Massive “No Kings” protests swept across the country this weekend — peaceful, organized, and impossible to ignore. Chuck Todd breaks down what the demonstrations say about growing frustration with Trump’s leadership as his administration faces a government shutdown, soaring insurance costs, and a controversial new military campaign in the Caribbean. As Trump retweets crude AI videos and governs for only half the country, Congress remains silent on legally dubious strikes against Venezuela, an operation critics say has more to do with ousting Maduro than fighting drugs. Todd examines how America’s history of self-interest in Latin America and declining democratic norms at home have converged to create a moment of moral and political reckoning — and why ignoring it might come at a cost.

Finally, Chuck Todd hops in the ToddCast Time Machine to recap the history of the Teapot Dome scandal and how it closely mirrors the corruption of the Trump administration, answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment, and recaps the weekend in college football.

Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!

Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction

01:30 No Kings protests held around the country

02:15 Protests were timed deliberately in advance of elections

04:30 Huge turnout numbers at the protests

08:30 No incidents at protests that led to confrontations with police

09:45 Trump retweets AI video of himself flying plane and dropping poop

10:45 Trump has the mentality of a 13 year old boy

12:00 Trump has no lifelong friends

13:15 Trump isn’t traveling the country to sell his agenda, unlike first term

14:15 Remarkable that so many people are willing to protest on a Saturday

16:00 Republicans would be wise not to dismiss the protests

16:30 Controversy grows around Trump’s military strikes in Caribbean

17:45 Congress is failing to provide any oversight of the executive

19:00 Insurance notices indicating massive premium spikes coming soon

20:00 Shocking there’s less outrage Trump governs for only half the country

20:45 Government shutdown has turned into a giant mess

22:15 Trump’s administration hints they aren’t sure boat strikes are legal

23:45 Venezuela story would get more attention if it was anywhere else

24:30 Administration refuses to call the strikes “war”

25:15 Repatriating captives helps administration avoid legal questions

26:45 Legality of strikes will be eventually be determined in US courts

28:00 Claiming cartels are “terrorists” doesn’t meet legal definition

28:45 Venezuela isn’t part of the fentanyl drug trade

29:30 Trump & Rubio’s obsession is actually about getting rid of Nicolas Maduro

31:00 The U.S. military has never gone after narcoterrorists before

32:00 Congress has not authorized use of military force in Caribbean

33:30 Members of congress not convinced by rationale for strikes

35:00 Trump is greenlighting killings without making case for it

37:30 If overdose deaths are the rationale, the problem is with Mexico

39:00 Trump hasn’t ruled out striking the Venezuelan mainland

41:00 The US had never designated a cartel as terrorists until this year

44:30 America’s history in Latin America is atrocious and self-interested

47:00 ToddCast Time Machine 

47:15 October 25th, 1929 - Jury convicts the first cabinet secretary to prison 

48:45 Teapot Dome scandal 

50:00 Harding signed executive order transferring oil fields, leased to oil barons 

51:15 Fall received $7 million dollars in exchange for oil leases 

52:45 Harding's death spawned conspiracy theories about corruption 

53:15 Albert Fall convicted of bribery 

54:00 Comparing teapot dome to Trump's modern day corruption 

55:15 The "out" party should always be the one in charge of oversight 

56:30 Watergate isn't the parallel to Trump's corruption, Teapot Dome is 

56:45 Ask Chuck 

57:00 Will the No Kings protests have any real effect on politics? 

59:30 How can Democrats regain control of the political narrative? 

1:04:30 College football update

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Massive “No Kings” protests swept across the country this weekend — peaceful, organized, and impossible to ignore. Chuck Todd breaks down what the demonstrations say about growing frustration with Trump’s leadership as his administration faces a government shutdown, soaring insurance costs, and a controversial new military campaign in the Caribbean. As Trump retweets crude AI videos and governs for only half the country, Congress remains silent on legally dubious strikes against Venezuela, an operation critics say has more to do with ousting Maduro than fighting drugs. Todd examines how America’s history of self-interest in Latin America and declining democratic norms at home have converged to create a moment of moral and political reckoning — and why ignoring it might come at a cost.

Then, Ars Technica space journalist Eric Berger joins Chuck Todd to unpack the new global race to the moon — and why it’s about power as much as science. With China poised to beat the U.S. back to the lunar surface, NASA’s Artemis program faces both technological and geopolitical pressure. Berger and Todd explore how space has become the next great stage for competition, where the first shots of a future war could be fired — not on Earth, but in orbit. From SpaceX’s dominance and Elon Musk’s influence, to Blue Origin’s lagging efforts and Boeing’s uncertain role, the conversation digs into who will actually shape humanity’s future beyond Earth.

They also discuss the growing role of private companies in both space exploration and weather forecasting, how AI is reshaping meteorology, and whether we’ll ever see space-based energy or asteroid mining become viable. It’s a sweeping look at how politics, technology, and ambition are colliding — in a sky that’s getting more crowded by the day.

Finally, Chuck Todd hops in the ToddCast Time Machine to recap the history of the Teapot Dome scandal and how it closely mirrors the corruption of the Trump administration, answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment, and recaps the weekend in college football.

Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!

Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction

01:30 No Kings protests held around the country

02:15 Protests were timed deliberately in advance of elections

04:30 Huge turnout numbers at the protests

08:30 No incidents at protests that led to confrontations with police

09:45 Trump retweets AI video of himself flying plane and dropping poop

10:45 Trump has the mentality of a 13 year old boy

12:00 Trump has no lifelong friends

13:15 Trump isn’t traveling the country to sell his agenda, unlike first term

14:15 Remarkable that so many people are willing to protest on a Saturday

16:00 Republicans would be wise not to dismiss the protests

16:30 Controversy grows around Trump’s military strikes in Caribbean

17:45 Congress is failing to provide any oversight of the executive

19:00 Insurance notices indicating massive premium spikes coming soon

20:00 Shocking there’s less outrage Trump governs for only half the country

20:45 Government shutdown has turned into a giant mess

22:15 Trump’s administration hints they aren’t sure boat strikes are legal

23:45 Venezuela story would get more attention if it was anywhere else

24:30 Administration refuses to call the strikes “war”

25:15 Repatriating captives helps administration avoid legal questions

26:45 Legality of strikes will be eventually be determined in US courts

28:00 Claiming cartels are “terrorists” doesn’t meet legal definition

28:45 Venezuela isn’t part of the fentanyl drug trade

29:30 Trump & Rubio’s obsession is actually about getting rid of Nicolas Maduro

31:00 The U.S. military has never gone after narcoterrorists before

32:00 Congress has not authorized use of military force in Caribbean

33:30 Members of congress not convinced by rationale for strikes

35:00 Trump is greenlighting killings without making case for it

37:30 If overdose deaths are the rationale, the problem is with Mexico

39:00 Trump hasn’t ruled out striking the Venezuelan mainland

41:00 The US had never designated a cartel as terrorists until this year

44:30 America’s history in Latin America is atrocious and self-interested

48:15 Eric Berger joins the Chuck ToddCast 

49:15 China is on track to beat the U.S. back to the moon 

50:45 NASA is still pursuing the Artemis program 

52:00 Both the U.S. and China are targeting the moon's south pole 

54:15 If you want to be a superpower, needs a presence on the moon 

54:45 SpaceX's Starship is best equipped for Mars mission 

55:30 Best methods of propulsion for long distance space missions 

56:45 The biggest reason for lunar landing is geopolitics/flexing 

57:30 Treaty says that no country can claim ownership of the moon 

58:30 How would a private company stake a resource claim on the moon? 

1:00:00 Has low earth orbit gotten too crowded with man made satellites? 

1:01:00 In the next big war, the first shots will likely be fired into space 

1:02:45 Cooperation in space has diminished, become more nationalistic 

1:04:45 Most countries forced to rely on US, Russia and China for space launches 

1:05:45 UAE is developing space capabilities with NASA's help 

1:06:30 NASA can't get to space without private contractors/SpaceX 

1:07:00 Elon Musk is the most important person to spacefight globally 

1:08:30 Blue Origin is far behind SpaceX in capabilities for lunar lander 

1:09:15 Will Boeing's space program ever deliver? 

1:10:15 Will the first space hotel be in orbit or on the moon? 

1:11:15 There's very little demand for orbital tourism, very expensive 

1:12:45 Mars missions are incredibly different, will likely be one-way to start 

1:14:15 There are no resources on Mars worth the cost of mining and shipping back 

1:15:00 The only reason to go to Mars is to make humans a space-faring species 

1:16:00 Robots are far superior to humans for scientific research missions 

1:17:15 There's more water on Europa than Earth, life could be there 

1:18:45 Best places in solar system for humans to possibly create bases 

1:20:30 Is Bezos's idea of heavy manufacturing on the moon a pipe dream? 

1:21:45 Mining asteroids could provide all the metals we'd ever need 

1:22:30 SpaceX's Falcon9 rocket made cost of accessing space far lower 

1:23:45 Are energy production advances the best way to sell space costs to taxpayers? 

1:25:30 Space based energy production is far from being commercially viable 

1:26:45 The Europeans surpassed the U.S. at meteorology 

1:27:45 Can AI tools help fill the gaps after U.S. cut funding for NOAA? 

1:28:30 AI hurricane modeling seems to be just as good as physics based models 

1:29:30 Private sector still relies on the government for weather forecasting 

1:30:45 We need better data collection for our weather forecasting 

1:33:00 Private companies are hiring their own meteorologists 

1:35:45 Microforecasting has gotten much better due to the internet 

1:36:53 What does Ars Technica cover and what is its mission? 

1:39:00 Do we know more about the solar system or the oceans?

1:43:15 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Eric Berger 

1:43:30 ToddCast Time Machine 

1:43:45 October 25th, 1929 - Jury convicts the first cabinet secretary to prison 

1:45:15 Teapot Dome scandal 

1:46:30 Harding signed executive order transferring oil fields, leased to oil barons 

1:47:45 Fall received $7 million dollars in exchange for oil leases 

1:49:15 Harding's death spawned conspiracy theories about corruption 

1:49:45 Albert Fall convicted of bribery 

1:50:30 Comparing teapot dome to Trump's modern day corruption 

1:51:45 The "out" party should always be the one in charge of oversight 

1:53:00 Watergate isn't the parallel to Trump's corruption, Teapot Dome is 

1:53:15 Ask Chuck 

1:53:30 Will the No Kings protests have any real effect on politics? 

1:56:00 How can Democrats regain control of the political narrative? 

2:01:00 College football update

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd breaks down the latest political and global chaos as the government shutdown drags on with no resolution in sight—because, as he puts it, “nothing moves without Trump.” From Trump’s trade threats against China and his transactional diplomacy in the Middle East to Netanyahu’s political freefall in Israel, the episode examines how American and global politics are increasingly driven by short-term leverage over long-term stability. Todd also exposes how Trump’s team has weaponized government institutions—from Russ Vought’s reckless layoffs to Pam Bondi’s politicized DOJ—and how Trump’s online behavior, including an embarrassing Truth Social blunder, raises national security concerns. With the rule of law eroding and America’s moral authority slipping away, Chuck warns that the U.S. may be entering an era where power, not principle, defines governance.

Then, Moody’s chief economist Mark Zandi joins Chuck to assess an economy that looks strong on paper—but feels weak for most Americans. While the top third of earners are doing well, lower-income households are tightening their belts as consumer spending slows and job creation stagnates. Zandi warns of a 30–40% chance of a recession by 2026, citing the drag from federal job cuts, the drying up of COVID relief funds, and the destabilizing effects of rising tariffs and electricity costs.

They also dig into the booming—but risky—AI sector, where soaring valuations and limited job growth may be setting up the next market correction. Gold prices are surging, commercial real estate is slumping, and housing shortages are widening for middle-class renters. With Americans increasingly unable to move for better opportunities and faith in Washington deteriorating, Zandi and Todd explore whether the U.S. economy can remain the world’s “safe haven” — or if 2026 could be the year that confidence finally cracks.

Finally, Chuck goes back to the 1987 market crash in the ToddCast Time Machine to compare the conditions then to current market conditions, answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment, and gives his college football update.

Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!

Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction - New addition to the Todd household

03:45 Trump/China threaten trade retaliation, just posturing?

04:45 Government remains shutdown, no resolution without Trump

06:00 Trump sensitive to tariff price hikes on pharmaceuticals 

07:00 Trump’s transactional diplomacy works well in the middle east

09:15 Can Netanyahu survive politically without an active war?

10:15 2/3rds of Israeli voters want Netanyahu to resign

11:15 Many of Israel’s threats are gone, but is now very isolated

12:45 Trump’s government has weaponized/politicized everything

14:00 Russ Vought’s mass layoffs were sloppy, overfired at CDC

16:00 Pam Bondi has overtly weaponized the Justice Department

18:15 DOJ indicting Trump enemies he named in social media post

19:45 Trump was DMing Bondi on Truth Social, mistakenly posted publicly

21:30 Trump’s communications far more insecure than Hilary’s emails

24:15 The current Republican congress just rolls over for Trump

25:15 Trump is destroying the rule of law & reputation of the GOP

26:30 If roles were reversed Republicans would be apoplectic

27:45 US has lost moral authority & credibility on the world stage

29:15 Most military leaders would resign quietly if given illegal orders

30:45 Presidents used to respect their predecessors… not Trump

31:45 Trump’s supposed to govern for the entire country, refuses to

34:15 Trump believes two wrongs make a right

35:15 Trump started a trade war with China, and nobody wins a trade war

36:45 United States is far too reliant on China for rare earth metals

40:00 Mark Zandi joins the Chuck ToddCast 

41:00 The economy is only good for the top 1/3rd of earners 

42:00 Lower income earners are struggling 

43:30 Signs of a consumer pullback are starting to show up 

45:00 The economy isn't creating many jobs 

45:30 Chance of a recession is forecast at 30-40% in 2026 

47:15 The economic impact of the cuts to federal workforce 

49:00 Loss of 100k+ federal jobs will be a drag on the economy 

50:00 Covid money is drying up in state and local government budgets 

50:30 AI is starting to have impact on the job force 

53:00 Data center investment creates wealth but not jobs 

54:30 Are the AI stocks creating a bubble? 

55:30 Investors may be a bit over their skis with AI 

56:45 Stock market could be headed for a massive correction 

58:00 Stock price to earnings ratios are at historic high 

59:30 Tariff impacts starting to show up, AI providing a tailwind for economy 

1:01:00 Economy is very vulnerable to unforeseen shocks 

1:01:45 Price of gold at all time high, a warning sign? 

1:03:30 Uncertainty around American economy driving up gold price 

1:04:45 Risk of American economy not being considered a "Safe Haven" 

1:06:00 Loss of safe haven status means higher interest rates 

1:06:30 Impact of rising electricity prices on the economy 

1:08:30 Oil and gas prices have stayed relatively low 

1:09:30 Why haven't investors flocked to real estate as an investment? 

1:10:30 The price of commercial real estate is down substantially 

1:11:45 High interest rates have cooled demand for residential real estate 

1:13:15 The high end rental market is oversupplied 

1:14:00 Workforce/middle income housing is in short supply 

1:15:30 Housing issues vary by city and region, hard to address nationally 

1:16:45 How much would the economy benefit from domestic migration? 

1:18:30 Aging population a big factor in lack of domestic migration 

1:19:00 Most Americans can't afford to move 

1:20:15 Impact of America's broken politics on the economy 

1:22:00 Will issues with China's economy affect the globe? 

1:23:00 Level of risk going into 2026?

1:24:30 ToddCast Time Machine 

1:25:15 October 19th, 1987 - U.S. stock market crash 

1:26:00 Crash resulted in added financial regulation and safeguards 

1:27:45 In week leading up to crash, markets had seen sharp declines 

1:28:15 Computerized trades contributed to crashed 

1:29:45 Crash wasn't rooted in one singular event/issue 

1:30:45 Crash didn't result in wider problems like banking crisis 

1:31:30 Lesson learned was "Don't Panic", market came back 

1:32:45 Current market is dominated by algorithmic trading, creates risks 

1:33:45 Market is highly concentrated in tech 

1:34:45 Why 1987 isn't a corollary for 2025 

1:36:45 Market will always have volatility 

1:37:15 Ask Chuck 

1:37:30 Should more candidates not run under the D or R label? 

1:42:00 What practices would you suggest to reform ballot access? 

1:45:30 Is the risk of China owning Tiktok any worse than Trump allies? 

1:49:45 Were Biden's infrastructure projects halted by Big Beautiful Bill? 

1:52:45 College football update

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Introduction

00:15 Nationals perplexing #1 draft pick

02:45 The pick isn’t reassuring to Nats fans

04:00 You can’t win if you aren’t willing to spend money

07:00 Trump’s reality TV approach is clashing with reality

08:30 Trump is acting very nervous about the Epstein files

10:00 The most simple explanations for the Epstein file debacle

11:00 What is Trump trying to distract from?

11:45 Trump’s immigration narrative doesn’t match reality

14:00 “Alligator Alcatraz” is a disgusting P.R. stunt

15:15 The fear Trump has created will hurt the economy

16:15 Misinformation made the Texas disaster far worse

18:45 Reality will always get the last word

20:30 Our broken information ecosystem is running into reality

21:30 Trump’s retribution campaign is chilling dissent

23:30 People who know better are staying silent

24:45 Trump is looking for a pretext to fire Jay Powell from the Fed

26:00 Trump wants to use a “cost overrun” loophole to fire Powell

29:00 There is a gender crisis brewing for the Democratic party

31:00 Democrats are being viewed as the “women’s party” and against men

33:30 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Introduction

01:00 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 midterms

05:00 Measles outbreak should be a bigger story

06:30 RFK Jr lied to Senator Bill Cassidy

08:30 Kennedy is doing tremendous damage to public health

09:45 Hegseth and Bondi are doing most damage to Trump politically

11:00 Outsiders get eaten alive at the Pentagon

12:15 Joni Ernst is the most likely Hegseth replacement

13:00 MAGA media has turned on Pam Bondi over Epstein

15:00 Howard Lutnick’s media appearances have stopped

15:45 Scott Bessent could get the fed chair job

17:00 Will the Senate pick a fight with Trump over fed chair?

18:30 Bondi most likely to go in the short term

19:30 Democratic voters want drastic action from their representatives

21:30 Trump’s re-election is creating a reactionary revolution on the left

24:00 The Big Beautiful Bill could be a huge political loser for MAGA

26:30 Democrats will distance themselves from Biden

28:30 New poll mapping voter preferences was revealing

30:15 The “invisible primary” for 2028 presidential election

31:15 2028 Democratic hopefuls are visiting early primary states

33:15 Ruben Gallego is getting lots of buzz 

35:30 IRS won’t revoke churches’ tax-exempt status for practicing politics

37:00 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 work

1:40:00 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Introduction

02:15 The right wing Epstein conspiracy theorists are turning on Trump 

03:30 The CIA withheld info on Lee Harvey Oswald for 60 years

05:30 Right wing media created atmosphere of distrust

06:15 The conspiracy theorists are now in power

07:15 The Trump administration won’t be believed by their followers

08:00 The administration is behaving like they have something to hide*

09:45 Misinformation has polluted the discourse

11:30 Trump acolytes lied about Epstein at some point

13:15 When you stoke conspiracies, you aren’t believable when in power

15:00 The government has earned its distrust

16:30 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 thing

19:30 Musk isn’t wrong to want to break the two party system

21:15 The country would be better served by a four party system

23:00 There is a path for Elon to succeed due to his money

23:45 Texas and Florida are the two best states for a third party to succeed

25:15 Several other states are viable for third party senate candidates

29:30 The midterm electorate will be volatile

30:30 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?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.com

Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Introduction

03:00 Politics is making tragedies like Texas even worse

04:30 No evidence that budget cuts played a role in the tragedy

05:30 We’re not prepared for the extreme weather that’s coming

06:30 Voters don’t reward “preventative” policy

09:00 The insurance industry is sounding the alarm on climate

10:30 The climate/disaster debate will only grow

12:30 It’s not “too soon for politics”, we need to be better prepared

13:45 Elon Musk launches the “America Party”

15:15 Musk wants to own, not share a movement

17:00 We need TWO new parties

20:00 Only a few defections to third parties would force change

21:30 There’s massive interest in a third party

23:30 Trump says he “hates” Democrats

25:30 Ron DeSantis vetoes veterans treatment over personal dispute

27:45 Lawmaker blew the whistle on the DeSantis charity

30:00 Line-item vetoes are fraught for political corruption

32:00 Petty politics is being used to harm veterans

34:30 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?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 merger

03:00 The pay off stains all corporate media and news

04:15 It is a gut punch for practicing journalists

06:00 Corporate owned media are losing their legitimacy

08:15 There’s no good explanation for capitulation

10:30 For media to have credibility, they have to be ethical

11:30 Trump cuts off military aid to Ukraine

13:00 A majority of the American public supports Ukraine

15:45 Supporting Ukraine makes strategic sense for the U.S.

17:30 The Russians helped Trump in 20016, even if there wasn’t collusion

19:00 American news doesn’t prioritize covering the war

20:30 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Introduction

00:15 90 days from Liberation Day and “90 deals in 90 days”, there are two deals

01:30 Trump will back off on tariffs again to avoid economic damage

02:30 The Big Beautiful Bill passes the Senate

04:15 Josh Hawley votes for bill despite promises not to cut health care

06:00 Lisa Murkowski cites tax break expiration for her yes vote

08:15 Murkowski has always been Alaska first over America first

09:30 Republicans fall in line out of fear of Trump

11:00 Congress is broken 

13:00 Bipartisanship is dead in the 21st century

14:30 Both parties have weaponized partisanship

16:15 How do we fix the broken congress?

17:30 The public needs to understand WHY congress is broken

19:00 Independents could force congress to function better

21:00 Bill was rushed due to Trump’s impatience

22:30 We’re in the kleptocracy stage, headed toward authoritarianism

24:00 Dysfunction in congress has created a more powerful presidency

26:00 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 kleptocrats

1:23:30 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?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Introduction

01:00 Senator Thom Tillis won’t seek reelection

02:00 Tillis struggled to fully embrace Trumpism/MAGA

03:00 Tillis felt harassed by the Trump team

05:30 Rep. Don Bacon also not seeking reelection

08:00 Tillis retirement makes Roy Cooper senate run more likely

09:15 Lara Trump may run for Tillis’s seat

11:00 Trump has caused multiple senate seats to flip blue

12:15 How Democrats can pick up the seats to flip the senate

13:15 North Carolina, Texas, Maine could all be in play for Democrats

15:30 Susan Collin managed to make both sides mad

17:00 Louisiana probably out of reach for Democrats

18:30 Other states Democrats can target

22:00 Budget cuts to rural states could create openings for Democrats

24:15 It’s an uphill battle for Democrats, but they’re in the game

28:00 It’s been a tumultuous week in politics

28:30 Trump has pushed the limits of his powers

29:30 Trump has created a blueprint for successors to follow

31:00 We’ve grown numb to power being used for personal gain

32:00 Politics was becoming less corrupt until Trump

34:00 After Nixon, the country wanted a high character president

35:15 The constitutional guardrails are being weakened

37:00 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 up

1:02:15 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?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Introduction

00:30 Zohran Mamdani is a political earthquake for the Democratic party

01:30 The Democratic party’s lukewarm reaction to Mamdani’s victory

03:30 The Democratic establishment has imposed flawed candidates on their voters

06:30 The establishment doesn’t understand how unpopular their candidates are

07:45 Voters never got due process for Cuomo

08:30 Republicans are trying to weaponize Mamdani

10:30 Democrats need to stop supporting legacy names/candidates

12:00 If the wealthy are upset, Mamdani is winning

13:00 Democrats want to embrace Mamdani without adopting his positions

15:00 Is the Democratic party ripe to be overtaken by progressive candidates?

16:30 The uncomfortable alliance between progressives and wealthy Democrats

20:45 Cuomo felt out of touch to the voters

22:30 Chuck Schumer has becoming the establishment punching bag

24:15 Who can replace Chuck Schumer in leadership?

26:30 Gerry Nadler endorses Mamdani

28:00 Governing New York City is incredibly difficult

29:30 Mamdani’s victory could inspire primaries against older politicians

31:30 The “Big Beautiful Bill” is incredibly unpopular

33:30 There’s nothing positive in the bill to sell to their base

34:30 Polling shows voters want the government to do MORE

36:15 Almost every pick in the NBA draft had been traded

38:15 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 0

1:23:45 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?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd begins with Zohran Mamdani’s stunning victory over Andrew Cuomo in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary. He points to Mamdani’s cost of living messaging and youth as major factors in the victory, but cautions the party against embracing the “socialist” label, and wonders whether the party establishment will embrace or shun Mamdani.

Then, Chuck is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, who shares his deeply personal journey of living as an undocumented immigrant in America and how it shaped his perspective on one of the nation's most divisive issues. Vargas, who publicly revealed his undocumented status over a decade ago, discusses the atmospheric shift in immigration discourse under Trump, the bipartisan failures that have plagued reform efforts, and why he believes coming out as gay was actually easier than revealing his immigration status. He offers a unique insider's view of working at major outlets like the Washington Post while hiding his legal status, living in constant fear of deportation.

The conversation delves into the broader media and political landscape surrounding immigration, with Vargas arguing that Democrats have failed to provide a positive counter-narrative to right-wing messaging that has made anti-immigration sentiment central to Republican identity. He challenges both parties for using immigration as a political football rather than addressing the human reality of 40 million people of Mexican heritage living in America. Vargas advocates for journalism that goes beyond economic impact stories to humanize immigrants' experiences, while grappling with the tension between objective reporting and advocacy journalism. The discussion also touches on America's demographic future, the need for immigrant labor to offset declining birth rates, and whether the nation can reconcile its identity as both a country of immigrants and a Judeo-Christian society.

Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding the viral Ted Cruz vs Tucker Carlson interview and addresses the conspiracy theory that Starlink hacked voting machines in the 2024 election.

Timeline: 

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Introduction

01:00 Zohran Mamdani beats Andrew Cuomo in NYC mayoral primary

02:30 Multiple possible explanations for Mamdani’s victory

03:30 Cost of living messaging resonated

04:30 This will supercharge the young vs old debate in the party

05:30 Will the “democratic socialism” label become a liability for the party?

08:00 Moderates rallying around Cuomo made no sense

09:00 This should be a wake up call for the Democratic establishment

10:00 Democratic voters are looking for “new”

11:45 Mamdani fired first shot in battle to rebrand the party

13:30 Rallying around Eric Adams would be a bad move for the establishment

15:30 Mamdani needs to expand his tent

17:30 The big tent illusion - Both parties claim to be "big tent" but aren't 

19:15 It's hard to not have a "label" in our current politics 

21:00 The Republican party has become a cult of personality 

21:45 Politicians can't ever agree with the other side 

22:30 The only politicians with a big tent approach are governors 

25:00 The coalition that elected Trump is big tent, he isn't governing like it 

26:30 Our politics would be healthier if there was four parties 

28:00 Politics wasn't designed to be winner-take-all 

29:30 Bipartisanship would produce better, more durable legislation 

33:30 John Cornyn may drop out, but only if he can stop Ken Paxton 

35:45 If Ken Paxton is the nominee, Democrats could win the TX senate seat 

37:00 Center-right voters in Texas are homeless 

37:45 The TikTok extension via executive order is illegal 

38:30 Donald Trump has refused to enforce the law with TikTok 

39:45 Politicians are fearful of alienating TikTok users

41:30 Jose Antonio Vargas joins the Chuck ToddCast! 

42:00 What year did you go public with your undocumented status? 

44:00 The atmospheric shift around immigration under Trump 

45:30 George W. Bush was much more compassionate to immigrants 

46:30 Immigration has been a bipartisan mess 

47:30 Immigration has been the central issue in right wing media 

49:00 Democrats haven't provided a positive counter narrative 

50:15 Being undocumented is living a life of fear 

51:45 Nobody at the Washington Post knew he was undocumented 

53:30 People following the proper process are being arrested 

56:00 Backlash to demographic changes 

58:00 White immigrants can hide in plain sight 

59:00 Anti-immigration is the currency of the Republican party 

01:00:30 Immigration wasn't always covered politically 

01:03:30 Jose was shocked he wasn't contacted by ICE 

01:04:30 Both parties have used immigration to score political points 

01:06:30 Coming out as gay was easier than coming out as undocumented 

01:09:00 Obligation to be doing advocacy journalism? 

01:11:30 We haven't felt the economic effects of mass deportation yet 

01:13:45 Why is it so hard to positively sell immigration to conservatives? 

01:16:30 Journalists need to be educators 

01:18:15 We live in a post-literate world 

01:21:15 Journalism vs Advocacy 

01:22:30 Helping people tell immigrant stories 

01:25:15 Holding people in power to account 

01:26:30 Need for immigrants to compensate for declining birth rates 

01:28:00 Immigrant stories rarely get told outside of economic impact 

01:31:00 Segregation still exists, but it's in media/information ecosystems 

01:32:45 Are we a nation of immigrants or a Judeo-Christian society? 

01:37:30 The case for optimism 

01:39:15 Journalists need to humanize the immigration issue

01:40:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Jose Antonio Vargas 

01:42:00 Is the rift between Tucker Carlson and Ted Cruz real or manufactured? 

01:47:05 When did U.S. politics become so hyperpartisan? 

01:52:00 Thoughts on the theory that Starlink tampered with voting machines?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd begins by reacting to President Donald Trump’s decision to order airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. He explains that diplomacy was still on the table, that Israel backed him into a corner, and why he believes that Kamala Harris would have made the same decision if she was president. He highlights the potential ways Iran could strike back, and debates whether this move actually will make the world safer. He also examines the state of the New York mayoral primary and why the Democratic establishment is scared of one particular candidate.

Then CNN's Jake Tapper joins Chuck for an in-depth discussion that spans politics, media, and personal insights. The duo discuss Tapper’s bestselling new book “Original Sin” and explore critical questions about journalism's role in vetting political candidates, particularly examining President Biden's age and cognitive health, the media's coverage of his decline, and whether there was a coordinated effort to shield him from scrutiny. They offer their perspectives on Biden's decision to run for re-election, the dynamics surrounding Kamala Harris's selection as VP, and how the political establishment rewards seniority over merit in Congress.

Beyond the serious political analysis, the conversation takes a more personal turn as Tapper discusses his approach to social media detox, his upcoming book about Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie, and his thoughts on political satire from South Park to SNL. They also dive into lighter territory, covering everything from Philadelphia sports fandom and memorabilia collecting to streaming recommendations and the challenges of maintaining work-life balance as a high-profile journalist. This episode offers both sharp political commentary and genuine personal insights from two veteran journalists reflecting on their craft and the current media landscape.

Finally, he answers questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment, and reflects on the life of his family dog Ruby after her passing. 

Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Introduction

01:00 Trump orders attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities

02:00 Nobody wants a nuclear arms race in the middle east

02:30 Bombing was a choice, there were other options

03:45 The consequences will affect the entire globe

05:15 Other countries could race toward nukes

06:00 Israel cornered the US government into airstrikes

07:45 Kamala Harris probably would have ordered the airstrikes*

09:15 Israel would have forced the president’s hand either way

10:15 Trump didn’t make the case for strikes in remarks to the nation

12:00 Iran could strike back asymmetrically 

12:45 Congress has been sidelined, this is Trump’s war

14:45 Did this make the U.S. and the world safer?

17:30 Trump violated the law by not notifying Democrats about the strike

19:30 Eric Swalwell issues an alarming statement about 2028 election

20:45 NYC mayoral primary will show where the energy in the party is

23:00 Mamdani’s candidacy scares the Democratic establishment

24:20 Jake Tapper joins the Chuck ToddCast! 

25:20 How Jake and Chuck met 

29:40 Covid set back younger generation's social development 

31:35 Disengaging from social media 

33:50 Negative feedback online vs. in-person 

35:20 Are politicians constantly suspicious of journalists? 

37:20 Give politicians the benefit of the doubt? 

38:20 Congress won't pass the STOCK Act 

39:05 Biden's decision to run was the "original sin" 

40:35 Biden originally ran with his family under duress 

42:35 There are myths in the legend of Joe Biden 

43:50 Biden's resilience led him to the bad decision to run 

44:35 The "blame the media" narrative around Biden 

45:50 How should the media change its vetting process for candidates? 

47:35 Presidential health reports should be subject to perjury 

48:20 Biden never took a cognitive test 

49:20 Age cap on politicians requires constitutional amendment 

50:20 No evidence that autopen was used 

51:35 There's a culture of coddling "too old" members in congress 

53:50 The system rewards seniority over accomplishment 

55:50 Kay Granger being in a dementia center was covered up 

57:20 Loss of local urgency in political coverage 

59:20 Older politicians are less invested in the future 

1:00:50 In any other sphere, Biden's decline is disqualifying 

1:02:20 Was the cover up a lack of faith in Harris? 

1:03:35 Harris VP choice was for political reasons, not governing 

1:05:20 VP pick was between Harris and Whitmer 

1:07:05 The super original sin was Obama endorsing Clinton 

1:10:35 Start of Biden's decline can be traced back to Beau's death 

1:12:20 Obama has never spoken on Biden's decline 

1:14:50 What style of book do you like to write the most? 

1:18:05 Jake's next book is about Klaus Barbie 

1:19:05 Best current political satire? 

1:22:35 South Park is the best at capturing the culture 

1:24:20 Trump bit on SNL is worn out 

1:26:20 Jake's streaming recommendations 

1:30:20 Does Jake ever stop working? 

1:31:50 Staying off social media 

1:33:20 Journalists shouldn't be celebrities 

1:34:35 Which Philly sports team will you follow even if they suck? 

1:36:50 Collecting sports memorabilia 

1:39:05 The entire SEC cheated 

1:40:20 The long form podcast format vs short TV interviews 

1:43:20 The public's reaction to "Original Sin" 

1:45:20 Trump has been backed into a corner with Iran

1:48:00 Chuck's thoughts on the interview Jake Tapper 

1:48:30 Ask Chuck - Who would you put on Mt. Rushmore of DC media figures? 

1:51:30 What should happen with the Nats after getting swept by the Rockies? 

1:53:45 Chuck remembers his family dog Ruby. Rest in peace.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moody’s chief economist Mark Zandi joins Chuck Todd to assess an economy that looks strong on paper—but feels weak for most Americans. While the top third of earners are doing well, lower-income households are tightening their belts as consumer spending slows and job creation stagnates. Zandi warns of a 30–40% chance of a recession by 2026, citing the drag from federal job cuts, the drying up of COVID relief funds, and the destabilizing effects of rising tariffs and electricity costs.

They also dig into the booming—but risky—AI sector, where soaring valuations and limited job growth may be setting up the next market correction. Gold prices are surging, commercial real estate is slumping, and housing shortages are widening for middle-class renters. With Americans increasingly unable to move for better opportunities and faith in Washington deteriorating, Zandi and Todd explore whether the U.S. economy can remain the world’s “safe haven” — or if 2026 could be the year that confidence finally cracks.

Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!

Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Mark Zandi joins the Chuck ToddCast

01:00 The economy is only good for the top 1/3rd of earners

02:00 Lower income earners are struggling

03:30 Signs of a consumer pullback are starting to show up

05:00 The economy isn’t creating many jobs

05:30 Chance of a recession is forecast at 30-40% in 2026

07:15 The economic impact of the cuts to federal workforce

09:00 Loss of 100k+ federal jobs will be a drag on the economy

10:00 Covid money is drying up in state and local government budgets

10:30 AI is starting to have impact on the job force

13:00 Data center investment creates wealth but not jobs

14:30 Are the AI stocks creating a bubble?

15:30 Investors may be a bit over their skis with AI

16:45 Stock market could be headed for a massive correction

18:00 Stock price to earnings ratios are at historic high

19:30 Tariff impacts starting to show up, AI providing a tailwind for economy

21:00 Economy is very vulnerable to unforeseen shocks

21:45 Price of gold at all time high, a warning sign?

23:30 Uncertainty around American economy driving up gold price

24:45 Risk of American economy not being considered a “Safe Haven”

26:00 Loss of safe haven status means higher interest rates

26:30 Impact of rising electricity prices on the economy

28:30 Oil and gas prices have stayed relatively low

29:30 Why haven’t investors flocked to real estate as an investment?

30:30 The price of commercial real estate is down substantially

31:45 High interest rates have cooled demand for residential real estate

33:15 The high end rental market is oversupplied

34:00 Workforce/middle income housing is in short supply

35:30 Housing issues vary by city and region, hard to address nationally

36:45 How much would the economy benefit from domestic migration?

38:30 Aging population a big factor in lack of domestic migration

39:00 Most Americans can’t afford to move

40:15 Impact of America’s broken politics on the economy

42:00 Will issues with China’s economy affect the globe?

43:00 Level of risk going into 2026?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd is joined by former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of American politics and governance. McCrory, who describes himself as a Reagan conservative, discusses how modern politics has become trapped in rigid left/right binary thinking and reflects on his experience managing civil unrest during the 2016 Charlotte riots. The conversation explores the breakdown of civil discourse, the infiltration of legitimate protests by anarchists, and the failure of political leaders to work across party lines during crises like the recent LA fires.

The discussion delves into pressing questions about federal disaster response, including whether states can manage without FEMA and how the two-party system is failing Americans. They argue that dark money has turned campaign finance into "legal corruption." He also weighs in on whether the Republican Party can be reformed or if America needs a viable third party, while addressing the political survival prospects of senators like Thom Tillis in an increasingly polarized landscape.

Timeline

00:00 Governor Pat McCrory joins the Chuck ToddCast!

01:30 Everything in modern politics is framed in left/right binary terms

03:15 What type of conservative is he?

04:15 What attracted him to Reagan conservatism?

06:00 Americans don’t always demand their leaders show empathy or grace

07:15 We used to be able to have conversations with people we disagree with

10:00 Mayors have less power than people realize

11:00 Congress has given away too much power to the executive branch

12:00 Handling the 2016 riots in Charlotte over a police shooting

12:45 A handful of anarchists have infiltrated the LA protests

15:00 Anarchists try to turn legitimate protests into riots

16:00 Is there a playbook for managing protests and civil unrest?

19:30 Trump, Newsom and Bass should be working together during protests

20:15 The Trump administration views working with Democrats as weakness

21:30 Newsom + Bass not holding joint press conferences during fires was a mistake

23:00 Leaders have to go beyond politics during disasters

24:00 Can states manage disaster relief on their own without FEMA?

26:00 Does FEMA’s need for expediency make it ripe for waste and abuse?

27:00 Disasters are a money making venture for contractors

28:45 FEMA cuts will hurt Trump’s voters the most

30:00 Bad communications after a disaster endanger the public

30:45 Certain government roles shouldn’t be politically appointed

32:30 FEMA needs to be reformed, not eliminated

33:45 Would it be better to reform the GOP, or create a viable third party?

35:15 The two party system is failing America

36:15 The two parties are acting like the mafia

37:15 There is political correctness on both sides of the aisle

39:00 The protests end up being misrepresented on television

41:15 Is the Republican party redeemable?

42:30 Dark money has corrupted our politics

44:15 Crypto has become the top spending lobbying group

48:00 Is crypto really currency if you have to cash it out to spend it?

50:30 Campaign finance has turned into legal corruption

51:45 Can Tom Thillis survive a Republican primary challenge?

55:00 Thillis holds strong convictions about the separation of powers

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd begins by reflecting on the 10th anniversary of Trump descending his golden escalator and the profound impact he’s had on both our politics and culture since. He argues that Trump has had the greatest impact of any president since FDR, why Trump’s “fake it til you make it” persona appeals to voters and believes the negative impacts Trump has had on society will last for decades. He also highlights the anniversaries of the Watergate break-in and the OJ Simpson chase, and the lasting impacts those two events have had on American media.

Then, Chuck is joined by journalist and staff writer for The Atlantic, Mark Leibovich, for a wide-ranging conversation that seamlessly weaves together sports, politics, and cultural commentary. The discussion begins with Leibovich's criticism of Howard Schultz's role in Seattle losing the Sonics, before diving into whether Obama should be more vocal during this political moment. Leibovich argues that Obama's presence might actually reinforce elitist stereotypes about Democrats and questions whether the former president is out of touch with today's electorate.

The conversation takes fascinating detours through Beatles history (with Leibovich making the case that Ringo was the band's essential glue), speculation about whether Biden's debate performance was intentionally designed to showcase his decline, and pointed observations about Trump 2.0 being "almost beyond satire." Leibovich doesn't hold back on Trump's blatant corruption or Chuck’s assessment that "Idiocracy was a documentary," while also analyzing the genuine nature of enthusiasm around Kamala Harris's campaign. The episode concludes with thoughts on baseball's pitch clock, the Red Sox's future, and advice for Democrats to meet voters where they are.

Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment about discrepancies in polling and why poor campaign finance laws allow for the outsized influence of money in Virginia’s gubernatorial race.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

00:30 June 16th marks the 10th anniversary of Trump descending the escalator

01:45 Trump’s staying power isn’t an accident

02:30 Trump’s impact has been greater than any modern president

04:00 Trump’s “fake it til you make it” strategy worked*

05:45 Trump is comfortable being an outsider and disrespected

07:00 Trump remade the Republican party in his image

09:00 The poison he’s injected is division and politicization

11:00 The culture Trump built will shape politics for decades

13:00 June 17th the anniversary of Watergate break in

13:45 The biased liberal media narrative was manufactured by Nixon

15:15 Republicans mistake press neutrality with antagonism 

16:30 Service journalism has become rare

18:15 June 17th also anniversary of OJ Simpson chase

19:30 OJ chase/trial massively changed media

23:00 CNN saw CourTV’s ratings and changed strategy

25:15 Before OJ, news networks didn’t chase ratings

29:00 Mark Leibovich joins the Chuck ToddCast! 

32:30 Mark's homage to the Oklahoma City Thunder 

33:45 Howard Schultz deserves the blame for Seattle losing the Sonics 

35:00 Is there an NBA market that needs to be eliminated/moved? 

37:30 Is it a mistake to brand teams to a state/region over a city? 

39:30 Should Obama be speaking out more due to the vacuum of leadership? 

41:30 Obama to blame for not grooming the next generation? 

42:30 Obama favored Hillary Clinton more than Joe Biden 

43:00 Obama didn't believe in identity politics 

44:45 Can Obama lead by example at this moment? 

46:15 Obama's presence reinforces elitist stereotypes about Democrats 

48:45 If John Lennon had lived, would the Beatles have just been the Rolling Stones? 

51:15 Ringo was the glue for the Beatles 

53:30 Ringo is non judgemental and appeals to both sides 

55:45 Ringo was a huge American football fan 

58:00 Obama seems out of touch with the current electorate 

59:15 Was the energy around Harris genuine enthusiasm, or just relief? 

1:00:15 Biden probably loses 6-8 more states than Harris 

1:02:30 Was the Biden debate intentional to showcase he wasn't up to it? 

1:05:15 There was no cover up of Biden's decline, it was obvious 

1:06:00 Will "Biden baggage" sink Pete Buttigieg or other Biden alum? 

1:08:00 Trump 2.0 is almost beyond satire 

1:09:00 Idiocracy was a documentary 

1:10:15 Why is there no mass outrage over Trump's blatant corruption? 

1:13:00 What traits will the next Democratic president have post-Trump? 

1:14:00 Trump's skill set isn't transferable within the Republican party 

1:15:45 Trump is the definition of "Fake it til you make it" 

1:19:00 Trump weaponized the NFL in the culture war 

1:21:00 The pitch clock has been great for baseball 

1:22:30 Thoughts on the Devers trade 

1:25:00 Are the Red Sox for sale? 

1:26:00 Democrats need to meet voters where they are 

1:26:45 You can't write off Gavin Newsom

1:28:00 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Mark Leibovich 

1:28:30 Ask Chuck 

1:28:45 How can two respected polling companies have very different results? 

1:35:00 Outside money flooding the Virginia gubernatorial race?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd reacts to the bizarre limbo President Donald Trump has put the country and world into as he weighs bringing the United States military into the conflict between Israel and Iran. Chuck weighs the benefits and risks of such a move, explains why Israel can’t end Iran’s nuclear program without the U.S. and why Trump is treating foreign policy like reality TV.

He provides some updates and analysis on several primaries and special elections across the country, and concludes by answering listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment about the ability of unknown candidates to emerge in a crowded media environment and why voters can’t impeach elected officials for bad behavior like we saw from Senator Mike Lee.

Timeline:

00:00 Trump has put the country into a bizarre limbo over Iran 

01:00 It feels like there is a drumbeat towards U.S. military action 

01:50 Iran knows nuclear weapons are a powerful deterrent 

04:05 Trump got traction in the Republican party by opposing the Bush doctrine 

06:20 Iran is weaker than ever after Israel destroyed their proxies 

07:20 Israel can't eradicate Iran's nuclear program without the U.S.

 08:05 Congress isn't likely to confront him over war powers 

09:50 This situation rhymes with the pretense of the Iraq war 

11:20 Trump would be taking a great risk by accepting Israeli intelligence 

12:50 Trump is treating foreign policy like it's a reality TV show 

14:20 America playing world police worked… until it didn't 

15:20 Trump has been backed into a corner 

16:35 There are diverse opinions in the situation room 

17:50 Trump making war decisions via tweet has been normalized 

18:35 Virginia primaries have set up governor's race for later this year 

19:20 Democrats should be poised for clean sweep in Virginia 

20:20 Either way, Virginia will elect its first female governor 

21:20 NY and NJ elections will be closer than Virginia 

22:50 Ranked choice voting in NYC mayor's race creates unique coalitions 

25:20 Ritchie Torres won't run for governor if Zoran Mandani wins mayoral race 

26:50 Sen. Michael Bennett to leave Senate and run for Colorado governor 

28:50 Byron Donalds is already running attack ads in Florida governor race 

30:05 Ohio's gubernatorial race will be closer than you think

34:15 Ask Chuck

34:45 Can an unknown candidate emerge in this media ecosystem?

38:10 Why aren’t house members or senators impeached by their voters? 

41:45 The need for straight shooters in media

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd begins with a solemn observation… that the world and country are both in a very unstable and combustible moment and needs President Donald Trump to offer stable leadership to help turn the temperature down… but is likely incapable of, or unwilling of doing so. He also reflects on Trump’s role in creating an environment ripe for political violence and why he believes we’re living in an Orwellian moment where it’s hard to know what to believe.

Then Chuck sits down with Mike Pesca, host of "The Gist," for a deep dive into media, politics, and culture. The conversation kicks off with observations about the podcast industry's shift toward video content and marketing strategies and how news has evolved from reporting to commentary, blurring the traditional lines between journalism and opinion. They explore the trend of audiences gravitating toward partisan content and echo chambers.

They discuss cryptocurrency's similarities to collectibles and its role in financial privacy, to Trump's media strategy and the Democrats' failure to match his "everywhere" approach to communication. They examine specific policy proposals like DOGE's potential costs, Trump's penny elimination plan, and his willingness to negotiate with hostile nations. They conclude with an intriguing look at the potential politicization of sports media, Caitlin Clark's unexpected role as a political lightning rod and the rarity of overtly political sports coaches like Auburn’s Bruce Pearl.

Finally, he concludes the show by answering listeners’ questions about Elon Musk’s access to government data, what may have been different if Trump hadn’t pulled America out of the Iran nuclear deal and his thoughts on podcasting compared to hosting Meet the Press.

Timeline

00:00 Introduction

00:15 Nats swept by the Marlins

01:00 The country and the world depend on Donald Trump’s leadership

02:30 The only person who can end the Israel/Iran war is Trump

03:30 Trump has infused the Republican Party with isolationism 

05:30 Israel can’t end Iran’s nuclear program without direct US support

07:15 Trump’s deportation policy is a major driver of instability

08:30 Economic damage could cause Trump to back off deportations

09:15 Minnesota shooter was radicalized online

10:45 Most of the political violence in the country has come from the right

12:15 Trump is not interested in lowering the temperature

13:30 Trump won’t accept that he’s contributed to the tension

14:30 Trump’s parade fell flat, but the No King’s protests were massive

15:30 Chuck ended up on the hit list of a radical in 2018

16:50 Trump has created an environment of violence with the J6 pardons  

18:45 We’ve entered an Orwellian moment with disinformation online 

19:45 Kristi Noem’s “liberate California” rhetoric was insane

21:15 When people don’t know what to believe, it makes democracy unstable

23:00 Mike Pesca joins the Chuck ToddCast! 

25:00 Is video format actually good for podcasts? 

28:00 Video feels like the only good way to market a podcast 

30:30 The public hasn't published the podcast industry for not being in real time 

32:15 News has become more commentary than news reporting 

34:00 The lines between news and opinion have been blurred 

37:00 Chuck's take on having two first names 

38:30 What topic doesn't make the cut for "The Gist"? 

40:25 Comedians are the modern day philosophers 

43:00 So many podcasts are just people agreeing with each other 

44:30 Audiences gravitate towards partisan content 

47:00 AI will make the media ecosystem more efficient 

48:45 There's a lack of ideological diversity in the two parties 

50:15 The political duopoly has been bad for voters 

52:45 Crypto is not much different from baseball cards and comic books 

54:00 Crypto is inefficient but it's good for hiding money 

58:00 Political criticisms aren't always partisan 

59:30 DOGE will cost taxpayers more money than it saves 

1:00:30 Trump is great a diagnosing problems but isn't interested in solving them 

1:03:30 Democrats haven't adopted Trump's "everywhere" strategy with media 

1:04:30 Democrats can learn from Trump without emulating him 

1:06:15 Trump's plan to eliminate the penny is a good one 

1:07:15 Trump is willing to cut deals with hostile countries 

1:09:15 Will sports & sports media end up becoming partisan? 

1:10:20 Caitlin Clark is a political lightning rod 

1:12:00 Bruce Pearl is the only college coach that's overtly political 

1:14:45 What is Mike reading that would surprise people?

1:19:00 Ask Chuck

 1:19:20 Was Elon Musk's access to government data considered corruption?

1:23:15 Where would we be now if Trump didn't withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal? 

1:28:15 Long-form podcast format vs Sunday show format?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd criticizes the controversial military birthday parade planned by Trump in Washington, D.C., which marks both the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and Trump’s 79th birthday. He calls out the event as a politicization of the military, a costly spectacle ($25–$45 million) that could have been spent addressing critical social needs such as homeless veterans, Medicaid funding, or infrastructure repair. He takes particular issue with the military personnel being vetted for political loyalty to Trump, which undermines the traditionally apolitical nature of the military and risks eroding public trust. Chuck examines the broader consequences of Trump’s actions, including his use of military intervention in domestic unrest and harsh rhetoric against protestors, which contributes to the dangerous polarization of Americans and threatens democratic norms.

Chuck Todd sits down with former Congresswoman Barbara Comstock to discuss her ongoing efforts to reform the Republican Party from within and the challenges facing the GOP in the Trump era. Comstock argues that the party's fundamental problem isn't ideological but character-based, as Republicans have abandoned character as a voting issue and are now required to lie to their voters to maintain political viability. She believes reform must come from the bottom up through state and local politics, which have been less infected by Trumpism, and warns that MAGA Republicans' indifference to whether government actually works has created a dangerous dynamic where loyalty to Trump is the only qualification that matters.

The conversation explores the practical consequences of Republican governance, from potential Medicaid cuts that could devastate rural hospitals and long-term care facilities, to the party's abandonment of Christian principles regarding care for the vulnerable. Comstock sees an opportunity for reform during the eventual succession fight after Trump, arguing that it will take just one person of character to begin rebuilding the party. She's particularly critical of figures like JD Vance, whom she describes as a charlatan who cannot represent the party's future, while expressing cautious optimism about leaders like Glenn Youngkin. Throughout the discussion, Comstock draws parallels to international politics, praising Zelenskyy as the world's greatest leader while condemning the Tucker Carlson wing of the party for siding with Putin, ultimately arguing that voters will punish incumbents of both parties if government continues to fail.

00:00  Introduction

01:05 The two types of ex-Repubicans

03:40 The bleak future of the two-party system

04:30 Trump's military birthday parade

07:20 Longterm damage of politicizing the military

08:55 Conservative's absurd renaming of Confederate bases

11:30 The HUGE price of this military parade

13:30 What the $45 million COULD have been used to fix

15:10 Why politicizing the military would be end of the republic

16:00 How this stunt is escalating tensions w/ ongoing protests

17:15 Why this Trump scandal is particularly un-American

19:45 Barbara Comstock joins the Chuck ToddCast!

20:45 Efforts to reform the Republican party from within

23:00 State and local level politics have been less infected by Trumpism

25:15 Republicans are required to lie to their voters

26:15 Reform will come from the bottom up

27:00 Character is a bigger problem for Republicans than ideology

28:30 Republicans have given up on character as a voting issue

30:30 Winsome Earle-Sears has capitulated to the Trump movement

33:15 Should Republicans embrace Trump’s ideology but with high character candidates?

35:15 MAGA Republicans don’t care if government doesn’t work

36:00 Loyalty is the only qualification Trump cares about

39:00 Attrition and incentives are a better way of cutting government

42:15 Emergency care for illegal immigrants is mandated by law

43:00 Christian Republicans want to kick the samaritan to the curb

44:00 Medicaid cuts will cause rural hospitals to close

45:00 Medicaid sustains the long term care industry

46:45 Congress has abdicated its responsibility to govern

48:15 It takes one person of character to begin reforming the GOP

49:15 There will be opportunity for reform during the succession fight

50:45 When you make government work well, voters notice

52:00 Could Republicans get wiped out like the Tories in the UK?

53:30 Zelenskyy is the greatest leader on the world stage

55:00 The Tucker Carlson wing has sided with Putin

56:15 Can a non MAGA Republican win over MAGA voters in the future?

58:45 Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon have looked clueless

1:00:15 The Republican party has become an anti-intellectual party

1:01:30 Has JD Vance always been a charlatan?

1:03:30 JD Vance can’t be the future of the party

1:04:45 Is Glenn Youngkin redeemable?

1:07:00 Trump will want to anoint his successor

1:07:30 Who are some current Republicans that could reclaim the GOP?

1:10:15 The potential GOP reformer needs to be someone new

1:13:15 Voters won’t be kind to incumbents of either party

1:17:45 Analyzing the Musk-Trump breakup

1:22:30 What would happen if Trump... raised taxes on billionaires?

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Chuck Todd reflects on his recent conversation with Steve Bannon and proposes his theory for what Donald Trump and his MAGA movement's populism is really tapping into not just in America, but as a global phenomenon. Chuck says that the Democrats have an opportunity to position themselves as an opposition party that taps into the American populace's skepticism of concentrated power, and that if the current Democratic leadership isn't equipped to navigate the moment, they could set themselves up to get steamrolled by Trumpism the same way that the George Bush and Mitt Romney wing of the Republican Party did. Chuck goes on to look at some of the races he's most excited for in 2026.

Chuck Todd welcomes filmmakers Lindsay Utz and Michelle Walshe to discuss their documentary "Prime Minister," an intimate portrait of former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's extraordinary leadership during some of the most challenging moments in recent history. The film, built around Ardern's personal audio diaries that weren't meant to be released until after her death, chronicles her navigation through three defining crises: the Christchurch shooting, the COVID-19 pandemic, and giving birth while in office. The filmmakers had unprecedented access to Ardern, capturing her reflections on leading a nation through tragedy and global upheaval, while New Zealand became the first country to eradicate COVID-19 through decisive leadership and strong public health measures. 

The conversation explores the broader themes of the documentary, including the misogynistic backlash Ardern faced both for her COVID response and her decision to ban semi-automatic weapons after Christchurch. Utz and Walshe discuss the challenge of misinformation during the pandemic, the export of American political mistrust to other democracies, and how Ardern's millennial confidence shaped her leadership style. Despite her international popularity, the filmmakers reveal that Ardern has sworn off politics forever, making this documentary a crucial historical record of her tenure. The film serves as both a case study in crisis leadership and an inspiration for young women considering political careers, showcasing how Ardern became a global role model while navigating the unique pressures facing female leaders in the modern political landscape. 

Finally, he addresses listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!

00:00 Introduction

03:50 Steve Bannon's theory about Trump & the global populist movement

06:10 Why Trump's character is a distraction for Democrats

08:10 Democrats' advantage as an outsider party

10:45 New Jersey gubernatorial race

14:30 Democratic Senate candidates popping up in Iowa

18:30 Minnesota Senate Democratic primary

20:45 New candidate alert in Georgia!

23:00 Louisiana getting rid of runoffs?

24:10 Mark Green stepping down in Tennesee

29:30 Lindsay Utz and Michelle Walshe join the Chuck Toddcast!

30:30 What was the origin story of their documentary “Prime Minister” 

31:30 How often did they have access to Jacinda Ardern? 

32:50 Ardern’s audio diaries weren’t supposed to be released until she died 

34:00 Ardern showed extraordinary leadership after the Christchurch shooting 

35:30 Adrern’s story wasn’t local and could resonate worldwide 

37:30 Was Ardern surprised when reflecting on her diaries? 

38:30 Ardern had to lead through 2 crises 

39:30 The tentpoles of the documentary are Covid, Christchurch and giving birth in office 

42:30 Great responsibility to get the story right due to historic nature 

44:30 Was Arden’s book coordinated with the release of the documentary? 

45:30 What was the hardest thing to leave out? 

47:30 New Zealand’s great response to Covid relied on strong leadership 

49:30 New Zealand was the first country to eradicate Covid 

51:00 Citizens of every country blamed their leaders for Covid 

52:30 Misinformation was a huge problem during Covid 

53:30 Was there an anti-vax community in NZ prior to Covid? 

54:45 Was the widespread mistrust in the American government exported to NZ? 

55:45 Ardern received terrible misogynistic blowback from the public 

56:30 Was the backlash worse for Covid or for banning semiautomic weapons? 

59:40 Ardern swears she’ll never go into politics again 

1:02:30 Is Ardern more popular outside of New Zealand? 

1:03:45 What do you hope a young female politician takes away from “Prime Minister”? 

1:05:15 Was Ardern’s confidence a byproduct of being a millennial? 

1:07:45 Ardern was a great role model for young women 

1:08:30 Do they have another project planned in the future? 

1:11:40 Where can people see “Prime Minister”?

1:14:00 Ask Chuck!

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Chuck Todd reacts to Donald Trump’s escalating conflict with the state of California and Governor Gavin Newsom over the ICE raids and protests. Chuck warns that if Trump makes good on his threats to arrest Newsom, he could make him a powerful martyr. He also weighs in Barack Obama’s lack of presence for the Democrats while they struggle with a leadership vacuum.

Then Chuck sits down with Jamie Shor and Sky Sitney, the co-founders of DC/DOX, Washington D.C.'s premier documentary film festival now in its third year. The duo discusses how they merged their individual visions to create a festival that perfectly captures the capital city's unique position as a hub for storytelling about politics, power, and social change. They explore how modern film festivals have evolved from simple showcases to essential curators in an era where the barrier to entry for documentary filmmaking has never been lower, yet the challenge of finding distribution and audience has never been greater.

The conversation highlights some of the festival's most compelling offerings, from the visceral war documentary "2000 Meters To Adiivka" to the humorous AI exploration "Deepfaking Sam Altman," and the shocking government surveillance tale "The Spies Among Us." Shor and Sitney discuss the delicate balance between activism and entertainment in documentary filmmaking, the importance of transparency around AI usage in film production, and how their curation reflects the current cultural moment. They also address the ongoing distribution crisis facing independent filmmakers and explain how festivals like DC/DOX provide crucial visibility for smaller creators who lack major studio backing, while partners like Netflix and National Geographic help amplify important voices in documentary storytelling.

Finally, he addresses listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

02:30 Trump is in a showdown with the state of California

03:30 The “Newscum” nickname makes Trump look unserious

05:30 The first amendment doesn’t only apply to citizens

07:30 The Trump recession has begun

08:30 The Big Beautiful Bill fight is going poorly for Republicans

09:30 Trump wants to make California a political punching bag

10:15 Trumpworld wants to make Gavin Newsom the face of the Democratic party

11:30 If Trump arrests Newsom, Newsom could become a martyr

12:00 Should Barack Obama be filling the Democratic leadership vacuum?

13:30 DNC leadership seems to be paralyzed 

14:30 Obama is the only leader the entire coalition trusts

17:45 There’s not enough faith in the Democratic bench

18:45 Obama has stayed above the fray

19:20 Obama speaking out would raise the alarm amongst disengaged voters

20:30 Biden failed to make the country turn the page on Trump 

22:45 If Trump tries to seek a third term, so can Barack Obama

24:00 Jamie Shor & Sky Sitney join the Chuck ToddCast! 

25:45 What is DC/DOX and how has it evolved over three years? 

28:20 How did Jamie and Sky meld their visions into one? 

30:00 Why D.C. is the perfect host city for the festival. 

32:30 The barrier to entry for making documentaries is lower than ever 

34:30 Modern film festivals are a curator for films rather than just a showcase 

36:30 Most of the documentaries presented don't have major studio backing 

37:45 Netflix and NatGeo were early partners of DC/DOX 

40:15 Festivals provide visibility for smaller filmmakers 41:00 

Sky's favorite feature length films being featured at DC/DOX? 

42:30 "2000 Meters To Adiivka" is a visceral war documentary 

44:15 Jamie's favorite films being featured at DC/DOX? 

47:00 What is "Andy Kaufman Is Me" about? 

49:00 What is "Barbara Walters Tells Me Everything" about? 

51:00 "Deepfaking Sam Altman" is a great and funny exploration of AI

 53:00 "The Spies Among Us" is a shocking tale of government surveillance 

54:15 What are the best documentary shorts featured at DC/DOX? 

58:45 Activist documentaries still have to be entertaining to make change 

1:00:45 The films curated have to be reflective of the time 

1:02:45 Filmmakers must be transparent about their use of AI

1:06:15 AI ethics in filmmaking will continue to evolve 

1:07:15 What is the state of the industry for documentary filmmakers? 

1:10:00 Is there a distribution crisis in the film industry? 

1:12:00 Where do you go to buy tickets or get more info for DC/DOX?

01:14:40 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Jamie Short & Sky Sitney

 01:15:50 Ask Chuck

 01:16:05 Should the US consider Sunday voting & a Presidential Reform Act?

 01:24:10 National security book recommendations? 

01:29:10 Members seem clueless…who is actually writing the legislation in Congress?

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Chuck Todd begins with the apparent de-escalation of the feud between Donald Trump and Elon and why the power imbalance between the two meant that Elon would be forced to back down. Then, he explains why Trump is deliberately manufacturing a crisis by federalizing the National Guard and sending them to LA to deal with protests over ICE raids. He calls it a “political trap” set by Stephen Miller and that the administration has chosen to use California as a political punching bag. He also weighs in on the crisis of leadership at the DNC after an internal call was leaked to the press and why it could be the end of Ken Martin’s time as chair.

Then, Chuck welcomes filmmaker Chase Joynt and Congresswoman Sarah McBride to discuss the documentary "State of Firsts," which chronicles McBride's historic journey as the first openly transgender person elected to Congress. Joynt explains the origins of the film and the decision to focus on McBride's political coming of age amid the intensifying national debate over trans rights. The conversation explores the broader LGBTQ civil rights movement, the challenges of media coverage around trans issues, and how Trump has weaponized transgender Americans as political scapegoats. They discuss the ongoing tensions within the gay community about whether the fight for trans rights is "worth it," and examine how civil rights have historically advanced incrementally through strategic battles.

McBride joins the conversation to reflect on the personal toll of being thrust into the spotlight as a symbol for an entire community while trying to serve her Delaware constituents effectively. She discusses the unique pressures that come with being the "first" of any identity group in Congress, the performance incentives that can bring out the worst in politicians, and her approach to picking battles strategically rather than fighting on every front. The discussion touches on Delaware's distinctive political dynamics, her relationship with President Biden, the complexities of the trans women in sports debate, and whether she would accept a meeting with Trump. Throughout, both guests emphasize the importance of seeing transgender people as whole individuals rather than reducing them to a single issue, while acknowledging the weight of representation in advancing civil rights.

Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding filibuster reform in the Senate, whether age limits for lawmakers are a good idea, and whether Trump would be best served resigning the presidency in order to receive a pardon from JD Vance.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

01:15 Trump backs off when dealing with rich and powerful people

02:15 Elon is a bridge between MAGA and the tech elite

03:00 Steve Bannon says Musk’s money might have made the difference in election

05:00 Trump is always for sale, but the deals aren’t stable 

06:15 Musk is powerful but not irreplaceable 

07:00 Trump could destroy Musk’s companies before his term ends

08:45 The fate of our country hinges on a pissing match between two powerful people

10:15 Voters think all politicians are equally corrupt

11:00 The Trump administration is trying to manufacture a crisis in Los Angeles

12:30 What you’re reading and seeing online isn’t what’s happening on the ground

13:30 Majority of voters want immigration enforced, but humanely and with due process

15:00 Stephen Miller believes he’s setting up a political trap

16:15 The administration wants to use California as a cultural punching bag

18:00 DNC chair Ken Martin caught on recording saying he might not be up to the job

20:00 Martin defined himself as a placeholder with doubts

20:45 Democrats don’t know who’s in charge, or who they want to be in charge

21:45 Ken Martin will be defined by this moment

24:00 Chase Joynt joins the Chuck ToddCast! 

25:00 What was the origin of "State of Firsts"? 

26:45 Were there any ground rules or "no goes" when creating the film? 

28:00 Sarah's ascent to Congress amidst the brewing fight over trans rights 

29:45 Is the debate over trans rights being "worth it" still happening in gay community? 

31:00 Does the fight for trans rights feel like two steps forward, one step back? 

32:30 The value in unearthing the history of the fight for equal LBGTQ rights 

34:20 They chose to tell the story of Sarah's political coming of age 

36:15 Frustrations with media coverage of the fight for trans rights? 

37:00 Trump understands that he created a scapegoat 

38:00 The fight over trans women in sports 

39:00 Had Chase ever done a political documentary before "State of Firsts"? 

41:00 What did you learn about how politics is conducted? 

42:30 Politics dominates the public space in America 

44:00 What surprised you most after being around congress? 

45:15 Being the "first" of an identity group in congress 

47:30 The pressure on McBride of being forced to speak on behalf of an entire community 

48:45 Civil rights have always been advanced incrementally 

51:40 Worried that the Democratic party will abandon the trans community?

53:10 Sarah McBride joins the Chuck ToddCast! 

53:40 Was it hard to let people into your private life for the documentary? 

54:55 Managing the burden of being a symbol for the trans community 

57:10 The pressure that comes with being the "first" representative of an identity group 

58:40 Delaware voters were able to see her as a whole person and not just trans 

1:00:10 Was it easier to be bipartisan in state government than in Congress? 

1:01:25 The performance incentives in Congress can bring out the worst in people 

1:04:25 The political dynamics of Delaware 

1:06:10 Delaware's status as the home of corporate America 

1:09:40 Other states don't have the legal framework to outcompete Delaware for incorporations 1:10:25 Is the criticism of Biden fair? 

1:13:10 Hakeem Jeffries is doing a fantastic job managing the caucus 

1:14:55 Should Democrats extend an olive branch to Elon Musk? 

1:15:40 Is someone who embraces trans rights but not in sports an ally? 

1:16:40 Sports governing bodies should oversee the trans women in sports issue 

1:18:40 Worried about backlash from the trans community for not fighting hard enough? 

1:20:10 Civil rights movements have to pick their battles 

1:23:40 Would you accept an invitation from Trump for an oval office meeting? 

1:24:40 What achievements in Congress would you consider success? 

1:26:10 Did you ever dream of becoming president as a kid?

1:27:05 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Sarah McBride 

1:28:05 Ask Chuck 

1:28:15 If the Big Beautiful Bill doesn't pass, should the Senate end the filibuster? 

1:31:20 Thoughts on Andor season 2? 

1:33:55 Are age limits for elected officials a good idea? 

1:36:35 Would Trump's best outcome be resigning and having Vance pardon him?

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

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Chuck Todd reacts to the escalating feud brewing between Donald Trump and Elon Musk after Elon’s departure from the administration. He warns the audience… NOBODY can predict where this will go from here.

Timeline:

00:00 Trump and Elon attack each other on social media

01:00 Trump threatens to terminate Elon’s government contracts

01:20 Elon accuses Trump of being in the Epstein files

02:30 Trump and Elon think they’ve bought each other's loyalty

04:15 Trump and Elon are basically the same guy

05:00 This was the most predictable split

07:15 Elon doesn’t understand how politics work

08:45 This feud will run into a reality check at some point

09:45 They are basically teenagers fighting

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Chuck Todd begins by trying to make sense of the Elon Musk vs. Donald Trump public feud and why Trump will likely be muted in his criticism. Chuck also weighs in on the NYC mayoral race, why Andrew Cuomo shouldn’t be allowed to run this soon after resigning in disgrace and why voters were deprived of closure in the Cuomo scandal.

Then, Chuck sits down with Lindsey Williams Drath, CEO of the Forward Party, to explore the challenges and opportunities facing America's newest third-party movement. Williams discusses the party's "purple" approach to politics, rejecting traditional left-right labels while focusing on governance over party affiliation. The conversation covers the significant barriers third parties face, from institutional pushback to the infrastructure advantages held by Republicans and Democrats, who have "pulled the ladder up behind them" through restrictive ballot access requirements and partisan primaries.

Looking ahead to the 2026 and 2028 elections, Drath outlines the Forward Party's strategic approach to building from the ground up at the state level, targeting swing districts and disaffected voters from both major parties. The discussion touches on fusion voting, potential mergers with other independent groups, and the party's unique challenge of maintaining unity without a rigid ideology. Williams also addresses whether candidates with contradictory positions can coexist under one party banner, the role of money in politics, and how the Forward Party plans to avoid becoming a spoiler while building toward federal party status and meaningful electoral competition.

Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ question in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding whether he’d ever consider working in the White House comms shop, what type of leader could best correct the erosion of American democracy, and who he thinks are the top 3 candidates to be at the top of the Democratic ticket in 2028.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

02:30 There is tremendous dissatisfaction with both political parties

04:00 What to make of the Elon Musk vs Donald Trump feud?

05:00 One party governance breeds bad governance

07:30 Trump vs Musk was always going to be a test of wills

08:30 Trump isn’t as aggressive with people wealthier than him

10:15 Democrats likely won’t forgive Elon if he turns on Trump

11:30 Winner of the Democratic NYC mayoral primary will be the mayor

12:45 Andrew Cuomo hasn’t lived in NYC in 35 years

13:45 Cuomo shouldn’t have resigned because we never got closure on accusations

15:45 If you resign in disgrace, there needs to be an electoral penalty

16:30 Cuomo never faced an impeachment trial

18:30 Multiple governors have resigned in order to dodge investigations

21:00 We never got an accounting of Al Franken’s ethics committee report

23:00 Cuomo shouldn’t be able to run again so soon

24:00 Lindsey Williams Drath joins the Chuck ToddCast! 

24:50 What is the Forward Party and what do they believe? 

26:30 Barriers to entry for a third party 

27:10 There's growing sentiment for the need for a third party 

28:30 There's major institutional pushback to third parties 

29:30 Republicans and Democrats have an infrastructure advantage 

30:20 10-year goal. What is success? 

31:15 Built the party from the ground up at the state level 

32:30 Andrew Yang's role in building the party 

35:30 Administrative roles in Forward Party 

37:45 Goal for the midterms is not a third party spoiler; but party-building; state level 

40:15 Working toward federal party status; looking at seats in 2026 & 2028 

42:10 What districts will they be targeting? 

44:30 How Forward candidates can register for ballot access 

47:00 Major parties have pulled the ladder up behind them. 

47:50 Partisan primaries are unconstitutional 

49:30 Defining fusion voting 

51:30 Merging with the Independence Party? 

53:15 There are lots of disaffected voters; and many "formers" in the Forward Party 

55:45 We need to prioritize governance over party affiliation 

57:30 What did the Problem Solvers Caucus fail at? 

59:00 Lisa Murkowski building trust from her base while caucusing with both parties 

59:45 John Cornyn missing opportunity to be more independent from GOP 

1:01:45 What's stopping candidates from working with the Forward party? 

1:03:45 What candidates do they want to target? What's the win? 

1:05:30 Voters have closer relationships with mayors & governors

1:08:50 The Forward Party is planning a convention 

1:10:45 Can you be a political party that doesn't have an ideology or candidates that contradict? 

1:14:30 Money in politics & government debt are linked

1:27:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Lindsey Willams Drath 

1:30:30 Ask Chuck 

1:30:45 Would you ever want to work at the White House in communications? 

1:34:15 What type of leader can fix the erosion of our democracy and civic unity? 

1:38:30 Which three democrats are most likely to win the nomination in 28?

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Chuck Todd sits down with Washington Monthly editor-in-chief Paul Glastris to unpack how America’s college ranking system went off the rails—and how it’s warping higher education itself. Glastris argues that U.S. News & World Report rewards wealth, not value, pushing schools to chase prestige over affordability and teaching quality. He highlights Berea College as a model for what higher ed could be: a well-endowed school that actually invests in its students rather than its brand.

The two also explore how higher ed’s obsession with research grants and graduate programs has left undergrads behind, and why community and regional universities—where most Americans actually study—deserve more attention and funding. From the decline of community colleges to the disappearance of local journalism, Glastris and Todd make the case for a “New Deal for Higher Education” that values mobility, access, and public service over profit and rankings.

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Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Paul Glastris joins the Chuck ToddCast

01:00 Best colleges for the buck?

03:15 US News ranks colleges in a horrific way

04:30 Schools prioritize wealth when doing admissions

07:30 Upward mobility matters more when ranking colleges

09:15 Schools freak out when they lose ranking status

10:45 Berea College is best bang for the buck school in America

12:45 Berea has a massive endowment, but it’s used for education

15:30 Schools focus on post-grad programs rather than undergrad

17:00 Research institutions should be put in their own category

17:30 Trump administration is going after schools with research grants

19:00 We’ve never seen an administration target college research

20:15 It costs a ton of money to send kids to college now

21:30 Do colleges prioritize hiring researchers or teachers?

24:15 We overproduce academic talent in America

26:15 Smaller schools face massive financial challenges

28:30 Many schools border on predatory

30:00 We need a “new deal” for higher education

32:30 Most people get their BA’s at local & regional universities

34:00 America didn’t get to making 2 years of college free

35:15 The state of the community college system

36:45 Florida never built a good state system, has no prestige schools

37:45 Florida standardized passing courses counting at every school

39:45 There’s a wide disparity of outcomes between community colleges

40:15 Community colleges offer community building activities

42:45 College rankings are an important example of service journalism

44:45 Local journalism was the foundational piece of the profession

46:00 The economic underpinnings of local journalism have been wiped out

48:30 Government and philanthropy can underwrite local journalism

50:30 National opinion journalism undermined local journalism

52:00 Small towns can’t afford good journalism

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Chuck Todd begins by analyzing whether Donald Trump or Joe Biden will be a bigger political liability for their respective parties in the 2026 midterms. He also examines the trend of urban vs rural voters happening worldwide and reacts to some newsworthy quotes from American politics

Then, he welcomes Jane Coaston to the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation that spans college football, media, and politics. They dive deep into how conference realignment is reshaping college sports, discussing everything from the demise of the Pac-12 to whether Fox can maintain compelling broadcasts without marquee matchups. The conversation explores how football innovation happens from the ground up and why geographic realignment may be inevitable for smaller schools facing logistical nightmares.

The discussion then shifts to broader media and political dynamics, examining how algorithms and internet discourse are warping public conversation. They analyze why political hosts get captured by their audiences, how conspiracy theorists find community online, and why politically engaged people are actually the "weirdos" in American politics. They tackle tough questions about media coverage of Biden's age, the responsibility of press versus politicians in covering presidential fitness, and why treating voters as real people rather than demographic categories might be the key to better political communication.

Finally, he addresses listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding consuming political interviews, whether Democrats need their own Project 2025 and whether a moderate Republican running third party would have enabled a Harris win in 2024.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction
02:00 Biden or Trump the bigger liability in 2026 midterms?

03:35 It’s rare for a former president to cast a bigger shadow than the current one

05:30 Democratic voters are still mad at Joe Biden

07:30 Trump won’t have much to sell in 2026

09:45 Voters won’t feel any impact from Trump’s tax cut

11:15 Democrats can’t sit back and expect to win in 2026

13:00 Trump is the bigger liability

14:00 Should Republicans have won 2024 in a landslide?

16:45 The rural vs. urban political divide is a worldwide phenomenon

18:30 Mexico to make all judges elected positions, terrible for rule of law 

21:00 Character doesn’t matter to voters, results do

23:00 Joe Biden still believes he would have won the election

24:15 Tim Walz suggests Democrats should be a little meaner

27:15 Jane Coaston joins the Chuck ToddCast! 

29:35 Mountain time is the best time zone for watching sports 

32:15 Has college football hurt itself by losing the Pac-12? 

34:15 Conference realignment really hurts the smaller schools logistically 

35:45 Schools will be forced to realign into geographic regions 

38:15 College football benefits from having fanbases in hundreds of markets 

39:45 College football risks concentration only in the midwest and south 

41:45 Football innovates from the bottom up 

42:45 Can Fox's broadcast stand on its own without two marquee teams? 

45:45 If CFB contracts were similar to NFL contracts, everyone makes more money 

47:00 Money for college football isn't zero sum 

48:15 How do you decide what your daily news lead will be? 

49:15 The rhetoric around medicaid cuts is identical to welfare rhetoric 

50:45 Many people on Medicaid have jobs that don't offer insurance 

52:30 It's important to offer your audience views they don't always agree with 

53:45 Algorithms are a major problem for public discourse 

55:45 Hosts end up being captured by their audience and public criticism 

57:15 The human psyche isn't equipped for the internet 

58:15 Conspiracy theorists and cranks can find community online 

59:45 The internet is not representative of real life people 

1:00:45 Voters hold multiple conflicting views 

1:03:00 High information, politically engaged people are weirdos 

1:04:15 Politics has become too much like sports 

1:06:15 In polling, the way a question is asked can distort responses 

1:07:45 To reach voters, they need to be thought of as people and not voters 

1:09:15 Political hobbyism has been terrible for our politics 

1:09:55 Who owns blame for Biden decline cover up, media or Biden/Democrats? 

1:12:45 Biden's age couldn't be viewed in a vacuum by the media 

1:15:35 The criticism of the press over Biden has been overblown 

1:16:15 Biden couldn't sell his accomplishments 

1:18:15 How hot is the seat under Michigan's new coach?

1:23:20 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Jane Coaston 

1:24:40 College football should motivate teams to play tougher schedules 

1:25:55 Ask Chuck 

1:26:25 What should viewers focus on when consuming political interviews? 

1:28:50 Are Democrats working on their own version of Project 2025? 

1:34:15 Would a "traditional" Republican running 3rd party have created a Harris win?

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Chuck Todd reacts to Elon Musk leaving the Trump Administration and discusses the valuable lessons to be learned from Elon’s tenure. Chuck also reacts to the recent pardons by Donald Trump and explains why they are bad for the country. Then he discusses the problems with the “big, beautiful bill”.

Then, Chuck is joined by Amanda Litman, co-founder and president of Run For Something, to discuss the future of Democratic leadership and the urgent need to recruit a new generation of candidates. They examine how Republicans, following the lead of Newt Gingrich’s GoPAC, have outpaced Democrats in preparing talent for public office — and why the Democratic bench remains so thin.

Litman shares insights into the challenges young progressives face, from lack of institutional support to financial and family pressures. They discuss the messy but well-intentioned efforts like David Hogg’s DNC initiative, the communication gap with younger voters, and why the information ecosystem is reshaping political engagement.

Together, they explore the mechanics of candidate recruitment, debates over ideological litmus tests, and how Run For Something navigates hot-button issues like trans rights and independent candidacies. From socioeconomic diversity in elected office to the underrepresentation of renters and working-class Americans, this conversation is a candid look at how Democrats can rebuild from the ground up — and what success might look like in the 2026 midterms.

Finally, in “Ask Chuck,” Chuck digs into the mailbag to answer one of the biggest questions about the state of politics.

00:00 - Chuck recaps his weekend

06:26 - Elon’s Exit from Trump Administration

14:43 - Reaction to Trump’s pardons

21:49 – Amanda Litman joins the Chuck Toddcast!

22:19 – What is “Run For Something”?

24:19 – Newt Gingrich started GoPAC to prep candidates on the right

25:19 – The DNC dropped the ball on prepping candidates

27:34 – Emily’s List was good for candidate training, but only for women

29:04 – There are very few young elected Democrats

30:04 – David Hogg’s DNC effort is a noble one, but messy for the DNC

32:19 – The generational divide in the Democratic party

33:49 – Democrats need younger leaders to speak to younger voters

34:49 – The Republican party changed drastically in ten years

35:49 – Voters under 35 have seen a lot of government failure

37:49 – Voters receive their information so differently now

39:04 – What is the process for recruiting and training candidates?

42:49 – Is there an ideological litmus test for prospective candidates?

44:04 – Trans issues have been very challenging for progressives

45:49 – What if a candidate's passion issue isn’t a voting issue?

47:04 – Will “Run For Something” recruit and run independent candidates?

49:49 – Could we see a lot of former federal employees run for office?

51:49 – Will Run For Something get involved in debates about updating the democracy

53:19 – Legislators should be paid more

55:19 – Lack of money and kids are a huge impediment to candidates under 40

57:19 – We need more socioeconomic diversity in elected office*

59:19 – Renters aren’t represented in Congress*

61:04 – The Democrats have become the “presidency or bust” party*

63:04 – If you want to improve the Democratic brand, you have to change the politicians

65:19 – What does success look like in 2026 midterms?

67:22 – “Ask Chuck”

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Chuck Todd starts with new polling showing Trump’s damaging down ballot effect on the Republican party and highlights some key races for the upcoming midterm elections.

Then, he sits down with New York Times reporters Michael Schwirtz and Jane Bradley to discuss their explosive investigation into Russia's sophisticated "spy factory" operation in Brazil. The reporters reveal how they uncovered a years-long Russian intelligence program that used Brazil as the perfect cover to create false identities for spies who would then be deployed around the world. The discussion explores how the Ukraine war may have intensified efforts to uncover these operations, and details the meticulous process Russian operatives used to obtain authentic Brazilian birth certificates and build elaborate backstories for their agents.

The conversation delves into the remarkable scope of this espionage network, including how one spy successfully infiltrated Johns Hopkins University as a student, before being caught by Brazilian authorities. Schwirtz and Bradley discuss the similarities between their real-world investigation and the plot of "The Americans," the complaints from captured spies about their Russian handlers, and how this program's roots trace back to Cold War tactics. The interview also touches on broader questions about American engagement in Latin America, Brazil's surprisingly robust rule of law, and the ongoing challenges facing international journalism, including reporting in conflict zones like Ukraine and the risks of travel to Russia.

Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment regarding small state primaries, whether an atheist could ever be elected president and Democratic messaging.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

01:30 Trump is putting the Republican party in a precarious position for midterms

03:30 Trump’s only big win is the border

04:00 Swing voters wanted lower prices and aren’t getting them

04:30 Every election is now a “change” election

06:30 Trump has become the party

08:00 Republicans won’t have anything that’s easy to sell to the public

09:30 New Texas poll shows Trump’s growing unpopularity

12:00 Shrinking the size of government is popular with voters

13:15 Bad economic approval is a warning for Republicans

16:00 Incumbency may be a big problem for John Cornyn

18:00 New Michigan poll released on senate race

19:30 Michigan poll shows anti-incumbent bias in voters

20:30 Lindsay Graham in a closer than expected race

22:15 Michael Schwirtz & Jane Bradley join the Chuck ToddCast! 

23:55 What is the origin story of their story on Brazil's "Spy Factory" 

24:45 Did the Ukraine war cause countries to double efforts to uncover spies? 

27:15 Were the feds in Brazil aware of this spy operation? 

30:25 Brazil was the perfect place to create cover identities for spies 

31:45 The spy operation was years in the making 

32:45 Investigations into spies' birth certificates showed they weren't doctored 

34:45 Other Latin American countries are investigating as well 

35:45 Was the spy ring uncovered in America in 2010 related to this program? 

37:15 The goal wasn't to infiltrate Brazil specifically, but move spies abroad 

38:15 The most "successful" spy was arrested by Brazilian authorities 

39:30 One spy infiltrated John Hopkins university posing as a student 

41:30 Has Putin punished any of the spies that were caught? 

43:15 It feels like this story was a plot ripped straight from "The Americans" 

44:30 The spies that talked complained about their bosses 

45:30 Does America run similar "spy factories?" 

48:15 Western agencies don't have the same spy budgets as the Russians 

50:15 The seeds of the spy program go back to the Cold War 

52:30 Are Brazilian authorities extra motivated to get to the bottom of this? 

53:45 Brazil's rule of law is stronger than we give it credit for 

55:15 Is this a failure of American engagement in Latin America? 

58:00 What other threads are they pulling in their investigation? 

1:00:00 When was Michael last in Ukraine? 

1:01:30 Does the Times still have reporters in Russia? 

1:02:45 Should Americans avoid travel to Russia? 

1:05:00 Does the espionage reporting beat make spy TV shows less watchable?

1:05:40 Chuck’s thoughts on interview

1:06:10 Ask Chuck

1:06:55 Why is America stuck with a first, single small state primary format?

1:09:00Will America ever elect a president that’s atheist or agnostic?

1:16:15 Why are Democrats so clueless at messaging?

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Chuck Todd opens with two issues he calls “dead rail” issues; issues that voters care about but don’t vote on… campaign finance reform and the national debt. He explains why both parties aren’t incentivized to address either issue, and provides a brief update on the latest developments for the upcoming midterm and presidential elections.

Then, he sits down with acclaimed television writer and producer Debora Cahn, the creative force behind both "The West Wing" and Netflix's hit series "The Diplomat." Cahn shares behind-the-scenes insights from her time in Aaron Sorkin's writers' room, revealing how the team worked to make "The West Wing" realistic and even infused elements of musical theater into the show. She discusses the origins and development of "The Diplomat," explaining how her experience working on "Homeland" prepared her for tackling international diplomacy, and how COVID-19 unexpectedly helped with the show's early development process.

They delve into how real-world events have shaped "The Diplomat's" narrative, particularly Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which completely changed the show's plot trajectory. Cahn explores the challenges of creating "news adjacent" content in today's rapidly changing political landscape, where she notes that satire feels off-limits for this decade. She also discusses her approach to writing strong but complex female characters, the differences between working with Shonda Rhimes versus Aaron Sorkin, and how she uses storytelling to give voice to government workers. The interview touches on everything from using real UK embassy locations for filming to incorporating recent political events and the casting of Michael McKean in a Biden-inspired role.

Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment, addressing topics like the best path to learning journalism, whether Kamala Harris could lose the California gubernatorial race and how to maximize black voter turnout in the south.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

00:30 The “third-rail” issues in American politics that are untouchable

01:45 Medicaid is a lifeline for more than just poor people

02:20 Dead rail issues are issues that you can ignore and voters don’t care

03:10 Voters agree on need for campaign finance reform, but don’t vote on it

05:00 Both parties only care about the national debt when they’re out of power

07:00 Voters don’t care about campaign finance or the debt until it affects them

09:00 The Republicans are more fiscally irresponsible than Democrats

10:30 New campaign ad rolls out with purely AI generated people

11:30 Senator Jeff Merkeley may step down

12:30 Senator Ed Markey may face primary challenge

13:00 Rahm Emmanuel attending Iowa event, could it regain 1st primary status?

14:30 Debora Cahn joins the Chuck ToddCast! 

15:45 How did she create "The Diplomat" and "West Wing"? 

17:00 How important was it to make the West Wing realistic? 

19:00 How did you infuse musical theater into West Wing? 

20:15 What was the writers' room like? 

22:30 How long has she been working on The Diplomat? 

25:15 How did working on Homeland prepare her for The Diplomat? 

28:30 The origin of The Diplomat 

30:00 Covid actually HELPED with early development 

31:00 Were the characters modeled off real people? 

33:45 Using a real embassy for the set 

36:30 Has the narrative arc changed from the original vision? 

38:45 Russia's invasion of Ukraine changed the show's entire plot 

40:45 Using the PM of the UK character to caricature Trump 

42:15 Satire is off the table for this decade 

43:30 Giving voice to government workers via storytelling 

47:00 Has the UK foreshadowed trends in US politics? 

48:15 The downside to being "news adjacent"? 

49:45 Writing about strong women but making it messy 

51:15 Working with Shonda Rhimes vs Aaron Sorkin 

53:30 Whose story would she like to tell? 

56:00 Traditional journalism vs. influencer culture 

56:45 The Newsroom wasn't an accurate portrayal of TV journalism 

58:00 What events from the past few months does she want to incorporate? 

59:45 Michael McKean is great as the Biden character

57:50 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Debora Cahn 

58:20 Ask Chuck 

58:40 Is college or an apprenticeship better for learning journalism? 

1:02:30 Could Kamala Harris lose in the primary for CA governor? 

1:06:05 What can Democrats do to maximize the black vote in the south? 

1:11:50 NBA playoffs reaction

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Chuck Todd begins by examining whether Democrats have lost by enough to force meaningful change or if they're simply tinkering around the edges. He covers Trump's recent controversial moves, including hosting dinners for his memecoin buyers and politicizing his West Point commencement speech, while exploring how "whataboutism" and Trump creating a culture of fear have become pervasive in our political discourse. Chuck analyzes new polling data on potential Democratic matchups and discusses why being an incumbent may be a liability in upcoming elections.

Then, he’s joined by political analyst and author of “Where Have All The Democrats Gone”, Ruy Teixeira, who provides insights into America's ongoing political realignment and the challenges facing both major parties. They explore whether Democrats need to move toward the center to win back working-class voters, discuss the possibility of party collapse similar to what happened with the UK's Tories, and examine why neither party seems capable of forming a truly dominant coalition. The conversation covers everything from the Democrats' branding problems and communication failures to Trump's enduring influence on American politics and the potential for viable independent candidates in 2028.

Chuck concludes with upcoming Republican primary dynamics, including Senator John Cornyn's hiring of Trump's campaign manager and why it could be an UGLY campaign.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

02:00 Have Democrats lost by enough to force them to change?

04:30 Democrats seem intent on tinkering rather than an overhaul

05:45 Trump hosts dinner for buyers of his memecoin

06:45 Mike Johnson defends corruption if it’s “done in the open” * (14:30)

08:30 Trump politicizes his West Point commencement speech

10:30 “Whataboustism” is plaguing our politics

12:00 Neither party has a monopoly on crazy or violence

12:45 Trump has created a culture of fear which mutes criticism

14:30 The public has become numb to Trump’s bad behavior

15:45 Corruption will eat away the credibility of the MAGA movement*

16:30 New poll released on AOC vs Schumer and Torres vs Hochul

18:30 Being an incumbent will be a negative in 2026 and 2028

22:10 Ruy Texeira joins the Chuck Toddcast 

23:40 What is the current state of America's political realignment? 

26:25 Do Democrats need to move to the center to win working class voters? 

28:10 Lower turnout benefits Democrats 

29:55 Democrats have only changed rhetoric, not their positions 

31:40 Neither party can form a dominant coalition 

32:40 Despite the chaos, Trump's approval rating isn't that bad 

34:25 Could we see one party collapse like the Tories in the UK? 

36:10 Could a third party replace one of our two parties 

37:55 Voters in the western world feel the system is broken 

38:40 Democrats are viewed as the status quo party 

41:10 What are some lessons Democrats can take from the early 90's? 

43:10 Neither party loses by enough to change 

46:40 The DNC doesn't grasp how bad the brand has become 

47:40 The problem is bigger than communications 

49:40 Trump is the towering figure of 21st century American politics 

51:10 What to make of Gavin Newsom's political maneuvering? 

52:30 Who could be the Democrats next Bill Clinton? 

54:40 What states should Democrats be targeting for future elections? 

57:10 Democrats made a mistake not having Iowa first in their primary calendar 

58:10 Why has Wisconsin stayed so competitive? 

1:00:10 What to make of the red shift in blue states where they didn't campaign? 

1:02:40 Party strategists are too out of step with the voters 

1:04:25 What will we learn from statewide elections in 2025? 

1:07:25 Will Joe Biden become a pariah like Jimmy Carter for the Democratic party? 

1:09:10 Being a cabinet member for Biden will tank Pete Buttigieg's presidential hopes 

1:10:10 The cover up of Biden's decline will haunt the Democrats for years 

1:11:25 Any positives for the Democrats? 

1:12:25 There could be a viable independent candidate in 2028

1:16:00 Chuck’s thoughts on the interview with Ruy Texeira

1:17:30 Senator John Cornyn has hired Trump’s campaign manager

1:19:00 We’re about to see new level of negativity in a Republican primary

1:20:45 The new traffic patterns out of Nationals games are annoying

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Chuck begins with house Republicans struggling to pass their “Big Beautiful Bill” and reflecting on the president’s ability to influence the culture versus imposing on the culture.

Then, Chuck welcomes Spencer Kornhaber, staff writer at The Atlantic to discuss his piece on contemporary pop culture and its perceived decline in quality. They dive into the impact of streaming algorithms impacting music discovery, revealing that old music now earns three times the streams of new releases as algorithms trigger nostalgia rather than innovation. The conversation explores how the music industry has lost its traditional gatekeepers, leading to a landscape where new music often sounds "rehashed and doesn't move the ball forward," while examining whether rock music has stopped evolving and how country music is experiencing a resurgence. They also tackle the growing influence of AI on music production and debate whether algorithms, despite their flaws, are actually helping people discover music in different languages and cultures.

The discussion expands to examine whether television represents the one area where pop culture is genuinely "better than ever," with prestige TV becoming the cultural center and episodic storytelling reshaping moviemaking. They explore the "Barbenheimer summer" phenomenon as evidence that theatrical experiences still matter, before diving into literature's current state amid declining readership among younger generations. They debate whether high-resolution photography and AI are diminishing visual arts, speculate about experiences becoming the next major art form for Gen Z, and examine how competition with AI might actually make human artists more innovative. They conclude by discussing the enduring popularity of live elements in sports and music—with Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift reigning as pop royalty—while questioning who truly rules Hollywood and acknowledging the surprising innovations happening in live theater.

Finally he addresses listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment, weighing in on Europe’s race to rearm itself, his preferred voting method to incentivize legislative compromise and whether the questions surrounding Joe Biden’s decline will loom over the 2028 presidential race.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

00:30 Republicans struggling to pass the “Big Beautiful Bill”

02:00 Partisan governance is bad governance

03:30 The bill will pass, it’s just a matter of when

05:45 We’re in a “culture cold war”

08:00 Should political leaders impose culture, or influence it?

09:45 Who we elect as president is reflective of the culture

11:45 If a president imposes on culture, they impose on speech

14:45 The public will want a president who doesn’t impose on culture

17:40 Spencer Kornhaber joins the Chuck ToddCast 

18:40 What inspired his piece on current pop culture being terrible? 

22:25 Algorithms are terrible at introducing new music 

23:10 Old music earns 3x the streams of new music 

24:40 Algorithms use music to trigger nostalgia 

26:10 New music sounds rehashed and doesn't move the ball forward 

28:10 The music industry lost its gatekeepers 

29:55 Algorithms help people discover music in a different language 

32:10 Has rock music stopped evolving? 

33:20 Country music is having a resurgence 

34:00 The impact of AI on music production 

35:40 Is television the one area of pop culture that's better than ever? 

36:55 Prestige TV has become the center of the culture 

38:25 How has episodic tv impacted moviemaking? 

40:40 "Barbenheimer summer" wasn't a fluke 

42:40 Are we also in a golden age of literature? 

45:25 Younger generations are reading less 

46:10 Do high resolution pictures + AI diminish the visual arts? 

48:55 Will experiences become the next big artform for Gen Z 

50:25 How well will his piece age? 

51:55 Will competition with AI make human artists more innovative? 

54:25 Will society decide to reinvest in the arts? 

55:25 Gaming and sports are more popular than ever 

57:10 Is the live element of sports and music driving popularity? 

58:10 Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift are the king and queen of pop 

59:10 Who rules Hollywood? 

1:02:25 We've seen major innovation in live theater

1:04:45 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Spencer Kornhaber 

1:05:00 Algorithms suck at making culture, humans are good at it 

1:05:15 Ask Chuck - Should we be concerned about Europe rearming? 

1:07:55 What is your preferred voting method to incentivize compromise? 

1:13:45 Will the Biden cognitive question loom over the 2028 election?

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Chuck Todd begins the episode with an examination of the election landscape starting with the California gubernatorial race and a demographic breakdown that indicates Democrats could perform very well in both 2025 and 2026.

Then, is joined by businessman Stephen Cloobeck, who discusses his candidacy for California governor as the "only non-traditional candidate" in the race. Cloobeck offers sharp criticism of the Harris/Walz presidential campaign, which he characterizes as "tone deaf," while proposing concrete solutions for California's most pressing issues. 

Cloobeck outlines his vision for a new department of "performance and results" to increase government accountability and presents his approach to addressing California's homelessness crisis. Drawing on lessons learned from his adopted father, former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Cloobeck positions himself as a Democrat who understands business concerns, directly addressing why corporate leaders are "tempted" to leave California while asserting that "you can't buy an election" and pledging not to self-fund his campaign.

Chuck presses Cloobeck on whether Democrats need their own version of "Donald Trump," and what the party should learn from Trump's political approach. He also offers insight into his success in the timeshare industry, explaining how Marriott ultimately copied his business model and addressing whether AirBnB has undermined the traditional timeshare market. Chuck challenges Cloobeck about potential competition from other business figures like Rick Caruso and former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, with Chuck speculating that by 2026, voters might be "burned out on bravado" after Trump's presidency.

Finally, Chuck digs into the mailbag of listeners’ questions in Ask Chuck and responds to questions about six year presidential terms, quirky personal preferences that lead to political preferences and whether it’s harder for him to land interviews with Republicans.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

00:30 The importance of the California gubernatorial race

01:15 Kloobeck intro

02:30 Kamala Harris preparing to run for governor in California?

03:45 Younger and infrequent voters were Trump’s “secret sauce”

05:00 Can a Democratic woman win the presidency?

06:30 Higher turnout is better for Republicans

08:15 Trends favor Democrats in non-presidential elections

09:30 Democrats became the “rules” party

11:15 Jared Golden not running for must-win Maine senate seat

12:30 Republicans are already writing off Virginia

13:30 Could New Jersey become a swing state?

14:30 Can the Trump coalition succeed without Trump on the ballot?

15:45 Could Senator Bill Cassidy retire for LSU chancellor job?

17:15 Stephen Cloobeck joins the Chuck ToddCast! 

18:30 Why is he the only non-traditional candidate running for CA governor? 

23:05 Are California's issues a governor issue or does it run deeper? 

26:05 What should Gavin Newsom have done differently? 

29:00 The Harris/Walz campaign was tone deaf 

30:25 What did Gray Davis get right as governor? 

31:55 Creating a department of "performance and results" 

33:30 Solution to California's homelessness problem 

35:00 Schwarzenegger was an outsider that ran into the bureaucracy 

39:30 What makes him a democrat and not an independent? 

41:55 Why are business leaders "tempted" to leave California? 

44:35 What he learned from his adopted father, Harry Reid 

46:15 Do we need a "Donald Trump" in the democratic party? 

48:00 What should the democratic party learn from Trump? 

48:45 You can't buy an election. Won't self fund his campaign. 

51:00 Why couldn't Trump start a casino in Nevada? 

53:20 Should people be skeptical of the timeshare industry? 

54:35 Has AirBnB killed the timeshare industry? 

58:00 Marriott copied his timeshare model 

58:45 What would you say to Harris if she wanted help with the governor race? 

1:02:00 Are you ready for the arrows coming your way 

1:04:25 Did you have high expectations for Joe Biden? 

1:07:15 If Rick Caruso jumps in, will you cannibalize each other's candidacies 

1:10:35 Would Arnold Schwarzenegger be the front-runner if he ran? 

1:11:35 By 2026 could voters be burned out on bravado by Trump

1:13:30 Chuck's thoughts on Stephen Kloobeck interview 

1:14:45 Check out Chuck's interviews on Noosphere! 

1:16:20 Ask Chuck 

1:16:45 If congress was expanded, should the president get one 6 year term? 

1:19:50 What odd voter personal preferences indicate their political preferences? 

1:24:00 Do you find it harder to get interviews with Republicans?

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Chuck Todd welcomes Congressman Ritchie Torres for a wide-ranging conversation that begins with a tour of New York's 15th district and the unique challenges of representing one of America's most diverse urban areas. Torres offers candid insights on governance, highlighting how term limits disadvantage legislators compared to lobbyists. The conversation shifts to the current political landscape, with Torres expressing deep concerns about President Trump's approach to his second term, arguing that Trump is "poisoning the well" for bipartisanship despite Biden's successful record of cross-party legislation. Torres delivers a stark warning that America is "planting the seed of its own decline" and characterizes the consequences of proposed GOP Medicaid cuts as "barbaric," particularly in light of the brewing long-term care crisis.

They weigh the merits of pragmatism versus idealism in American foreign policy and scrutinize Qatar's growing financial influence in American politics. Torres argues that "Republicans would impeach Joe Biden if he had accepted a plane" while addressing whether Democrats should adopt Trump's aggressive approach to wielding power. Torres acknowledges that Democrats "should have spoken out sooner about Biden's decline" and offers his vision for how the party can project strength moving forward.

They conclude with Torres addressing his political future—including speculation about mayoral and gubernatorial ambitions—before outlining his solutions for New York's housing crisis, crime concerns, and utility costs. 

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

00:50 Joe Biden diagnosed with aggressive form of cancer

02:00 Was Biden’s decline covered up, or just willful ignorance?

03:00 Robert Hur recording has supercharged the Biden story

06:45 Joe Biden couldn’t assure voters he was up to the job

08:30 Chris Murphy says it’s the Democrats fault that Trump was re-elected

11:45 Democrats need to do soul searching like they did with Bill Clinton

13:30 Clinton had to run against the party and its prior leadership

15:00 Democrats misread the 2020 election result

18:00 Democrats will take some blame for problems Trump causes

19:00 Democrats need to reinvent themselves

21:00 Trump released the Hur tapes as a distraction 

23:00 Democrats should be angrier about Biden than Republicans

25:00 Mike Johnson needs Trump to pressure members of congress

26:00 Ritchie Torres joins the Chuck ToddCast 

26:30 Tour of the NY-15 district 

28:30 The enormity of the New York city council 

30:00 Would he support expanding the size of the house? 

32:00 Term limits disadvantage legislators compared to lobbyists 

33:00 Can any bipartisan agreement be reached with Trump 

34:30 Biden had multiple pieces of bipartisan legislation 

35:30 Trump is poisoning the well in his second term 

37:30 America is planting the seed of its own decline 

38:00 Medicaid cuts will be devastating 

40:00 Will the Medicaid cuts be delayed where a future congress could fix it? 

41:30 Medicaid work requirements don't work 

42:45 The consequences of the GOP budget will be barbaric 

44:45 How do we address the long-term care crisis? 

47:00 Should America's foreign policy be pragmatic or idealistic? 

49:45 How should we view Qatar's infusion of money into American politics? 

51:30 Republicans would impeach Joe Biden if he had accepted a plane 

54:15 Should Democrats wield power like Trump when they're in charge? 

55:50 Democrats should have spoken out sooner about Biden's decline 

1:00:00 How can the Democrats project strength as a party? 

1:01:15 Democrats need to let the cream rise to the top 

1:02:30 Campaigning makes candidates sharper 

1:03:30 Why aren't you running for NYC mayor? 

1:05:30 Andrew Cuomo is a great "builder" 

1:07:30 Will you run for governor in 2026? 

1:08:00 How would you address the housing crisis in New York? 

1:10:30 Addressing crime in New York 

1:13:00 New York's budget has increased, the quality of services hasn't 

1:14:45 Public ownership of utilities would lower costs for New Yorkers 

1:16:30 Progressives have overprioritized ideological purity over results

1:19:15 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Ritchie Torres 

1:20:00 If Torres faces Hochul 1 on 1 he could beat her 

1:21:00 Rumors that Kamala Harris could run for governor of California 

1:21:45 CA governor race will be tough for Harris 

1:25:15 If Harris loses governor race, her political career is over

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Chuck Todd opens with a personal reflection on his father's connection to Vietnam before welcoming distinguished guests Ambassador John Negroponte and filmmaker Brian Knappenberger to discuss the new documentary series Turning Point and the lasting impacts of the Vietnam and Iraq wars on American politics and society. The conversation explores how Vietnam fundamentally shifted America's perception of itself, with Ambassador Negroponte sharing his firsthand experiences from the conflict. They examine how televised coverage transformed public perception of war, debate whether Vietnam was "worth it" in the context of the Cold War, and analyze why America ultimately lost the conflict. The discussion dives deep into how Vietnam became the Baby Boomers' defining generational experience, shattering trust in government institutions.

They explore the military's evolution into a predominantly Republican constituency, the long-term political fallout of pardoning draft dodgers, and the devastating impact of drug use among soldiers during the conflict. The guests offer a rare perspective on how the Vietnamese people recovered from the war's effects and draw striking parallels between the withdrawals from Saigon and Afghanistan. They reflect on how these historical conflicts continue to shape modern American politics, noting that despite multiple Vietnam veterans running for president, none have ever won the office. 

They conclude with a thought-provoking consideration of how future generations might commemorate the 75th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, leaving listeners with a deeper understanding of how America's past military engagements continue to influence its present and future.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

00:30 Chuck’s personal connection to Vietnam was his dad

02:30 Vietnam + Iraq still haunt American politics

04:10 John Negroponte and Brian Knappenberger join the Chuck Toddcast! 

06:35 What do you hope people take away from Netflix's Turning Point?

08:55 Vietnam's shadow loomed over the Iraq wars 

10:55 We rarely talk about the war itself, mostly just the fallout 

12:40 Vietnam shifted America's perception of itself 

13:25 Ambassador Negroponte's experience of being in Vietnam 

16:55 Was Vietnam viewed as a proxy war at the time? 

20:00 The Iraq war has the same effect on our political psyche as Vietnam

23:00 How did daily press coverage affect the ability to control the narrative 

25:00 Vietnam being televised drastically changed the public's perception 

27:00 Embedded reporters caused new challenges for managing the narrative 

28:15 Was Vietnam worth it since we won the cold war? 

30:05 Why did we lose the war? 

32:45 Watergate ruined historians ability to document presidents 

34:15 Vietnam was the boomer's coming of age story, shook their trust in government 

35:30 Many January 6th rioters were Vietnam vets

37:40 The importance of equipping and training local forces 

39:10 Why did the military become a Republican constituency? 

40:40 Pardoning the draft dodgers had long term political impacts 

42:40 The horrible impact of drug use by soldiers in Vietnam 

47:40 The perspective from the side of the north? 

49:10 When did the Vietnamese recover from the effects of the war? 

52:25 No Vietnam vet has ever been president 

55:10 The military is America's only institution that has bipartisan support 

58:35 How similar/different were the withdrawals from Saigon and Afghanistan? 

59:25 What will the retrospective be on the 75th anniversary of the fall of Saigon

1:02:35 Chuck’s thoughts on the interview

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Chuck Todd opens with a critical analysis of President Trump's approach to governance, suggesting that while his Middle East trip may yield positive results, his administration is missing crucial opportunities for bipartisan cooperation. He argues that Trump's executive order on prescription drugs lacks substance without legislative backing and that the president should "get caught trying" bipartisanship on issues where common ground exists. He also explores Putin's refusal of peace talks as a potential humiliation for Trump, and examines what recent political developments like the Omaha mayoral race might signal about Democratic prospects in upcoming elections.

Then, he’s joined by Congressman Ro Khanna, who delivers a candid assessment of the Democratic party's leadership crisis and brand damage. Khanna argues that Chuck Schumer has squandered his leadership position and addresses concerns about deportations in rural communities. The conversation delves into the economic realities facing the Midwest, and calls for Democrats to work more closely with business leaders. 

Khanna argues that deplatforming Trump after January 6th was "a huge mistake" and discusses the rightward shift among tech leaders. They conclude with Khanna's perspectives on America's global retreat, the timeline for presidential campaigns, and Gen Z's trust issues with politics. 

The episode wraps with "Ask Chuck," where Todd addresses questions about media coverage of Trump, potential Republican party fractures, and Chuck gives his thoughts on Pete Rose's posthumous Hall of Fame eligibility.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

01:45 Trump’s middle east trip may net some positive results

02:30 Trump won’t work with Democrats on issues they agree on

04:15 Bipartisanship has become toxic

06:30 Trump’s executive order on prescription drugs is meaningless without legislation

07:45 Congress has been useless

08:30 Trump should “get caught trying” bipartisanship

10:00 There are multiple issues where Trump could make bipartisan deals

12:15 Trump made some great points in his middle east speech

13:45 Trump has been pragmatic with his middle east policy 

16:30 Trump can’t pick and choose who to be pragmatic with

18:00 The ball is in Trump’s court after Putin turned down peace talks

19:15 Putin is humiliating Trump… will he sit back and take it?

19:50 Does the Omaha mayoral race show a blue wave building? 

21:00 Pete Buttigieg admits Joe Biden is political baggage in Iowa town hall

23:30 Chuck Schumer punting on the Biden question was cowardly

25:30 Donald Trump is unpopular and the Democratic brand is still worse

26:15 Ro Khanna joins the Chuck Toddcast! 

27:45 Who is the leader of the Democratic party? 

28:45 Chuck Schumer has squandered his leadership position 

31:30 Rural communities are highly concerned about deportations 

32:15 Is Hakeem Jeffries stuck in Nancy Pelosi's shadow? 

34:00 How damaged is the Democratic brand and how to fix it? 

37:15 Do midwestern voters want to work multigenerational factory jobs? 

40:30 NAFTA benefitted the south and hurt the midwest 

43:15 Republicans have become the big government party 

45:45 Democrats need to work with business leaders 

46:45 What caused the rightward shift of the tech leaders? 

48:30 Deplatforming Trump was a huge mistake 

50:30 Should Kamala Harris be the next governor of California? 

53:30 What characteristics will voters be looking for in 2028 

55:15 Will Democratic voters want a "celebrity" president? 

58:25 What's the lesson learned from Biden's communications failure? 

1:00:15 How do Democrats win over independent voters? 

1:03:00 One issue he'd work with Trump on? 

1:03:45 Will he debate JD Vance? 

1:05:45 America's retreat is making the world more dangerous 

1:07:15 Rubio needs to step up and assert America globally 

1:10:00 It will take a generation to repair America's reputation 

1:10:45 When is it appropriate to begin a run for president? 

1:12:15 Kamala Harris and her team were too cautious in 24 

1:13:45 Gen Z has trust issues with politics

1:15:45 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Ro Khanna

1:16:15 Ask Chuck

1:16:55 Why are reporters not more combative with Trump?

1:19:05 If the Republican party fractures, who would be in the traditional wing?

1:21:45 Pete Rose finally eligible for Hall of Fame posthumously

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As the government shutdown stretches on, Chuck Todd breaks down how both parties are calculating the political costs — and why Democrats may have already achieved what they wanted. With air travel disruptions mounting and healthcare debates pulling in new Republican attention, the public’s patience is wearing thin. Meanwhile, tensions between Trump and Illinois leaders have escalated, raising questions about the politicization of the military and fairness in immigration enforcement.

He also examines Democrats’ deeper strategic struggles heading into 2026 and beyond — from misreading voters’ frustration with cost of living to failing to invest early in registration and outreach. Inside the party, Virginia rallies around Jay Jones, while figures like Elissa Slotkin and Gavin Newsom position for future national influence. But viral missteps, like Katie Porter’s interview fallout, reveal how Democrats are still struggling to master modern media and messaging in an increasingly short-form political world.

Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football.

Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!

Timeline:

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00:00 Introduction

00:30 Government shutdown lingers on, Dems accomplished what they wanted 

01:45 Air travel starting to be impacted by shutdown 

03:00 The healthcare issue has gotten the attention of Republicans 

04:00 General public only cares about issues that directly impact them 

05:00 Either party could end the shutdown now 

07:15 Showdown between Trump & leaders in Chicago escalates 

08:15 Using Texas national guard in Illinois is a bridge too far 

09:15 Too many leaders on both sides are way too online 

10:30 ICE found by judge to be making warrantless arrests 

12:45 Trump and Stephen Miller overplaying threat to the public 

13:30 Public doesn't support deployments, wants apolitical military 

14:45 Majority of voters think deportation process hasn't been fair 

16:15 Politics getting personal between Trump & Illinois leaders 

18:15 There are political risks for both sides 

19:15 DNC believes they didn't spend early & enough to engage voters in 24' 

21:45 Democrats takeaways are wrong. Biden was the biggest issue 

23:00 Biden team misread the room, voters were upset at cost of living 

24:15 DNC has put enough effort into voter registration 

25:00 Appears party leaders in VA will rally around Jay Jones 

26:45 Democrats willing to engage in GOP style "whataboutism" 

28:00 There's still a vast chunk of America that cares about ethics 

29:30 Elisa Slotkin headlining dinner in NH, eyeing run for president? 

30:30 Looking like Gavin Newsom will win redistricting referendum 

32:30 If California votes yes, it looks like R's will only pick up 3-4 seats in 26' 

33:15 Katie Porter crashes out in viral interview clip, both parties pile on 

35:00 Has Porter spent too much time in friendly interview spaces? 

36:30 Porter's response to losing senate primary to Schiff was revealing

38:00 Former Bernie strategist says Dems struggling with short form video

41:00 Ask Chuck 

41:15 Should we offer a tax credit for voting to incentivize participation? 

45:15 Thoughts on an "American Unity" platform? What would you include? 

52:00 Trump modeling terrible behavior & character for young people? 

59:45 Military pay during government shutdown? 

1:02:15 College football preview

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Chuck Todd opens with a blistering analysis of America's current political landscape, arguing that both major parties are fundamentally weak and surviving only through their duopoly of ballot access. He examines the potential for political realignment, questioning whether MAGA and establishment Republicans might fracture and if figures like Senator John Cornyn would fare better as independents. Chuck doesn't hold back on the Biden administration either, calling out what he sees as selfishness from the Bidens and criticizing aides who failed to report the President's decline sooner, suggesting cabinet secretaries will need to answer for what he terms a "cover up."

Then he’s joined by Rob Sand, Democratic candidate for governor of Iowa, who discusses his record of uncovering government waste and his vision for the state. Sand outlines his bipartisan approach to governance and delivers a sharp critique of Iowa's school voucher program, arguing it lacks transparency and has allowed private schools to raise tuition while turning away disabled students. The conversation covers Iowa's political shift, education policy, and whether Democrats should restore Iowa's first-in-the-nation primary status. 

The episode concludes with "Ask Chuck," where Todd answers listener questions on topics ranging from the theoretical "Limbaugh effect" in Obama's election to the practicality of expanding the House of Representatives, and even touches on the NBA draft lottery's impact on Texas basketball teams.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

01:30 Both the Republican and Democratic parties are very weak

03:00 Without the duopoly of ballot access, one of the two parties would have disappeared

04:30 Interparty splits and the potential for independents?

06:00 Could MAGA vs establishment factions fracture in the GOP?

07:30 Would John Cornyn be better served running as an independent in Texas?

11:10 Republicans have too many crowded primaries in Senate races

12:30 Both parties brands are broken

14:30 The Bidens have been selfish

16:30 Shame on the anonymous aides who didn’t report Biden’s decline sooner

17:45 Biden’s aides pushed back publicly and privately before he stepped down

18:20 Biden’s cabinet secretaries will have to answer for the cover up

21:10 The DNC drama surrounding David Hogg

23:55 The DNC looks ridiculous right now

26:15 Rob Sand joins the Chuck ToddCast 

26:45 Why run for governor of Iowa? 

29:30 Rob found a record amount of waste and abuse in Iowa government 

30:15 Did you think about running as an independent? 

34:35 If you win, is it a victory for Democrats or for independents? 

36:45 Rob would appoint a bipartisan cabinet 

37:30 The school voucher program in Iowa isn't transparent 

38:45 The public school vouchers can be audited, the private ones can't 

41:15 Iowa's public schools are falling behind 

43:00 Private schools can turn away disabled students 

44:15 Private schools just raised tuition after voucher program rollout 

45:30 What's the plan to improve public schools in Iowa? 

49:10 What are some Kim Reynolds policies he would keep? 

51:05 Has Iowa shifted right, or is it a Trump phenomenon? 

53:15 Should Democrats make Iowa their first primary state again? 

56:30 Pete Buttigieg broke through in Iowa 

59:00 Lottery scam in Iowa 

1:03:00 What hurts Iowa more; tariffs or the USAID contracts being terminated? 

1:05:15 Does he expect a primary challenger?

1:06:05 Chuck's thoughts on Rob Sand interview 

1:06:30 Ask Chuck 

1:06:35 Has there ever been a study on the "Limbaugh effect", encouraging Democrats to vote for Obama? 

1:11:35 If you doubled the size of the House, would there be physical space constraints? 

1:14:15 Would a third party like the forward party focused on a singular issue be effective? 

1:17:05 The NBA draft lottery ensured that all three Texas teams will be great

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Chuck opens with an analysis of President Trump's controversial upcoming Middle East trip, focusing on reports that Trump will receive a luxury Boeing airplane as a gift from Qatar. He characterizes this as potentially "the most corrupt bargain a president has ever made," questioning the ethics and legality of such an arrangement while examining Trump's pattern of personal enrichment in office. The discussion extends to Trump's cryptocurrency ventures, the growing influence of Gulf states in American politics, and the administration's unorthodox approaches to foreign policy and homeland security.

Then he’s joined by a rising star in the Democratic party, Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett. She provides insights into her rapidly growing Dallas district and discusses the economic benefits of immigration that contrast sharply with current policies. Crockett, known for her viral moments in congressional hearings, offers a candid assessment of the partisan circus in the House Oversight Committee and the ideological divide within the Democratic Party. The conversation delves into factors behind Trump's victory, whether racism and misogyny impacted Kamala Harris's campaign, and the complex political landscape in Texas, including potential opportunities for Democrats if Ken Paxton defeats John Cornyn in a future primary.

Finally, the episode concludes with an "Ask Chuck" segment addressing why abortion has faded from national discourse despite its continued importance.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

01:55 Trump’s first planned overseas trip is to the middle east

02:50 Trump to receive a luxury Boeing airplane as a gift from Qatar

04:50 Most corrupt bargain a president has ever made

07:10 Whether it’s illegal or not, it’s a terrible look

08:20 Trump didn’t want to wait to get a new Air Force One

09:15 Trump believes he’s untouchable

10:30 Trump’s crypto token is purely a bribery scam

12:30 Will any elected Republicans stand up to Trump?

14:30 Trump views personal enrichment as a commission 

16:00 The gulf states are openly bribing American politicians

17:45 It was good that Rubio and Vance intervened in India/Pakistan conflict

19:50 Homeland security is running campaign ads with taxpayer dollars

22:30 Trump’s Iran deal won’t get done until after his middle east trip

24:30 Taking a plane as a gift feels like a bad movie plot

25:25 Jasmine Crockett joins the Chuck ToddCast! 

25:25 Tour of TX-30 (Dallas) 

28:55 TX-30 is a hub for aviation 

31:45 Dallas is growing exponentially 

33:40 How can St. Louis be revitalized? 

37:15 Immigrants produce economic dynamism and we're treating them horribly 

39:45 How important are viral moments for political communications 

43:25 The partisan circus in the oversight committee 

44:40 We have people in government that don't understand how it works* 

45:40 DOGE hearing became about trans people competing in fencing 

47:25 Is it a generational divide or ideological divide in the Democratic party 

48:25 Some members cling to the institutions while they're burning around them* 

50:10 State of the Union displayed the differences of approach between members 

51:25 How did Democrats end up in this situation? 

53:15 Why did Trump win? 

55:25 How much did racism and misogyny factor into Kamala Harris losing? 

56:40 Did Harris's background as a prosecutor help or hurt her? 

59:10 Trump's name being on buildings sold the public on his business acumen 

1:01:05 Should Harris take another shot at the presidency?* 

1:02:25 Democratic voters don't want "establishment" candidates 

1:04:10 Democrats are fighting an uphill battle 

1:05:10 Is Texas a 3 party state with two Republican wings? 

1:06:10 If Ken Paxton beats John Cornyn, the Texas senate seat will be in play 

1:08:40 Did Democrats miss the moment in Texas? 

1:10:25 Will the Luka trade leave a lasting mark on Dallas? 

1:11:10 Is she running for oversight chair? 

1:11:35 Her advice for Hakeem Jeffries

1:12:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Jasmine Crockett 

1:13:15 Ask Chuck 

1:13:30 Why has abortion disappeared from the national discourse? 

1:16:30 Please let the Wizards get the #1 pick and Cooper Flagg

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Chuck opens with an analysis of growing global tensions, including armed conflict between India and Pakistan, and the power vacuum created by America's retreat from its traditional leadership role. He discusses Joe Biden's recent BBC comments on foreign affairs and the potential for Vladimir Putin to test NATO's Article 5 commitment in the Baltics, suggesting that increased global conflict may be on the horizon as China and Russia fill the void left by the United States.

Then he’s joined by the author of the new book "Heaven Help Us" and former Ohio Governor John Kasich, who offers candid insights on the lost art of political compromise and consensus-building. Kasich discusses the toxic partisanship exemplified by the Obama/Christie hug controversy, shares his perspective on healthcare reform, and explores how faith can inform governance without violating church-state separation. 

The conversation covers the prospects for the 2026 and 2028 elections, Ohio's political landscape, and the need for spiritual renewal in American culture. Kasich offers sharp criticism of both Trump's approach to tariffs and Biden's presidency, which he characterizes as a failure due to insulation from contrarian views.

Finally Chuck responds to listeners’ questions in the "Ask Chuck" segment, addressing questions about increasing the size of the House of Representatives, how organizations earn the "non-partisan" label, and whether the national debt will trigger economic catastrophe.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

03:15 Armed conflict between India and Pakistan

07:30 We see more conflict when the U.S. is in retreat

09:00 If America doesn’t play the role of world police, Russia and China will

11:00 We’re likely to see more conflict around the world

13:35 Joe Biden weighs in on foreign affairs on BBC

14:45 Putin likely to test article 5 in the Baltics

16:45 Democrat loss was 10 years in the making

21:45 John Kasich joins the Chuck Toddcast! 

23:15 Why have we lost the art of politics and compromise? 

25:45 The Obama/Chris Christie hug shouldn't have been a controversy 

27:00 Government never finds a way to get money out of politics 

29:05 Faith in democracy? 

31:35 The next president has the opposite traits of the prior president 

33:05 What will the country look for in the next president? 

33:55 Advice for 2028 candidates? 

35:15 Could the MAGA candidates become toxic in the primaries by 2026? 

36:15 Vivek Ramaswamy's prospects in the Ohio governor's race? 

37:30 Ohio isn't ruby red 

39:45 Voters care less about issues and more about personal connection 

41:00 The issues John Kasich would focus most on addressing 

43:30 The healthcare system is broken 

46:15 For profit hospitals are less profitable than non-profits 

48:30 Healthcare stakeholders need to be forced to compromise 

49:55 We need politicians that can build consensus, not just offer a plan 

53:05 Integrating faith into governance without violating separation of church and state? 

56:15 The social gospel changed the culture from an "I" environment to a "we" society 

57:15 Local journalism is service journalism, national journalism is civics journalism 

1:00:30 How do we move America past its "I" culture? 

1:02:00 We need a spiritual renewal 

1:02:45 Pope Francis could be remembered as the most important of the century 

1:04:15 Trump's tariff implementation shows his inability to listen and win people over 

1:06:45 We've never updated the design for our public education system 

1:08:30 The education industrial complex resists reform 

1:11:00 Biden's staff kept him insulated from hearing contrarian views 

1:11:45 Biden's presidency was a failure 

1:16:15 College football has been turned into the minor leagues

1:20:20 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with John Kasich 

1:21:50 Ask Chuck 

1:22:00 How would increasing the size of the house of representatives work? 

1:24:40 How do entities/organizations earn the label "non-partisan"? 

1:29:00 Will the national debt cause economic catastrophe?

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Chuck Todd begins with analysis of the current travel chaos and President Trump's controversial comments on Alcatraz and movie tariffs. He highlights former Washington Governor Jay Inslee's successful tenure and discusses the evolving political landscape, including key Republican figures declining Senate runs and potential competitive races across the country that could reshape the balance of power.

Then, former Washington Governor Jay Inslee joins the podcast, where he discusses his climate policy achievements and the existential threat of climate change. Inslee offers sharp criticism of Trump's energy and trade policies, warning they could cede technological leadership to China and harm American businesses. The conversation expands to examine political courage, institutional challenges, and what Democrats should be doing now to prepare for future elections. 

Finally, Chuck concludes with an "Ask Chuck" segment covering the promotion of moderate candidates, Glenn Youngkin's legacy, and papal politics

00:00 Introduction

01:15 The US travel situation is a mess

03:15 Trump’s alcatraz comment was a distraction

07:00 Reopening Alcatraz isn’t feasible

07:20 Jay Inslee was wildly successful as governor

09:20 Brian Kemp + Chris Sununu pass on senate run

11:45 The political landscape is terrible for Republicans

13:05 Senate map isn’t great for Democrats

15:45 If Ken Paxton beats Cornyn, Texas could be in play

19:15 4 states where Democrats could put senate seats in play

19:55 Joni Ernst in line to replace Pete Hegseth?

22:20 200 house districts within a 20 point margin

24:50 Jay Inslee joins the Chuck ToddCast 

26:05 Do you feel less constrained outside of politics? 

28:50 Inslee's biggest achievements achieved 60%+ support 

31:10 What are the details of his Climate Commitment Act? 

33:20 The potential of fusion power 

35:50 Donald Trump's plan to kill clean energy makes no sense 

37:50 Trump is ceding clean energy tech and production to China 

38:50 Why aren't Americans in the streets en masse? 

41:20 Americans will suffer under Trump's policies 

42:35 A bad economy will wake up the public 

43:50 We'll see empty shelves within weeks 

45:50 Institutions capitulating to Trump only enables him 

49:35 NAFTA created winners and losers 

51:20 Trump is grossly incompetent 

52:05 Trump gave away his leverage 

53:20 Tariffs generally aren't productive for the economy 

56:50 Flooding in WA a direct result of climate change 

1:00:50 Americans don't truly understand climate change 

1:02:50 The insurance industry will force the government's hand

1:04:50 People in power KNOW climate will be a problem 

1:08:50 What should the Democrats be doing? 

1:10:20 What can we learn from Canada when dealing with Trump? 

1:12:05 Trump took ownership of the economy at his own peril 

1:13:05 There's a lot of talent in the Democratic Party 

1:13:50 Republicans will get wiped out in the midterms 

1:16:20 Congress is now a country club 

1:18:20 Voters on each side have self-segregated 

1:20:05 We need a president who follows the law

1:22:00 Chuck's thoughts on Inslee interview 

1:22:30 Ask Chuck 

1:22:45 How can we promote more moderate candidates? 

1:28:20 What will Glenn Youngkin's legacy be? 

1:31:50 Thoughts on "Conclave" and papal politics?

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Chuck begins with analysis of the Trump administration's tariff implementation and personnel changes, including Mike Waltz's removal as national security advisor and Marco Rubio's expanding role within the administration. 

Then, he’s joined by Oren Cass, a leading conservative economic thinker, on America's trade policy and the challenges of reindustrialization. Cass argues that while tariffs and reindustrialization may be sound concepts, the Trump administration's implementation has been completely counter-productive. They discuss how traditional right-of-center thinking on free trade has evolved, questions whether China's integration into global markets has delivered promised benefits, and explores the regional winners and losers of trade agreements like NAFTA.

Cass tackles questions about America's trade deficit, consumer willingness to pay more for domestic products, and whether reshoring manufacturing is practical for the American economy. The conversation examines the national security implications of trade agreements, the potential for losing allies to China's influence, and what realistic reindustrialization might look like in today's economy.

Finally, Chuck answers listener questions on the executive branch's guardrails, expectations for "Resistance 2.0," potential federal intervention in college sports, and whether media scrutiny of public officials' backgrounds has gone too far.

00:00 Introduction

02:00 If tariffs actually are a good idea, the way they’ve been implemented hasn’t given it a chance to succeed

03:30 The administration is only interested in communicating to their base

07:30 What should we take away from Mike Waltz being removed as national security advisor?

08:55 Marco Rubio is now holding four jobs in the administration

09:45 Rubio has earned Trump’s trust

13:15 Is the new model to move staff to new roles rather than fire them?

15:15 Abigail Spanberger may have had the best 100 days of any Democrat

17:55 Wes Moore announces he won’t run in 2028

20:35 Oren Cass joins the Chuck ToddCast! 

22:35 Tools for achieving re-industrialization 

23:35 Tariffs and reindustrialization is a good idea, Trump's rollout has been disastrous 

25:35 The U.S. needs credible and sustainable trade policy 

27:20 Right of center thinking for 40 years was simply "Free trade is good" 

29:05 Has free and open trade been a net positive worldwide? 

30:35 Does trade policy of the early 20th century make sense in the 21st century 

32:20 Bringing China into the world market didn't lead to liberalization 

33:50 Will we be forced to cut an unfavorable trade deal with China? 

36:35 Wouldn't it make sense that the US had a trade deficit based on our consumption? 

38:35 If we aren't selling other countries goods we produce, they buy our assets and debt 

40:50 NAFTA produced winners and losers regionally in the United States 

41:50 What could we have done differently to minimize the negative impacts of NAFTA? 

44:35 Production has shifted from country to country based on lower costs 

46:05 Will American consumers actually be willing to pay more for American made products? 48:50 How can we unwind globalization without severely damaging the U.S. economy? 

50:50 The Toyota Camry has more American made parts than the Detroit built cars 

52:35 Does reshoring low-cost manufacturing make sense for consumers and American businesses? 

53:50 Will poor implementation of policy hurt the goal of reshoring manufacturing? 

56:35 How do you weigh the benefits of national security provided by trade agreements? 1:01:05 Does America risk losing allies to China's sphere of influence? 

1:02:05 Should our allies get a better deal than those that are unaligned or adversarial? 

1:04:15 Does more trade equal less war? 

1:07:05 What type of reindustrialization is realistic and what isn't? 

1:10:05 Lack of competition has led to problems with Boeing 

1:12:35 How long will it take to reindustrialize? 

1:13:35 Would TPP have furthered the goal of isolating China?

1:16:35 Chuck's thoughts on the interview Oren Cass 

1:17:27 Ask Chuck 

1:17:35 Were the guardrails on the executive branch always this frail? 

1:20:35 What do you expect out of Resistance 2.0? 

1:21:30 Will the federal government intervene in college sports? 

1:22:50 Does the media go too deep into the background of public officials prior to their public service?

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Chuck Todd begins with a critical assessment of the Democratic Party's first 100 days under the Trump administration, noting widespread discontent among Democratic voters with party leadership. He examines the positioning of potential 2028 contenders, with AOC emerging as Bernie Sanders' heir apparent, Buttigieg and Pritzker carefully laying groundwork, and Gavin Newsom attempting to distance himself from his progressive reputation. He highlights Arizona's Ruben Gallego as a potential breakthrough national figure while acknowledging the Democratic brand remains problematic with many voters despite individual politicians' popularity.

Then he dives into a fascinating conversation with "Black Mirror" creator Charlie Brooker, who discusses his dystopian anthology series through the lens of human response to technology rather than the technology itself. Brooker reflects on social media's evolution from optimistic beginning to profit-driven outrage machine, and shares insights on artificial intelligence's most pressing concerns: job displacement and algorithmic management. 

The conversation covers wide-ranging topics including healthcare differences between the US and UK, AI's impact on education and emotional connections, and the accelerating pace of technological change that feels increasingly destabilizing. Throughout, Brooker maintains his characteristic blend of dark humor and thoughtful analysis about our relationship with technology, even touching on how the COVID pandemic influenced his creative perspective. 

The episode concludes with "Ask Chuck," where Todd addresses listener questions about the potential echo chamber effect in local news, the potential fracturing of the Republican Party, and speculation about Trump's relationship with stock market fluctuations.

00:00 Introduction

02:15 The first 100 days report card for the Democratic Party

03:00 Democratic voters are not happy with party leadership

04:30 Which democratic leaders have performed well?

07:20 AOC has become the heir apparent to Bernie Sanders

10:30 Pete Buttigieg, JB Pritzker teeing up a 2028 run?

12:45 Gavin Newsom is trying to distance himself from his progressive brand

15:00 Ruben Gallego could break through on the national stage

16:30 The Democratic brand is still toxic with voters

18:25 Charlie Brooker joins the show! 

18:45 Is Charlie the 21st century George Orwell 

20:25 Is Black Mirror meant to be a warning? 

22:25 The show isn't about technology, it's about the human response to these tools 

25:25 First episode concept came from a podcast Charlie listened to 

28:25 The concept of paying for healthcare is foreign outside of America 

29:55 Facebook and X were fun at first, but then they turned up the dials for anger and grievance for profit 

31:55 How long did Charlie have Black Mirror as an idea before it came to fruition? 

33:55 Parallels between Black Mirror and The Twilight Zone?

36:00 We thought social media would be great for society… then it turned out quite differently 37:00 How worried should we be about AI? 

40:15 The worry with AI will be two things. Will it take my job, and will it be my boss? 

41:45 Has Charlie used AI to help with writing on Black Mirror? 

42:15 Charlie's writing 

44:00 People will be willing to pay more for human customer service rather than dealing with AI 46:30 Is Charlie obsessed with privacy? 

48:00 Technology will always put someone out of work 

50:15 Will we have to teach spelling in the future? Have we taken away something from society? 

52:45 Robocop was an influence on Black Mirror 

54:45 The show deals with futuristic concepts, but also feels like it's taking place in the present 56:30 Is Charlie extrapolating the future on his own, or does he talk to experts? 

58:00 The inspiration behind the honeybee episode 

59:45 Will we see AI avatars teaching history? 

1:02:15 People get emotionally attached to AI companions 

1:04:30 Will AI conclude that humans are a threat to progress 

1:05:15 Technology brought back the dire wolf from extinction 

1:06:30 We're living through a period of accelerated technology 

1:09:00 The pace of change feels dizzying and destabilizing 

1:10:15 Whose to blame for this moment, tech CEO's or politicians? 

1:11:00 Could AI rewrite history? 

1:15:30 How did the COVID pandemic affect Charlie's thinking? 

1:19:00 How long will Charlie continue making more Black Mirror?

1:23:15 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Charlie Brooker

1:24:00 Ask Chuck

1:24:45 Does local news just become an echo chamber for that community?

1:28:10 If the Republican party fractures, who would remain in the “traditional” wing of the party?*

1:30:25 Is Trump manipulating the stock market so wealthy people can buy the dip?

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Chuck Todd begins the show with a candid assessment of President Trump's troubled first 100 days, suggesting that Trump's authoritarian tendencies may stem more from laziness than deliberate strategy. He questions what it would take for Trump to improve his approval ratings, noting that someone truly interested in maintaining power would be working harder to communicate with non-supporters.

Then he’s joined by Dr. Jodi Vittori, an expert on kleptocracy – rule by thieves. Dr. Vittori explains why functioning democracies and kleptocracies cannot coexist, offering Russia as the clearest example while suggesting Hungary represents a more subtle version. She warns that America's potential kleptocracy would have unique characteristics, with the tariff exemption process potentially serving as a gateway. 

The discussion explores how the Constitution originally included anti-corruption measures, how the Supreme Court has eroded these protections, and specific warning signs of kleptocratic governance. Dr. Vittori highlights how crypto enables corruption, why state and local governments are particularly vulnerable, and offers concrete reforms to protect democratic institutions. Their conversation concludes with the provocative question of whether Trump initiated America's slide toward kleptocracy or simply accelerated an existing trend.

The episode wraps with "Ask Chuck," tackling listener questions about whether politicians should face legal consequences for lying to the public, what it would take to end gerrymandering, the definition of political moderation in today's polarized climate, and lightens the mood by speculating about which elected officials are most knowledgeable about sports.

00:00 Introduction

01:15 Trump’s first 100 days have gone badly

03:00 Trump is mailing it in

05:00 Trump’s authoritarianism is a product of laziness

08:00 What would it take for Trump to improve his approval rating?

12:00 If Trump was truly interested in a third term, he’d be communicating to non-supporters… and he’s not

13:25 Dr. Jodi Vittori joins the show! 

14:35 Define "kleptocracy" and what are some examples? 

16:25 You can't have kleptocracy in a functioning democracy 

17:35 Is Putin's Russia the clearest example of kleptocracy? 

18:55 Hungary is the more subtle version of kleptocracy 

19:55 The US kleptocracy will be unique 

21:25 Is the tariff exemption process how we end up in kleptocracy? 

23:10 Much of the constitution was set up for anti corruption as they knew it at the time 

24:55 The Supreme Court laid the foundation for this crisis 

26:25 How do you know when you're in a kleptocracy? 

27:40 Lack of accountability for elites led us here 

28:40 Conflict of interest is unethical but not a crime 

30:25 Until 1992 members of Congress could pocket their campaign war chest 

31:40 Citizens United made America unique compared to other democracies 

32:45 What are the next steps on the road to kleptocracy? 

33:55 Crypto is a massive enabler of corruption 

35:40 State and local governments are particularly susceptible to corruption 

37:05 Are there certain states that have the most corruption? 

40:10 What are some reforms that we should look to pass? 

44:55 Lobbying used to be corporation vs citizens, now it's corporation vs corporation 

45:55 The interests of the citizens are now secondary 

47:40 We've enabled corruption 

49:25 The US has become a tax haven for overseas money laundering 

50:55 Did Trump bring about kleptocracy, or were we already on our way there? 

52:25 How did Dr. Vitorri end up specializing in anti-corruption?

55:50 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Dr. Vittori 

57:00 Ask Chuck 

57:15 Should politicians or government officials be legally liable for lying to, or misleading the public? 

1:01:25 What would it take to stop gerrymandering? 

1:07:40 What does it mean to be a political moderate? 

1:12:15 What elected official is the most knowledgeable about sports?

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In this packed episode, Chuck opens with a sobering assessment of President Trump's plummeting approval ratings and questions about his administration's credibility before diving into critical structural concerns about the Department of Justice's independence and the need to expand the House of Representatives. He shifts to Florida politics, where a brewing corruption scandal threatens the governor's race and Republicans are increasingly willing to challenge Ron DeSantis's weakened political standing. 

New York Congressman Dan Goldman joins for an extended interview about the concept of rule of law before and after his experience during impeachment proceedings. Goldman offers insights into Trump's challenges to fundamental constitutional principles and proposes concrete reforms to better protect America's democratic institutions, including codifying limits on presidential interference in prosecutions, strengthening congressional subpoena powers, and potentially restructuring the Justice Department with Federal Reserve-like independence.

The episode's second half features political handicapper Dave Wasserman analyzing the evolving electoral landscape heading into the midterms. Wasserman explains how understanding local communities is crucial to predicting election outcomes, while lamenting the lack of quality coverage in smaller markets. 

He delivers a forecast that Democrats could see sizable gains in the House, with Trump's tariff policies potentially hurting Republicans in farm states. The discussion explores gerrymandering's changing impact, with both parties now complaining about the practice, and examines how the 2030 census might reshape the electoral map. 

Finally, they discuss the prospect of a “blue wave” in the 2026 midterm elections and whether we could see one or both chambers of congress change hands.

Timeline

00:00 Multiple polls show sharp approval rating drop for Trump

03:00 Trump’s spokespeople are losing credibility

05:00 Department of Justice needs more independence 

7:30 The House of Representatives needs to be expanded

8:45 White House Correspondents weekend was awkward

12:15 Corruption scandal looming over Florida governor race

13:15 Florida Republicans are no longer afraid of Ron DeSantis

15:30 Ron DeSantis may be weaker, but Florida Democrats aren’t stronger

17:00 The Shedeur Sanders commentary was ridiculous

19:10 Congressman Dan Goldman joins the show

19:40 What are the highlights of his district, NY-10? 

26:35 What did "rule of law" mean to you before and after working on the impeachment proceedings? 

30:25 Fundamental tenets of rule of law are being challenged 

31:00 Amendments 4-10 are about equal protection under the law, for citizens and non-citizens 

34:20 Trump has exposed why government is susceptible to leaders willing to break their oath of office 

36:10 We need to codify into law that the president can't weigh in on individual prosecutions 

38:40 Enforcement of congressional subpoenas needs legal teeth 

41:30 Should we set up Justice with a level of independence like we did with the Federal Reserve? 

48:40 If impeachment couldn't hold Trump accountable, why would the justice system? 

50:10 Trump's conduct warranted prosecution 

52:55 The impeachment process is broken 

54:10 Trump has an unexplained infatuation for Vladimir Putin 

7:25 The Republican majority in the House has turned all of their authority over to Trump 

1:01:40 What can Democratic members of congress do other than speak out? 

1:05:25 If Democrats want to win in 2026, what should they be talking about? 

1:08:55 Is Andrew Cuomo vs Eric Adams really the best that NYC can do?

1:14:45 Chuck’s thoughts on his conversation with Dan Goldman

1:17:35 Dave Wasserman joins the show! 

1:19:35 Mainstreaming interest in political handicapping 

1:24:05 Understanding a local community is crucial to handicapping 

1:27:05 Smaller markets not getting coverage they deserve 

1:28:20 Determining how competitive a race will be? 

1:31:05 House map is less skewed than it used to be 

1:34:35 Complaining about gerrymandering has become more bipartisan 

1:36:05 Democrats could see sizeable midterm gains 

1:42:50 How will retirements affect the midterms? 

1:4:05 Tariffs will cost Republicans in the farm states 

1:45:05 Kansas headed toward swing state status? 

1:48:05 Reappropriation from 2030 census could add several new red seats 

1:49:35 Can Republicans further gerrymander states like Texas and Florida? 

1:53:35 Virginia governor race isn't that competitive 

1:58:50 Conventional wisdom is that Democrats shouldn't choose a woman for 28 

1:59:50 Is a blue wave developing? 

2:01:05 Trump doesn't care about Republicans other than himself

2:03:16 Chuck’s final thoughts

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Chuck Todd speaks with legendary documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney about his newest project The Dark Money Game on HBO and the influence of legalized bribery in American politics.

First, Chuck gives his own thoughts on the corrupting influence of money in politics, why Donald Trump’s memecoin is a bribery scheme in plain sight and why money has fueled distrust in politics from both sides of the aisle

Then, Chuck and Alex dive into the Ohio scandal at the center of The Dark Money Game, exploring why Americans have grown numb to the Citizens United ruling—and how it effectively legalized bribery in politics. They discuss how money has become a deeply corrosive force in American democracy.

Alex shares his process for selecting the story, what he uncovered during his investigation, and why the project ultimately became a two-part series.

The conversation also touches on the troubling alliance between organized religion and dark money, the Trump administration’s open embrace of corruption, and, finally, Alex reveals the focus of his next big project: Elon Musk.

Finally, Chuck answers a listener question in the Ask Chuck segment!

0:00 Introduction

1:00 Citizen's United created the dark money era

1:45 Reform efforts have failed

3:00 Campaigns used to cost millions, not billions

5:00 Money has cut voters out of the equation

9:00 Trump’s memecoin is a bribery scam in plain sight

10:30 We need strong disclosure laws

13:00 Public funding of elections is an all or nothing propositionv

14:30 Distrust in politics centers on money in the system

17:40 Alex Gibney joins the show! 

18:40 Dark Money is the best attempt at telling the story of money corrupting politics 

19:40 How hard is it to make this story accessible to the public? 

20:40 Campaign finance should be rebranded as bribery 

21:40 Ohio state legislature captured by special interests 

24:10 Why did First Energy execs not end up in prison? 

25:25 Huge money ensured GOP candidates in Ohio won, then were beholden 

26:40 The bribe was a good investment 

28:10 How did Alex access the wiretaps? 

28:55 Investigators stumbled into the case 

30:55 We've accepted money in politics and are numb to it 

31:40 Citizens United opened the floodgates to corruption via PACs 

33:40 Bribery is now legal 

35:25 We're in a kleptocracy now 

35:55 Reed Hoffman donated millions to Harris and wanted Lina Khan fired at FTC 

37:40 Big money interests can just buy their own news coverage 

40:10 Ohio whistleblower turned in his friend in service to his state 

41:10 Florida gambling initiatives bought and sold petition signatures 

42:40 Money in politics is like the mob bribing cops 

45:10 Candidates don't run on an anti corruption/campaign finance platform 

46:40 Billionaires shouldn't get define the world for the rest of us 

47:55 Bernie/AOC turning out huge crowds tapping into anger against a rigged system 

49:40 Dark money started as one film and became two because there was too much material 50:55 Evangelical grifters became fused with dark money in exchange for political influence 53:55 Corrupt Religious leaders "bless" political corruption to their followers 

55:40 Society is driven by, and consumed by money 

56:40 Law firms and universities have capitulated to Trump over their financial interests 

59:10 Alex's advice for young documentarians 

1:00:40 Lobbying is now corporation vs corporation 

1:03:25 Elon Musk is Alex's next topic

1:04:25 Chuck's thoughts on conversation with Alex Gibney 

1:05:25 Ask Chuck - How can voters in states with later primaries feel involved in choosing presidential candidates? 

1:06:55 A rotating system for primaries based on region is a potential solution 

1:09:55 There are ways to make the system fair, but the people in charge don't want a fair system. 

1:12:55 Voters in early states take the process very seriously

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Chuck begins by weighing in on a new Pew Research poll showing a significant drop in President Donald Trump’s approval rating since his inauguration. He highlights the erosion of support among non-voters as a potential warning sign for the president. Chuck also shares his concerns about the administration’s apparent deference to Russia in the latest Ukraine peace agreement.

Next, he’s joined by Jon Tester and Maritsa Georgiou to discuss their new podcast, the underrepresentation of middle America in the media, and why members of Congress should spend more time outside the Washington, D.C. bubble.

They explore the loss of trust in national media due to the decline of strong local journalism, Congress’s tendency to cede power to the executive branch, the corrupting influence of dark money in politics, and the urgent need for campaign finance reform.

The conversation wraps with a discussion about the TV show Yellowstone and its impact—both positive and negative—on their home state of Montana.

Finally, Chuck closes out the show by answering a few listener questions in the "Ask Chuck" segment.

Timeline:

0:00 Introduction

2:25 New Pew Research poll released on Trump’s first 100 days

3:45 Not surprising Trump’s approval has dropped

4:15 Non-voters souring on Trump quickly

6:15 Incompetency is defining his first 100 days

7:30 Erratic decision making doesn’t inspire confidence

9:15 Low information voters are a good barometer

10:15 Republican party still has a higher favorability ratings than the Democratic party

14:00 Trump is tarnishing the country’s reputation

16:15 Trump needs to make some trade deals and put points on the board

17:45 The United States government is taking Russia’s side against Ukraine

20:40 Jon Tester and Maritsa Georgiou join the show! 

21:10 Why start a podcast? 

23:10 Most rewarding part? 

25:25 Need more voices in media from all over the country, not just the coasts 

27:55 The state of local news in Montana 

29:10 "The middle" is underrepresented in media 

30:40 Where the media is located can warp the perspective 

33:10 If Congress convened in places other than DC, things would be very different 

34:10 Politicians pit urban vs rural against one another 

34:55 Journalists are pulled to the big markets 

36:40 Local media was a character reference for the national media 

37:55 Without local reporters, important stories can't reach the national media 

39:10 There are no more local reporters telling communities what DC is doing for them 

41:25 Why has Congress been willing to cede power to the executive? 

43:40 Congress has rolled over in the 21st century due to campaign finance 

44:40 Dark money's influence on Montana politics 

47:05 Money has skewed the system* 

48:40 Local news stations run on two year budgets due to election spending 

49:40 Campaign finance reform efforts always result in loopholes 

50:40 Campaign finance isn't a voting issue

53:10 Media has to be an educator 

54:55 Voters of both parties are worried about money in politics

55:55 Congress needs a NASCAR rule for disclosing donors 

56:55 Why is fixing campaign finance so hard? 

57:40 Candidates have limits, donors do not 

58:40 Most members of Congress have good motivations individually, collectively they become irrational 

1:00:20 Senator Lisa Murkowski's comments about fear of retaliation

1:02:40 Founders would be appalled by what's happening in DC 

1:03:55 Media needs to listen and rebuild trust 

1:04:40 The media needs to stand with the AP 

1:05:30 Montana's star turn in pop culture due to Taylor Sheridan 

1:07:40 What is Sen. Tester watching on TV? 

1:10:20 Montana has been "discovered" by the wealthy

1:10:50 Chuck’s thoughts on the interview

1:11:25 Ask Chuck

1:11:55 If you were in charge of the DNC, what changes would you like to see improve their brand?

1:13:30 The Democrats haven’t tried to be a 50 state party, they need to go on a listening tour

1:17:25 If elections were held a week earlier in 1976 and 2016, would Ford and Clinton have won?

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As the government shutdown stretches on, Chuck Todd breaks down how both parties are calculating the political costs — and why Democrats may have already achieved what they wanted. With air travel disruptions mounting and healthcare debates pulling in new Republican attention, the public’s patience is wearing thin. Meanwhile, tensions between Trump and Illinois leaders have escalated, raising questions about the politicization of the military and fairness in immigration enforcement.

He also examines Democrats’ deeper strategic struggles heading into 2026 and beyond — from misreading voters’ frustration with cost of living to failing to invest early in registration and outreach. Inside the party, Virginia rallies around Jay Jones, while figures like Elissa Slotkin and Gavin Newsom position for future national influence. But viral missteps, like Katie Porter’s interview fallout, reveal how Democrats are still struggling to master modern media and messaging in an increasingly short-form political world.

Then, he sits down with Washington Monthly editor-in-chief Paul Glastris to unpack how America’s college ranking system went off the rails—and how it’s warping higher education itself. Glastris argues that U.S. News & World Report rewards wealth, not value, pushing schools to chase prestige over affordability and teaching quality. He highlights Berea College as a model for what higher ed could be: a well-endowed school that actually invests in its students rather than its brand.

The two also explore how higher ed’s obsession with research grants and graduate programs has left undergrads behind, and why community and regional universities—where most Americans actually study—deserve more attention and funding. From the decline of community colleges to the disappearance of local journalism, Glastris and Todd make the case for a “New Deal for Higher Education” that values mobility, access, and public service over profit and rankings.

Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football.

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Timeline:

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00:00 Introduction

03:00 Government shutdown lingers on, Dems accomplished what they wanted

04:15 Air travel starting to be impacted by shutdown

05:30 The healthcare issue has gotten the attention of Republicans

06:30 General public only cares about issues that directly impact them

07:30 Either party could end the shutdown now

09:45 Showdown between Trump & leaders in Chicago escalates

10:45 Using Texas national guard in Illinois is a bridge too far

11:45 Too many leaders on both sides are way too online

13:00 ICE found by judge to be making warrantless arrests

15:15 Trump and Stephen Miller overplaying threat to the public

16:00 Public doesn’t support deployments, wants apolitical military

17:15 Majority of voters think deportation process hasn’t been fair

18:45 Politics getting personal between Trump & Illinois leaders

20:45 There are political risks for both sides

21:45 DNC believes they didn’t spend early & enough to engage voters in 24’

24:15 Democrats takeaways are wrong. Biden was the biggest issue

25:30 Biden team misread the room, voters were upset at cost of living

26:45 DNC has put enough effort into voter registration

27:30 Appears party leaders in VA will rally around Jay Jones

29:15 Democrats willing to engage in GOP style “whataboutism”

30:30 There’s still a vast chunk of America that cares about ethics

32:00 Elisa Slotkin headlining dinner in NH, eyeing run for president?

33:00 Looking like Gavin Newsom will win redistricting referendum

35:00 If California votes yes, it looks like R’s will only pick up 3-4 seats in 26’

35:45 Katie Porter crashes out in viral interview clip, both parties pile on

37:30 Has Porter spent too much time in friendly interview spaces?

39:00 Porter’s response to losing senate primary to Schiff was revealing

40:30 Former Bernie strategist says Dems struggling with short form video

44:00 Paul Glastris joins the Chuck ToddCast 

45:00 Best colleges for the buck? 

47:15 US News ranks colleges in a horrific way 

48:30 Schools prioritize wealth when doing admissions 

51:30 Upward mobility matters more when ranking colleges 

53:15 Schools freak out when they lose ranking status 

54:45 Berea College is best bang for the buck school in America 

56:45 Berea has a massive endowment, but it's used for education 

59:30 Schools focus on post-grad programs rather than undergrad 

1:01:00 Research institutions should be put in their own category 

1:01:30 Trump administration is going after schools with research grants 

1:03:00 We've never seen an administration target college research 

1:04:15 It costs a ton of money to send kids to college now 

1:05:30 Do colleges prioritize hiring researchers or teachers? 

1:08:15 We overproduce academic talent in America 

1:10:15 Smaller schools face massive financial challenges 

1:12:30 Many schools border on predatory 

1:14:00 We need a "new deal" for higher education 

1:16:30 Most people get their BA's at local & regional universities 

1:18:00 America didn't get to making 2 years of college free 

1:19:15 The state of the community college system 

1:20:45 Florida never built a good state system, has no prestige schools 

1:21:45 Florida standardized passing courses counting at every school 

1:23:45 There's a wide disparity of outcomes between community colleges 

1:24:15 Community colleges offer community building activities 

1:26:45 College rankings are an important example of service journalism 

1:28:45 Local journalism was the foundational piece of the profession 

1:30:00 The economic underpinnings of local journalism have been wiped out 

1:32:30 Government and philanthropy can underwrite local journalism 

1:34:30 National opinion journalism undermined local journalism 

1:36:00 Small towns can't afford good journalism

1:43:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Paul Glastris 

1:44:30 Ask Chuck 

1:44:45 Should we offer a tax credit for voting to incentivize participation? 

1:48:45 Thoughts on an "American Unity" platform? What would you include? 

1:55:30 Trump modeling terrible behavior & character for young people? 

2:03:15 Military pay during government shutdown? 

2:05:45 College football preview

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Chuck Todd is joined by Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, to discuss the damaging effects of President Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade war on the U.S. economy.

Chuck opens the episode by framing the nation’s economic struggles as entirely self-inflicted, warning against political pressure on the Federal Reserve, and explaining why the consequences of current policy decisions could take years to reverse.

Mark Zandi then joins to share his economic risk assessment, explore why markets failed to anticipate the trade war, and project the level of fallout the U.S. economy could face in the coming months and years.

They break down why Trump’s push to reshore American manufacturing is unlikely to succeed, how China could emerge as the real winner of the trade war, and why troubling signals from the bond market spell concern for the broader economy.

Zandi also outlines the risks of firing Fed Chair Jay Powell, explains why the trade war is a lose-lose scenario, and discusses why government intervention may be far less effective in responding to a self-inflicted economic crisis.

Finally, Chuck wraps up with listener questions in the Ask Chuck segment.

Don’t forget to like and subscribe to The Chuck ToddCast!

Timeline:

0:00 Introduction

0:30 Why Chuck wanted to have Mark Zandi on the show

1:30 We could have a man made economic disaster on our hands

3:00 Pressuring the fed to lower interest rates is a bad idea

5:15 Immigration has been a boon, not a negative for America

7:00 Trade has helped America have a higher standard of living than anywhere else

8:00 Rebuilding will take years

8:45 Trump administration has been a mess

11:55 Mark Zandi joins the show 

12:55 What is Moody's Analytics? 

15:55 How is a country's political system factored into economic risk assessments? 

17:15 War gaming the trade war 

19:10 Why didn't markets price in the trade war? 

21:10 Tariffs in Trump 1.0 were more damaging than people realize due to pandemic. 

22:55 When will the tariff impacts show up?

24:25 Are any companies reshoring manufacturing due to tariffs? 

26:10 How many companies are going to do whatever it takes to get an exemption? 

27:25 Consumers and corporations are already changing their spending decisions 

28:25 Government cuts are self defeating 

29:55 How will this affect China's economy? 

32:55 Will the EU spurn the US in favor of China? 

34:25 Nixing the TPP was a mistake 

35:40 What does the health of the bond market tell us? 

37:10 We're in a crisis 

38:10 How does this affect financing our debt? 

39:10 What would stabilize the market? 

39:55 What would happen if he fired fed chair Jay Powell?

42:40 How similar is the current situation to the 1920's-30's? 

45:25 US received more pushback from other countries in the 20's-30's 

46:40 Which countries are most vulnerable to the trade war? 

48:55 This is a lose-lose for everyone 

49:55 In an emergency are the only choices inflation or recession? Which is preferable? 

52:25 Government intervention will be less viable because government caused the crisis

53:25 Chuck’s thoughts on conversation with Mark Zandi

54:20 Ask Chuck - Will Trump’s trade war become the new normal or just a phase?

55:55 Tariffs are a tool, and shouldn’t be used for everything

57:30Trump’s goal is to replace income taxes with tariff revenue

59:55 How can citizens not be part of the problem when it comes to hyperpartisan media?

1:00:30 Diversifying your media diet is important

1:04:45 If tariffs cause a severe recession, could Trump issue an EO to postpone the midterm elections?

1:07:00 Trump can’t waive a magic wand and postpone elections

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Chuck Todd is joined by Benjamin Wittes, editor-in-chief of Lawfare, to break down the widespread legal violations committed by the Trump administration during Donald Trump’s first three months in office.

Chuck opens the episode by underscoring the gravity of the moment and why Trump appears to show little respect for the law or the authority of the courts.

Ben Wittes then joins the conversation to discuss the constitutional amendments the administration may have violated, whether Trump is defying Supreme Court rulings, and what a potential legal showdown over his immigration policies could look like.

They examine the administration’s targeting of law firms and universities, where institutional pressure could serve as a check on executive overreach, and whether lawsuits filed by state attorneys general stand a chance in court.

Finally, they unpack Trump’s use of executive orders against his critics, why the U.S. is losing its reputation as a global “beacon of freedom,” and Ben shares one reason he still holds onto a sense of optimism.

0:00 First 90 days of the Trump administration has been tumultuous 

1:45 Congress is sitting on its hands

2:45 The administration is slowing down routine investigations 

4:00 This is a dangerous moment for the country

5:30 Trump is “flooding the zone”

8:15 There are legal ways to handle deportations but Trump isn’t interested

9:30 They’ve violated amendments four through nine

11:30 Trump left Biden a legal quagmire over the border, but Biden didn’t handle it well

12:30 Prices will rise in the next 60-90 days 

14:00 Incompetence has defined Trump’s administration thus far

15:00 Administration is trending toward monarchy 

16:45 Lindsey Graham has gone radio silent

18:55 Benjamin Wittes joins the show! 

21:10 Trump is violating multiple constitutional amendments 

23:30 Is Trump violating the Supreme Court ruling? 

25:55 Did the Supreme Court water down their ruling? 

27:05 All 9 justices agreed on the premise 

28:05 What would satisfy the court's order to "facilitate" the return of Abrego Garcia? 

29:40 If Trump asked for the prisoner back, Bukele wouldn't say no 

30:45 The White House is brazenly violating court orders 

32:10 The administration is extorting law firms 

36:45 How will Harvard's decision to fight back affect them? 

38:35 Is the administration going out of their way to pick fights? 

39:55 They're creating criminal impunity for allies 

40:45 Administration is using civil litigation to target enemies 

41:55 The government will pay more in damages than money saved by DOGE

45:00 John Roberts is issuing rulings meant to avoid confrontation with Trump 

46:25 SCOTUS justices are aware Trump is flaunting their ruling 

48:45 Trump is putting tremendous stress on his own party 

49:25 Are Trump's actions uniting SCOTUS against him? 

52:25 What to make of the three liberal justices putting out a press release? 

54:55 How alarmed are the six conservative justices? 

56:05 Expectations for California's tariff lawsuit? 

58:55 The president has civil immunity from defamation lawsuits 

1:01:15 Targeting Krebs and Taylor are two of the most egregious acts so far 

1:05:25 Trump 2.0 is an entirely different proposition 

1:06:55 What authoritarian model does Trump most emulate? 

1:07:55 Ben projected "Trump and Vance betrayed the country" on the Washington monument

1:10:55 The beacon of freedom has been turned off

1:12:25 Ben's hammock studio 

1:14:15 Administration is targeting people the public doesn't care much about 

1:16:05 The goal is to stop it from getting worse

1:18:03 Showdown with SCOTUS looming?

1:19:30 Chuck’s Nats rant - Fix the bullpen!

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Chuck Todd takes a deep dive into the JFK assassination conspiracy and the latest document release with Jeff Morley, founder of JFK Facts.

He opens the episode by exploring how the government’s lack of transparency and honesty has fueled public distrust—and why that environment often breeds conspiratorial thinking.

Chuck and Jeff then examine the government's decades-long effort to keep a tight lid on records related to President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, and how skepticism from high-ranking officials at the time continues to cast doubt on the CIA’s official account.

They break down the most recent document releases, discuss why both Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden delayed their full release, and analyze what the timing and redactions might suggest about what the government could still be hiding.

The conversation takes a closer look at Lee Harvey Oswald, his potential ties to the CIA, and why the agency has remained evasive about those connections.

Finally, they review the key findings from the newly released documents, assess whether any revelations have truly been groundbreaking, and preview what might come next in the ongoing evolution of this historic conspiracy theory.

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Timeline:

0:00 Introduction

02:00 What led to massive distrust of the U.S. government

04:00 Chuck’s big questions about the JFK assassination

8:40 How did Jeff Morley become JFKfacts?

10:10 Oliver Stone’s movie led to congress passing the JFK records act in 1992

11:40 Released CIA records were a reporting gold mine

14:55 Until the internet, the government kept a closed fist on the records

15:55 Oswald denied the killing, case was never adjudicated 

19:10 Chuck welcoming his son to the conspiracy 

21:50 The books that informed Jeff’s thinking on the assassination

24:45 Bobby Kennedy never believed the official story

25:55 How did Oswald not end up in jail after going to Russia?

28:45 Oswald was a known quantity to CIA officials before the assassination

29:55 Robert Kennedy asked the CIA director directly about CIA involvement

32:10 CIA’s fear was their awful operations being brought to light

33:40 Lyndon Johnson didn’t believe the Warren commission

34:50 Why did the CIA cover up its affiliation with Oswald?

35:40 What did Trump hold off on releasing?

37:30 Trump and Biden both punted on releasing files

40:40 Trump got back on board after RFK Jr. joined the campaign

43:10 The timeline for redactions shows what the government prioritized protecting

45:10 Hoover sanctioned FBI agents for their handling of Oswald

45:55 Why did the FBI + CIA remove Oswald from the watch list?

47:40 Oswald clearly was a CIA asset

48:40 Oswald did 5 things that should have landed him in trouble

49:55 Oswald goes public with the Fair Play for Cuba Committee

51:50 4 people confronting Oswald in the courtroom had CIA connections

54:20 Bay of Pigs is the root of Cuban-American support for Republicans

59:00 Did we learn anything from old Soviet files?

1:01:00 Soviets surveilled Oswald while he was in Minsk 

1:03:45 Tulsi Gabbard implied new files had been found

1:05:30 CIA hasn’t produced new records that aren’t at the national archives

1:06:00 What are we missing on Jack Ruby?

1:08:10 CIA motivations for cover up?

1:10:15 What if Oswald did it and was part of a conspiracy?

1:10:40 There’s no smoking gun proof Oswald did it?

1:11:10 Compelling evidence that shots came from in front of Kennedy

1:13:10 Investigators botched the chain of possession for evidence

1:17:25 Jeff’s experience testifying in front of congress

1:18:55 Trump’s motive for declassifying the records

1:21:40 Where to find Jeff’s work

1:23:10 The CIA was a rogue agency in the 50s 

1:24:55 Chuck’s closing thoughts

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