kleptocracy? 33:55 Crypto is a massive enabler of corruption 35:40 State and local governments are particularly susceptible to corruption 37:05 Are there certain states that have the most corruption? 40:10 What are some reforms that we should look to pass? 44:55 Lobbying used to be corporation vs citizens, now it's corporation vs corporation 45:55 The interests of the citizens are now secondary 47:40 We've enabled corruption 49:25 The US has become a tax haven for overseas money laundering 50:55 Did Trump bring about kleptocracy, or were we already on our way there? 52:25 How did Dr. Vitorri end up specializing in anti-corruption?55:50 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Dr. Vittori 57:00 Ask Chuck 57:15 Should politicians or government officials be legally liable for lying to, or misleading the public? 1:01:25 What would it take to stop gerrymandering? 1:07:40 What does it mean to be a political moderate? 1:12:15 What elected official is the most knowledgeable about sports?
In this packed episode, Chuck opens with a sobering assessment of President Trump's plummeting approval ratings and questions about his administration's credibility before diving into critical structural concerns about the Department of Justice's independence and the need to expand the House of Representatives. He shifts to Florida politics, where a brewing corruption scandal threatens the governor's race and Republicans are increasingly willing to challenge Ron DeSantis's weakened political standing. New York Congressman Dan Goldman joins for an extended interview about the concept of rule of law before and after his experience during impeachment proceedings. Goldman offers insights into Trump's challenges to fundamental constitutional principles and proposes concrete reforms to better protect America's democratic institutions, including codifying limits on presidential interference in prosecutions, strengthening congressional subpoena powers, and potentially restructuring the Justice Department with Federal Reserve-like independence.The episode's second half features political handicapper Dave Wasserman analyzing the evolving electoral landscape heading into the midterms. Wasserman explains how understanding local communities is crucial to predicting election outcomes, while lamenting the lack of quality coverage in smaller markets. He delivers a forecast that Democrats could see sizable gains in the House, with Trump's tariff policies potentially hurting Republicans in farm states. The discussion explores gerrymandering's changing impact, with both parties now complaining about the practice, and examines how the 2030 census might reshape the electoral map. Finally, they discuss the prospect of a “blue wave” in the 2026 midterm elections and whether we could see one or both chambers of congress change hands.Timeline00:00 Multiple polls show sharp approval rating drop for Trump03:00 Trump's spokespeople are losing credibility05:00 Department of Justice needs more independence 7:30 The House of Representatives needs to be expanded8:45 White House Correspondents weekend was awkward12:15 Corruption scandal looming over Florida governor race13:15 Florida Republicans are no longer afraid of Ron DeSantis15:30 Ron DeSantis may be weaker, but Florida Democrats aren't stronger17:00 The Shedeur Sanders commentary was ridiculous19:10 Congressman Dan Goldman joins the show19:40 What are the highlights of his district, NY-10? 26:35 What did "rule of law" mean to you before and after working on the impeachment proceedings? 30:25 Fundamental tenets of rule of law are being challenged 31:00 Amendments 4-10 are about equal protection under the law, for citizens and non-citizens 34:20 Trump has exposed why government is susceptible to leaders willing to break their oath of office 36:10 We need to codify into law that the president can't weigh in on individual prosecutions 38:40 Enforcement of congressional subpoenas needs legal teeth 41:30 Should we set up Justice with a level of independence like we did with the Federal Reserve? 48:40 If impeachment couldn't hold Trump accountable, why would the justice system? 50:10 Trump's conduct warranted prosecution 52:55 The impeachment process is broken 54:10 Trump has an unexplained infatuation for Vladimir Putin 7:25 The Republican majority in the House has turned all of their authority over to Trump 1:01:40 What can Democratic members of congress do other than speak out? 1:05:25 If Democrats want to win in 2026, what should they be talking about? 1:08:55 Is Andrew Cuomo vs Eric Adams really the best that NYC can do?1:14:45 Chuck's thoughts on his conversation with Dan Goldman1:17:35 Dave Wasserman joins the show! 1:19:35 Mainstreaming interest in political handicapping 1:24:05 Understanding a local community is crucial to handicapping 1:27:05 Smaller markets not getting coverage they deserve 1:28:20 Determining how competitive a race will be? 1:31:05 House map is less skewed than it used to be 1:34:35 Complaining about gerrymandering has become more bipartisan 1:36:05 Democrats could see sizeable midterm gains 1:42:50 How will retirements affect the midterms? 1:4:05 Tariffs will cost Republicans in the farm states 1:45:05 Kansas headed toward swing state status? 1:48:05 Reappropriation from 2030 census could add several new red seats 1:49:35 Can Republicans further gerrymander states like Texas and Florida? 1:53:35 Virginia governor race isn't that competitive 1:58:50 Conventional wisdom is that Democrats shouldn't choose a woman for 28 1:59:50 Is a blue wave developing? 2:01:05 Trump doesn't care about Republicans other than himself2:03:16 Chuck's final thoughts
Chuck Todd speaks with legendary documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney about his newest project The Dark Money Game on HBO and the influence of legalized bribery in American politics.First, Chuck gives his own thoughts on the corrupting influence of money in politics, why Donald Trump's memecoin is a bribery scheme in plain sight and why money has fueled distrust in politics from both sides of the aisleThen, Chuck and Alex dive into the Ohio scandal at the center of The Dark Money Game, exploring why Americans have grown numb to the Citizens United ruling—and how it effectively legalized bribery in politics. They discuss how money has become a deeply corrosive force in American democracy.Alex shares his process for selecting the story, what he uncovered during his investigation, and why the project ultimately became a two-part series.The conversation also touches on the troubling alliance between organized religion and dark money, the Trump administration's open embrace of corruption, and, finally, Alex reveals the focus of his next big project: Elon Musk.Finally, Chuck answers a listener question in the Ask Chuck segment!0:00 Introduction1:00 Citizen's United created the dark money era1:45 Reform efforts have failed3:00 Campaigns used to cost millions, not billions5:00 Money has cut voters out of the equation9:00 Trump's memecoin is a bribery scam in plain sight10:30 We need strong disclosure laws13:00 Public funding of elections is an all or nothing propositionv14:30 Distrust in politics centers on money in the system17:40 Alex Gibney joins the show! 18:40 Dark Money is the best attempt at telling the story of money corrupting politics 19:40 How hard is it to make this story accessible to the public? 20:40 Campaign finance should be rebranded as bribery 21:40 Ohio state legislature captured by special interests 24:10 Why did First Energy execs not end up in prison? 25:25 Huge money ensured GOP candidates in Ohio won, then were beholden 26:40 The bribe was a good investment 28:10 How did Alex access the wiretaps? 28:55 Investigators stumbled into the case 30:55 We've accepted money in politics and are numb to it 31:40 Citizens United opened the floodgates to corruption via PACs 33:40 Bribery is now legal 35:25 We're in a kleptocracy now 35:55 Reed Hoffman donated millions to Harris and wanted Lina Khan fired at FTC 37:40 Big money interests can just buy their own news coverage 40:10 Ohio whistleblower turned in his friend in service to his state 41:10 Florida gambling initiatives bought and sold petition signatures 42:40 Money in politics is like the mob bribing cops 45:10 Candidates don't run on an anti corruption/campaign finance platform 46:40 Billionaires shouldn't get define the world for the rest of us 47:55 Bernie/AOC turning out huge crowds tapping into anger against a rigged system 49:40 Dark money started as one film and became two because there was too much material 50:55 Evangelical grifters became fused with dark money in exchange for political influence 53:55 Corrupt Religious leaders "bless" political corruption to their followers 55:40 Society is driven by, and consumed by money 56:40 Law firms and universities have capitulated to Trump over their financial interests 59:10 Alex's advice for young documentarians 1:00:40 Lobbying is now corporation vs corporation 1:03:25 Elon Musk is Alex's next topic1:04:25 Chuck's thoughts on conversation with Alex Gibney 1:05:25 Ask Chuck - How can voters in states with later primaries feel involved in choosing presidential candidates? 1:06:55 A rotating system for primaries based on region is a potential solution 1:09:55 There are ways to make the system fair, but the people in charge don't want a fair system. 1:12:55 Voters in early states take the process very seriously
Chuck begins by weighing in on a new Pew Research poll showing a significant drop in President Donald Trump's approval rating since his inauguration. He highlights the erosion of support among non-voters as a potential warning sign for the president. Chuck also shares his concerns about the administration's apparent deference to Russia in the latest Ukraine peace agreement.Next, he's joined by Jon Tester and Maritsa Georgiou to discuss their new podcast, the underrepresentation of middle America in the media, and why members of Congress should spend more time outside the Washington, D.C. bubble.They explore the loss of trust in national media due to the decline of strong local journalism, Congress's tendency to cede power to the executive branch, the corrupting influence of dark money in politics, and the urgent need for campaign finance reform.The conversation wraps with a discussion about the TV show Yellowstone and its impact—both positive and negative—on their home state of Montana.Finally, Chuck closes out the show by answering a few listener questions in the "Ask Chuck" segment.Timeline:0:00 Introduction2:25 New Pew Research poll released on Trump's first 100 days3:45 Not surprising Trump's approval has dropped4:15 Non-voters souring on Trump quickly6:15 Incompetency is defining his first 100 days7:30 Erratic decision making doesn't inspire confidence9:15 Low information voters are a good barometer10:15 Republican party still has a higher favorability ratings than the Democratic party14:00 Trump is tarnishing the country's reputation16:15 Trump needs to make some trade deals and put points on the board17:45 The United States government is taking Russia's side against Ukraine20:40 Jon Tester and Maritsa Georgiou join the show! 21:10 Why start a podcast? 23:10 Most rewarding part? 25:25 Need more voices in media from all over the country, not just the coasts 27:55 The state of local news in Montana 29:10 "The middle" is underrepresented in media 30:40 Where the media is located can warp the perspective 33:10 If Congress convened in places other than DC, things would be very different 34:10 Politicians pit urban vs rural against one another 34:55 Journalists are pulled to the big markets 36:40 Local media was a character reference for the national media 37:55 Without local reporters, important stories can't reach the national media 39:10 There are no more local reporters telling communities what DC is doing for them 41:25 Why has Congress been willing to cede power to the executive? 43:40 Congress has rolled over in the 21st century due to campaign finance 44:40 Dark money's influence on Montana politics 47:05 Money has skewed the system* 48:40 Local news stations run on two year budgets due to election spending 49:40 Campaign finance reform efforts always result in loopholes 50:40 Campaign finance isn't a voting issue53:10 Media has to be an educator 54:55 Voters of both parties are worried about money in politics55:55 Congress needs a NASCAR rule for disclosing donors 56:55 Why is fixing campaign finance so hard? 57:40 Candidates have limits, donors do not 58:40 Most members of Congress have good motivations individually, collectively they become irrational 1:00:20 Senator Lisa Murkowski's comments about fear of retaliation1:02:40 Founders would be appalled by what's happening in DC 1:03:55 Media needs to listen and rebuild trust 1:04:40 The media needs to stand with the AP 1:05:30 Montana's star turn in pop culture due to Taylor Sheridan 1:07:40 What is Sen. Tester watching on TV? 1:10:20 Montana has been "discovered" by the wealthy1:10:50 Chuck's thoughts on the interview1:11:25 Ask Chuck1:11:55 If you were in charge of the DNC, what changes would you like to see improve their brand?1:13:30 The Democrats haven't tried to be a 50 state party, they need to go on a listening tour1:17:25 If elections were held a week earlier in 1976 and 2016, would Ford and Clinton have won?(Timestamps vary based on advertisements)
Chuck Todd is joined by Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, to discuss the damaging effects of President Donald Trump's tariffs and trade war on the U.S. economy.Chuck opens the episode by framing the nation's economic struggles as entirely self-inflicted, warning against political pressure on the Federal Reserve, and explaining why the consequences of current policy decisions could take years to reverse.Mark Zandi then joins to share his economic risk assessment, explore why markets failed to anticipate the trade war, and project the level of fallout the U.S. economy could face in the coming months and years.They break down why Trump's push to reshore American manufacturing is unlikely to succeed, how China could emerge as the real winner of the trade war, and why troubling signals from the bond market spell concern for the broader economy.Zandi also outlines the risks of firing Fed Chair Jay Powell, explains why the trade war is a lose-lose scenario, and discusses why government intervention may be far less effective in responding to a self-inflicted economic crisis.Finally, Chuck wraps up with listener questions in the Ask Chuck segment.Don't forget to like and subscribe to The Chuck ToddCast!Timeline:0:00 Introduction0:30 Why Chuck wanted to have Mark Zandi on the show1:30 We could have a man made economic disaster on our hands3:00 Pressuring the fed to lower interest rates is a bad idea5:15 Immigration has been a boon, not a negative for America7:00 Trade has helped America have a higher standard of living than anywhere else8:00 Rebuilding will take years8:45 Trump administration has been a mess11:55 Mark Zandi joins the show 12:55 What is Moody's Analytics? 15:55 How is a country's political system factored into economic risk assessments? 17:15 War gaming the trade war 19:10 Why didn't markets price in the trade war? 21:10 Tariffs in Trump 1.0 were more damaging than people realize due to pandemic. 22:55 When will the tariff impacts show up?24:25 Are any companies reshoring manufacturing due to tariffs? 26:10 How many companies are going to do whatever it takes to get an exemption? 27:25 Consumers and corporations are already changing their spending decisions 28:25 Government cuts are self defeating 29:55 How will this affect China's economy? 32:55 Will the EU spurn the US in favor of China? 34:25 Nixing the TPP was a mistake 35:40 What does the health of the bond market tell us? 37:10 We're in a crisis 38:10 How does this affect financing our debt? 39:10 What would stabilize the market? 39:55 What would happen if he fired fed chair Jay Powell?42:40 How similar is the current situation to the 1920's-30's? 45:25 US received more pushback from other countries in the 20's-30's 46:40 Which countries are most vulnerable to the trade war? 48:55 This is a lose-lose for everyone 49:55 In an emergency are the only choices inflation or recession? Which is preferable? 52:25 Government intervention will be less viable because government caused the crisis53:25 Chuck's thoughts on conversation with Mark Zandi54:20 Ask Chuck - Will Trump's trade war become the new normal or just a phase?55:55 Tariffs are a tool, and shouldn't be used for everything57:30Trump's goal is to replace income taxes with tariff revenue59:55 How can citizens not be part of the problem when it comes to hyperpartisan media?1:00:30 Diversifying your media diet is important1:04:45 If tariffs cause a severe recession, could Trump issue an EO to postpone the midterm elections?1:07:00 Trump can't waive a magic wand and postpone elections(Timestamps vary based on advertisements)
Chuck Todd is joined by Benjamin Wittes, editor-in-chief of Lawfare, to break down the widespread legal violations committed by the Trump administration during Donald Trump's first three months in office.Chuck opens the episode by underscoring the gravity of the moment and why Trump appears to show little respect for the law or the authority of the courts.Ben Wittes then joins the conversation to discuss the constitutional amendments the administration may have violated, whether Trump is defying Supreme Court rulings, and what a potential legal showdown over his immigration policies could look like.They examine the administration's targeting of law firms and universities, where institutional pressure could serve as a check on executive overreach, and whether lawsuits filed by state attorneys general stand a chance in court.Finally, they unpack Trump's use of executive orders against his critics, why the U.S. is losing its reputation as a global “beacon of freedom,” and Ben shares one reason he still holds onto a sense of optimism.0:00 First 90 days of the Trump administration has been tumultuous 1:45 Congress is sitting on its hands2:45 The administration is slowing down routine investigations 4:00 This is a dangerous moment for the country5:30 Trump is “flooding the zone”8:15 There are legal ways to handle deportations but Trump isn't interested9:30 They've violated amendments four through nine11:30 Trump left Biden a legal quagmire over the border, but Biden didn't handle it well12:30 Prices will rise in the next 60-90 days 14:00 Incompetence has defined Trump's administration thus far15:00 Administration is trending toward monarchy 16:45 Lindsey Graham has gone radio silent18:55 Benjamin Wittes joins the show! 21:10 Trump is violating multiple constitutional amendments 23:30 Is Trump violating the Supreme Court ruling? 25:55 Did the Supreme Court water down their ruling? 27:05 All 9 justices agreed on the premise 28:05 What would satisfy the court's order to "facilitate" the return of Abrego Garcia? 29:40 If Trump asked for the prisoner back, Bukele wouldn't say no 30:45 The White House is brazenly violating court orders 32:10 The administration is extorting law firms 36:45 How will Harvard's decision to fight back affect them? 38:35 Is the administration going out of their way to pick fights? 39:55 They're creating criminal impunity for allies 40:45 Administration is using civil litigation to target enemies 41:55 The government will pay more in damages than money saved by DOGE45:00 John Roberts is issuing rulings meant to avoid confrontation with Trump 46:25 SCOTUS justices are aware Trump is flaunting their ruling 48:45 Trump is putting tremendous stress on his own party 49:25 Are Trump's actions uniting SCOTUS against him? 52:25 What to make of the three liberal justices putting out a press release? 54:55 How alarmed are the six conservative justices? 56:05 Expectations for California's tariff lawsuit? 58:55 The president has civil immunity from defamation lawsuits 1:01:15 Targeting Krebs and Taylor are two of the most egregious acts so far 1:05:25 Trump 2.0 is an entirely different proposition 1:06:55 What authoritarian model does Trump most emulate? 1:07:55 Ben projected "Trump and Vance betrayed the country" on the Washington monument1:10:55 The beacon of freedom has been turned off1:12:25 Ben's hammock studio 1:14:15 Administration is targeting people the public doesn't care much about 1:16:05 The goal is to stop it from getting worse1:18:03 Showdown with SCOTUS looming?1:19:30 Chuck's Nats rant - Fix the bullpen!(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
Chuck Todd takes a deep dive into the JFK assassination conspiracy and the latest document release with Jeff Morley, founder of JFK Facts.He opens the episode by exploring how the government's lack of transparency and honesty has fueled public distrust—and why that environment often breeds conspiratorial thinking.Chuck and Jeff then examine the government's decades-long effort to keep a tight lid on records related to President John F. Kennedy's assassination, and how skepticism from high-ranking officials at the time continues to cast doubt on the CIA's official account.They break down the most recent document releases, discuss why both Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden delayed their full release, and analyze what the timing and redactions might suggest about what the government could still be hiding.The conversation takes a closer look at Lee Harvey Oswald, his potential ties to the CIA, and why the agency has remained evasive about those connections.Finally, they review the key findings from the newly released documents, assess whether any revelations have truly been groundbreaking, and preview what might come next in the ongoing evolution of this historic conspiracy theory.Like and subscribe to The Chuck ToddCast!Timeline:0:00 Introduction02:00 What led to massive distrust of the U.S. government04:00 Chuck's big questions about the JFK assassination8:40 How did Jeff Morley become JFKfacts?10:10 Oliver Stone's movie led to congress passing the JFK records act in 199211:40 Released CIA records were a reporting gold mine14:55 Until the internet, the government kept a closed fist on the records15:55 Oswald denied the killing, case was never adjudicated 19:10 Chuck welcoming his son to the conspiracy 21:50 The books that informed Jeff's thinking on the assassination24:45 Bobby Kennedy never believed the official story25:55 How did Oswald not end up in jail after going to Russia?28:45 Oswald was a known quantity to CIA officials before the assassination29:55 Robert Kennedy asked the CIA director directly about CIA involvement32:10 CIA's fear was their awful operations being brought to light33:40 Lyndon Johnson didn't believe the Warren commission34:50 Why did the CIA cover up its affiliation with Oswald?35:40 What did Trump hold off on releasing?37:30 Trump and Biden both punted on releasing files40:40 Trump got back on board after RFK Jr. joined the campaign43:10 The timeline for redactions shows what the government prioritized protecting45:10 Hoover sanctioned FBI agents for their handling of Oswald45:55 Why did the FBI + CIA remove Oswald from the watch list?47:40 Oswald clearly was a CIA asset48:40 Oswald did 5 things that should have landed him in trouble49:55 Oswald goes public with the Fair Play for Cuba Committee51:50 4 people confronting Oswald in the courtroom had CIA connections54:20 Bay of Pigs is the root of Cuban-American support for Republicans59:00 Did we learn anything from old Soviet files?1:01:00 Soviets surveilled Oswald while he was in Minsk 1:03:45 Tulsi Gabbard implied new files had been found1:05:30 CIA hasn't produced new records that aren't at the national archives1:06:00 What are we missing on Jack Ruby?1:08:10 CIA motivations for cover up?1:10:15 What if Oswald did it and was part of a conspiracy?1:10:40 There's no smoking gun proof Oswald did it?1:11:10 Compelling evidence that shots came from in front of Kennedy1:13:10 Investigators botched the chain of possession for evidence1:17:25 Jeff's experience testifying in front of congress1:18:55 Trump's motive for declassifying the records1:21:40 Where to find Jeff's work1:23:10 The CIA was a rogue agency in the 50s 1:24:55 Chuck's closing thoughts
Chuck Todd is joined by geopolitical expert and Eurasia Group founder Ian Bremmer to unpack the global implications of President Donald Trump's efforts to reshape the international order.Chuck opens the episode by examining how Trump's use of tariffs and his zero-sum approach to foreign policy are dismantling decades of established U.S. trade and diplomatic norms.Ian then joins the conversation to assess the ripple effects of Trump's tariffs on global trade, how key U.S. allies and rivals are likely to respond, and whether China stands to benefit in the long run.He explains how Trump's policies may be inadvertently strengthening Xi Jinping, why the U.S. is ill-equipped to operate in a “law of the jungle” environment, and what kind of economic damage could be on the horizon.The discussion turns to the rise of anti-American sentiment abroad, the erosion of the rule of law at home, and why the economic fallout may disproportionately affect red states.They then take a global tour of hotspots: debating the prospects for a renewed nuclear deal with Iran, whether Turkey has fully slipped into autocracy, and the likelihood of a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire in 2025. To wrap up the episode, Chuck answers listener questions in the "Ask Chuck" segment.Timeline0:00 Introduction1:00 Trump is creating a new world order2:00 Trump has a zero-sum view of foreign policy4:00 Could Trump break with Putin over lack of ceasefire?6:00 Trump 2.0 and Trump 1.0 are completely different9:00 Ian Bremmer joins the show10:00 Has Trump broken the world economic order, or temporarily disrupted it?11:15 Countries will begin to de-risk away from the US13:30 Trump using emergency powers to unilaterally break international agreements18:00 China will become dominant in the old architecture built by the U.S.21:15 People voting for a second “Trump 1.0” and are getting something vastly different22:30 Instability will force unity on the EU23:30 Americans don't understand how good we have it*24:30 The future of power seems to lie with the autocracies and not the democracies25:30 Is Trump throwing a lifeline to Xi Jinping?29:30 The U.S. doesn't have the right political system to operate in the “law of the jungle”32:00 China's surveillance state will check any type of middle class uprising34:30 How different would things look if we had the TPP?38:00 How should companies navigate the uncertainty Trump is creating?39:30 Products from China are already becoming unavailable41:00 Companies are all lobbying for exemptions42:00 The hit to the US economy is going to be massive44:20 The rise of anti-American sentiment45:45 The first amendment only applies to citizens now?46:45 The hit to American tourism will be substantial48:00 Economic damage will hit red states the hardest49:30 Mexican government has been willing to cooperate51:45 Trump wants to cut a deal with Iran, even if it makes Israel unhappy54:20 Will Erdogan get away with smashing democracy in Turkey?56:15 What to make of the political turmoil in South Korea?58:00 Will Bolsanaro/Le Pen have their charges stick, or could they win office in the future?1:00:30 Biggest risks to the world? Is Trump at the top of that list?1:02:30 Will the Ukraine/Russia war achieve a ceasefire this year?1:06:20 Ask Chuck1:06:40 What books do you assign your class to best understand this political moment?1:12:00 Are we in a competitive autocracy similar to Erdogan's Turkey?(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
First, Chuck reacts to President Trump's announcement that smartphones, computers, and other electronics will be exempt from tariffs. He also previews what we can expect this week in political news, and breaks down what all these developments mean for our democracy as a whole.Then, Chuck is joined by The Atlantic staff writer McKay Coppins to discuss his latest story, “Growing Up Murdoch,” which delves into the Succession-style drama surrounding Rupert Murdoch, his children, and the future of their media empire.They examine Fox News' enormous influence on American politics, how the network evolved during the Trump era, and how it could undergo major changes once Murdoch's children take the reins.The conversation explores striking parallels between the Murdoch family and the Roys from HBO's Succession, including a looming legal battle over the family trust and what it could mean for the company's direction.McKay explains how Fox News shifted after the departure of longtime CEO Roger Ailes, while Chuck highlights how the potential loss of NFL broadcasting rights could pose an existential threat to the network.Finally, they turn to the Trump family and discuss why its own brewing succession drama might ultimately eclipse that of the Murdochs. Timeline:00:00 Intro02:58 Reaction to Trump's tariff exemption of smartphones and computers07:45 Are we entering a kleptocracy?14:05 McKay Coppins joins Chuck16:47 Any discussion about making Mckay's Murdoch article into a book?18:17 Fate of the Murdoch empire impacts the fate of American politics19:32 Murdoch outlets impacted Trumpism, Brexit and other major events22:47 Murdoch used to make the weather, now Trump does26:32 It's easier to pick a side in media rather than be a neutral observer29:02 Did Succession have an insider account or were the Murdochs that predictable?30:47 The Murdochs are a normal, wealthy dysfunctional family32:17 Status of the Murdoch lawsuit?34:47 Was Rupert Murdoch “honeypotted” by the Chinese government?36:32 Will James and Lachlan reconcile after Rupert dies?38:17 Rupert has pitted his kids against each other39:32 Without Brexit and Trump, would James and Lachlan have worked better together?41:17 James can't stomach what Fox News became in the Trump era42:17 Fox News went off the rails after Roger Ailes left43:47 Ailes ruled Fox News with an iron fist44:32 The inmates are running the asylum at Fox46:02 If James gets his way after Rupert dies, Fox will change drastically47:17 Fox can never go as far as Newsmax or OAN48:32 The Fox empire was built on its current audience50:32 James is building his own empire52:02 Sisters are embarrassed by Fox News52:17 NFL rights are existential for Fox and big tech can outspend them54:17 Murdoch kids have shielded their kids from the press55:47 WSJ + NY Post will still needle Trump57:32 James has more interest in the media business than Lachlan58:02 The Murdochs and Trumps have similar dynamics59:17 Don Jr. understood the Trump base better than his father1:00:17 Succession style drama is coming for the Trump family
On this episode of The Chuck ToddCast, Chuck Todd is joined by Marc Caputo, Senior White House Reporter for Axios.Chuck begins by breaking down how the personnel guardrails that existed during Donald Trump's first term are now gone—and why a potential second Trump administration would look dramatically different from the first.He and Marc then explore which Trump official is most likely to take the blame for the administration's disastrous tariff rollout, and outline three key factors that led Trump to temporarily reverse course with a 90-day delay.They also explain why Trump can no longer credibly pin economic challenges on President Biden, and why his plan to boost domestic manufacturing may fall short. The conversation turns to Trump's use of executive orders to target whistleblowers and critics, and who might be managing his so-called “enemies list.”Finally, they assess which members of Trump's inner circle are gaining or losing favor with the president, and preview a looming controversy that could shake up the Florida governor's race.Timeline:0:00 Introduction2:00 Trump 1.0 was NOT a blueprint for Trump 2.04:40 This is a brand new style of governing6:22 Was there insider trading based on Trump's tweet?8:28 The market and rich people are serving as a guardrail10:00 Anti-american sentiment will affect American businesses11:30 Marc Caputo joins the show12:55 The “dear leader” quality to the administration17:37 Howard Lutnick the likely fall guy for tariffs?18:36 Three factors caused Trump to change course on tariffs23:07 Trump 1.0 was completely different compared to Trump 2.027:50 Does the administration regret that they didn't pass the tax cut first?29:22 Trump gave up the ability to blame Biden for the economy30:00 Manufacturing plants take years to build31:15 Trump working through an “enemies list”?35:05 Revenge agenda is a slippery slope37:00 Is RJK Jr. being reeled in by the White House?39:56 Trump changes his mind constantly43:31 What is Elon Musk's current standing within the administration?45:46 Is Rubio's stock rising or falling?48:09 The administration is using AI to monitor social media feeds50:30 Scandal looming over the Florida governor's race52:55 Chuck's final thoughts
On this episode of The Chuck ToddCast, Chuck reacts to President Donald Trump's decision to pause his sweeping tariff regime — and explains why it reveals his continued responsiveness to the wealthy political donor class.He also reflects on how the O.J. Simpson trial forever changed the news media landscape, incentivizing networks to prioritize profits and ratings over journalistic value.Finally, Chuck answers listener questions in another edition of Ask Chuck.0:00 Trump rescinds the tariffs0:45 Trump blinked 2:15 First term personnel guardrails are gone4:00 Congress feeling heat from donor class6:15 Trump still cares what rich people think8:45 Trump should have passed tax cuts before tariffs 10:15 If tariffs come back, they'll be more methodical11:30 Business leaders are preparing for worst case scenarios12:45 The OJ trial changed the media15:00 CNN chased ratings and changed TV journalism19:30 Trump tariffs could fracture GOP20:00 Colin Allred could beat Ken Paxton in Texas, Senate in play?22:12 Ask Chuck22:45 What can news consumers do to be the solution to partisanship?25:40 Did Obama not going after banks in 2008 lead to Trump?27:40 Do you think Bernie would have beaten Trump?30:30 Have voters shown they won't elect a woman for president?(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
On this episode of The Chuck ToddCast, Chuck dives into the new waters he's swimming in—the world of independent media and journalism.He shares his concerns about attacks on the free press by the Donald Trump administration and the lack of a unified pushback from the media. He explains how the erosion of local news sowed the seeds of public distrust, and he expresses his goal to help rebuild media from the ground up.Later, he's joined by independent journalist Tara Palmeri to dissect the new media landscape.Tara describes her journey into independent media and why authenticity resonates more than polish with digital news consumers. They discuss bias in journalism, why the WHCA made a mistake in selecting comedian Amber Ruffin to host the Correspondents' Dinner, and why the Trump administration's adversarial stance toward the media is a façade.Finally, Chuck explains his theories behind the “SignalGate” scandal, asks Tara how her relatives in Poland are processing the threat of the Ukraine war on their border, and discusses why both of them find the American right's embrace of Russia deeply disturbing.Timeline:0:00 Introduction1:45 Kicking AP out of press briefings is unconstitutional4:00 Traditional media has capitulated, lost trust7:00 Appeal of independent media11:00 OJ trial + Craigslist changed everything12:00 Loss of local news broke trust16:15 Local media was a character reference for national media19:00 Need to rebuild local media21:57 Tara Palmeri joins the show22:57 Going independent as a journalist27:56 Lack of trust in mainstream media30:52 Authenticity resonates on social media34:32 All journalism is affected by bias37:17 Is mainstream media pulling punches?41:36 Mistake picking Amber Ruffin for WH correspondents dinner45:26 Trump administration officials court the media50:07 Anchors were drinking before reporting Bin Laden was killed52:15 Where Tara gets her news57:11 Is there more to “SignalGate”59:25 Trump DOESN'T like to fire people1:02:41 Tara's Polish citizenship/How are Poles feeling about the Ukraine war?1:08:30 American right's embrace of Russia1:10:47 Where to find Tara's work1:13:16 Chuck's closing thoughts(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
On this episode of The Chuck ToddCast, Chuck explores why America is undergoing a major political realignment, and why President Donald Trump's approval rating may never recover following the disastrous rollout of sweeping tariffs.Later, Republican Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) joins the show to discuss the impact of those tariffs on his constituents in Omaha and whether Congress could move to limit the president's tariff powers. They also talk about the need for moral clarity from the U.S. in the Russia-Ukraine war and why abandoning the global order that has benefited America for the past 80 years is a mistake.Rep. Bacon shares his deep concerns about the recent firing of top military and intelligence officials, and they debate whether one—or both—of America's political parties could be headed for a split.Finally, in the “Ask Chuck” segment, Chuck responds to a listener question about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez outpolling Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in New York—and whether Democrats should rethink their strategy as a result.Timeline:0:00 Introduction3:15 We're in the middle of a political realignment6:00 What if America was a 4 party system?10:30 Tariffs are Trump's Afghanistan withdrawal - He won't recover from it*16:15 Could the turbulence from the tariff destruction fracture the R party? 17:04 Rep. Don Bacon joins the show!19:42 How will tariffs negatively impact 21:38 Did the White House notify congress before imposing the tariffs?22:45 What is the goal of the tariffs?26:11 Will congress take its tariff power back from Trump?31:42 We need moral clarity in the Russia/Ukraine war34:11 Does Trump have a mobster mentality when it comes to geopolitics?36:27 The last 80 years have been great for America. Why do people think otherwise?38:30 Lack of official US government response to the crisis of democracy in Turkey41:28 Does Rep. Bacon consult with his wealthiest constituent, Warren Buffet?44:02 Concern about firing top military leaders and Laura Loomer's influence 48:59 Could we see a fracture in one or both political parties?55:00 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Rep. Bacon and potential cracks in both of America's political parties57:30 “Ask Chuck” - Does the latest poll showing AOC beating Chuck Schumer by 19 points could cause a change in direction or strategy for the Democrats?(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
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