Podcast appearances and mentions of Chuck Todd

European leaders need to step up when it comes to the Russia/Ukraine war. Chuck Todd spews zero words of wisdom. Learning from failure can translate into future success. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd delivers a searing indictment of American democracy's collapse as Trump agrees to a Putin summit in Alaska without including Ukraine's Zelenskyy, while both parties abandon constitutional principles in favor of a destructive "cold civil war" over redistricting and power. He warns that Trump's desperation for a peace deal with Putin poses enormous dangers, while Republicans openly flout the Constitution and Democrats have taken the bait to "fight fire with fire" in an immoral game that betrays the founders' vision of preventing both kingship and tyranny of the majority. He argues that constitutional guardrails only work when enforced, and that leaders are capitulating to Trump and refusing to use the tools the founders provided. Then, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and intelligence expert Tim Weiner joins Chuck for a devastating assessment of how Trump's appointment of "crackpots" to lead America's national security apparatus threatens catastrophic intelligence failures and the potential collapse of democratic institutions. Weiner warns that figures like John Ratcliffe, who has worked to absolve Russia of election interference, and Tulsi Gabbard, whom he describes as an "agent of influence" for the Kremlin, represent unprecedented political bias at intelligence agencies that could lead Trump to declare martial law and cancel elections if another attack occurs. He argues that Trump has taken a "wrecking ball to national security," systematically destroying the trust that serves as the "only currency" in intelligence work, while allied agencies now hesitate to share critical information about Russia and other threats with an administration they cannot trust.The conversation explores the broader implications of Trump's intelligence appointments, from Marco Rubio putting his "manhood in a blind trust" to serve Trump, to Ratcliffe's exposure of CIA agents recruited during Biden's tenure, making DOGE staffers prime targets for Chinese intelligence operations. Weiner details how China seeks to project its surveillance state into America while Russia continues its aggressive expansion, warning that Putin will attack the Baltics if allowed to keep Ukrainian territory. The episode also delves into the CIA's evolution since the Cold War, their departure from secret prisons, the agency's struggles with cyber capabilities compared to the NSA, and why conspiracy theories—including persistent questions about JFK assassination files—could contribute to democracy's death, even as Weiner definitively states that the CIA didn't kill Kennedy while acknowledging the agency's fear of revealing their Oswald connections.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction03:30 Trump agrees to summit with Putin in Alaska05:30 Western democracies on edge ahead of summit06:15 Zelenskyy should be at the summit07:30 The danger is Trump wants a peace deal too badly08:45 Redistricting war is a sign of a cold civil war09:30 Trump and Republicans are flouting the constitution11:00 The Democrats response of “fight fire with fire”13:00 If Democrats go low, then Trump wins14:00 Founders feared a king and tyranny of the majority15:30 The founders gave us tools, people in power refuse to use them17:00 Congressional Republicans have refused to perform oversight19:00 Guardrails only work if they're used and enforced20:00 Everyone is capitulating to Trump22:30 Democrats have taken the bait, will play Trump's immoral game24:15 The founding fathers would be appalled25:45 RFK Jr.'s decision will kill people, and they still won't impeach him27:15 Leaders in both parties are failing the people30:30 Fancis Collins desperate to communicate public health tragedy31:30 It will take years to undo damage RFK has done to health and science32:30 Vaccine disinfo led to shooting at the CDC35:15 Tech companies allowed Kennedy's terrible ideas to spread37:00 Kennedy has committed multiple impeachable offenses38:30 Tim Weiner joins the Chuck ToddCast! 40:00 Is the CIA still trying to figure out its role post Cold War? 44:45 The CIA out of the business of secret prisons 46:00 Is there regret at the CIA for their post 9/11 tactics 47:15 The people in currently in charge of national security are crackpots 49:15 Jon Rattcliffe has worked to absolve Russia of election interference 51:00 Political bias at intel agencies is at an unprecedented level 53:00 Fealty to Trump at intel agencies increases risk of catastrophic failure 53:45 How Trump would react if another attack happened 54:45 Trump could use an attack to declare martial law, cancel elections 56:15 Is intelligence sharing with allies at huge risk now? 58:00 The CIA relies on friendly foreign intelligence services 59:15 Allied agencies would hesitate to share intel on Russia with Gabbard 1:00:00 Trump has taken a wrecking ball to national security 1:01:00 If Putin gets to keep a piece of Ukraine, he'll attack the Baltics 1:02:45 What to make of Trump's bromance with Putin? 1:03:45 Trump isn't Putin's agent, he's Putin's ally 1:05:00 Tulsi Gabbard acts as an "agent of influence" for the Kremlin 1:06:15 Trump has ordered intel & DOJ to cook up investigation of Obama 1:07:30 Is Marco Rubio the only hope for the intel community? 1:09:00 Rubio put his manhood in a blind trust and gave Trump the key 1:10:30 Allied intel agencies can't trust anyone in Trump's cabinet 1:13:30 The CIA is not allowed to recruit foreign journalists 1:15:00 The overlap between journalism and spycraft 1:17:45 The CIA is not at all like what you see in the movies 1:20:00 Has the CIA penetrated China the same way they have Russia? 1:21:45 The CIA built a network of agents in China, but they were caught 1:24:15 Ratcliffe fired and exposed the agents recruited during Biden's tenure 1:25:15 DOGE staffers are huge targets for Chinese intel 1:27:30 Chinese intel vs Russian intel 1:28:45 China wants to project their surveillance state into the U.S. 1:30:15 Is the CIA as forward leaning in cyber as the NSA? 1:32:30 William Burns understood the CIA's mission best 1:34:15 Which CIA directors would have warned the world of Russian invasion? 1:37:00 Why does the CIA fight the release of the JFK files? 1:40:45 Conspiracy theories could contribute to the death of democracy 1:42:00 CIA afraid of their Oswald ties? 1:44:00 The CIA didn't kill Kennedy 1:45:15 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Tim Weiner 1:46:45 Colts have been in Indy longer than they were in Baltimore 1:48:00 Mariano Rivera tears his achilles 1:49:00 Nats win 2 out of 3 against Giants 1:51:15 Ask Chuck 1:51:30 How did the U.S. and E.U. drift apart diplomatically? 1:57:15 How was Trump's mental decline been missed by media 1:59:15 How should Democrats fight back against redistricting? 2:00:30 How do you know so much about individual districts?

Chuck Todd on latest political headlinesAndrea Cabral weighs in on Jim Acosta “interviewing” an AI avatar of a Parkland shooting survivorPaul Reville on private school vouchers, high absenteeism in Mass. classrooms, the bill on banning cell phones in classrooms, and moreDr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel on the impacts of cuts to Medicaid, ICE getting a hold of Medicaid data, and some of his recent columns for the Atlantic and New York Times

Chuck Todd begins with a scathing assessment of RFK Jr.'s dangerous tenure as health secretary, detailing how Kennedy has systematically dismantled America's public health infrastructure through lies, conspiracy theories, and decisions that will harm low-income children for decades to come. Todd chronicles Kennedy's destructive timeline from canceling $500 million in mRNA vaccine contracts to funding the largest anti-vaccination organization while lying during his Senate confirmation hearings, culminating in his role in triggering a massive measles outbreak that disproportionately affects vulnerable communities. The episode also covers Seattle's recent elections and Derek Dooley's Senate candidacy announcement in Georgia, while Todd warns that being an incumbent anywhere will be politically treacherous in the current climate. Throughout the discussion, Todd expresses frustration with Congress's silence on Kennedy's actions and the White House's nervousness about confronting what he calls "the least qualified person to lead public health," arguing that there needs to be far more public outrage over Kennedy's "menace" to American public health and the generational consequences of his anti-science agenda.Then, Dr. Terence Lester, an Atlanta-based community activist and educator, joins Chuck Todd to explore how America's growing inequality and resegregation are creating cycles of poverty that trap entire communities despite urban economic booms. Lester explains how Atlanta's prosperity has left many neighborhoods behind, with interstate highways deliberately used to segregate cities and redlining policies affecting not just housing but educational opportunities for generations. He argues that the resegregation of schools and society has contributed to America's current polarization, as many people never truly experienced integration and lack the diverse experiences necessary to build empathy across racial and economic lines. The conversation examines whether property taxes remain a viable method for funding schools, the critical role of impactful teachers in breaking cycles of poverty, and how top-down approaches often fail where community-stakeholder partnerships succeed.The discussion takes on urgent contemporary relevance as Lester warns that current affordability crises will create a "third era of mass homelessness" while communities increasingly criminalize rather than address the root causes of housing insecurity, which he argues violates the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. He emphasizes education as the pathway to empathy and highlights the crucial role faith communities can play in restoring local connections, while addressing how the dismantling of the Department of Education has strained public school systems that could serve as 24-hour community resource centers. Throughout the conversation, Lester advocates for grassroots solutions that combine public policy with community engagement, arguing that sustainable change requires both faith in humanity and practical action to ensure schools and nonprofits can provide the wraparound services that struggling families need to break generational cycles of poverty and homelessness.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction04:30 Elections held in Seattle06:30 Being an incumbent anywhere will be tough07:45 Derek Dooley announces senate candidacy in Georgia09:00 RFK Jr. is a menace to American public health10:00 Timeline of Kennedy dismantling American public health system12:30 RFK canceled $500 million in MRNA vaccine contracts13:45 RFK lied during senate confirmation hearings14:45 Kennedy funded largest anti-vax organization16:30 Kennedy is responsible for massive measles outbreak17:45 Low income children will pay the price for Kennedy's decisions18:45 The consequences will last for decades19:30 Congress has been silent on Kennedy, WH is nervous22:15 There needs to be more public outrage over Kennedy25:30 Kennedy is the least qualified person to lead public health27:00 Dr. Terence Lester joins the Chuck ToddCast! 29:00 Dr. Lester's origin story 32:00 How did so many areas of Atlanta fall behind as the city boomed? 34:00 Poverty was hard to escape in Atlanta in the 80's 34:30 The interstates were used to segregate cities 36:30 The importance of diversity of experience 37:45 Kids suffering from poverty can't connect with diverse experiences 39:15 The school system has resegregated 40:00 Redlining didn't just affect housing, it affected schooling 41:45 The ressegregation of society has led to polarization 43:15 Many people didn't really experience desegregation 45:00 The feeling of progress is relative 48:30 Is property tax an outdated way of funding schools? 50:15 The stakeholder approach vs the top-down approach 52:30 The importance of an impactful teacher for struggling students 54:00 The need to provide students with work readiness 56:30 Is the solution to homelessness public policy, or the community 57:30 Affordability will create a third era of mass homelessness 59:00 The rise of criminalizing homelessness 1:00:30 Punishing homelessness is a violation of the 8th amendment 1:01:45 The two narratives surrounding homelessness 1:03:00 The lack of empathy for the homeless 1:04:45 Education is the pathway to empathy 1:06:00 The role of the faith community in restoring local communities 1:10:00 Faith in humanity vs faith in the divine 1:11:45 How much strain has dismantling the Department of Education caused? 1:15:30 The role of nonprofits and foundations in working with public schools 1:17:00 Schools can be a 24 hour resource and center of a community 1:18:00 How can viewers/listeners contribute if they want to help? 1:19:15 Which Atlanta sports team affects the mood of the city most?1:21:45 Chuck's thoughts on conversation with Dr. Lester 1:22:15 Ask Chuck 1:22:30 Should congress outlaw political parties and create a wealth tax? 1:24:15 Why don't we have a "Meet the Press" for sports? 1:29:30 When will Republicans stop clinging to Trump? 1:33:30 Did Trump flip on Epstein over a real estate deal? 1:37:45 Insights on Brady House?

Chuck Todd examines Trump's disastrous CNBC interview filled with demonstrable lies and errors, questioning whether the president is mentally declining or being fed bad information as he poisons government data and threatens economic stability by claiming false achievements like having the "highest vote total ever in Texas" when he actually ranked just 7th since World War II. He warns that Trump's calls for rigged elections in Texas to maintain power, combined with his corruption of federal statistics, represents a fundamental threat to democracy that even elected Republicans won't support—though the party remains largely silent as Trump advocates for systematic unfairness. The episode also covers emerging political developments including Arnold Schwarzenegger's vow to fight Gavin Newsom over redistricting, Democratic donor Steve Kloobeck launching TV ads in California focused on Trump's Epstein connections after Kamala Harris bows out, and the growing likelihood that Sherrod Brown will mount another Senate run in Ohio despite being positioned as Republicans' top 2028 target. He rounds out the discussion with updates on crowded Democratic primary fields in Iowa, potential presidential ambitions from Hawaii Governor Josh Green, Jerry Demings' Florida political future, and the economic reality of shrinkflation hitting grocery stores as Americans face continued price increases.Then, nuclear weapons historian Greg Mitchell joins Chuck Todd to discuss his documentary "Atomic Bowl" and the largely forgotten story of a football game played in Nagasaki just four months after the atomic bombing, revealing how both American and Japanese governments worked to quickly turn the page on nuclear devastation. Mitchell explores why Nagasaki became the "forgotten city" compared to Hiroshima, despite the horrific targeting of civilian populations rather than military bases, and how the military-ordered football game featuring a Heisman Trophy winner was part of a broader effort to westernize Japan and normalize post-war relations. The conversation delves into the decades-long government cover-up of radiation health effects on American troops, the "downwinders" affected by nuclear testing, and how the true decision-making process behind the bombings remains buried by official narratives that claimed the bombs saved a million American lives.The discussion takes on contemporary urgency as Mitchell warns that nuclear weapons are being made "more useable" while the horror of their effects fades from living memory, with AI now integrated into nuclear protocols and the Trump administration proposing nuclear reactors on the moon. Todd and Mitchell examine how Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" brought renewed attention to nuclear issues, the ongoing radiation monitoring in Japanese cities, and whether there's a modern equivalent to muckraking journalists like Upton Sinclair who could expose nuclear truths today. The episode highlights the critical importance of remembering nuclear history as policymakers consider the role of nuclear power in clean energy transitions while the Pacific Theatre's lessons remain overshadowed by European World War II narratives, making the atomic bombings' anniversaries increasingly forgotten despite their lasting global implications.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Chuck Todd's Introduction02:00 Trump's crazy interview with CNBC was full of errors and lies03:15 Trump is either losing it or is being given bad information04:30 Trump is poisoning government data05:45 Corrupting data can destroy the economy06:15 Trump claims highest vote total ever in Texas… not true07:30 Trump had the 7th highest vote total in Texas just since WW208:45 Trump is calling for an unfair election in Texas to hold power09:45 Illinois is the most gerrymandered Democratic state10:45 Arnold Schwarzenegger vows to fight Newsom over redistricting13:15 Advocating for unfairness is terrible for the democracy14:45 Elected Republicans are not on board with manipulating BLS stats16:00 Steve Kloobeck running TV ads in CA after Harris bows out17:45 Kloobeck's first ad is about Trump & Epstein19:15 Looking likely Sherrod Brown will run for senate in Ohio21:15 If Brown wins he'll be the #1 target for Republicans in 28'23:15 Democrats now have 4 senate candidates in Iowa25:30 Democrats will have a hard time clearing the primary field26:45 Hawaii governor Josh Green might run for president28:00 Jerry Demings might run for governor or senate in Florida30:00 Shrinkflation is showing up at grocery stores as prices rise33:45 Greg Mitchell joins the Chuck ToddCast! 35:30 How Greg ended up on the nuclear weapons beat 37:00 Nagasaki is the "forgotten city" 38:00 Oppenheimer brought nukes back into public consciousness 39:15 The "atomic bowl" was played 4 months after Nagasaki bombing 40:30 The story of the game was swept under the rug 43:00 Why was Nagasaki bombed if Hiroshima "made the point"? 44:45 Why were Hiroshima and Nagasaki chosen for bombing? 46:00 Target wasn't military bases, it was the middle of the cities 47:00 Truman put a stop to use of additional nukes 48:30 Anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is largely forgotten 50:00 U.S. troops sent in after bombing had health problems from radiation 51:30 Government took decades to deal with health fallout for troops 52:45 Oppenheimer brought attention to the "downwinders" of nuke tests 54:00 Both U.S. & Japanese governments wanted to turn page on WW2 56:00 The atomic bowl featured a Heisman trophy winner 57:30 Why was the game played? 58:45 Game was part of an effort to westernize Japan 1:01:15 Game was ordered by military command, not Washington 1:02:15 Participants didn't talk about playing in the game 1:03:45 There's been no feedback on the film from the Pentagon 1:05:15 Horror of nuclear weapons barely exists in living memory 1:07:00 Is there a robust community of historians in Japan for this topic? 1:08:15 Do the Japanese still monitor radiation fallout in these cities? 1:10:15 Justification narrative was saving a million American lives 1:11:30 The Pacific theatre receives far less attention than Europe 1:13:00 Decision making process has been buried by the government 1:14:00 Trump administration wants a nuclear reactor on the moon 1:15:15 The role of nuclear power in clean energy transition 1:16:30 AI is being used in our nuclear weapons protocols, but can't launch 1:17:30 J. Robert Oppenheimer's conversation with Truman 1:19:45 Thoughts on Nolan's portrayal of Oppenheimer? 1:22:45 American public perception on use of the bomb 1:23:45 Nukes are being made "more useable" 1:25:00 The taboo around using nukes 1:26:45 Is there someone in political culture today like Upton Sinclair? 1:30:45 How to watch "Atomic Bowl"1:31:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Greg Mitchell 1:33:45 Ask Chuck 1:34:00 What can Democrats do to reconnect with young men? 1:40:00 How will high housing prices and inequality shape young voters? 1:44:45 What is Dems 2032 path without turning Texas and Florida purple?

Voters in the seven swing states that elected Trump in 2024 thought he'd make the economy better. His perceived strength on the economy is the cornerstone Jenga piece of the whole Trump Tower. And he keeps making the economy worse. Meanwhile, Democratic voters are highly engaged—but just not with the party, whose brand is struggling. Plus, Republicans are still trying to steal the House, and how a stronger, re-imagined local news media can help restore trust in national news. Chuck Todd joins Tim Miller. show notes Chuck's Sunday Night with Chuck Todd on the Noosphere app The Chuck Toddcast "The Stranger," Chuck's book about Obama

Chuck Todd begins with newly released data showing an economic slowdown and why it could potentially spell doom for Trump's presidency. He compares it to Biden's chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, an event that permanently eroded Biden's public support, and predicts that Trump's presidency could end in major economic hardship.Then, political journalist Ron Fournier joins Chuck to explain why Michigan has emerged as America's ultimate political bellwether, driven by a populace that feels deeply let down by traditional politics and is hungry for alternatives to the two-party system. Fournier highlights Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan's potential independent gubernatorial run as a test case for whether effective local governance can translate into statewide success, noting that even Trump voters are giving Duggan serious consideration due to his impressive record revitalizing Detroit's brand and economy. The conversation explores Michigan's uniquely competitive political landscape, featuring three viable gubernatorial candidates and the strategic advantages of running against the political duopoly in an era where voters are increasingly dissatisfied with the status quo.The discussion delves into the broader implications for both parties, including whether Governor Gretchen Whitmer damaged her standing with the Democratic base by being cordial to Trump, and whether Democrats have lost by enough to engage in meaningful soul-searching or if they'll remain trapped in a cycle of swing elections that prevent real reform. They examine rising political stars like Abdul El-Sayed and Mallory McMorrow, the possibility of Elissa Slotkin mounting a presidential campaign, and how Michigan's labor unions could shape future political outcomes. They also address the crisis facing journalism, from the collapse of traditional business models to the disconnect between national media and local communities, while celebrating Detroit's remarkable transformation through sports venues and urban development that mirrors the city's broader political and economic renaissance.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!Timeline:00:00 Introduction03:30 Voters say they want independent candidates but don't vote for them05:30 Michigan Democratic senate primary overview06:45 Do new troubles spell the beginning of the end for Trump?08:30 Bad economy could be Trump's “Afghanistan withdrawal”11:45 Trump can't “outspin” a bad reality 14:45 Voters wanted the Trump 1.0 economy, not the current one16:00 Presidents preside over the prior president's economy18:15 Trump's tariff authority could be overturned in court20:00 Data shows a slowing economy25:00 Politicizing health agencies and the fed are terrible ideas27:15 Trump has turned the GOP into a kleptocratic party29:00 Trump's parallels with Nixon31:00 Fractures in GOP over trade policy?33:00 Protectionism doesn't work in the modern economy35:00 Trump's presidency will end in economic hardship36:45 Ron Fournier joins the Chuck ToddCast! 37:45 Michigan will be the bellwether for American politics 39:15 What makes Michigan the bellwether? 40:45 The people of Michigan feel let down by politics 42:15 Can Mike Duggan break through as an independent? 43:15 Trump voters are taking a serious look at Duggan 45:15 Duggan's effective record in Detroit means he could win 47:00 Detroit's brand has made a comeback 50:00 Michigan has three viable, qualified candidates for governor 52:00 Running against the duopoly is a strong strategy for Duggan 54:45 Is there a case to be made against Gretchen Witmer? 56:30 It's tough for Benson to run against Whitmer now, that could change 58:30 You have to run against the status quo in American politics 59:45 Whitmer hurt her standing with the base by being cordial to Trump 1:01:45 Whitmer may not want to run for president 1:03:15 Have the Democrats lost by enough to do any real soul searching? 1:06:00 We're stuck in a cycle of swing elections that prevent real reform 1:07:30 Democrats all trying to model themselves after Beshear and Shapiro 1:09:15 Abdul El-Sayed is a candidate to watch 1:10:45 Mallory McMorrow's prospects? 1:12:15 Will Michigan Republicans face tough primary races? 1:13:15 Elissa Slotkin gearing up to run for president? 1:15:45 If Duggan wins in Michigan, would his next move be a presidential run? 1:18:30 The vast majority of the public is dissatisfied with our current politics 1:20:00 Shocking but not surprising that media bosses aren't standing up for journalists? 1:22:15 The business model for news has been upended 1:24:45 Journalists need to provide a valuable service in order to build trust 1:27:45 Major news networks need local affiliate connection 1:29:15 "All the President's Men" created a disconnect for journalists 1:32:00 Feeling good about the Detroit Lions? 1:33:30 Stadiums transformed downtown Detroit 1:35:15 Which labor union will make the difference politically in Michigan?1:38:15 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Ron Fournier 1:38:45 More humiliation for the Washington Nationals 1:42:15 Nats ownership is completely incompetent 1:45:00 Advice for recent grads in a tough economy? 1:49:45 What 5 amendments would you make to the constitution? 1:54:30 Where is the public outcry over the gerrymandering battle?

Chuck Todd, political analyst, talks about the latest political headlines. President Trump's tariffs are being questioned by the courts on how constituional the emergency tariffs are.

Chuck Todd begins with how Trump continues to damage himself with tone-deaf comments about Jeffrey Epstein that reveal his complete lack of empathy for victims, viewing himself rather than trafficking survivors as the real victim in the scandal. He argues that if Trump truly wants to move past the Epstein controversy, he should pivot to something that could actually win him praise—intervening in Gaza to provide humanitarian aid, which could even earn him the Nobel Peace Prize he desperately wants while addressing voter discomfort with Israel's actions. He also explores emerging Democratic Party fractures over police funding that hint at presidential ambitions from figures like Cory Booker, Trump's concerning signals about abandoning Taiwan, and the troubling spectacle of MAGA influencers like Dan Bongino backtracking on Epstein file demands with McCarthy-esque conspiracy theories.Progressive media entrepreneur Tara McGowan joins Chuck to discuss her journey from Democratic operative to founder of Courier Newsroom, a values-driven journalism platform that openly rejects traditional notions of journalistic neutrality. McGowan argues that independent journalism freed from corporate ownership constraints can better serve democracy by being "offensively oriented" with good information rather than defensively trying to appear neutral while misinformation spreads unchecked. She traces how American media has returned to its openly partisan 19th-century roots after a brief mid-20th-century experiment with objectivity, explaining why Courier embraces progressive values while maintaining journalistic integrity and how the conservative media machine that emerged after Watergate has successfully won the information war by understanding that politics and media have always been intertwined.The conversation explores the structural challenges facing modern media, from the collapse of the newspaper "bundle" that once accidentally informed audiences to the dominance of big tech algorithms that can make or break media companies overnight. McGowan discusses why individual personalities now earn trust better than institutional brands, how right-wing podcasts excel at moving audiences while building relationships with them, and why Democrats lost their early dominance in new media due to a consultant culture that stifled adaptation to the modern media ecosystem. She argues that the future belongs to younger Democratic talent who are native to digital platforms and compares today's media landscape to the muckraking era of the early 20th century, while addressing how Trump's Epstein controversy represents more than just algorithmic manipulation and reflects his broader pattern of covering up damaging information.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Chuck Todd's introduction03:30 Trump keeps digging his own grave when talking about Epstein04:30 Trump's “poaching employees” comment shows no empathy for victims07:15 Trump underestimates the passion in his base for Epstein victims09:15 Trump doesn't see the victims, he sees himself as a victim10:15 If Trump wants to turn the page, he needs to intervene in Gaza* 12:45 Feeding Gaza could win Trump the Nobel peace prize he covets15:15 Voters on both sides are uncomfortable with what Israel is doing17:45 It would be in Trump's, Israel's, and America's interest to intervene in Gaza19:00 Democratic party infighting breaks out over bill for police funding21:15 Cory Booker is showing his presidential ambitions 23:15 Elected Democrats haven't figured out how to challenge Trump26:00 Foreshadowing for Democrats internal civil war?28:15 Trump only governs for his supporters, Democrats can't do the same30:15 The most talented politicians serve all voters and their base simultaneously31:00 Trump denies Taiwanese president visit to New York32:00 Trump sends message he wouldn't intervene on behalf of Taiwan33:15 MAGA influencers are backtracking on Epstein files34:15 Dan Bongino puts out McCarthy-esque tweet over files36:00 Bongino says he found something “shocking”, but can't say what it is?38:30 Bongino is terrified his audience will think he's a turncoat41:00 Bongino is doing terrible damage to the rule of law42:00 Tara McGowan joins the Chuck ToddCast! 43:30 Tara's political origin story 46:00 Founding Courier Newsroom 46:45 Why lean against journalistic neutrality? 47:45 Independent journalism isn't beholden to corporate owners 50:00 Courier isn't partisan, but has values they won't compromise 51:15 Media was openly partisan in the 19th century, becoming so again 52:30 Do you worry about reporting being tainted by bias? 53:45 The antidote to misinformation is offensively oriented good information 55:15 Media is currently operating out of fear and favor under Trump 57:30 The newspaper used to be a bundle that accidentally informed people 59:15 Watergate created the modern conservative media machine 1:00:30 What does the right wing media do well that you want to emulate? 1:01:45 The right understands the importance of winning the information war 1:03:45 There's always been a convergence of politics and media 1:05:15 Media companies get put into a "box" based on their perceived leanings 1:06:15 Right wing podcasts are moving their audiences and moving with them 1:07:00 Do you struggle finding conservative voices to platform? 1:08:30 Individual personalities earn trust better than brands 1:09:30 Downsides to the influencer media model? 1:12:30 There's value in aggregating good journalism 1:13:15 All the persuasion will be targeted at millennials 1:14:00 Distribution of media is at the mercy of big tech algorithms 1:15:30 Epstein isn't purely an algorithm creation, Trump is covering up something 1:18:30 Young people don't trust either party but really don't like Trump 1:19:30 Facebook changed algorithm and decimated Daily Caller and Buzzfeed 1:21:00 MAGA doesn't like consolidated power, and big tech has amassed it 1:23:00 How to adjust strategy when the algorithm changes 1:25:30 How did Democrats go from dominating new media to losing it? 1:28:30 Democrats' consultant culture strangled adaptation 1:30:00 The younger Democrat talent is native to the modern media ecosystem 1:32:00 Modern media is looking like the muckrakers of the early 20th century1:32:30 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Tara McGowan 1:34:00 Ask Chuck 1:34:15 What to make of Trump denying disaster aid to blue states? 1:38:30 How should the Democrats schedule their primary calendar? 1:44:00 Miami vs UF football + Pro wrestling 1:46:00 Can Democrats be competitive in Ohio in 26' and 28'?

Chuck Todd begins by surveying the electoral landscape for the midterms after six months of Trump's presidency. He argues that gerrymandering could potentially backfire on both parties, highlights the advantages each party has heading into the midterms and why Democrats may not find a coherent message until the presidential primary produces a candidate.Semafor reporter Dave Weigel joins Chuck for a comprehensive analysis of how dramatically American politics has shifted since Trump's first term, revealing a Democratic Party still searching for its identity after its first failed presidency since Carter. Weigel argues that both parties have fundamentally transformed over the past eight years, with Democrats struggling to move beyond the failed Obama coalition strategy while grappling with divisive issues like trans rights and immigration that have left them "walking on eggshells" and lacking coherent, united positions. The conversation explores how the country has moved rightward as a backlash to Biden, why Republicans are acting like a party that believes it can't lose, and whether Democrats' overreaction to Trump prevented them from developing substantive policy frameworks on key issues voters actually care about.The discussion dives deep into the strategic challenges facing both parties, from the left's perceived "softness" on cultural issues to the sustainability of Trump's gains with Latino voters in states like Nevada and Texas. Weigel examines why the fight for trans rights has proven more politically costly than the gay marriage battle, how urban voters' flirtation with socialism doesn't translate beyond coastal cities, and whether rising stars like Michigan's Mike Duggan can bridge the gap between metro Detroit and rural areas. Looking ahead to 2026 and 2028, they analyze the emerging Republican primary landscape with potential matchups between J.D. Vance and Rand Paul, why so many Democrats are eyeing Iowa's Senate race despite the party's broader retreat from the state, and how the changing media landscape—from podcasts to new campaign infrastructure—will reshape how candidates connect with voters in an increasingly fragmented political environment.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction02:45 Taking the pulse of the midterm elections after 6 months of Trump04:15 There are only 25-30 seats up for grabs in the house05:00 Gerrymandering could backfire for both parties05:45 Democrats' advantages in a midterm election07:30 The “out” party is more motivated to vote in midterms09:00 The Republican party is more unified than past midterms in Trump era11:00 House Republicans are outraising Dems in most vulnerable districts12:45 Far less unity in the Democratic party now compared to 201714:15 Since 90', Democrats winning the midterms led to winning the presidency16:30 The presidential primary may help the Democrats cohere 19:30 Dave Weigel joins the Chuck ToddCast! 21:30 Similarities/differences in political landscape between 2017 & 2025? 22:45 The parties are very different compared to 8 years ago 24:15 Democrats had their first failed presidency since Carter 26:45 Democrats could learn the wrong lessons from a successful midterm 29:00 Democrats tried to replicate the Obama coalition and failed 31:00 The media and campaign infrastructure are completely different now 32:30 Battle over trans rights has Democrats flailing 34:30 Democrats are walking on eggshells over immigration 35:30 Democrats don't have clear, united positions on major issues 38:00 Voters want tight border security, but not mass deportations 40:30 Democrats believed they could make Trump "never happen again" 43:00 Dems overreacted to Trump, didn't have coherent immigration policy 44:00 The country has moved right as a backlash to Biden 45:30 Republicans acting like a party that thinks they can't lose 48:00 The left is seen as soft, is trans rights the issue creating that perception? 50:00 Trump has forced the conversation on immigration 52:00 The fight for gay marriage vs fight for trans rights 53:45 Why hasn't the gender rights fight been punted to states? 55:15 Trump endorsed gay marriage before Hilary Clinton 57:15 Both parties demonstrated hubris on gay marriage/gender rights 58:30 Voters care more about immigration than trans rights 1:00:30 Urban voters are more willing to flirt with socialism, not transferrable 1:01:30 Will Democrats distance themselves from Mamdani? 1:02:45 Dem socialists get dinged for cultural issues, not economics 1:04:00 Cost of living is biggest issue in big coastal cities, not as salient in other places 1:05:45 Michigan will be a bellwether for Democratic politics 1:07:15 Nevada and Texas will show whether Latino swing toward Trump sustains 1:11:00 How many Bernie voters would have come out in Michigan? 1:14:00 Will Mike Duggan work outside of the metro Detroit area? 1:16:30 When Trump isn't on the ballot, Democrats sweep Michigan 1:17:45 Will lack of Republican infighting boost the party in midterms? 1:21:00 Republicans haven't found "sweet spot" candidates in some races 1:22:30 Ability to appear on podcasts will matter for candidates 1:23:45 Any R's on 2028 trail besides Paul and Youngkin? 1:25:30 A tight primary race between Vance & Paul wouldn't be surprising 1:27:15 Why are so many Democrats interested in running for Iowa senate? 1:30:00 Kim Reynolds not running after DeSantis endorsement 1:31:30 Democrats surrendered Iowa and Florida 1:33:00 Favorite state fair food?1:36:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Dave Weigel 1:37:30 Ask Chuck 1:37:45 How were so many people duped by Trump? 1:45:45 Why does the US give such unconditional support to Israel? 1:54:25 Why doesn't Virginia produce politicians with a large national profile? 2:01:15 Why can states call a redistricting session on a whim? 2:04:45 Why wouldn't a constitutional convention be incredibly risky?

Chuck Todd begins with the public and media feeding frenzy over Donald Trump and the Epstein files and explains that the best explanation for the administration's defensiveness is that Trump's reputation would be tarnished rather than Trump being implicated in crimes. He also weighs in on the FCC and chairman Brendan Carr deciding that the government should have a role in editorial decisions for broadcast networks and why that's a clear violation of the first amendment. He also breaks down recent polling that shows how badly the Democratic brand is with the general public.Then, John Della Volpe, Director of Polling at the Harvard Kennedy School's Institute of Politics joins Chuck to dissect the political awakening of America's youngest voters and the warning signs Democrats can't afford to ignore. Della Volpe explains why Harris's underperformance with young voters compared to Biden signals a deeper crisis for Democrats, particularly with young men who have been drifting away from the party for years. The conversation explores how economic anxiety trumps cultural issues when voters are struggling, why Trump's approval rating is cratering below 30% with under-30 voters despite his election victory, and how COVID-19 became a defining generational experience that shaped Gen Z's worldview in ways politicians are only beginning to understand.The discussion delves into the complex psychology of young male voters, from Della Volpe's "10 archetypes" framework to why many feel abandoned by institutions and drawn to figures like Charlie Kirk who project strength. Della Volpe argues that while Gen Z has largely given up on Washington, they remain deeply engaged in their local communities—as evidenced by progressive victories like Mamdani's win when young voters feel genuinely heard. The episode tackles uncomfortable truths about how Democrats might be losing the messaging war to MAGA influencers, why the party can't manufacture its own "Joe Rogan," and whether this generation that "loves Bernie and hates woke" will ultimately become transformational political actors shaped by Trump-era strongman politics.Finally, he answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction02:00 Gen Z's politics haven't been set in stone yet03:30 Huge trend in voters registered as “No Party”05:30 Epstein feeding frenzy is being driven by algorithms07:15 If Maxwell had more info, why didn't she talk in exchange for a lesser sentence?08:45 The biggest question mark is Trump's defensiveness09:45 There was no Epstein “cover up” by the media11:45 The most likely explanation is that releasing files would tarnish Trump13:15 The DOJ is losing all credibility with the public15:15 The information ecosystem is terrible and unregulated AI will make it worse*16:30 Elon giving Grok a political bias will make people think all AI's are biased17:15 FCC restrictions will turn CBS into state television18:45 Most important diversity in a newsroom is geography and socioeconomic20:30 Our news ecosystem has been hijacked by the Epstein conspiracy22:00 The FCC is violating the first amendment24:00 Brendan Carr believes the FCC's job is to dictate content26:15 Newsroom leaders have mostly stayed silent on FCC overreach29:45 Epstein story shows that the public can be whipped up by misinformation31:00 “How to” guide for assessing public polling34:00 Polling with registered voters is good for R's, “All adults” polls good for D's35:45 Dems only lead by 3 points on the generic ballot37:00 Democrats 60% unfavorable in same WSJ poll39:00 Dems can be unpopular and still win the midterms41:00 Voters trust Republicans in Congress on most issues43:15 A midterm electorate is much different than the entire population45:15 John Della Volpe joins the Chuck ToddCast! 46:45 When Democrats win 60% of the youth vote, they win 48:15 Harris did worse with both young men and women than Biden in 20' 49:45 Democrats' problem with young men has been brewing for years 51:30 Democrats need to get closer to voters 52:45 Did Obama create a coalition that was unique to him? 54:30 Abortion was a more salient issue in 22' than in 24' 55:30 When the economy is bad, cultural issues take a backseat 57:45 Trump hasn't addressed cost of living and his approval is dropping 59:45 Trump's approval is under 30% with voters under 30 1:01:00 Where do Millennials and Gen-Z align and diverge? 1:03:00 Covid was a defining moment for Gen-Z 1:04:45 Migration patterns are south and west, not north 1:06:15 Gen-Z knows they won't do as well as their parents 1:07:15 Eras tour showed Gen-Z craves in-person experiences and community 1:10:15 Can Democrats manufacture a "Joe Rogan of the left"? 1:11:45 Young men came out of Covid more isolated than young women 1:12:45 MAGA developed relationships with influencers outside of politics 1:14:15 Young men grow up with expectations they'll be providers 1:15:30 The 10 archetypes of young men 1:16:45 "Provider" types are feeling abandoned by institutions 1:18:30 "The Scroller" has been shaped by algorithms 1:20:00 AOC is the only politician to reach young voters via gaming 1:21:30 Will Gen Z be a transformational generation politically? 1:23:00 Gen Z has given up on Washington but not their communities1:25:00 The lesson from Mamdani's win is young voters show up when they feel heard 1:26:15 Gen Z loves Bernie and hates "woke" 1:27:45 Gen Z white men have felt mocked and shamed 1:29:00 Gen Z men see strength in Charlie Kirk 1:31:00 At what stage of life do political preferences get calcified? 1:33:15 Gen Z will be shaped by Trump 1:34:15 Strongman politics will be formative to Gen Z 1:36:00 Is it too soon to understand Gen Alpha?1:39:00 Chuck's thoughts on interview with John Della Volpe 1:40:00 The cultural impact of the celebrities we lost in the past week 1:42:45 Professional wrestling and Donald Trump go hand in hand 1:44:30 Ask Chuck 1:45:00 What areas can the U.S. recover from quickly after Trump leaves office? 1:49:15 Can Democrats learn anything from the "sewer socialists" in Milwaukee? 1:53:00 What was it like doing your cameo in "Heads of State"? 1:54:00 Why are we so fixated on Iran's ability to build a nuke? 1:57:30 Baseball Hall of Fame inductions

Free range political analyst Chuck Todd joined Arizona's Morning News to talk about the recent political headlines in the U.S. This includes, Trump wanting the Washington Commanders to change their name back to the Redskins, Epstein file news and much more.

Chuck Todd begins by addressing the “two shiny objects” in media this week: Epstein and Hunter Biden. He compares Donald Trump's defensive, suspicious response to the Epstein files to his response to the Russia investigation in his first term, and explains why Trump's denials won't appease the conspiracists in his base. He comments on Hunter Biden's recent appearances in media and explains why he wouldn't book him for the ToddCast. He also examines the field of candidates that could succeed Trump for the Republican nomination in 2028.Then, best-selling novelist Daniel Silva joins Chuck for a wide-ranging conversation about his acclaimed Gabriel Allon spy thriller series and the craft of writing. Silva discusses how real-world events and changing global perceptions, particularly around Israel, inform his fictional narratives, while sharing behind-the-scenes insights into his research process—from Vatican experiences to staying current with evolving spycraft and art restoration techniques. The conversation reveals how Silva has attracted high-profile fans like Presidents Clinton and Bush, and explores his concerns about populist movements and antisemitic elements within contemporary politics.The discussion also delves into Silva's creative process, his passion for art and restoration, and his thoughts on the future of publishing in an AI-dominated world. Silva reflects on the challenges facing the next generation of writers, the evolution of independent bookstores, and whether artificial intelligence poses a threat to novelists who dream of building long-running series like his 25-book Gabriel Allon collection. The episode concludes with Silva's summer reading recommendations and a playful question about whether he ever dreams as his famous protagonist.Finally, he reflects on the life of Ozzy Ozborne and the impact Ozborne made on him growing up, and answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:30 Resurrecting and revitalizing local news02:30 The best journalism is done in service of local audiences05:00 Michigan gubernatorial race has three viable candidates08:00 The two shiny objects this week are Epstein and Hunter Biden09:30 Mike Johnson shut down the house out of fear of Epstein vote12:00 There are enough facts in the Epstein case to validate the conspiracists14:30 Crazy is rewarded in Republican primaries16:30 Trump's behavior creates suspicion, like he did with Russia18:00 Trump doesn't own the conspiracist base, he borrowed it20:00 Trump is trying all kinds of distractions21:15 Obama allegations are pure distraction and propaganda23:30 Hunter Biden doesn't offer any value as a guest in media24:30 Hunter's media appearances don't do Joe Biden or Dems any good26:00 Running for president can do major damage to a candidate's family27:30 A president has to put the country over their family30:15 There's no “invisible primary” on the Republican side31:30 The runner up usually becomes the next Republican nominee33:30 Will the front runner be someone Trump anoints?35:00 If Trump tanks the economy, it could open up the primary36:00 The different archetypes of potential Trump successors42:15 The primary will be a campaign for the affection of Trump42:45 Daniel Silva joins the Chuck ToddCast! 44:00 Do you know the title of a book before writing it? 45:15 Do you get to know Daniel by reading his books? 46:45 The real world informs the imagined world of his books 49:45 How have changing perceptions of Israel informed his book? 51:15 No desire to write about the Israel/Palestine conflict 52:45 Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are both fans of the books 55:00 The books reflect the importance of institutions 56:45 Populists on both sides don't care about the post cold war order 57:30 The MAGA movement is dripping with antisemetic elements 59:00 Daniel's journey into Vatican themed fiction 1:01:15 Daniel's personal experiences at the Vatican 1:02:15 Where did his passion for art come from? 1:03:45 How does he keep up with changing trends in spycraft and art? 1:06:45 When does art go from restoration to completely remodeled? 1:09:30 What defines a "fraudulent restoration"? 1:10:45 How much are actual intelligence agents part of your source material? 1:11:45 Gabriel Allon wouldn't have pulled the trigger on the Israeli "beeper" op 1:13:15 Cell phones are the greatest surveillance tool ever created 1:15:00 Will you pivot to China as the boogeyman in the books? 1:15:45 How many more Gabriel Allon books are left to be written? 1:18:15 Does Daniel's family see their own stories in his books? 1:19:15 The evolution of the publishing/printing industry 1:21:45 Independent bookstores need to host events to sell books 1:25:00 The ability of AI to write in your voice 1:26:00 More worried about societal disruptions caused by AI 1:27:00 Skills you can pass to a child might not be relevant in 15 years 1:28:15 Will a 30 year old novelist be able to make a 25 book series in the future? 1:29:00 The Daniel Silva summer reading list 1:31:15 Do you ever dream as Gabriel Allon?1:37:00 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Daniel Silva 1:37:30 RIP to Ozzy Osborne 1:42:15 Ask Chuck 1:42:30 Talking politics and current events with kids? 1:46:15 How will the Department of Education changes affect small districts? 1:48:30 Why don't you start a "get to know your district" show with Colbert?

Chuck Todd begins with new polling that shows that the more Donald Trump enacts his promised agenda, the less the public likes it. He also highlights that Trump is underwater with the public on immigration, which was his strongest issue. Chuck also discusses the many distraction tactics Trump has unsuccessfully deployed to distract from the Epstein files, and previews the brewing battle over gerrymandering.Then, Harvard professor and former presidential candidate Lawrence Lessig joins Chuck Todd to tackle one of America's most persistent political problems: campaign finance reform. Despite overwhelming public support for getting money out of politics, meaningful reform has remained elusive for decades. Lessig discusses his innovative legal strategy to challenge Super PACs at the Supreme Court, arguing that if direct campaign contributions can be limited, then unlimited Super PAC spending should face the same restrictions. He explains how an originalist interpretation of the First Amendment could win over conservative justices like Barrett and Gorsuch, potentially ending the era of unlimited political spending that has dominated elections since Citizens United.The conversation expands beyond campaign finance to explore broader constitutional reforms, including the possibility of a constitutional convention that could address everything from electoral college reform to fractional voting systems. Lessig argues that both Trump supporters and traditional Democrats share a desire to reduce the influence of money in politics, creating unprecedented bipartisan momentum for change. He envisions citizens assemblies that could help reconnect politics with ordinary Americans' concerns, while discussing practical reforms like multi-member districts and proportional electoral vote allocation that states could implement immediately. The episode offers both hope and concrete pathways for restoring democratic governance "by the people" rather than by wealthy donors and special interests.Finally, Chuck gives his thoughts on The Open Championship, the lack of leadership for the Washington Nationals and answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction02:45 The more Trump succeeds on his terms, the less popular he becomes04:15 Trump's aggressive immigration approach is receiving backlash08:00 The public is starting to feel the pain from Trump's economic agenda10:00 A strong majority believe Trump isn't prioritizing deporting criminals12:00 Immigration was Trump's best issue, now he's underwater in polling14:00 Deportations will have a massive negative effect on the economy15:30 All of Trump's policies will contribute to inflation17:15 The public wants the Fed to remain independent.19:15 Trump's approval rating has continually dropped21:00 America could end up with a string of one term presidents22:00 89% of Americans want the Epstein files released23:00 Tulsi Gabbard's Obama/Russia conspiracy is a distraction from Epstein26:00 Russian election interference has been proven28:00 Trump's latest distraction is demanding sports teams change names29:45 Trump demanded release of grand jury testimony to buy time32:15 Michael Wolff says Epstein believed Trump turned him in 33:45 Huge battle brewing over gerrymandering/redistricting35:15 Democrats willing to cede the moral high ground and aggressively gerrymander37:00 Trump has normalized anti-democratic behavior39:00 A constitutional convention could address many modern issues40:15 Professor Lawrence Lessig joins The Chuck ToddCast! 42:15 Why can't we get traction on campaign finance reform? 43:45 Most Americans want reform but don't think it's possible 45:45 Is Trump's "pay to play" system making reform more likely? 47:30 Effort to challenge Super PACs at the Supreme Court 49:30 If outside money isn't quid pro quo, then why aren't campaign contributions? 50:45 If you can limit campaign contributions, why not Super PACs? 52:45 When can you get your case in front of the Supreme Court? 54:15 The 1st amendment doesn't say anything about contributions 56:15 Does Congress need to pass a new law if you win the case? 57:15 Winning the case would effectively end Super PACs 1:00:30 The two justices to win over are Barrett and Gorsuch 1:02:30 Winning the argument by following originalism 1:04:30 There are clear examples of quid pro quo for donations 1:05:30 Will they try to change contribution limits if you win? 1:06:15 Trump supporters also want money out of politics 1:08:30 Electors not being able to vote their conscience is unconstitutional 1:11:00 Conservatives have been pining for a constitutional convention 1:12:00 What issues would be on the table at a convention? 1:13:45 There's bipartisan energy to reform campaign finance 1:15:15 Issues addressed at a convention would need support of 34 states 1:17:15 What would surprise the founders the most about modern politics? 1:20:15 The voters need to be trusted, or it's not a government "By the People" 1:22:15 We should have citizens assemblies in the states to review amendments 1:24:00 Politics has become detached from citizens' concerns 1:25:45 Fractional voting would be healthy for our democracy 1:28:00 State legislatures can decide how to deliver electoral votes 1:29:00 Unintended consequences of fractional voting 1:30:45 Viability of multi-member districts? 1:33:30 Unequal representation between big and small states in the Senate 1:34:45 Political environment is ripe for a convention 1:38:15 Many donors would love to do away with Super PACs1:40:00 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Larry Lessig 1:41:15 The great weather at the Open Championship made it boring 1:42:15 The moment is never too big for Scottie Scheffler 1:43:00 The Washington Nationals have no leadership 1:46:00 Ask Chuck 1:46:15 Should we hold a constitutional convention? 1:48:00 Could Ohio's gubernatorial and senate races be competitive? 1:51:45 A Democrat wins a statewide race in Texas when ____ happens?

Chuck Todd, Host of the Chuck Toddcast Political Podcast, joined the show to catch you up on the latest political headlines. From a change up in the President's Epstein stance to the possibility of firing a Fed Chair, Todd explains the impacts being made nationally.

Onida, SD grower Chuck Todd says his sunflowers look good. They are at the 8-leaf stage and the stands are good. National Sunflower AssociationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, host of the Chuck Toddcast, on political headlines. Andrea Cabral on Epstein files and proposed legislation to ban ICE from wearing face masks in Mass.  Paul Reville  on this latest Harvard subpoena and ongoing animosity between Harvard and Trump. Paul will also cover how the GOP spending bill impacts education, and $100 million in federal funding withheld from Mass. schools.Odie Henderson talks summer movies. This week he'll cover the new ‘Superman' reboot, ‘Sorry, Baby,' and this latest entry into the Jurassic World franchise. He'll also talk 20 years of Brokeback Mountain. 

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?

On today's show, we replay a few of our favorite recent conversations and features, including an interview with journalist Chuck Todd, a feature on the founder of FedEx and an expansion of our musical boundaries with Sound Perimeter.

In today's episode we talk about a shooting over a Honey Bun, the best convenience store snack foods, what to do with a loved one's ashes, listener comments, and Chuck Todd and Jake Tapper taking shots at Joe Biden.Join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeguyson to get the YouTube link for today's show.--------------------------------------Intro music provided by Felt Five. Outro music provided by Infrared Krypto.

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?

Kicking Off Independence Day Week! 1st hour: Recap of our Summer Dining Event at Shish Kebab plus the best local coverage in any medium in SOAZ. Pima releases drug od/suicide report, NGOs don't want cleanups of drug camps, Project blue job numbers in the actual contract. Former LD head calls in to talk about Pima's new voting envelopes 2nd hour National news: Huge Supreme decisions, Canada Trade deal, Big Beautiful bill heading towards a signature, Chuck Todd sums up the DNC in one sentence3rd hour State budget wrap up, State Senate demotes Sen. Shamp, teachers union spending priorities. Whew!

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, Host of the Chuck Toddcast, joins 365 Sports to discuss his thoughts on the Miami and Florida State rivalry, the similarities between politics and college football, his thoughts on the possibility of Miami and Florida State moving conferences, when will Congress get involved in college athletics and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(0:45:00) Zach Barnett, FootballScoop.com (1:08:00) Stewart Mandel, The Athletic (1:35:00) John McClain, HOF Columnist (2:00:00) Chuck Todd, Host of the Chuck Toddcast (2:50:00) Paul Catalina's “Top 5” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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?

In the 8 AM hour, Larry O’Connor and Julie Gunlock discussed: Chuck Todd Wonders if Public Bought ’40-Year Bill of Goods’ About Biden Being Family Man Study: Younger Generations Attracted to Dudes in Therapy WMAL GUEST: REP. JIM JORDAN (R-OH) on the Iran-Israel Ceasefire and Calls for Impeachment. Trump to Attend NATO Summit Days After US Strikes on Iran and with a Ceasefire in Hand Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple, Audible and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 / 8 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Todd and Tapper, Tapper and Todd! They're treading territory already trod! They're just NOW questioning what the Biden admin told them? Attorney General Andrew Bailey joins us in studio.

Mike's Recent appearance on Chuck Todds Podcast "The Chuck ToddCast" Want to hear more from Chuck Todd? Check out his YouTube page: www.youtube.com/@TheChuckToddCast Produced by Corey WaraProduction Coordinator Ashley KhanEmail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠thegist@mikepesca.com⁠⁠⁠⁠To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠ad-sales@libsyn.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to The Gist: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: ⁠⁠⁠⁠GIST INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow The Gist List at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pesca⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chuck Todd on the premiere of his new show “Sunday Night with Chuck Todd,” where he interviewed Steve Bannon.Andrea Cabral on Weinstein verdict.Michael Curry on RFK/vaccine misinformation. Corby Kummer on pricy Boston dining

It's Newsday Tuesday™ with the MR crew and we'll be digging into the Trump administration's deployment of federal troops to Los Angeles amid protests over ICE raids there. Pete Hegseth tries to justify why federal troops are in LA during a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing by pushing falsehoods about both the situation on the ground, the state and local response and federal policies involving the deployment of troops. Meanwhile, National Guardsmen are sleeping on the floor in their uniforms because the hap-hazard nature of this whole operation. California's governor Gavin Newsom for his part says he's going to be suing the Trump administration over it's actions and points out that because of these deployments other important efforts like fire safety are being compromised. Donald Trump says that Greta Thunberg should take anger management classes after her peaceful humanitarian flotilla to Gaza was detained in international waters by the Israeli military. Russell Brand, who is looking more ridiculous with each passing day, mocks Greta and is seemingly upset that unlike him she actually acts based on her convictions. In the Fun Half, Chuck Todd talks to Steve Bannon, who is openly questioning whether Elon Musk ever should have had classified clearances that aren't even granted to weapons contractors like Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Scott Galloway also gets in on the beat down on Musk, though he sort of misses the key point which is that Musk (or any individual for that matter) should hold that much power. And we check in on Ezra Klein, who's taken to the pages of his local paper the New York Times to further make the case for the Abundance Agenda. We also take some calls from listeners. Tune in! Become a member at JoinTheMajorityReport.com: https://fans.fm/majority/join Follow us on TikTok here!: https://www.tiktok.com/@majorityreportfm Check us out on Twitch here!: https://www.twitch.tv/themajorityreport Find our Rumble stream here!: https://rumble.com/user/majorityreport Check out our alt YouTube channel here!: https://www.youtube.com/majorityreportlive Gift a Majority Report subscription here: https://fans.fm/majority/gift Subscribe to the ESVN YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/esvnshow Subscribe to the AMQuickie newsletter here: https://am-quickie.ghost.io/ Join the Majority Report Discord! https://majoritydiscord.com/ Get all your MR merch at our store: https://shop.majorityreportradio.com/ Get the free Majority Report App!: https://majority.fm/app Go to https://JustCoffee.coop and use coupon code majority to get 10% off your purchase! Check out today's sponsors: JUST COFFEE: Go to https://JustCoffee.coop and use coupon code MAJORITY for 10% off your purchase! EXPRESS VPN: Get up to 4 extra months free. https://Expressvpn.com/Majority SUNSET LAKE: Go to https://sunsetlakecbd.com/ Follow the Majority Report crew on Twitter: @SamSeder @EmmaVigeland @MattLech @RussFinkelstein Check out Russ' podcast the New Yorker Political Scene Scene: https://rss.com/podcasts/newyorkerpoliticalscenescene/ Check out Matt's show, Left Reckoning, on Youtube, and subscribe on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoning Check out Matt Binder's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mattbinder Subscribe to Brandon's show The Discourse on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ExpandTheDiscourse Check out Ava Raiza's music here! https://avaraiza.bandcamp.com/ The Majority Report with Sam Seder – https://majorityreportradio.com/

Joe Concha, Fox News Contributor and author of The Greatest Comeback Ever: Inside Trump's Big Beautiful Campaign, joined The Guy Benson Show today to discuss the media's relentless effort to blame Donald Trump for the ongoing LA riots, despite the violence being driven by far-left activists defending criminal illegal aliens. Concha also took aim at Brian Stelter and other mainstream outlets for their absurd attempts to downplay the chaos, describing LA as "normal" even as cars burn and stores are looted. He and Benson also reacted to the unprofessional behavior of figures like Terry Moran and Chuck Todd, with Moran facing suspension for his conduct. Listen to the full interview below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

-- On the Bonus Show: Florida weathermen say they can't predict hurricanes due to budget cuts, Texas considers warning labels on Doritos and M&Ms, and Chuck Todd says his tires were slashed after Trump targeted him, much more... -- Become a Member: https://www.davidpakman.com/membership -- Become a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/davidpakmanshow -- Buy David's book: https://davidpakman.com/book -- Book David Pakman: https://www.cameo.com/davidpakman 

-- On the Show: -- Governor Phil Muprhy (D-NJ) joins David to discuss New Jersey's economy in the wake of Donald Trump's tariff program, the future of the Democratic Party, and much more — Republican Senator Roger Marshall says gutting Medicaid is how you “strengthen” it, in the latest episode of MAGA logic — Elon Musk turns on Trump, calling his budget bill a “disgusting abomination” that explodes the deficit — Trump begs the Fed to bail him out after a disastrous jobs report signals economic slowdown — Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt crashes and burns under even the simplest press questions — Don Jr. flails under questioning about Trump's crypto scheme, claiming it's “hard to know where the money's coming from” — Fox News hosts melt down over Trump being called “TACO,” proving once again that his ego is paper-thin -- On the Bonus Show: Florida weathermen say they can't predict hurricanes due to budget cuts, Texas considers warning labels on Doritos and M&Ms, and Chuck Todd says his tires were slashed after Trump targeted him, much more…

In the 8 AM hour, Larry O’Connor and Julie Gunlock discussed: WMAL GUEST: CHUCK JENKINS (Sheriff, Frederick County) on Trump's declaration of eight Maryland counties as "sanctuary jurisdictions." Frederick County was notably not among them. NBC WASHINGTON: Trump officials say ‘sanctuary jurisdictions' in DC area defy immigration laws CHUCK TODD was on Piers Morgan's podcast and blamed the leadership of the Democratic Party for covering Biden's decline. TIM WALZ rips on Trump TIMES OF ISRAEL: Greta Thunberg sets sail with Gaza flotilla that aims to break Israeli naval blockade Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple, Audible and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 / 8 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Democrats continue to turn on each other as Chuck Todd takes aim at Sen Chuck Schumer over the Biden cover up. Visit the Howie Carr Radio Network website to access columns, podcasts, and other exclusive content.

Join Jim and Greg for the 3 Martini Lunch as they discuss the new pope, Hamas freeing the final American hostage, the Qataris trying to gift President Trump a new Air Force One, and Chuck Todd saying "sources" were the real "culprits" in perpetuating the the myth that Joe Biden was up to the job of president.First, after a quick discussion on the new pontiff, they breathe a major sigh of relief at the news that Hamas has released Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage from the October 2023 attacks on Israel. Jim says this is undoubtedly good news and he hopes the U.S. keeps applying pressure until all the Israeli hostages under Hamas control are freed as well. Next, as Trump heads to the Middle East, they urge caution as Qatar offers the president the gift of a luxury Boeing 747 as a new Air Force One. Jim points out that Boeing is woefully behind in producing the next generation plane for the president but says this is still a very bad idea. Questions are swirling about what the Qataris really want in return, but Jim and Greg are more concerned about how the plane could be bugged or compromise national security in some other way given Qatar's longstanding friendliness with terrorist groups and rogue regimes.Finally, they get a kick out of longtime NBC News host Chuck Todd saying it's not the media who should be blamed for covering up Joe Biden's obvious decline. No, he blames it on "sources" close to Biden who assured him and other reporters Biden was just fine. It's the latest pathetic excuse for the media, who saw and heard Biden as often as he was in public and dutifully carried the water for Biden's fitness as he ran for re-election.Please visit our great sponsors:No missed calls, no missed customers with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at https://Openphone.com/3mlCut your cloud bill in half when you switch to OCI by Oracle. Act by May 31st. Visit https://Oracle.com/MARTINIThis spring, get up to 50% off select plants at Fast Growing Trees with code MARTINI, plus an extra 15% off at checkout on your first purchase!  Visit https://fastgrowingtrees.com/Martini

Today on The Gist we play back a section for our Chuck Todd interview that didn't make it on air and revisit a 2020 interview with Don Bacon. Produced by Corey WaraEmail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠thegist@mikepesca.com⁠⁠⁠⁠To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠sales@advertisecast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to The Gist: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: ⁠⁠⁠⁠GIST INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow The Gist List at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pesca⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pope Francis posthumously sends a Popemobile to Gaza — a gesture more symbolic than logistical. Chuck Todd returns to discuss media complicity, Biden's bubble-wrap presidency, and the audience-capture logic warping modern newsrooms. In the Spiel, Bernie Sanders' love of the word “oligarchs” versus Elissa Slotkin's preference for “kings” is perhaps explained by a family history that makes Slotkin a descendant of America's hot dog royalty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Meet the Press host Chuck Todd joins to talk about his new podcast, The Chuck Toddcast. He discusses why being a non-pushover and being non-partisan are complimentary, and what too many ex-network stars get wrong about "liberation." Also how Priebus, Pence, and Kushner acted as guardrails whereas Trump 2.0 feels more like a solo demolition derby. Plus: Kristen Welker's Trump interview somehow included dolls, gas prices under $2, and not ruling out war with Canada. And in The Spiel: if California wants just 35% of car sales to be gas-powered by 2026, how exactly do they plan to enforce it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chuck Todd, former moderator of Meet the Press and host of The Chuck ToddCast, joins Dan to assess how the news media has responded to Trump 2.0. His read? Not great. He and Dan lament cable news' tired playbook, discuss Craigslist's indirect role in electing Donald Trump, and question whether broadcast news may be in the early stages of a kleptocracy. Then, turning to the Democratic Party, Chuck and Dan debate which fights Democrats should focus on, what voters will want from the party in 2028, and whether the right is exploiting President Biden's decline to undermine the left's faith in journalism.

Adam sits down with Benny Johnson to break down Trump's surprising taste in White House décor, Adam's pitch for throwback uniforms and retro fast-food menus, and how his rants about California's slow-motion collapse turned out to be dead-on. They also take a look at Chuck Todd doing gymnastics to dodge blame for lying about Biden's brain fog, question whether Kamala's aiming for governor, and try to make sense of Meghan Markle's exhausting calendar.Later, Adam, Benny, and Jason “Mayhem” Miller discuss the day's headlines—including Trump's papal aspirations, the Oscars' latest woke checklist, a new mom booted from her running club over a trans controversy, and Katy Perry circling the drain. Plus, they fire up the “Spin the Wheel” game, and Benny gets put through the wringer. Get it on.FOR MORE WITH BENNY JOHNSON:INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: @bennyjohnsonFOR MORE WITH JASON “MAYHEM” MILLER:INSTAGRAM: @mayhemmillerTWITTER: @mayhemmillerThank you for supporting our sponsors:BetOnlineHims.com/ADAMHydrow.com Use code ADAM Pluto.TVbruntworkwear.com/ADAM#BruntpodGet $10 Off at BRUNT with code ADAM athttps://www.bruntworkwear.com/ADAM#BruntpodLIVE SHOWS: May 2 - Port Charlotte, FL (2 shows)May 3 - Port Charlotte, FL (2 shows)May 4 - Melbourne, FLMay 30 - Tacoma, WA (2 shows)May 31 - Tacoma, WA (2 shows)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's episode, Adam and Dr. Drew talk about Chuck Todd trying to court blame towards the democrats and not the media for misleading the public on Biden's cognitive mental state. They then talk about celebrity transformations with David Dobrik and Olly Murs. They then talk about women and body types that women are attracted to… Thanks for supporting our sponsors:ProlonLife.com/ADSSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dave Rubin of “The Rubin Report” talks about White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shocking the White House press corps with the announcement of Trump's new executive order targeting sanctuary cities; CNN's Jake Tapper's response to the Trump administration's brilliant placement of signs featuring criminal illegal immigrant's faces where the media can't ignore them; Border Czar's Tom Homan surprising a reporter with his answer to his gotcha question about Mexico paying to build the border wall and the real issues with migrant crime; Chuck Todd explaining to Chris Cillizza why the media shouldn't be blamed for the cover up of Biden's cognitive decline, and why all blame should be on Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Party; Jordan Peterson telling Joe Rogan how Trump's tariffs on Canada will backfire by giving more power to new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney; a flashback to “The Daily Show's” Jon Stewart fawned over Elon Musk and his success at SpaceX; and much more. WATCH the MEMBER-EXCLUSIVE segment of the show here: https://rubinreport.locals.com/ Check out the NEW RUBIN REPORT MERCH here: https://daverubin.store/ ---------- Today's Sponsors: 1775 Coffee - 1775's Rejuvenate Coffee is a bold dark roast infused with Ca-AKG, the same compound studied to reverse biological age by up to 8 years. Rubin Report viewers get 15% off their order. Go to: https://1775coffee.com/RUBIN and use code RUBIN Prolon - Rejuvenate your body from the inside out, while supporting enhanced skin appearance, fat loss, and improving energy and focus. Prolon is offering 15% off and a bonus gift for Rubin Report viewers. Go to: http://ProlonLife.com/DAVE Rumble Premium - Corporate America is fighting to remove speech, Rumble is fighting to keep it. If you really believe in this fight Rumble is offering $10 off with the promo code RUBIN when you purchase an annual subscription. Go to: https://Rumble.com/premium/RUBIN and use promo code RUBIN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices