The Chuck ToddCast

Chuck Todd takes a hard look at the state of American governance and institutional trust — or the lack of it. He starts by reflecting on the historical significance of three consecutive one-term presidents, ranking his top five most underrated commanders-in-chief and arguing that both Biden and Trump are unlikely to be viewed as consequential a century from now. From there, Todd pivots to a searing indictment of the current moment: from the Epstein reckoning exposing the government's inability to tell the truth, to DHS being treated as a political plaything by Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski, to the DOD endangering lives in the El Paso FAA incident with zero accountability, to Moderna alleging that HHS refused to even review an mRNA flu vaccine under RFK Jr.'s watch. He connects the dots across a pattern of institutional dishonesty — a Justice Department focused on narrative management, masked ICE agents no one can justify, a fired antitrust chief clearing the way for powerful interests, and a "hostage system" style of governing that holds federal paychecks as leverage — making the case that when the government lies this often, it forfeits the benefit of the doubt on everything, and that the Epstein scandal isn't just a story about one man, but a mirror reflecting a system designed to protect the powerful. Then, Gene Sperling — the only person to serve as Director of the National Economic Council under two presidents (Clinton and Obama), a senior advisor to President Biden who oversaw the American Rescue Plan, and a consultant and co-writer on NBC's The West Wing — joins the Chuck Toddcast for a wide-ranging conversation. Sperling shares the wild story of how he ended up in Santa Monica, his brush with Aaron Sorkin's legal troubles, and his insider take on how real Washington compares to its fictional portrayals. The conversation then turns to Sperling's deep expertise on the economy, from his defense of the Biden administration's "soft landing" amid global post-Covid inflation to the political lessons of how rising prices have sunk presidencies on both sides of the aisle — including Biden's own re-election bid. The back half of the episode looks squarely at the future. Sperling, who says he's unlikely to serve in another Democratic administration, offers a forceful argument about what comes next: the rising threat of unchecked corporate and tech power, the urgent need for AI policy that puts working people first, and the lessons of globalization that policymakers can't afford to repeat. Drawing on themes from his book Economic Dignity, he makes the case that Americans are hungry for leaders who pair optimism with a real confrontation of economic injustice — and warns that a handful of AI and crypto companies, flush with lobbying dollars, could end up shaping the structure of the economy if left unchallenged. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the publishing of the Communist Manifesto and argues that while its critiques of the excesses of capitalism were correct… it’s revolutionary prescriptions led to the worst authoritarian states in modern history. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.  Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 03:30 We’ve had 3 straight one term presidents, deem them all failures 04:45 Inability to win reelection will always be seen as an asterisk 05:45 Top 5 most underrated presidents 06:00 James Polk was the only voluntary one term president 06:45 James Garfield was a fierce advocate for civil rights 07:30 George H.W. Bush was accomplished, but not a good politician 08:30 John Quincy Adams laid out modern American infrastructure 09:00 Jimmy Carter did many things that have aged well 10:15 In 100 years, Biden & Trump likely won’t be viewed as consequential 11:45 Biden & Trump can’t be evaluated fairly for many years 12:30 What does a real reckoning look like in the Trump era? 13:45 The institution least capable of reckoning with Epstein is the government 14:15 The private sector is forcing accountability, the government isn’t  15:15 Trust is the currency of government, and Trump’s doesn’t have it 16:15 The Justice Depa

Gene Sperling — the only person to serve as Director of the National Economic Council under two presidents (Clinton and Obama), a senior advisor to President Biden who oversaw the American Rescue Plan, and a consultant and co-writer on NBC's The West Wing — joins the Chuck Toddcast for a wide-ranging conversation. Sperling shares the wild story of how he ended up in Santa Monica, his brush with Aaron Sorkin's legal troubles, and his insider take on how real Washington compares to its fictional portrayals. The conversation then turns to Sperling's deep expertise on the economy, from his defense of the Biden administration's "soft landing" amid global post-Covid inflation to the political lessons of how rising prices have sunk presidencies on both sides of the aisle — including Biden's own re-election bid. The back half of the episode looks squarely at the future. Sperling, who says he's unlikely to serve in another Democratic administration, offers a forceful argument about what comes next: the rising threat of unchecked corporate and tech power, the urgent need for AI policy that puts working people first, and the lessons of globalization that policymakers can't afford to repeat. Drawing on themes from his book Economic Dignity, he makes the case that Americans are hungry for leaders who pair optimism with a real confrontation of economic injustice — and warns that a handful of AI and crypto companies, flush with lobbying dollars, could end up shaping the structure of the economy if left unchallenged. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Gene Sperling joins the Chuck Toddcast 02:00 The wild story of how Gene ended up in Santa Monica 03:15 Aaron Sorkin couldn’t meet with Gene due to legal trouble 06:15 Real politics/news look nothing like “West Wing” or “The Newsroom” 07:30 The one truism about the West Wing is good people trying to do good 09:15 Politics is NOT like House of Cards 10:45 West Wing still remains viable, any chance of a reboot? 12:00 What’s the state of the economy? What do you look for? 12:45 Biden economy was strong growth, but high inflation 13:30 Biden achieved the “soft landing” they were trying for 14:45 Inflation was global and mostly due to Covid supply chain shocks 16:15 The American Rescue Plan had many positive effects 17:15 Every head of state poured money into economies during Covid 18:15 Covid was going to result in either inflation or recession 20:00 Obama couldn’t pass enough stimulus during Great Recession 21:00 A little extra stimulus can help offset future unknowns 21:45 Millennials’ future was permanently damaged by Great Recession 23:00 A generation had never seen high inflation until Covid 24:00 Anger over inflation sunk Biden’s re-election 25:00 Inflation is bipartisan, took down 3 different presidents 26:00 Inflation affects everyone, jobs & unemployment don’t 27:15 Every head of state suffered politically post pandemic 29:15 Will Biden baggage sink Pete Buttigieg, or is that overstated? 31:00 Biden’s conflict was empathy for suffering vs touting achievements 33:15 Biden had the tiniest of margins to pass major legislation 34:30 Gene is unlikely to work in a future Democratic administration 35:15 Pitchforks are being sharpened for corporations and big tech 36:00 Will worker rage fuel the next election? 37:00 Presidents that do well offer optimism, but confront economic injustice 38:30 People don’t want to feel like they are being extracted for profits 40:30 AI growth can’t come at the expense of working people 42:00 AI policy should be shaped around improving conditions for people 43:15 What lessons from globalization can be used to alleviate AI disruption? 45:00 Clinton believed in robust response to globalization 46:00 Clinton couldn’t implement strong safety net after losing congress 47:45 You have to have policies where people don’t feel left behind 49:30 We need to create and fund jobs that create dignity 50:15 We need to create an economic dignity floor for all Americans 52:15 When is a company too big to regulate? 54:30 If companies are disproportionately determining policies, they’re too big 55:15 Crypto & AI are getting what they want from huge lobbying mone

Chuck Todd takes a hard look at the state of American governance and institutional trust — or the lack of it. He starts by reflecting on the historical significance of three consecutive one-term presidents, ranking his top five most underrated commanders-in-chief and arguing that both Biden and Trump are unlikely to be viewed as consequential a century from now. From there, Todd pivots to a searing indictment of the current moment: from the Epstein reckoning exposing the government's inability to tell the truth, to DHS being treated as a political plaything by Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski, to the DOD endangering lives in the El Paso FAA incident with zero accountability, to Moderna alleging that HHS refused to even review an mRNA flu vaccine under RFK Jr.'s watch. He connects the dots across a pattern of institutional dishonesty — a Justice Department focused on narrative management, masked ICE agents no one can justify, a fired antitrust chief clearing the way for powerful interests, and a "hostage system" style of governing that holds federal paychecks as leverage — making the case that when the government lies this often, it forfeits the benefit of the doubt on everything, and that the Epstein scandal isn't just a story about one man, but a mirror reflecting a system designed to protect the powerful. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the publishing of the Communist Manifesto and argues that while its critiques of the excesses of capitalism were correct… it’s revolutionary prescriptions led to the worst authoritarian states in modern history. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.  Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 02:30 We’ve had 3 straight one term presidents, deem them all failures 03:45 Inability to win reelection will always be seen as an asterisk 04:45 Top 5 most underrated presidents 05:00 James Polk was the only voluntary one term president 05:45 James Garfield was a fierce advocate for civil rights 06:30 George H.W. Bush was accomplished, but not a good politician 07:30 John Quincy Adams laid out modern American infrastructure 08:00 Jimmy Carter did many things that have aged well 09:15 In 100 years, Biden & Trump likely won’t be viewed as consequential 10:45 Biden & Trump can’t be evaluated fairly for many years 11:30 What does a real reckoning look like in the Trump era? 12:45 The institution least capable of reckoning with Epstein is the government 13:15 The private sector is forcing accountability, the government isn’t 14:15 Trust is the currency of government, and Trump’s doesn’t have it 15:15 The Justice Department is only worried about narrative management 16:30 The system looks like a club, designed to protect the powerful 17:45 Epstein is a test of whether the government can tell the truth 19:00 DHS shutting down, politicians using paychecks as leverage 19:30 We a governing via a “hostage system” 20:45 There isn’t a single good argument for masking ICE agents 21:15 The Democrats’ demands are not extreme, they’re common sense 22:15 Noem & Lewandowski treating DHS like their personal plaything 23:00 Pattern of government saying one thing, facts saying another 24:15 Whatever Noem says first, you can’t believe it. She gaslights the public 25:00 The government has lied too many times, gets no benefit of the doubt 25:45 El Paso FAA incident is case study for public distrusting institutions 26:45 DoD was lying to the FAA, FAA pulled the emergency brakes 28:00 DoD put lives in danger with no accountability 28:30 Moderna says HHS refused to review MRNA flu vaccine 29:15 The U.S. is not a stable country to develop & release products 30:00 Kennedy only offers crackpot theories & totally unfit for office 31:00 We can’t trust the government to tell us the truth about anything 31:30 DOJ fired antitrust chief, powerful interests get what they want 33:00 Epstein isn’t just a scandal, it’s a mirror 42:15 What if Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie ran on “accountability” ticket 43:30 A bipartisan ticket of “pox on both their houses” could be powerful 44:15 ToddCast Time Mach

In this episode of the Chuck Toddcast, founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Paul Rieckhoff joins for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from the football field to the battlefield and into the halls of power. Paul shares how his family's experience with Vietnam shaped his own path into the military and explores why the scars of Iraq and Afghanistan haven't left the same political mark as Vietnam did. The discussion dives into the state of today's all-volunteer military, raising concerns about recruiting under Pete Hegseth's leadership at the Pentagon, the politicization of military culture, and the promotion of a specific ideological agenda within the Department of Defense—including what it means for democracy when the most powerful military in the world operates with fewer checks than ever. The conversation then shifts to the growing power of political independents, with Paul making the case that unaffiliated voters and veteran candidates could serve as a moderating force in American politics. From the potential impact of just a handful of independent senators to why no military veteran has won the presidency since George H.W. Bush, Paul and Chuck explore what it would take to break the two-party stranglehold. They also touch on the challenges of independent media, how national security can be a clarifying lens for consuming news, and why Paul believes every voter should consider declaring independence—arguing it gives them more power, not less. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Paul Rieckhoff joins the Chuck Toddcast 02:00 Why football is the most selfless sport 03:45 Defense in football feels like it has caught up to offense 06:00 How & why did you get into the military?  07:45 Nobody feels the acute impact of politics more than military members 09:00 Impact of Vietnam on Paul’s father & family 11:00 Anyone eligible for the draft in Vietnam were obsessive over details 12:30 No Vietnam vet ever won the presidency, but came close 14:15 Scars from Iraq/Afghanistan haven’t affected politics like Vietnam did 14:45 All-volunteer military is good for military but terrible for democracy 15:30 Shunning NATO would have been unthinkable just a decade ago 16:15 Worried about military recruiting under Pete Hegseth 17:00 Hegseth is waging a culture war from the Pentagon 18:15 Recruiting tactics are recruiting a very specific type of candidate 19:30 Changes in policy are politicizing the military & changing culture 20:45 Hegseth is prioritizing & promoting christianity at the Pentagon 21:15 Trump has the most powerful military & can do what he wants with it 21:45 Most dangerous thing Trump can do is invoke Insurrection Act 22:30 Pentagon press corp has been replaced with propogandists 24:45 The only thing checking Trump is himself & Chairman of Joint Chiefs 26:00 Trump has been more strategic this term, & is ahead of schedule 27:30 Military culture & families historically tend to lean right politically 28:45 Many veterans remain politically unaffiliated 29:45 We haven’t elected a military veteran since George H.W. Bush 30:45 Combat service gives you a true sense of the cost of war 32:30 Washington & Eisenhower closest to being “independent” presidents 33:45 Efforts to get veterans elected to local/state office 36:00 Independents have their leanings but reject the two parties 38:00 A true independent could be the most powerful member of senate 38:45 4-6 independent’s could be a moderating fulcrum in senate 40:30 Even two independents breaking with their caucus would be huge 43:00 How can each party appeal to independent veterans? 46:00 Every voter should declare independence, gives them more power 47:00 Balancing creating vs. ingestion working in independent media 50:00 National security is a great clarifier when consuming news 51:15 Waking up early is the best way to avoid distractions 52:30 Israel’s citizen-military culture creates a lot of activism 53:30 Instability created by Trump has engaged the electorate 55:45 ICE has made the danger posed by administration very immediate 56:45 If running for office was viable for independents, Paul would consider it 58:30 Veterans that want to service should run for office, not join ICESee omnystudio.co

Is The Most Dangerous Thing Trump Can Do In this episode, Chuck Todd unpacks a week where political theater carried real consequences, from Pam Bondi’s high-profile hearing and the Justice Department’s bruised credibility to renewed controversy over the Epstein files and why Trump appears uneasy about what could surface. Chuck explores how Trump’s actions—from refusing to help key Republicans like John Cornyn in Texas to escalating trade and tariff fights that split his own party—may be doing tactical damage to GOP midterm prospects, even putting critical races in Michigan and beyond at risk. He also examines donor frustration, the political fallout of Trump’s UAE corruption scandal, and why internal Republican divisions could shape whether Democrats win a narrow or sizable House majority. Finally, Chuck looks at the surprisingly strong jobs report, the murky influence of prediction markets, and why, if Democrats ultimately capture the Senate, Trump himself may be the biggest reason why. Then, founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Paul Rieckhoff joins for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from the football field to the battlefield and into the halls of power. Paul shares how his family's experience with Vietnam shaped his own path into the military and explores why the scars of Iraq and Afghanistan haven't left the same political mark as Vietnam did. The discussion dives into the state of today's all-volunteer military, raising concerns about recruiting under Pete Hegseth's leadership at the Pentagon, the politicization of military culture, and the promotion of a specific ideological agenda within the Department of Defense—including what it means for democracy when the most powerful military in the world operates with fewer checks than ever. The conversation then shifts to the growing power of political independents, with Paul making the case that unaffiliated voters and veteran candidates could serve as a moderating force in American politics. From the potential impact of just a handful of independent senators to why no military veteran has won the presidency since George H.W. Bush, Paul and Chuck explore what it would take to break the two-party stranglehold. They also touch on the challenges of independent media, how national security can be a clarifying lens for consuming news, and why Paul believes every voter should consider declaring independence—arguing it gives them more power, not less. Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.   Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 03:00 The Pam Bondi hearing was all theater, but it did matter 04:30 Trump’s cabinet hearings have an audience of one…Trump 05:00 DOJ’s credibility took a massive hit this week 05:45 Grand jury refused to indict Democratic members of congress 07:15 Bondi fanned the flames over Epstein files, now she’s backtracking 08:00 Trump seems awfully nervous about the files, like he’s hiding something 09:30 The question is do the Dems get a large or small majority in the house 11:00 There is a ceiling for Democratic gains 11:45 Trump isn’t interested in helping Republicans in the midterms 12:15 Trump not endorsing Cornyn in Texas put the senate seat in play 13:45 Republican donors are upset Trump won’t help in Texas 15:15 Trump’s UAE corruption scandal the worst of all time 16:45 Trump’s threats over bridge to Canada hurts GOP in Michigan 18:00 Owner of other bridge lobbied Lutnick, now Trump threatens shutdown 18:30 New bridge is good for Michigan, this put Mike Rogers in jeopardy 19:30 Trump is doing tactical harm to their midterm election chances 20:15 Trump’s tariff mess has divided his own party 21:30 Mike Johnson couldn’t stop vote in the house on tariffs 23:00 Trump doesn’t care about the future of the Republican party 24:45 Trump says no to another reconciliation bill, also bad for GOP 26:30 Jobs report was good despite admin officials previewing a bad one 27:15 Are administration officials cashing in on the prediction markets? 28:00 Prediction markets are extraordinarily corruptable 29:30 Higher tax refunds will get eaten by higher costs, not politically h

In this episode, Chuck Todd unpacks a week where political theater carried real consequences, from Pam Bondi’s high-profile hearing and the Justice Department’s bruised credibility to renewed controversy over the Epstein files and why Trump appears uneasy about what could surface. Chuck explores how Trump’s actions—from refusing to help key Republicans like John Cornyn in Texas to escalating trade and tariff fights that split his own party—may be doing tactical damage to GOP midterm prospects, even putting critical races in Michigan and beyond at risk. He also examines donor frustration, the political fallout of Trump’s UAE corruption scandal, and why internal Republican divisions could shape whether Democrats win a narrow or sizable House majority. Finally, Chuck looks at the surprisingly strong jobs report, the murky influence of prediction markets, and why, if Democrats ultimately capture the Senate, Trump himself may be the biggest reason why. Then, founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Paul Rieckhoff joins for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from the football field to the battlefield and into the halls of power. Paul shares how his family's experience with Vietnam shaped his own path into the military and explores why the scars of Iraq and Afghanistan haven't left the same political mark as Vietnam did. The discussion dives into the state of today's all-volunteer military, raising concerns about recruiting under Pete Hegseth's leadership at the Pentagon, the politicization of military culture, and the promotion of a specific ideological agenda within the Department of Defense—including what it means for democracy when the most powerful military in the world operates with fewer checks than ever. The conversation then shifts to the growing power of political independents, with Paul making the case that unaffiliated voters and veteran candidates could serve as a moderating force in American politics. From the potential impact of just a handful of independent senators to why no military veteran has won the presidency since George H.W. Bush, Paul and Chuck explore what it would take to break the two-party stranglehold. They also touch on the challenges of independent media, how national security can be a clarifying lens for consuming news, and why Paul believes every voter should consider declaring independence—arguing it gives them more power, not less. Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 2:00 The Pam Bondi hearing was all theater, but it did matter 3:30 Trump’s cabinet hearings have an audience of one…Trump 4:00 DOJ’s credibility took a massive hit this week 4:45 Grand jury refused to indict Democratic members of congress 6:15 Bondi fanned the flames over Epstein files, now she’s backtracking 7:00 Trump seems awfully nervous about the files, like he’s hiding something 8:30 The question is do the Dems get a large or small majority in the house 10:00 There is a ceiling for Democratic gains 10:45 Trump isn’t interested in helping Republicans in the midterms 11:15 Trump not endorsing Cornyn in Texas put the senate seat in play 12:45 Republican donors are upset Trump won’t help in Texas 14:15 Trump’s UAE corruption scandal the worst of all time 15:45 Trump’s threats over bridge to Canada hurts GOP in Michigan 17:00 Owner of other bridge lobbied Lutnick, now Trump threatens shutdown 17:30 New bridge is good for Michigan, this put Mike Rogers in jeopardy 18:30 Trump is doing tactical harm to their midterm election chances 19:15 Trump’s tariff mess has divided his own party 20:30 Mike Johnson couldn’t stop vote in the house on tariffs 22:00 Trump doesn’t care about the future of the Republican party 23:45 Trump says no to another reconciliation bill, also bad for GOP 25:30 Jobs report was good despite admin officials previewing a bad one 26:15 Are administration officials cashing in on the prediction markets? 27:00 Prediction markets are extraordinarily corruptable 28:30 Higher tax refunds will get eaten by higher costs, not politically helpful 29:45 If Democrats win the senate, they’ll

In this episode, Chuck Todd breaks down a rapidly shifting 2026 political landscape beginning with Susan Collins’ decision to seek re-election in what could become the toughest race of her career, a contest that may prove pivotal in a potentially tied Senate where Democrats could even attempt to court Lisa Murkowski. Chuck explores how Collins’ choice reshapes the map, why an open Maine seat would have favored Democrats, and how outsider candidates like Graham Platner may challenge both party establishments. The conversation widens to key battleground developments in Texas and Florida, including Alexander Vindman’s Senate bid and the risks of divisive primaries, while Republicans face mounting structural challenges and a slipping grip on the House. Chuck also examines why Democrats are expanding their target map, what could still derail a major Democratic wave, and the intensifying fight over voting legislation like the SAVE Act—arguing that partisan “poison pills” have deepened gridlock and made meaningful compromise in Washington increasingly rare. Then, Chuck sits down with John Conyers III to discuss his deeply personal memoir "My Father's House." Far from a typical political biography, this book offers a raw, unflinching look at what it's like to grow up as the son of legendary civil rights congressman John Conyers Jr.—inheriting a legacy you never chose and navigating between worlds of poverty and power. John opens up about the family betrayal that triggered his father's 2017 resignation, the complicated truth about Rosa Parks' final years, and his own journey from the music industry to confronting his predetermined path. This isn't hagiography or exposé—it's a son trying to understand how a public giant could be both indispensable to a movement and deeply flawed in private. The conversation ranges from the intimate—John's anger at having expectations placed on him, his career as a songwriter and producer—to broader questions about how we reckon with complicated heroes, from his father to MLK to LeBron James. Todd and Conyers explore Detroit's cultural legacy, the emotional toll of creative work, and what it means to accept the full humanity of the figures we elevate. It's a fascinating discussion about legacy, identity, and the cost of living in a house built by history, featuring unexpected detours into NBA debates and why Detroit will always be a cultural exporter, not an importer. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 crazy things that used to be LEGAL in politics and a bonus Top 5 list of things that shouldn’t be. Plus, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 03:30 Susan Collins announces she’ll run for re-election 04:15 2026 will be the toughest race Collins has ever faced 05:15 In a 50-50 senate, Dems will court Murkowski to flip parties 06:00 Trump doesn’t court challengers for Susan Collins 08:30 Had Collins not sought re-election, it’s a guaranteed Dem win 10:00 Platner will be able to run against both party establishments 11:15 Developments in Texas have been terrible for Republicans 11:45 Surprising that Turning Point would tie themselves to Ken Paxton 13:00 The last things Dems need is a racially divisive primary in TX 13:45 Alexander Vindman joins Florida senate race 16:30 Vindman fits profile of Dem that can win in a light red state 17:30 The house has slipped away from GOP, can they hold the senate? 18:45 It would take a major outside event to change environment for GOP 20:00 Dems add new seats to their target list 21:45 Only thing standing between Dems & huge win is their nominees 23:30 Republicans are trying to shove through the SAVE Act 24:15 SAVE Act unnecessarily complicates trying to vote 25:30 SAVE Act & HR1 were loaded with poison pills 26:30 Neither side willing to compromise to pass these bills 28:15 Poison pills were features, not bugs 37:30 John Conyers III joins the Chuck ToddCast 38:45 The unexpected insider account 40:00 Caught between two worlds 41:00 The book that almost wasn't 41:45 The breaking news that changed everything 43:15 Family betrayal and the leak 44:00 The conversation that never happened 45

Chuck Todd sits down with John Conyers III to discuss his deeply personal memoir "My Father's House." Far from a typical political biography, this book offers a raw, unflinching look at what it's like to grow up as the son of legendary civil rights congressman John Conyers Jr.—inheriting a legacy you never chose and navigating between worlds of poverty and power. John opens up about the family betrayal that triggered his father's 2017 resignation, the complicated truth about Rosa Parks' final years, and his own journey from the music industry to confronting his predetermined path. This isn't hagiography or exposé—it's a son trying to understand how a public giant could be both indispensable to a movement and deeply flawed in private. The conversation ranges from the intimate—John's anger at having expectations placed on him, his career as a songwriter and producer—to broader questions about how we reckon with complicated heroes, from his father to MLK to LeBron James. Todd and Conyers explore Detroit's cultural legacy, the emotional toll of creative work, and what it means to accept the full humanity of the figures we elevate. It's a fascinating discussion about legacy, identity, and the cost of living in a house built by history, featuring unexpected detours into NBA debates and why Detroit will always be a cultural exporter, not an importer. Timeline: 00:00 - John Conyers III joins the Chuck Toddcast 01:15 - The unexpected insider account 02:30 - Caught between two worlds 03:30 - The book that almost wasn't 04:15 - The breaking news that changed everything 05:45 - Family betrayal and the leak 06:30 - The conversation that never happened 07:45 - Identity wrapped in work 11:15 - Rosa Parks and the untold story 15:45 - The anger of expectations 23:15 - Watching power up close 31:45 - The music business years 39:30 - Detroit's cultural legacy 44:15 - The complications of heroism 50:30 - MLK's complexity and humanity 57:30 - Detroit's next cultural chapter 58:30 - NBA talk: The Pistons and Giannis 01:00:30 - LeBron's impossible standard 01:02:30- Magic Johnson's underrated legacySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Chuck Todd breaks down a rapidly shifting 2026 political landscape beginning with Susan Collins’ decision to seek re-election in what could become the toughest race of her career, a contest that may prove pivotal in a potentially tied Senate where Democrats could even attempt to court Lisa Murkowski. Chuck explores how Collins’ choice reshapes the map, why an open Maine seat would have favored Democrats, and how outsider candidates like Graham Platner may challenge both party establishments. The conversation widens to key battleground developments in Texas and Florida, including Alexander Vindman’s Senate bid and the risks of divisive primaries, while Republicans face mounting structural challenges and a slipping grip on the House. Chuck also examines why Democrats are expanding their target map, what could still derail a major Democratic wave, and the intensifying fight over voting legislation like the SAVE Act—arguing that partisan “poison pills” have deepened gridlock and made meaningful compromise in Washington increasingly rare. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 crazy things that used to be LEGAL in politics and a bonus Top 5 list of things that shouldn’t be. Plus, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:30 Susan Collins announces she’ll run for re-election 02:15 2026 will be the toughest race Collins has ever faced 03:15 In a 50-50 senate, Dems will court Murkowski to flip parties 04:00 Trump doesn’t court challengers for Susan Collins 06:30 Had Collins not sought re-election, it’s a guaranteed Dem win 08:00 Platner will be able to run against both party establishments 09:15 Developments in Texas have been terrible for Republicans 09:45 Surprising that Turning Point would tie themselves to Ken Paxton 11:00 The last things Dems need is a racially divisive primary in TX 11:45 Alexander Vindman joins Florida senate race 14:30 Vindman fits profile of Dem that can win in a light red state 15:30 The house has slipped away from GOP, can they hold the senate? 16:45 It would take a major outside event to change environment for GOP 18:00 Dems add new seats to their target list 19:45 Only thing standing between Dems & huge win is their nominees 21:30 Republicans are trying to shove through the SAVE Act 22:15 SAVE Act unnecessarily complicates trying to vote 23:30 SAVE Act & HR1 were loaded with poison pills 24:30 Neither side willing to compromise to pass these bills 26:15 Poison pills were features, not bugs 35:00 A few changes to law drove wave of congressional retirements 38:30 ToddCast Top 5 crazy things that used to be LEGAL in politics 39:15 #5 Corporations used to be able to give directly to candidates 41:00 #4 Party machines openly bought votes 41:45 #3 Federal jobs used as campaign currency 43:30 #2 Candidates could accept unlimited, anonymous cash 44:45 #1 Candidates could keep their war chest after leaving office 45:30 Top 5 list of legal things in politics that should be made illegal 46:00 #5 Members of congress trading stocks 48:15 #4 Leadership PACs 49:00 #3 Lobbyist bundling 50:15 #2 Members of congress can negotiate a future job & still vote 51:45 #1 Presidential pardon power 53:45 Ask Chuck 54:00 Can Trump be unpopular and still be a populist? 55:45 What happened to the Supreme Court tariffs case? 57:30 Sharice Davids eyeing a run for senate? 59:30 How can we heal as a country while swamped with divisive content? 1:02:15 How could the media better explain the levels of Trump’s corruptionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Chuck Todd reacts to the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl, then examines the political shockwaves rippling through Washington after Donald Trump’s controversial and widely condemned post about the Obamas, placing it within the broader context of Trump’s long history of racial controversies and growing unease inside his own coalition. As criticism emerges from Republican lawmakers, conservative legal voices, and even Olympic athletes, Todd explores signs that Trump’s influence may be weakening—fueled by internal party fractures, controversial foreign policy moves, and a leadership circle increasingly insulating him from reality. With a surge of congressional retirements, warning signs from special elections, and historical trends favoring the opposition party, the conversation turns to whether Republicans are heading toward a major electoral setback—and whether worsening controversies, including ongoing fallout from Epstein-related revelations, could further reshape the political landscape before November. Finally, Chuck comments on the fallout from the mass layoffs at the Washington Post, hops in the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the history of the Iranian revolution as tensions mount between the U.S. & Iran, and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.  Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 00:30 Super Bowl reaction 03:15 Bad Bunny’s halftime show was a great tour of Latin culture 04:30 The AI de-aging in the commercials is creepy 06:00 Half of the AI companies advertising likely won’t exist in 3 years 10:00 Fallout from Trump’s racist post about the Obamas 11:00 Trump’s entire history has included accusations of racism 11:45 Trump definitely made the post, Republicans push back on it 13:30 The cracks in the Trump coalition grow deeper by the week 14:30 Trump didn’t have much filter before, losing it as he ages 15:30 Olympic athletes voiced concerns & opposition to administration 16:30 Trump’s inner circle keep him in a “safe space” cocoon 17:30 In six weeks of 2026, Trump has put the GOP on the defensive 19:15 Close Trump allies in congress willing to criticize him 21:00 Conservative legal analysts rip Trump for corrupt UAE deal 23:15 Trump’s Greenland posturing turned allies against the U.S. 24:00 An electoral disaster is brewing for the Republicans 24:30 Nearing a record number of incumbents retiring from congress 27:00 Historical trends suggest massive gains for the out party 28:30 Retiring members sound like they are done with politics 29:45 Retirements will create an institutional knowledge gap 31:15 Retirements are a warning sign for disastrous upcoming election 35:00 Redistricting could create even more retirements 36:15 Two more special elections swung massively toward Democrats 37:15 Any Republican in a 59% or less Trump district is in danger 39:30 Almost no scenario where Republicans hold the house 40:45 Inconceivable that Trump recovers his approval rating by Nov. 42:30 The Epstein file releases keep getting worse and worse for Trump 51:00 Send us your guest requests & suggestions! 52:45 Will Lewis resigns, cements himself as worst publisher of WaPo 53:45 The Washington Post will fade into irrelevance after layoffs 55:00 Lack of local coverage bad for DC sports teams & venues 56:30 Team owners in DC should help fund local coverage 58:30 WaPo owner & publisher weren’t willing to own the layoffs 59:00 ToddCast Time Machine - February 11th 1979 59:15 Iranian shah’s regime collapsed, created Islamic Republic 1:00:15 Iran/Persia is one of the longest continuing states in history 1:01:45 Persia was neutral in WW1 & had its sovereignty violated 1:02:30 Collapse of Ottoman empire led to new states created by European powers 1:03:30 There’s a long history of small D democracy in Iran 1:04:30 The Shah’s project was forced modernization 1:05:45 The coup turned the Shah into the central pillar of the state 1:06:45 U.S. violating Iran’s sovereignty created anti-Americanism 1:08:00 Ayatollah Khamenei emerged as symbol of the resistance 1:08:45 Shah decided to expel Khamenei, gave him more rhetorical power 1:10:00 The Iranian

Former White House Chief of Staff & Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel joins the Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation on the forces shaping America’s political and economic future. He discusses why the 2028 election will be about what’s ahead—not what’s behind—and argues that understanding AI, energy, and the changing nature of work is now essential for anyone seeking leadership. Emanuel makes the case that education and vocational training remain the clearest pathway to the middle class, warns about declining reading proficiency, and examines what schools must do to prepare students for a rapidly evolving world. He also explores how both parties lost their way on education, why fundamentals matter, and what voters are really demanding from the system. The discussion then turns sharply to politics, power, and the health of American institutions. Emanuel weighs in on Trump-era controversies, Congress’s weakened role, and concerns about election integrity and the post-election environment. He outlines how Democrats can rebuild a winning coalition by welcoming independents and former Republicans, focusing on economic fairness, and preparing for a potential 2026 wave election. The episode closes with a global lens—covering U.S.–Israel dynamics, political polarization, wealth inequality, and whether national service could help reunite a fractured country—framing a central question: if the midterms fail to reset the trajectory, what comes next for American democracy? Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Rahm Emmanuel joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:30 What does the average week look like for Rahm Emmanuel? 02:30 Trying to get a good understanding of AI & energy distribution 03:30 Candidates better understand AI because it’s driving economy 04:00 2028 election will be about the future not the past 05:30 Education and vocational training are the ticket to middle class 07:00 Coding used to be the most sought after skill, now it’s irrelevant 08:00 How to prepare students for a rapidly changing world? 09:30 AI won’t eliminate vocational professionals 11:15 Students are at a 30 year low in reading proficiency 12:00 Education is a highly motivating issue for voters 12:30 Vouchers don’t help rural communities 13:30 GOP has abandoned public ed, Dems abandoned accountability 14:45 Governors used to compete to be the “education governor” 15:30 Lotteries became the popular way to fund public education 16:15 Mississippi found a successful education model & it was copied 18:45 If schools focus on the fundamentals, scores go up 20:15 Trump’s UAE corruption scandal the worst in history 21:45 Trump is supposed to work for the voters checkbook, not his own 22:30 Trump’s pardons are almost exclusively for white collar crime 24:15 Congress has completely abdicated their responsibility 25:45 Founders were very worried about a corrupt executive 27:15 Major international shakeups and DNI is at Georgia election office 28:45 There are certain features of elections Trump can’t screw with 30:30 Rahm is more worried about the post election environment 31:15 The institutions have failed, but the people will protect this country 32:00 Worried that Mike Johnson may screw with the seating of new congress 33:00 Mike Johnson doesn’t have Mike Pence’s courage 35:30 What issues should Democrats should prioritize to win elections 36:30 2026 will be a wave election, presents chance to win local/state races 38:00 Tax refunds won’t be the electoral boon Republicans think they will 38:45 There’s no upside to being a long-term planner in American politics 40:00 What states should Dems target outside the 7 battlegrounds? 40:45 Never Trump Republicans finding more affinity with Democratic party 41:45 Democrats need to welcome former Republicans & independents 43:00 Unaffiliated voters are where you get your electoral majority 44:30 Progressive vs. Moderate viability for Democrats 47:00 Democratic electorate is always looking for someone new 48:00 The future will be on the ballot in 2028 50:15 Biden promised to unite the country & only united his party. It’s why he failed 51:45 Mandatory national service could help reunite the country&nbsp

In this episode, Chuck Todd reacts to the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl, then examines the political shockwaves rippling through Washington after Donald Trump’s controversial and widely condemned post about the Obamas, placing it within the broader context of Trump’s long history of racial controversies and growing unease inside his own coalition. As criticism emerges from Republican lawmakers, conservative legal voices, and even Olympic athletes, Todd explores signs that Trump’s influence may be weakening—fueled by internal party fractures, controversial foreign policy moves, and a leadership circle increasingly insulating him from reality. With a surge of congressional retirements, warning signs from special elections, and historical trends favoring the opposition party, the conversation turns to whether Republicans are heading toward a major electoral setback—and whether worsening controversies, including ongoing fallout from Epstein-related revelations, could further reshape the political landscape before November. Then, former White House Chief of Staff & Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel joins the Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation on the forces shaping America’s political and economic future. He discusses why the 2028 election will be about what’s ahead—not what’s behind—and argues that understanding AI, energy, and the changing nature of work is now essential for anyone seeking leadership. Emanuel makes the case that education and vocational training remain the clearest pathway to the middle class, warns about declining reading proficiency, and examines what schools must do to prepare students for a rapidly evolving world. He also explores how both parties lost their way on education, why fundamentals matter, and what voters are really demanding from the system. The discussion then turns sharply to politics, power, and the health of American institutions. Emanuel weighs in on Trump-era controversies, Congress’s weakened role, and concerns about election integrity and the post-election environment. He outlines how Democrats can rebuild a winning coalition by welcoming independents and former Republicans, focusing on economic fairness, and preparing for a potential 2026 wave election. The episode closes with a global lens—covering U.S.–Israel dynamics, political polarization, wealth inequality, and whether national service could help reunite a fractured country—framing a central question: if the midterms fail to reset the trajectory, what comes next for American democracy? Finally, Chuck comments on the fallout from the mass layoffs at the Washington Post, hops in the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the history of the Iranian revolution and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.  Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 00:30 Super Bowl reaction 03:15 Bad Bunny’s halftime show was a great tour of Latin culture 04:30 The AI de-aging in the commercials is creepy 06:00 Half of the AI companies advertising likely won’t exist in 3 years 10:00 Fallout from Trump’s racist post about the Obamas 11:00 Trump’s entire history has included accusations of racism 11:45 Trump definitely made the post, Republicans push back on it 13:30 The cracks in the Trump coalition grow deeper by the week 14:30 Trump didn’t have much filter before, losing it as he ages 15:30 Olympic athletes voiced concerns & opposition to administration 16:30 Trump’s inner circle keep him in a “safe space” cocoon 17:30 In six weeks of 2026, Trump has put the GOP on the defensive 19:15 Close Trump allies in congress willing to criticize him 21:00 Conservative legal analysts rip Trump for corrupt UAE deal 23:15 Trump’s Greenland posturing turned allies against the U.S. 24:00 An electoral disaster is brewing for the Republicans 24:30 Nearing a record number of incumbents retiring from congress 27:00 Historical trends suggest massive gains for the out party 28:30 Retiring members sound like they are done with politics 29:45 Retirements will create an institutional knowledge gap 31:15 Retirements are a warning sign for disastrous upcoming election 35:00 Redistricting

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck digs into the stunning implosion of The Washington Post after Jeff Bezos ordered layoffs of nearly a third of its staff—breaking a decade-old promise to provide the paper with long-term financial runway. The conversation explores how Bezos treated the Post less like a civic institution and more like a trophy asset, useful for currying favor, protecting government contracts, and advancing Amazon and Blue Origin, but never truly prioritized for success. As newsroom cuts gut coverage across the board and the Post retreats from its role as D.C.’s essential local authority, the episode argues this isn’t just a media story—it’s a case study in billionaire power, tech hubris, and how America’s wealthiest figures play by a different set of rules, even as blue-collar and white-collar anger begin to converge. Finally, Chuck previews the Super Bowl between the Seahawks & Patriots and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:00 Washington Post lays off 1/3rd of its staff on orders from Bezos 02:45 Bezos told Woodward in 2013 he’d provide financial runway to the Post 03:30 Bezos just did the opposite of what he said he’d do 04:45 Matt Murray, editor of the post, isn’t in charge of business strategy 06:15 Cuts will affect all areas of the Post’s coverage 08:15 Structural issues at the Post have existed for years 09:30 The NYT diversified and it worked brilliantly 10:15 DC is an educated affluent market, comfortable paying for news 11:00 Bezos needed a leg up for Blue Origin in the space race 12:45 So why did 2013 Bezos buy the Post? Government contracts. 13:45 Amazon held almost an American Idol style bid process for HQ 14:30 Wish Amazon would have chosen St. Louis for HQ 17:45 Buying the Post was a way to curry favor for Amazon 18:30 Bezos saw the Post as a trophy that would help his other businesses 19:45 Trump cancelled a Bezos contract over unfavorable Post coverage 21:00 Bezos wasn’t interested in the success of the Post 23:15 Why not sell the Post? Trump would blame him for negative coverage 25:30 Whether the Post fails doesn’t matter to Bezos, his other businesses do 27:00 Bezos has only done one thing well: Building Amazon 28:00 High net worth doesn’t mean high IQ 30:00 WaPo was the regional and local authority in DC & is giving that up 32:00 Post wants to retreat and become just offer political coverage 33:15 Bezos is behaving like the metaphorical rich guy villain 34:15 Rich people play by their own rules and get away with everything 36:45 Blue collar anger is about to be coupled with white collar anger 37:30 The tech titans don’t know how to read the room 39:00 Biggest trade for Washington Wizards in years not covered by the Post 40:30 The Post won’t recover from this 46:45 Super Bowl preview 52:15 Ask Chuck 52:30 What incentives allow congress to just fall in line behind the president? 56:30 Why aren’t we seeing bigger protests in the streets? 57:45 Is the divide between MAGA & liberal America unbridgeable? 1:05:00 Could Trump legally get a third term via the line of succession? 1:10:00 How concerned should we be with the FBI raid at Fulton county election office? 1:13:00 Is it unusual for the out party to get a bill through congress? 1:17:00 If the Senate ends up split, how is majority control determined? 1:19:45 If Talarico wins his primary, could he catch fire all the way to the White House?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author and Washington Post contributor Danny Funt joins the Chuck ToddCast to discuss his new book “Everybody Loses”, and for a sobering, wide-ranging conversation about how the rapid legalization of sports betting quietly reshaped American sports—and not in the ways fans were promised. What began as a state-by-state experiment after a 2018 Supreme Court ruling has exploded into a highly profitable, lightly regulated industry where sportsbooks are household names, leagues are financial stakeholders, and media companies are financially dependent on gambling ads. Funt explains how gambling turbocharged media rights deals, hooked viewers more deeply into games, and became politically untouchable as companies like FanDuel and DraftKings poured money into lobbying to block even modest regulation. The discussion digs into the darker consequences that followed: inadequate funding for gambling addiction support, normalization of conspiracy talk about “rigged” games, threats and violence directed at athletes, and growing concerns about corruption—especially in individual sports and lower-profile leagues. Funt draws chilling parallels between today’s sportsbook advertising blitz and the early days of Big Tobacco, explores why American regulators ignored European guardrails, and explains how mobile betting and prediction markets have made gambling more potent and pervasive than ever. The result, he argues, is a system designed for maximum profit with minimal friction—one that has fundamentally altered how sports are watched, covered, and policed. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Danny Funt joins the Chuck ToddCast 00:30 Rapid legalization of sports betting had unintended consequences 02:00 What made you want to cover the topic of sports betting? 02:30 Leagues took a hard pivot from anti to pro gambling 04:30 Major sportsbooks are household names, but very secretive 06:00 SCOTUS paved the way for state by state gambling with 2018 ruling 06:45 Courts provided gambling legislation due to inaction by congress 08:15 Gambling creating a massive increase in value for media rights 09:45 Adding gambling was a way to further hook viewers to sports 11:15 It’s hard to add new taxes, but vice taxes are able to pass 12:30 Legal betting is far more potent than betting through a bookie 14:00 Fanduel & Draftkings throwing money into politics to avoid regulation 15:30 Even modest regulation is rigorously opposed by gambling industry 17:00 Funding for support with gambling addiction is completely inadequate 18:15 Why wasn’t there a larger debate before rolling out mobile gambling? 19:00 Mobile gambling makes so much more money than physical books 20:15 Individual sports are more corruptible than team sports 21:00 Online betting is incredibly well geofenced 22:00 Putting “friction points” into the process helps with user safety 23:30 Gambling leads to rage & violent behavior & risks player safety 25:15 Gamblers have been arrested for threats to athletes over lost bets 26:00 Fans talking about games being “rigged” has been normalized27:00 Individual players can collaborate on bets, trying to help friends 27:45 “Fixing” doesn’t necessarily mean “failing” 28:30 Prominent people in sports are alarmed & speaking out 29:30 Media won’t speak against it due to huge ad revenue from sportsbooks 32:00 NFL strongarmed reporters over concussions, gambling will be worse 35:30 Will we start regulating sports to make sure gambling is honest? 36:45 Referees in smaller, less visible conferences will be harder to police 37:15 Technology is being adopted to avoid corruptability of officials 38:45 Did writing this book change the way you watch sports? 40:30 Who controls Fanduel and Draftkings? 41:15 The leagues have equity stakes in the major sportsbooks 42:30 Major advertising similarities between tobacco and sportsbooks 43:30 What are the available gambling helpline resources/counseling like? 45:00 Stronger gambling culture in Europe, do they regulate it better? 46:00 American regulation completely ignored European precedent 47:00 Prediction markets are indistinguishable from betting markets 49:30 Legalization basically laid a trap for stupid peopleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck digs into the stunning implosion of The Washington Post after Jeff Bezos ordered layoffs of nearly a third of its staff—breaking a decade-old promise to provide the paper with long-term financial runway. The conversation explores how Bezos treated the Post less like a civic institution and more like a trophy asset, useful for currying favor, protecting government contracts, and advancing Amazon and Blue Origin, but never truly prioritized for success. As newsroom cuts gut coverage across the board and the Post retreats from its role as D.C.’s essential local authority, the episode argues this isn’t just a media story—it’s a case study in billionaire power, tech hubris, and how America’s wealthiest figures play by a different set of rules, even as blue-collar and white-collar anger begin to converge. Then, author and Washington Post contributor Danny Funt joins the Chuck ToddCast to discuss his new book “Everybody Loses”, and for a sobering, wide-ranging conversation about how the rapid legalization of sports betting quietly reshaped American sports—and not in the ways fans were promised. What began as a state-by-state experiment after a 2018 Supreme Court ruling has exploded into a highly profitable, lightly regulated industry where sportsbooks are household names, leagues are financial stakeholders, and media companies are financially dependent on gambling ads. Funt explains how gambling turbocharged media rights deals, hooked viewers more deeply into games, and became politically untouchable as companies like FanDuel and DraftKings poured money into lobbying to block even modest regulation. The discussion digs into the darker consequences that followed: inadequate funding for gambling addiction support, normalization of conspiracy talk about “rigged” games, threats and violence directed at athletes, and growing concerns about corruption—especially in individual sports and lower-profile leagues. Funt draws chilling parallels between today’s sportsbook advertising blitz and the early days of Big Tobacco, explores why American regulators ignored European guardrails, and explains how mobile betting and prediction markets have made gambling more potent and pervasive than ever. The result, he argues, is a system designed for maximum profit with minimal friction—one that has fundamentally altered how sports are watched, covered, and policed. Finally, Chuck previews the Super Bowl between the Seahawks & Patriots and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 04:30 Washington Post lays off 1/3rd of its staff on orders from Bezos 06:15 Bezos told Woodward in 2013 he’d provide financial runway to the Post 07:00 Bezos just did the opposite of what he said he’d do 08:15 Matt Murray, editor of the post, isn’t in charge of business strategy 09:45 Cuts will affect all areas of the Post’s coverage 11:45 Structural issues at the Post have existed for years 13:00 The NYT diversified and it worked brilliantly  13:45 DC is an educated affluent market, comfortable paying for news 14:30 Bezos needed a leg up for Blue Origin in the space race 16:15 So why did 2013 Bezos buy the Post? Government contracts. 17:15 Amazon held almost an American Idol style bid process for HQ 18:00 Wish Amazon would have chosen St. Louis for HQ  21:15 Buying the Post was a way to curry favor for Amazon 22:00 Bezos saw the Post as a trophy that would help his other businesses 23:15 Trump cancelled a Bezos contract over unfavorable Post coverage 24:30 Bezos wasn’t interested in the success of the Post 26:45 Why not sell the Post? Trump would blame him for negative coverage 29:00 Whether the Post fails doesn’t matter to Bezos, his other businesses do 30:30 Bezos has only done one thing well: Building Amazon 31:30 High net worth doesn’t mean high IQ 33:30 WaPo was the regional and local authority in DC & is giving that up 35:30 Post wants to retreat and become just offer political coverage 36:45 Bezos is behaving like the metaphorical rich guy villain 37:45 Rich people play by their own rules and get away with everything 40:15 Blue collar anger is about to be coupled with white collar anger 41:00 The tech titans don’t know how to read the room  42:30 Biggest trade for Washington Wizard

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck unpacks what may be the most brazen presidential corruption scandal in modern history—Donald Trump allegedly selling U.S. foreign policy to the UAE for personal gain—barely registered in the public conversation, drowned out by louder, more sensational distractions. The discussion explores why Trump’s election-interference rhetoric breaks through while substantive corruption stories vanish, how media incentives favor spectacle over consequence, and why Trump responds selectively to political, market, and institutional pressure. Chuck argues that while some democratic guardrails still hold, the deeper danger isn’t a dramatic coup but the slow erosion of norms—one where kleptocracy becomes normalized, foreign policy is treated as a personal asset, and Congress, not voters, remains the only institution capable of stopping it before the damage becomes irreversible. Then, Historian David S. Brown joins Chuck to unpack why Theodore Roosevelt remains a gravitational force for understanding American power—and why his era echoes so loudly today. Drawing from his book In the Arena, Brown explores what pulled him to Roosevelt, how TR reshaped the presidency, and the surprising parallels (and sharp limits) between Roosevelt and Donald Trump. From narcissism and disruption to populism, primaries, and the rise of the imperial presidency, the conversation digs into how Roosevelt’s wealth, ambition, and genuine concern for the working class produced a uniquely transactional style of politics at home and abroad. The episode also zooms out to ask what Roosevelt might make of modern challenges like AI, extreme wealth concentration, and great-power competition—and whether he’d thrive or flounder in the television age. Brown traces Roosevelt’s foreign policy legacy in Latin America, the roots of American global policing, and how early 20th-century realignments mirror today’s fractured coalitions. The discussion closes with a hard look at the political center, the future of the Trump coalition, under-studied presidents, and how Americans should think about their country as it approaches its 250th anniversary. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 states Democrats need to target prior to 2032, when census reapportionment will greatly change the electoral college math needed to win the presidency and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.  Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 02:00 Worst presidential corruption scandal ever couldn’t break through 03:15 Trump sold American foreign policy to UAE for personal gain 04:15 Story was jaw dropping, but was completely overshadowed 05:30 Trump’s threat to federalize elections broke through over corruption 06:30 Should you worry about what Trump is saying, or what he’s doing? 07:30 Trump is desperate to sell the lie that he won in 2020 08:15 Election inference rhetoric can be as powerful as election interference 09:30 Trump shutdown Kennedy Center because he was being humiliated 10:45 Trump was losing control of Kennedy Center narrative, made a spectacle 11:45 Trump has turned America into a kleptocracy, THAT should be the story 13:15 The corruption story disappeared from news cycle after a couple days 14:00 Editors lean on stories that get more traction rather than importance 15:00 Some of the guardrails still work, some of the time 15:45 After two deaths in Minneapolis, Trump backed down a bit 16:30 Trump does respond to political pain in polling 17:00 Trump didn’t pick a sycophant for Fed Chair, cares about markets 17:45 Trump responds to three types of pressure 19:30 Worried less about Trump’s election rhetoric than his foreign policy 20:00 Trump doesn’t have the power to override state elections 20:45 Trump’s election threats supercharge opposition turnout 21:30 Voters won’t be the check on corruption, congress has to be 22:30 Democracies don’t fall from coups, they erode 23:15 The scariest stories get attention, the most consequential get ignored 27:45 David S. Brown joins the Chuck ToddCast 29:45 Teddy Roosevelt is a magnet for historians 31:00 Research process for writing “In The Arena” 32:15 What drew you to Teddy Roosevelt as a book subject? 35:00 Large number of similarities between Roosevelt and Trump 36:00 Both Trump & Roosevelt are narcissists 37:00 Trum

Historian David S. Brown joins the Chuck ToddCast to unpack why Theodore Roosevelt remains a gravitational force for understanding American power—and why his era echoes so loudly today. Drawing from his book In the Arena, Brown explores what pulled him to Roosevelt, how TR reshaped the presidency, and the surprising parallels (and sharp limits) between Roosevelt and Donald Trump. From narcissism and disruption to populism, primaries, and the rise of the imperial presidency, the conversation digs into how Roosevelt’s wealth, ambition, and genuine concern for the working class produced a uniquely transactional style of politics at home and abroad. The episode also zooms out to ask what Roosevelt might make of modern challenges like AI, extreme wealth concentration, and great-power competition—and whether he’d thrive or flounder in the television age. Brown traces Roosevelt’s foreign policy legacy in Latin America, the roots of American global policing, and how early 20th-century realignments mirror today’s fractured coalitions. The discussion closes with a hard look at the political center, the future of the Trump coalition, under-studied presidents, and how Americans should think about their country as it approaches its 250th anniversary. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 David S. Brown joins the Chuck ToddCast 02:00 Teddy Roosevelt is a magnet for historians 03:15 Research process for writing “In The Arena” 04:30 What drew you to Teddy Roosevelt as a book subject? 07:15 Large number of similarities between Roosevelt and Trump 08:15 Both Trump & Roosevelt are narcissists  09:15 Trump doesn’t have the crossover appeal of Roosevelt 10:30 Presidential primaries started under Roosevelt 11:45 Roosevelt was the rich guy who went after rich guys 14:00 Roosevelt never called himself a populist 14:30 Roosevelt wanted to do right by the working class 16:00 How would Roosevelt handle AI & concentration of wealth? 17:15 Roosevelt was very transactional in foreign affairs 17:45 He manufactured a separatist movement in Colombia 20:00 America didn’t have power to enforce Monroe Doctrine until 1900 21:15 Roosevelt wanted to police governments in western hemisphere 22:45 Goal was to indebt Latin American countries to the U.S. 23:30 He was always considered a disrupter despite wealthy connections 25:45 Roosevelt became a regular politician in 1884 26:15 Roosevelt was not a fan of William Jennings Bryan 27:45 Roosevelt was jealous of Bryan’s oratory skill 28:45 Would Roosevelt struggle in the TV era? 30:45 The imperial presidency originated under Roosevelt 33:15 Wilson & Roosevelt lamented not leading during seminal event 34:30 A Roosevelt government likely enters WW1 earlier 35:30 Roosevelt might have started the U.N. framework sooner 37:30 Political realignment was happening under Roosevelt 38:15 Parallels between now & Roosevelt era? 40:00 Roosevelt & Trump are mavericks not embraced by old guard 42:00 Multiple variables will affect the future of the “Trump coalition” 44:00 How do you define “the center” in American politics? 45:30 There are more base Republicans than Democrats, Dems need moderates 47:00 How much of the electorate resides in the political center? 48:15 The parties themselves are basically multi-party coalitions 50:15 Which president do we not have enough scholarship on? 54:00 How should citizens celebrate the 250th anniversary of AmericaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck unpacks what may be the most brazen presidential corruption scandal in modern history—Donald Trump allegedly selling U.S. foreign policy to the UAE for personal gain—barely registered in the public conversation, drowned out by louder, more sensational distractions. The discussion explores why Trump’s election-interference rhetoric breaks through while substantive corruption stories vanish, how media incentives favor spectacle over consequence, and why Trump responds selectively to political, market, and institutional pressure. Chuck argues that while some democratic guardrails still hold, the deeper danger isn’t a dramatic coup but the slow erosion of norms—one where kleptocracy becomes normalized, foreign policy is treated as a personal asset, and Congress, not voters, remains the only institution capable of stopping it before the damage becomes irreversible. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 states Democrats need to target prior to 2032, when census reapportionment will greatly change the electoral college math needed to win the presidency and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.  Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 0:30 Worst presidential corruption scandal ever couldn’t break through 1:45 Trump sold American foreign policy to UAE for personal gain 2:45 Story was jaw dropping, but was completely overshadowed 4:00 Trump’s threat to federalize elections broke through over corruption 5:00 Should you worry about what Trump is saying, or what he’s doing? 6:00 Trump is desperate to sell the lie that he won in 2020 6:45 Election inference rhetoric can be as powerful as election interference 8:00 Trump shutdown Kennedy Center because he was being humiliated 9:15 Trump was losing control of Kennedy Center narrative, made a spectacle 10:15 Trump has turned America into a kleptocracy, THAT should be the story 11:45 The corruption story disappeared from news cycle after a couple days 12:30 Editors lean on stories that get more traction rather than importance 13:30 Some of the guardrails still work, some of the time 14:15 After two deaths in Minneapolis, Trump backed down a bit 15:00 Trump does respond to political pain in polling 15:30 Trump didn’t pick a sycophant for Fed Chair, cares about markets 16:15 Trump responds to three types of pressure 18:00 Worried less about Trump’s election rhetoric than his foreign policy 18:30 Trump doesn’t have the power to override state elections 19:15 Trump’s election threats supercharge opposition turnout 20:00 Voters won’t be the check on corruption, congress has to be 21:00 Democracies don’t fall from coups, they erode 21:45 The scariest stories get attention, the most consequential get ignored 26:00 Democrats will lose seats & electoral votes after 2030 census 28:30 Parties can work for realignment & flipping states 29:15 House of Representatives needs to be doubled in size 30:45 Base voters expect immediate results, leaders need to think long-term 31:15 Democrats need a Project 2032 and invest to win 5-10 new states 32:00 ToddCast Top 5 states Democrats should be targeting NOW 33:00 #1 North Carolina 35:30 #2 Texas 37:15 #3 Kansas 39:15 #4 Georgia 40:15 #5 Arizona 40:45 Honorable mentions 42:00 Democrats should use “first in the nation” primary status to advantage 42:45 Democrats had 12 states submit for first in the nation status 44:45 Tennessee as first in the nation would be interesting 46:45 Tennessee’s electorate seems gettable for Democrats eventually 49:00 Democrats have a major problem come 2032 if they don’t address it now 49:45 Ask Chuck 50:00 Thoughts on moving from network to independent journalist? 54:15 How to avoid being fatigued by the news and keeping hope alive? 54:45 Trump threatening troops to protect Iranians while attacking Minnesota? 59:30 What’s your take on NIL & transfer portal in college football? 1:04:00 Basis for your confidence in Jon Ossoff & thoughts on Auburn coach? 1:08:30 What issues will be top of mind for voters leading into midterms?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician and Democratic candidate challenging Lindsey Graham for U.S. Senate in South Carolina, joins the Chuck ToddCast to discuss why healthcare providers must lead the fight for reform in an era of collapsing trust in federal institutions. Andrews explains that pediatricians should be at the forefront because Medicaid—the largest insurer of children—has been gutted, and doctors are now disputing dangerous government vaccine policies from an administration where medical information can no longer be trusted. She argues the healthcare system is fundamentally broken, rewarding providers for delivering more treatment rather than better outcomes while facing what she describes as a coordinated attack on healthcare. As a physician countering "Dr. Internet" disinformation, Andrews discusses running as a Democrat despite the challenges, emphasizing that Democrats have a severe geographic disconnect with rural voters, particularly rural Black voters in South Carolina for whom nothing has improved. Andrews takes direct aim at Lindsey Graham, calling him a follower rather than a leader who simply follows Trump and supports unconstitutional actions while thinking he's politically invulnerable. She expresses disappointment that Nikki Haley and Nancy Mace couldn't stand up to Trump, noting both have "devolved in recent years." Drawing inspiration from the Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock blueprint for Democrats in the South, Andrews insists that if Democrats win the midterms they must be bold, hold Trump accountable, and not take impeachment off the table. Reflecting on her pandemic experience—a period she believes Americans still don't understand—Andrews criticizes D.C. politicians for being disconnected from the real world and argues that on issues like AI regulation, profits cannot be prioritized over common sense safety solutions. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Dr. Annie Andrews joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:15 When did you first want to enter politics? 03:30 Did you learn about the healthcare business in med school? 06:00 Pediatricians should be leading the way on healthcare reform 06:45 Medicaid is largest insurer of children & has been gutted 07:30 Pediatricians dispute government vaccine policy for kids 09:00 We can’t trust medical info from the federal government 10:00 Has any RFK proclamation or policy actually made sense? 11:15 How do you deal with “Dr. Internet”? 12:15 Doctors need an online presence to counter disinformation 14:00 Why is it more profitable to run a non-profit over for-profit hospital? 14:45 Healthcare system is rewarded for proving more treatment, not better 16:15 We’re seeing a coordinated attack on our healthcare system 17:00 Jaime Harrison’s campaign in SC was a disaster 18:15 Easiest way to run in the south is to erase the D by your name 19:00 Many challenges to running as an independent 20:30 Democrats have a geographic disconnect with rural voters 21:30 Nothing has gotten better for rural black voters in SC 23:30 The pandemic was a huge reason for Harrison’s bad loss 24:15 How do you win over a voter that supported Trump? 25:15 Lindsey Graham is supporting unconstitutional actions 26:00 Graham isn’t a leader, he’s a follower & he follows Trump 27:00 Disappointing Nikki Haley couldn’t stand up to Trump more 29:00 South Carolinians says they want outsiders, then vote for insiders 29:45 Graham thinks he’s politically invulnerable 31:00 People will have their lives negatively impacted by GOP policy 32:15 What do you make of Nancy Mace’s political saliency? 33:15 Nancy Mace has devolved in recent years 34:30 Thoughts on Chuck Schumer as Dem leader in senate? 35:45 Jon Ossoff & Raphael Warnock provide blueprint for Dems in south 37:30 Trump & the administration must be held accountable 38:45 Dems must be bold in their agenda if they win the midterms 39:30 Impeachment shouldn’t be off the table 41:30 Can you be both a fighter and a uniter as a candidate? 42:45 Too many D.C. politicians are disconnected from the real world 44:00 How should congress regulate AI? 45:45 Profits can’t be the priority over common sense safety solutions 46:45 Best TV doctor show that gets it right? E.R. & The Pitt 48:00 Americans don’t understand what hospitals were like during Covid 49:00 What’s your campaigning rhythm as a candidate? 50:15 Clemson or South Carolina?See omnystudio.

It feels like Groundhog Day in Washington, but with far higher stakes: Chuck Todd unpacks how the constant churn of déjà vu political scandals has morphed from quirky repetition into full-blown national exhaustion. This episode dives into a rapidly growing blue-wave electorate colliding with what may be the most consequential corruption story of our time—allegations that Trump-era public policy was effectively put up for sale. From a $500 million UAE investment in a Trump-linked company to the approval of advanced AI chip sales, lucrative pardons, and billions in defense contracts tied to the Trump family orbit, Chuck argues this isn’t a one-off scandal but a systemic pattern that dwarfs Watergate. As Congress looks away and enforcement agencies stay silent, the question becomes existential: when foreign money shapes national security decisions, is American policy still being made for the country—or for the first family? Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician and Democratic candidate challenging Lindsey Graham for U.S. Senate in South Carolina, joins the Chuck ToddCast to discuss why healthcare providers must lead the fight for reform in an era of collapsing trust in federal institutions. Andrews explains that pediatricians should be at the forefront because Medicaid—the largest insurer of children—has been gutted, and doctors are now disputing dangerous government vaccine policies from an administration where medical information can no longer be trusted. She argues the healthcare system is fundamentally broken, rewarding providers for delivering more treatment rather than better outcomes while facing what she describes as a coordinated attack on healthcare. As a physician countering "Dr. Internet" disinformation, Andrews discusses running as a Democrat despite the challenges, emphasizing that Democrats have a severe geographic disconnect with rural voters, particularly rural Black voters in South Carolina for whom nothing has improved. Andrews takes direct aim at Lindsey Graham, calling him a follower rather than a leader who simply follows Trump and supports unconstitutional actions while thinking he's politically invulnerable. She expresses disappointment that Nikki Haley and Nancy Mace couldn't stand up to Trump, noting both have "devolved in recent years." Drawing inspiration from the Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock blueprint for Democrats in the South, Andrews insists that if Democrats win the midterms they must be bold, hold Trump accountable, and not take impeachment off the table. Reflecting on her pandemic experience—a period she believes Americans still don't understand—Andrews criticizes D.C. politicians for being disconnected from the real world and argues that on issues like AI regulation, profits cannot be prioritized over common sense safety solutions. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the meeting at Yalta following World War 2 and why the “spheres of influence” world order prioritizes short-term stability over long-term legitimacy. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.  Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:00 It feels like “Groundhog Day” in Washington D.C. 03:00 Movie changed meaning from a quirky holiday to exhaustion 04:15 Political headlines just keep repeating themselves 05:00 Huge “blue wave” is building in the electorate 06:30 Trump bribery scandal should be seismic, likely gets ignored again 07:45 At what point does a policy decision become a product for sale? 09:00 Wall Street Journal stories are legally airtight 10:45 Every piece of public policy is for sale under Trump 12:30 UAE exec bought 49% stake in Trump company for $500m 13:15 Steve Witkoff also made millions from the deal 15:30 This scandal makes Watergate look like a third rate burglary 17:00 After deal, government agreed to sell 500k advanced AI chips to UAE 18:30 Whoever controls reserves of World Liberty Financial controls the yields 20:15 Shortly after deal, Trump pardons the co-founder of Binance 21:15 This isn’t an isolated incident, it’s part of a much larger pattern 22:15 Company linked to Donald Trump Jr received billions in defense contracts 23:00 The founders obsessed over corruption and foreign influence 25:00 Is American policy being made for first family, not the country 26:00 Republicans obsessed over Hunter Biden selling pain

Chuck Todd reacts to the news of independent journalist and former CNN host Don Lemon being arrested and charged by Trump’s Department of Justice over the Minnesota church protest and calls it chilling. He argues this is a direct assault on the First Amendment right to freedom of the press, but believes Lemon will beat the charges. He believes the arrest is Trump’s way of trying to distract from a terrible month for the president. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Don Lemon’s arrest is pretty chilling 01:00 The 1st amendment is meant to protect speech you do & don’t like 02:15 This is a chilling moment for independent media 03:00 This feels like a desperate distraction from the administration 04:00 Journalists working for corporate media get some legal protection 05:15 One person’s journalist is another person’s activist 05:45 There’s a reason free speech and press is the FIRST amendment 06:45 If Lemon is somehow convicted, it’s an erosion of what America is 08:00 Trump had a terrible month & Republicans starting to break with him 09:45 Constitutional rights are for people we don’t like or agree with too 10:30 We’re going to find out who the “free speech” hypocrites are 11:45 White House is celebrating the government violating 1st amendmentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck digs into the political fallout surrounding Kristi Noem, Stephen Miller, and a Trump White House that remains intensely reactive to public opinion. While Noem keeps her job—for now—new polling paints a bleak picture for both her and the administration, with Trump’s economic numbers underwater, disapproval near all-time highs, and even his own base increasingly uneasy with ICE’s aggressive tactics. Chuck unpacks why Noem’s performative politics may make her expendable, why Miller is untouchable as Trump’s “bizarro Dick Cheney,” and how Trump’s inner circle is once again showing signs of instability as voters question whether the president is focused on the issues that actually matter. The conversation then zooms out to a broader diagnosis of America’s democratic dysfunction, drawing on Chuck’s recent campus speech about why this moment feels uniquely unstable. From razor-thin modern elections and the collapse of congressional responsibility to unsettling parallels with 19th-century politics, Chuck argues that the presidency has become overly powerful because Congress has failed to govern. Fixing what’s broken, he warns, won’t come from political elites—it will require engaged citizens, serious institutional reform, and possibly constitutional amendments to rebuild a government voters have been loudly signaling they no longer trust. Then, author and writer for The New Yorker, Jason Zengerle joins the Chuck ToddCast for a deep dive into his book “Hated By All The Right People” about Tucker Carlson’s rise—and why he’s become the clearest avatar for the unraveling of modern American conservatism. The conversation traces how Carlson’s personal history, elite upbringing paired with outsider grievance, and long-running resentments toward figures like Bill Kristol helped shape a worldview centered on anger, masculinity, and cultural backlash. Though he styles himself as anti-establishment, Tucker remains very much a Washington insider, increasingly influential even after leaving Fox News and emerging as the true heir to Rush Limbaugh, with real political impact on figures like J.D. Vance. Chuck and Zengerle also explore how Trump subsumed conservatism, why Tucker may be the figure best positioned to keep Trumpism alive after Trump, and how white male grievance now sits at the core of conservative cultural politics. From the Iraq War’s role in Carlson’s ideological shift to his calculated positioning on Israel, media, and elite power, the episode asks what “real America” conservatism even means anymore—and whether there’s any path back for Never Trumpers, institutional Republicans, or business leaders who’ve bent the knee to a movement that no longer resembles the party they once knew. Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and expands on his Hall of Fame rant in light of Bill Belichick not getting in on the first ballot. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 07:00 Kristi Noem still has her job, but Trump is reactive to public opinion 08:15 Noem’s profile feels like someone Trump is willing to dump 09:15 Trump will never fire Stephen Miller 10:00 Miller understands how to work government like a bizarro Dick Cheney 11:30 Does Miller have a conservative vision, or is he just a reactionary? 13:00 Trump may use Kristi Noem as a heat shield 14:00 Noem’s theatrics have created terrible optics 16:15 New Fox News poll has terrible numbers for Trump 18:15 Numbers in the poll could spell doom for Kristi Noem 19:15 Only 61% of Republicans say country is better off today 20:00 Trump’s numbers on the economy are underwater 21:45 Trump’s disapproval near all-time highs 22:45 Voters don’t think Trump is spending enough time on the economy 24:30 Trump’s job rating higher than almost all the individual issues 25:45 59% think ICE has been too aggressive 28:00 Even parts of Trump’s base think ICE has been too aggressive 29:00 Support for abolishing ICE has doubled since 2018 30:00 Trump’s inner circle never stays around for long 31:00 If Fox runs the poll extensively on air, Noem is in trouble 32:45 Chuck’s campus speech on where we are now & how to get out of it 33:45 We may have grown up in a more stable outlier era of A

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck digs into the political fallout surrounding Kristi Noem, Stephen Miller, and a Trump White House that remains intensely reactive to public opinion. While Noem keeps her job—for now—new polling paints a bleak picture for both her and the administration, with Trump’s economic numbers underwater, disapproval near all-time highs, and even his own base increasingly uneasy with ICE’s aggressive tactics. Chuck unpacks why Noem’s performative politics may make her expendable, why Miller is untouchable as Trump’s “bizarro Dick Cheney,” and how Trump’s inner circle is once again showing signs of instability as voters question whether the president is focused on the issues that actually matter. The conversation then zooms out to a broader diagnosis of America’s democratic dysfunction, drawing on Chuck’s recent campus speech about why this moment feels uniquely unstable. From razor-thin modern elections and the collapse of congressional responsibility to unsettling parallels with 19th-century politics, Chuck argues that the presidency has become overly powerful because Congress has failed to govern. Fixing what’s broken, he warns, won’t come from political elites—it will require engaged citizens, serious institutional reform, and possibly constitutional amendments to rebuild a government voters have been loudly signaling they no longer trust. Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and expands on his Hall of Fame rant in light of Bill Belichick not getting in on the first ballot. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 03:00 Kristi Noem still has her job, but Trump is reactive to public opinion 04:15 Noem’s profile feels like someone Trump is willing to dump 05:15 Trump will never fire Stephen Miller 06:00 Miller understands how to work government like a bizarro Dick Cheney 07:30 Does Miller have a conservative vision, or is he just a reactionary? 09:00 Trump may use Kristi Noem as a heat shield 10:00 Noem’s theatrics have created terrible optics 12:15 New Fox News poll has terrible numbers for Trump 14:15 Numbers in the poll could spell doom for Kristi Noem 15:15 Only 61% of Republicans say country is better off today 16:00 Trump’s numbers on the economy are underwater 17:45 Trump’s disapproval near all-time highs 18:45 Voters don’t think Trump is spending enough time on the economy 20:30 Trump’s job rating higher than almost all the individual issues 21:45 59% think ICE has been too aggressive 24:00 Even parts of Trump’s base think ICE has been too aggressive 25:00 Support for abolishing ICE has doubled since 2018 26:00 Trump’s inner circle never stays around for long 27:00 If Fox runs the poll extensively on air, Noem is in trouble 28:45 Chuck’s campus speech on where we are now & how to get out of it 29:45 We may have grown up in a more stable outlier era of American history 31:30 The cold war kept both parties sober & more mainstream 32:45 Six of our 21st century presidential elections decided by 5pts or less 33:15 Politics today is more similar to the 19th century 34:00 We’re too occupied with the presidency due to congress failing 35:00 Congress is more occupied with keeping power than legislating 36:30 We aren’t getting out of this until congress becomes functional 37:00 We will need constitutional amendments to fix the democracy 38:30 The citizens will need to fix this, can’t depend on congress 39:15 Voters gave a primal scream that they wanted a better government 46:30 Ask Chuck 46:45 Who in real life is Veep’s Mike McClintock based on? 49:30 Impact of Native American voters on elections? 52:45 What signs will the GOP show if they think they’ll lose the senate? 56:00 The viral blue/yellow dress feels like a metaphor for politics 58:15 Any connection between income inequality and growing isolationism? 1:04:00 Why is Nathan’s Famous allowed to be bought by a Chinese company? 1:06:30 Hall of Fame rantSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author and writer for The New Yorker, Jason Zengerle joins the Chuck ToddCast for a deep dive into his book “Hated By All The Right People” about Tucker Carlson’s rise—and why he’s become the clearest avatar for the unraveling of modern American conservatism. The conversation traces how Carlson’s personal history, elite upbringing paired with outsider grievance, and long-running resentments toward figures like Bill Kristol helped shape a worldview centered on anger, masculinity, and cultural backlash. Though he styles himself as anti-establishment, Tucker remains very much a Washington insider, increasingly influential even after leaving Fox News and emerging as the true heir to Rush Limbaugh, with real political impact on figures like J.D. Vance. Chuck and Zengerle also explore how Trump subsumed conservatism, why Tucker may be the figure best positioned to keep Trumpism alive after Trump, and how white male grievance now sits at the core of conservative cultural politics. From the Iraq War’s role in Carlson’s ideological shift to his calculated positioning on Israel, media, and elite power, the episode asks what “real America” conservatism even means anymore—and whether there’s any path back for Never Trumpers, institutional Republicans, or business leaders who’ve bent the knee to a movement that no longer resembles the party they once knew. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Jason Zengerle joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:30 Why Tucker Carlson is the avatar for unraveling of conservatism 03:00 Tucker was abandoned by his mother, how did that affect his journey? 03:45 That abandonment shaped his worldview about women 05:00 Tucker’s anger at Bill Kristol is a big part of his evolution 07:00 Kristol has become the stand in for media elites in Tucker’s mind 08:00 Tucker tried to be a younger, cooler version of George Will  09:00 Carlson is very much a DC insider, but portrays himself as outsider 10:30 Tucker wasn’t a rich kid, but was raised like one 12:30 Tucker & Trump similarly hung with the elite, but felt like outsiders 13:15 Tucker trashed Trump in texts while praising him on the air 14:00 Tucker was more willing to criticize Trump than other Fox hosts 15:30 Tucker wasn’t viewed as a top-tier personality at Fox for years 16:15 Fox News is bigger than the on-air personalities 17:15 Leaving Fox didn’t diminish Tucker’s standing, more influential now 19:00 Tucker is the true heir to Rush Limbaugh 19:45 Tucker was influential in getting J.D. Vance elected in Ohio 20:45 Vance & Tucker are very ideologically aligned 22:00 White male grievance is central to conservative cultural politics 23:45 Tucker believes what he says & has a larger project for America 24:45 Tucker is more Pat Buchanon than Rush Limbaugh 25:30 Iraq war was very influential in changing Tucker’s ideology 26:45 Tucker needled Jewish Neocon Republicans by criticizing Israel 28:30 Tuckers sees party energy is anti-Israel & getting ahead of it 30:15 What is the definition of conservatism in “real America”? 31:15 Conservatism has been subsumed by Trump 32:30 Will conservatism snap back to its prior form after Trump is gone? 35:00 Tucker seems like the figure that could keep Trump’s politics alive 36:45 Tucker says he’s not mad at the Murdochs but he is 38:00 Tucker didn’t agree to be interviewed for the book, why? 40:45 Tucker likes to bash the media, but he’s one of their favorite sources 42:00 Tucker left D.C. after protestors showed up to his house 43:15 Who are the “camps” that will fight for control after Trump? 44:15 Ted Cruz & Rand Paul are the only two non “blood & soil” prominent R’s 45:30 Trump is the least “MAGA” person in the MAGA movement 47:15 Where do the Nikki Haley, John Kasich type voters go? 48:15 Business leaders have bent the knee to Trump 49:15 Who in conservative media world was most willing to talk? 50:30 Tucker doesn’t spend much time talking to people his disagrees with 52:00 Tucker wants to go back to a male & white dominated society 53:15 The Never Trumpers won’t be taking back the party 54:30 What Jason is working o

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, historian Heather Ann Thompson discusses her new book “Fear and Fury: The Reagan Eighties, the Bernie Goetz Shootings and the Rebirth” that revisits the 1984 Bernie Goetz subway shooting and explains why it remains a chilling precursor to the racialized fear and political rage shaping America today. Thompson walks through who Goetz was, how he shot four unarmed Black teenagers, and how—without video evidence—the media constructed a vigilante narrative that erased the victims and fueled public support for Goetz despite his own recorded confession. She situates the case in a New York City gripped by crime, austerity, and racial anxiety, arguing that fear was real but deliberately misdirected by sensationalist media, tabloid culture, and political leaders who framed young Black men as the threat while stripping away public resources. The conversation traces how Reagan-era policies, talk radio, and the tabloidification of news helped turn crime into profitable outrage, laying the groundwork for stop-and-frisk, the Central Park Five, and ultimately the politics Donald Trump would later master. Thompson connects the Goetz case to today’s wealth inequality, media groupthink, and deep political divides over racialized violence, showing how these stories are not aberrations but part of a long continuum. The episode is a sobering examination of how fear, race, and media narratives can warp justice—and how understanding that history is essential to understanding where America is now. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Heather Ann Thompson joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:30 Bernie Goetz was an early analog for the white rage we see today 02:30 Who was Bernie Goetz & what is the history of the story? 03:00 NYC felt like a city in crisis during the 80’s 04:00 Goetz shoots four unarmed black teenagers 05:00 There was no footage of the shooting & media shaped the event 06:00 Goetz was celebrated by white New Yorkers as a vigilante 06:45 Goetz gave lengthy video confession & still acquitted on most chargers 08:00 The victims have been completely written out of the story 09:00 Victims were denied compensation by the city’s crime victim fund 10:00 The shooting destroyed the victim’s lives even though they survived 11:45 New York felt like a city on the brink in the 1980’s 12:30 New Yorkers were living in fear of many parts of the city due to crime 13:45 Media clearly made the “threat” young black men 14:30 By 1984, trash was piling up and areas of NYC were underpoliced 15:30 The fear was warranted, but was misdirected by Rupert Murdoch, others 17:30 The Reagan administration doubled down on austerity 18:45 Eventually NYC experienced a renaissance, the “Guiliani miracle” 19:45 Austerity was sold on the idea of the “underserving” & criminal underbelly 20:45 Stop & frisk and other policies pushed underclass further away from Manhattan 21:30 Trump was a beneficiary of these politics & rode them to the White House 22:15 Trump is a creature of the 80’s since that era was best for him 23:30 Trump understood the power of television, fear & race baiting 24:15 Trump sells what the Reagan revolution sold, targeted working class whites 25:00 Impact of the Goetz story on the Central Park 5 story 26:30 The tabloidification of the national media was born out of 80’s NYC 27:30 Talk radio was central in turning crime into high rating media content 28:15 Subway shootings were rare, but everyone feared them 29:30 Reagan’s policies stripped away resources that led to working class crises 30:15 Reagan gutted multiple public programs 31:15 Under Reagan, the tax burden was shifted away from the wealthy 32:00 Similarities between the early 1900’s and early 2000’s  33:15 America is in a wealth inequality crisis & target of misinformation campaign 34:30 Media groupthink was a contributing factor to Bernie Goetz’s acquittal 35:15 Goetz case peeled back the veneer hiding overt racism 36:15 Media sands the edges of stories to avoid controversy over coverage 37:00 Sensationalist, conservative media has become very successful 38:30 Alternative press covered the Goetz story much differently 39:15 Bronx jury awarded one of the victims $43 million 40:00 Goetz shooting was an unhinged story,

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down the mounting political fallout from a string of fatal and controversial shootings by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, including the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti—an incident that has sparked protests, outrage, and deep questions about federal law-enforcement use of force. Bystander video and independent analysis have sharply contradicted official claims that Pretti posed a threat, amplifying criticism from local officials and national figures alike while the Trump administration has scrambled to contain the damage by removing the Border Patrol commander and sending veteran immigration official Tom Homan to Minneapolis to calm tensions. As Republicans in Congress publicly wrestle with how to respond—and some distance themselves from the administration’s actions—Chuck explores how Trump’s repeated emphasis on which voters supported him personally, rather than addressing the substance of the crisis, is complicating the situation politically. With Minneapolis emerging as a political disaster for Trump, the episode also looks at how Trump’s handling of Kristi Noem and broader GOP infighting could create openings for Democrats, especially as concern grows over civil liberties, federal overreach, and the credibility of government narratives in the face of widespread skepticism and media scrutiny.  Finally, Chuck updates his ToddCast Top 5 governor’s seats most likely to flip in 2026, weighs in on the massive looming cuts to the staff at the Washington Post and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:00 Trump attends Iowa event with “affordability message” 01:45 Trump begins to try to walk back from chaos in Minneapolis 02:30 Greg Bovino removed from border patrol role in Minneapolis 03:15 Trump keeps highlighting that Renee Good’s parents voted for him 04:15 Trump sent Tom Homan to Minneapolis to try & calm things down 05:30 Republicans in congress speak out after killing of Alex Pretti 06:30 Trump signals support for Kristi Noem, but could change his mind 07:30 Resentment from Senate R’s over some cabinet secretaries 09:15 Political infighting could become contagious but Trump will back Miller 11:00 Trump is playing political cleanup, but not firing Noem is a mistake 13:00 Not firing Noem would be a political gift for Democrats 14:00 Trump’s trade policy is creating trade deals for other countries, not us 14:45 Minneapolis creates permission slip for Republicans to distance themselves  15:15 Trump’s stop in Iowa was supposed to be a pivot 16:15 Consumer confidence shows the public behaving like it’s a recession 17:00 Consumer confidence lowest since 2014, worse than during pandemic 18:00 Public doubts the job market & job security 20:00 Trump claims inflation is over, that’s not what the public is feeling 21:15 Iowa ranks 50th in nation for economic growth, worst since the 80’s 22:00 Tariffs have devastated Iowa farmers 23:30 If Iowa goes blue, Democrats will win the house and senate 24:15 Trump’s policies have hurt Iowa more than other states 25:00 Trump’s economic message isn’t resonating 26:00 Trump really messed up his gun politics  27:30 Trump will throw anybody under the bus to protect himself 34:45 ToddCast Top 5 governor’s seats most likely to flip 36:00 #1 Kansas 37:45 #2 Iowa 40:00 #3 Michigan 42:15 #4 Arizona #5 Nevada 44:30 The Washington Post announces major cuts to staff 45:15 Hard to understand what Bezos’s vision is for the Post 47:00 How can you be a local paper & not cover the community? 48:15 Post is losing $100m/year but Bezos’s burns tons of cash 48:45 Amazon set $75 million on fire for the Melania documentary 50:30 If Bezos wanted the Post to succeed he could have invested in it 52:45 Bezos should sell the Post rather than gutting it 54:45 The Post editorial page has been diminished under Bezos 56:30 Hopefully Bezos changes course 57:30 Ask Chuck 57:45 How long will this dark period of American history last? 1:04:00 At what point does a blatant lie from a politician qualify as fraud? 1:06:30 Chance that an Ossoff win could catapult him to nomination?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down the mounting political fallout from a string of fatal and controversial shootings by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, including the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti—an incident that has sparked protests, outrage, and deep questions about federal law-enforcement use of force. Bystander video and independent analysis have sharply contradicted official claims that Pretti posed a threat, amplifying criticism from local officials and national figures alike while the Trump administration has scrambled to contain the damage by removing the Border Patrol commander and sending veteran immigration official Tom Homan to Minneapolis to calm tensions. As Republicans in Congress publicly wrestle with how to respond—and some distance themselves from the administration’s actions—Chuck explores how Trump’s repeated emphasis on which voters supported him personally, rather than addressing the substance of the crisis, is complicating the situation politically. With Minneapolis emerging as a political disaster for Trump, the episode also looks at how Trump’s handling of Kristi Noem and broader GOP infighting could create openings for Democrats, especially as concern grows over civil liberties, federal overreach, and the credibility of government narratives in the face of widespread skepticism and media scrutiny.  Then, historian Heather Ann Thompson discusses her new book “Fear and Fury: The Reagan Eighties, the Bernie Goetz Shootings and the Rebirth” that revisits the 1984 Bernie Goetz subway shooting and explains why it remains a chilling precursor to the racialized fear and political rage shaping America today. Thompson walks through who Goetz was, how he shot four unarmed Black teenagers, and how—without video evidence—the media constructed a vigilante narrative that erased the victims and fueled public support for Goetz despite his own recorded confession. She situates the case in a New York City gripped by crime, austerity, and racial anxiety, arguing that fear was real but deliberately misdirected by sensationalist media, tabloid culture, and political leaders who framed young Black men as the threat while stripping away public resources. The conversation traces how Reagan-era policies, talk radio, and the tabloidification of news helped turn crime into profitable outrage, laying the groundwork for stop-and-frisk, the Central Park Five, and ultimately the politics Donald Trump would later master. Thompson connects the Goetz case to today’s wealth inequality, media groupthink, and deep political divides over racialized violence, showing how these stories are not aberrations but part of a long continuum. The episode is a sobering examination of how fear, race, and media narratives can warp justice—and how understanding that history is essential to understanding where America is now. Finally, Chuck updates his ToddCast Top 5 governor’s seats most likely to flip in 2026, weighs in on the massive looming cuts to the staff at the Washington Post and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:00 Trump attends Iowa event with “affordability message” 01:45 Trump begins to try to walk back from chaos in Minneapolis 02:30 Greg Bovino removed from border patrol role in Minneapolis 03:15 Trump keeps highlighting that Renee Good’s parents voted for him 04:15 Trump sent Tom Homan to Minneapolis to try & calm things down 05:30 Republicans in congress speak out after killing of Alex Pretti 06:30 Trump signals support for Kristi Noem, but could change his mind 07:30 Resentment from Senate R’s over some cabinet secretaries 09:15 Political infighting could become contagious but Trump will back Miller 11:00 Trump is playing political cleanup, but not firing Noem is a mistake 13:00 Not firing Noem would be a political gift for Democrats 14:00 Trump’s trade policy is creating trade deals for other countries, not us 14:45 Minneapolis creates permission slip for Republicans to distance themselves  15:15 Trump’s stop in Iowa was supposed to be a pivot 16:15 Consumer confidence shows the public behaving like it’s a recession 17:00 Consumer confidence lowest since 2014, worse than d

In this urgent and unsettling episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck argues that America is in the midst of a historic “Great Unraveling,” marked by the collapse of trust, consent, and the basic social contract that has held the country together for generations. He examines a chilling series of events in Minneapolis—two fatal shootings by federal agents in three weeks, including the killing of Alex Pretti, who was legally carrying a firearm—raising profound questions about accountability, constitutional rights, and whether the federal government can still be trusted to tell the truth when video evidence directly contradicts official accounts. As administration officials stumble through indefensible explanations, Chuck connects the domestic breakdown to a broader global rupture: allies like Canada openly describing relations with the U.S. as “ruptured,” the post–World War II rules-based order splintering, science and public health consensus eroding, and political power being wielded through favoritism and fear. The episode paints a stark picture of a country growing weaker, more isolated, and more vulnerable—not because of fate, but because unraveling is a process, and it’s happening in real time. Then, documentary filmmaker Adam Bhala Lough joins the Chuck ToddCast for a provocative, darkly funny, and unsettling conversation about AI, power, and the people building the future faster than anyone can regulate it. Lough unpacks the thinking behind his documentary Deepfaking Sam Altman, exploring why artificial intelligence inspires both awe and terror, how tech elites quietly prepare for social backlash, and why many of the skills we once told young people to master—like coding—may soon be obsolete. From Silicon Valley’s obsession with immortality and bunker-building to the fear that any job done on a computer could disappear within a few years, the discussion confronts what happens when innovation outruns accountability. The episode also dives deep into Sam Altman’s mystique, Silicon Valley’s moral blind spots, and how fear—of China, regulation, or losing dominance—is used to shape public debate around AI. Lough explains how deepfakes are made, why AI-driven scams are about to explode, and what lawmakers fundamentally misunderstand about regulating rapidly evolving technology. Ultimately, this conversation argues that the antidote to AI anxiety isn’t panic or denial—but transparency, literacy, and a serious public reckoning with who controls the tools reshaping human society. Finally, Chuck weighs in on the political disaster that is unfolding for Republicans, hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to draw parallels between modern America and Bloody Sunday in Northern Ireland in the 70’s and answers listeners’ question in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:45 America is going through a “Great Unraveling” 04:45 January 2026 has been a horrendous month in American history 05:45 We’re watching the collapse of consent 06:15 Federal agents involved in 2 fatal shootings in 3 week in Minneapolis 07:00 Alex Pretti was shot 10 times, this was an assassination 07:30 No consequences for agent that shot Renee Good sent a message 08:15 The federal government won’t uphold the law or constitutional rights 09:30 Administration officials make fools of themselves defending this 10:15 Alex Pretti was legally carrying his firearm 10:45 January 6th protestors were also armed 11:45 The federal government is behaving like fascists 12:45 What remains of the social contract? 13:15 Trump’s leadership is destroying everything we knew about America 14:00 Canada’s PM Mark Carney describes relations with U.S. as “ruptured” 14:45 The rules based order in splintering 15:15 TikTok deal was purely favoritism & media alignment for Trump allies 16:15 CDC now discarding science, openly questioning the polio vaccine 17:00 Government shutdown is coming later this week 18:00 100 years of consensus is shattering 19:00 Alex Pretti was carrying, not brandishing his weapon 19:45 Alex Pretti was killed in cold blood   20:30 Thank god there was video, you can’t trust the federal government 21:00 Bystander video contradicts federal gover

In this urgent and unsettling episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck argues that America is in the midst of a historic “Great Unraveling,” marked by the collapse of trust, consent, and the basic social contract that has held the country together for generations. He examines a chilling series of events in Minneapolis—two fatal shootings by federal agents in three weeks, including the killing of Alex Pretti, who was legally carrying a firearm—raising profound questions about accountability, constitutional rights, and whether the federal government can still be trusted to tell the truth when video evidence directly contradicts official accounts. As administration officials stumble through indefensible explanations, Chuck connects the domestic breakdown to a broader global rupture: allies like Canada openly describing relations with the U.S. as “ruptured,” the post–World War II rules-based order splintering, science and public health consensus eroding, and political power being wielded through favoritism and fear. The episode paints a stark picture of a country growing weaker, more isolated, and more vulnerable—not because of fate, but because unraveling is a process, and it’s happening in real time. Finally, Chuck weighs in on the political disaster that is unfolding for Republicans, hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to draw parallels between modern America and Bloody Sunday in Northern Ireland in the 70’s and answers listeners’ question in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:45 America is going through a “Great Unraveling” 03:30 January 2026 has been a horrendous month in American history 04:30 We’re watching the collapse of consent 05:00 Federal agents involved in 2 fatal shootings in 3 week in Minneapolis 05:45 Alex Pretti was shot 10 times, this was an assassination 06:15 No consequences for agent that shot Renee Good sent a message 07:00 The federal government won’t uphold the law or constitutional rights 08:15 Administration officials make fools of themselves defending this 09:00 Alex Pretti was legally carrying his firearm 09:30 January 6th protestors were also armed 10:30 The federal government is behaving like fascists 11:30 What remains of the social contract? 12:00 Trump’s leadership is destroying everything we knew about America 12:45 Canada’s PM Mark Carney describes relations with U.S. as “ruptured” 13:30 The rules based order in splintering 14:00 TikTok deal was purely favoritism & media alignment for Trump allies 15:00 CDC now discarding science, openly questioning the polio vaccine 15:45 Government shutdown is coming later this week 16:45 100 years of consensus is shattering 17:45 Alex Pretti was carrying, not brandishing his weapon 18:30 Alex Pretti was killed in cold blood 19:15 Thank god there was video, you can’t trust the federal government 19:45 Bystander video contradicts federal government account 20:30 Patel and Noem have no credibility outside of Trump’s base 21:30 Federal agents violated half the bill of rights in one incident 23:15 Middle powers can’t assume alignment with US gives stability 24:15 Canada’s response to Trump is seismic & entirely rational 25:15 The post WW2 order was held together by trust, & that’s been shattered 27:00 Trump’s appointees are making us vulnerable to eradicated diseases 28:15 TikTok will be used by Trump allies for political alignment 29:30 Unraveling isn’t destiny… it’s process 30:15 Trump is making us weaker, more vulnerable and poorer 31:30 We’re losing our country… literally 32:15 We can’t believe anything the federal government says 36:30 Elected Republicans trying to distance from Trump’s DHS 38:00 Marjorie Taylor-Greene argues the small c conservative position 39:00 MTG uses hypothetical shooting of a MAGA by Biden’s DOJ 41:00 Trump’s defenders try to blame Trump’s advisors rather than Trump 42:00 The administration is trampling the Bill of Rights 43:00 Minneapolis is a political disaster for Trump 44:00 Conservative pundits are pitching a Minneapolis off-ramp 45:45 Greg Bovino is trying invoke violence in the way he dresses 47:00 Trump’s coalition is breaking apart 48:45 ToddCast

Documentary filmmaker Adam Bhala Lough joins the Chuck ToddCast for a provocative, darkly funny, and unsettling conversation about AI, power, and the people building the future faster than anyone can regulate it. Lough unpacks the thinking behind his documentary Deepfaking Sam Altman, exploring why artificial intelligence inspires both awe and terror, how tech elites quietly prepare for social backlash, and why many of the skills we once told young people to master—like coding—may soon be obsolete. From Silicon Valley’s obsession with immortality and bunker-building to the fear that any job done on a computer could disappear within a few years, the discussion confronts what happens when innovation outruns accountability. The episode also dives deep into Sam Altman’s mystique, Silicon Valley’s moral blind spots, and how fear—of China, regulation, or losing dominance—is used to shape public debate around AI. Lough explains how deepfakes are made, why AI-driven scams are about to explode, and what lawmakers fundamentally misunderstand about regulating rapidly evolving technology. Ultimately, this conversation argues that the antidote to AI anxiety isn’t panic or denial—but transparency, literacy, and a serious public reckoning with who controls the tools reshaping human society. Timeline: 00:00 Adam Bhala Lough joins the Chuck ToddCast 02:30 Tech titans know the pitchforks are coming & are building bunkers 03:15 Did you create “Deepfaking Sam Altman” assuming the worst about AI? 05:00 The phrase Artificial Intelligence is great branding, but creates fear 06:15 How did you find funding for the documentary? 06:45 AI was one of the reasons the writer’s guild was protesting 07:30 Kids who grew up learning to code won’t have a job due to AI 08:15 Coding is now a useless skill when it was THE skill to have 10 years ago 10:15 Any job done on a computer could be gone within 3 years 10:45 Teaching critical thinking skills when a machine can do it for you? 13:00 Humans won’t be ok with robots replacing, but may not have a choice 13:30 If AI destroys humanity, it wouldn’t be deliberate 14:15 There’s a theory that AI would keep us around & find a use for us 15:00 Sam Altman has a giant collection of guns & weapons, like a prepper 15:45 Wealth creates a “prepper” mentality 17:00 There’s an obsession Silicon Valley with living forever 17:45 Was trying to interview Sam Altman always the premise of the doc? 18:45 Thought getting an interview with Sam Altman would be easy 19:15 Still haven’t heard from Altman in light of the documentary 20:45 What made you so threatening that Altman avoided you? 22:30 Other tech companies were more open to talking than OpenAI 23:15 Altman uses AI to read and summarize his emails, he doesn’t read them 24:00 Tech CEO’s tend to be antisocial, created platforms to compensate? 24:45 Many created products the world didn’t need just to get rich 26:00 Social media causes problems, but also have positives like Arab Spring 26:45 Totalitarian regimes found a way to weaponize social media 27:45 Chinese documentarian used AI to avoid government crackdown 29:15 Altman uses fear of China’s use of AI to avoid regulation & get investment 30:15 Sam Altman is a Marvel level super villain 30:45 Elon Musk is even more of a villain than Altman 31:15 Altman doesn’t have a personality, Elon has a crazy one 32:00 Google’s Gemini has caught up and surpassed ChatGPT 32:45 Altman could be a flash in the pan, or the next Steve Jobs 34:30 Steve Jobs and Sam Altman share a similar drive 35:45 Apple wouldn’t have been as successful under Wozniak, he’s too nice 37:00 You don’t have to be an asshole to be a successful tech CEO 38:30 Political leaders have given business leaders permission to be awful 39:00 What do you want people to take away from the documentary? 39:45 The best way to cure AI anxiety is to create a conversation about it 40:45 Concerned about legal exposure from the documentary? 41:15 The documentary shows how the deepfake was made 42:30 AI image & video generators should be forced to include a logo 43:15 What should politicians understand about AI regulation? 44:30 AI slop is getting harder than ever to identify as fake 46:15 AI will be an incredible tool for scamming people 47:00 People should have a safeword to avoid deepfake scams 49:15 AI will be very useful in creating archival footage 51:00 AI gets dystopian when you put it into weapons 52:30 What topics are you interested in covering next? 55:00 Terms & conditions that force arbitration is very coercive 57:15 Deepfaking Sam Altman took 18 months to createSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck addresses the latest fatal shooting by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, the third such incident in recent weeks amid the Trump administration’s intensified enforcement operations. A man was shot and killed by federal officers during an ICE-linked operation, reigniting outrage and controversy over the use of force by federal law enforcement and further eroding trust in the Department of Homeland Security’s narrative after Minneapolis residents and officials disputed the official account and demanded transparency. Chuck unpacks why video and witness accounts have raised serious questions about the necessity and proportionality of deadly force, why many critics call for a neutral, third-party investigation rather than relying on the federal government’s account, and how this incident compounds public concerns about aggressive policing tactics and civil liberties in enforcement operations. He also explores how the recurring confrontations between federal agents and Minneapolis residents are fueling broader political backlash, deepening tensions between local and federal authorities, and challenging Americans’ confidence in how federal agencies conduct operations on U.S. soil. Timeline: 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 00:30 Another Minneapolis resident shot dead by federal agents 01:15 Video is disturbing. Man looked to be subdued before being shot 01:45 DHS says man was armed, didn’t say he was brandishing it 02:15 Conceal carry & open carry are allowed in Minnesota with permit 03:15 DHS has very low credibility with the press & the public 04:30 Why did agents back away and shoot rather than cuff the suspect 05:15 We need a neutral investigation into the shooting 06:00 We can’t trust the story from the federal government 07:00 The grotesque policing by ICE is incredibly unpopular 07:30 DHS used bloodthirsty rhetoric in recruiting videos 09:00 The administration has deliberately put Minneapolis in harm’s way 10:30 ICE are untrained thugs attacking Americans 11:30 Trump donors that employ undocumented workers aren’t targeted 12:30 It feels like ICE is looking for a fight 13:45 American wants law enforcement to follow the law 14:30 The federal government & their agents are on a power trip 16:00 How DHS words their statements is very telling 16:45 Need a third party investigation since DHS can’t be trusted 18:00 The reputation of every law enforcement agency has been tarnished 18:45 Kristi Noem is the obvious scapegoat if Trump wants an offramp 19:30 Where are all the libertarians and small government conservatives?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this “TACO Trump Thursday” episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down how market pressure forced Donald Trump to abruptly back off his Greenland threats and announce a face-saving deal—one that looks suspiciously like what already existed—underscoring how easily Trump can be manipulated and how desperate he is to cement a sense of historical relevance. Even as Republicans in Congress continue to appease him, the damage to America’s relationships with Canada and Europe is already done, and Trump’s indifference to NATO and unilateral approach ensures lasting consequences well beyond any short-term retreat. The conversation then turns to the political fallout at home: the perilous midterm landscape for Democrats, a messy Minnesota Senate race, why conventional Republicans still can’t win blue-leaning states without a net-positive environment, and how figures like Bill Cassidy may have no path forward inside today’s GOP. Chuck also digs into the Democratic Party’s looming 2028 calendar fight, arguing the DNC should rethink its early-state strategy by looking hard at Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska—and remembering that winning rural America, not just big cities, is the only way to build a durable majority. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joins the Chuck ToddCast to discuss the unprecedented federal immigration enforcement crisis unfolding in his city as masked ICE and DHS agents have effectively occupied Minneapolis in what appears to be an operation designed more for political retribution than public safety. Frey explains the complex dynamics between city, state, and federal authority, noting that Minneapolis maintains a policy of not coordinating with federal immigration enforcement because police officers should focus on keeping communities safe rather than targeting immigrants. He reveals alarming constitutional violations, including non-white off-duty Minneapolis police officers being racially profiled and harassed by ICE agents and residents being stopped and asked for ID based on their accents. With Minneapolis already critically understaffed on police officers per capita, the massive imbalance between local law enforcement and ICE agents has created a tenuous situation where police are forced to respond to citizens being harassed while protesters exercise their First Amendment rights. The crisis has been compounded by what Frey describes as a weaponized Department of Justice that can't be trusted, evidenced by his office receiving a subpoena.The mayor emphasizes that much of the federal action stems from a fraud issue that had nothing to do with illegal immigration, yet racist attacks on the Somali community followed—despite the fact that Somalis in Minneapolis came legally as refugees and most are U.S. citizens. Frey has held discussions with Governor Tim Walz about potentially deploying the Minnesota National Guard and worries about his ability to conduct a real investigation into the shooting of Renee Good by ICE. Frey contends the operation is designed to whip the public into a frenzy rather than address genuine immigration concerns. Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions and explains a gripe he has with the baseball Hall of Fame. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction - Welcome to TACO Thursday 00:30 Trump backs off Greenland threats & announces deal after markets tank 02:30 Mark Carney’s speech to Davos resonated & he won’t back off it 04:00 Trump is an easy mark, and a frustrating mark 04:30 They’re likely copy+pasting the same deal we had, but Trump signs it 05:30 Republicans in congress know they have to appease Trump 06:30 Trump is desperate to be historically relevant & will be 07:15 Trump did terrible damage to American relationship with Canada & Europe 08:15 Trump doesn’t care if NATO survives or will abide by the treaty 10:00 Trump backing down won’t change the trajectory of how other countries act 12:30 Trump’s unilateral actions will have consequences 14:00 Feels like a time the out party wins everything, but it’s a tough path for Dems 15:15 Democrats need to be careful with candidate selection to win midterms 16:00 Michelle Tafoya announces senate bid in Minnesota 16:45 Tafoya hasn’t announced much policy, mostly just anti-woke rhetoric 18:15 The Democr

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joins the Chuck ToddCast to discuss the unprecedented federal immigration enforcement crisis unfolding in his city as masked ICE and DHS agents have effectively occupied Minneapolis in what appears to be an operation designed more for political retribution than public safety. Frey explains the complex dynamics between city, state, and federal authority, noting that Minneapolis maintains a policy of not coordinating with federal immigration enforcement because police officers should focus on keeping communities safe rather than targeting immigrants. He reveals alarming constitutional violations, including non-white off-duty Minneapolis police officers being racially profiled and harassed by ICE agents and residents being stopped and asked for ID based on their accents. With Minneapolis already critically understaffed on police officers per capita, the massive imbalance between local law enforcement and ICE agents has created a tenuous situation where police are forced to respond to citizens being harassed while protesters exercise their First Amendment rights. The crisis has been compounded by what Frey describes as a weaponized Department of Justice that can't be trusted, evidenced by his office receiving a subpoena. The mayor emphasizes that much of the federal action stems from a fraud issue that had nothing to do with illegal immigration, yet racist attacks on the Somali community followed—despite the fact that Somalis in Minneapolis came legally as refugees and most are U.S. citizens. Frey has held discussions with Governor Tim Walz about potentially deploying the Minnesota National Guard and worries about his ability to conduct a real investigation into the shooting of Renee Good by ICE. Frey contends the operation is designed to whip the public into a frenzy rather than address genuine immigration concerns. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joins the Chuck ToddCast 00:30 Structure of Minneapolis law enforcement & the mayor’s powers 01:45 What is the line between city & state, and federal vs. state/city authority? 02:30 Minneapolis officials don’t coordinate with feds on immigration 03:30 Police officers should keep community safe, not target immigrants 04:30 Would you release a proven criminal into ICE custody? 06:00 Escalation with ICE & DHS went from 0-100 in Minneapolis 06:45 OMB sent a letter threatening to cut all fed funds over DEI 07:45 DHS seems intent on political retribution, not safety or immigration 09:30 There was a real issue with fraud, & racist attacks on Somalis followed 10:15 Somalis in Minneapolis came legally as refugees, most are citizens 11:00 Fraud issue had nothing to do with illegal immigrants 12:15 Is ICE responsible for longer 911 wait times? 12:45 Minneapolis is very low on police officers per capita 13:15 There’s a massive imbalance between police officers & ICE agents 13:45 What are the police supposed to do if citizens are harassed by ICE? 15:00 Police are forced into a difficult & tenuous situation dealing with ICE 16:00 Do you believe the ICE operations are designed to provoke a response? 16:30 ICE are trying to whip the public into a frenzy 17:15 Is there a legal avenue for you to push back against DHS/ICE? 18:15 There have been unimaginable constitutional violations by ICE 19:15 Non-white off duty Minneapolis officers have been harassed by ICE 20:30 People are being racially profiled and asked for their ID 21:30 ICE needs to be better trained and have a moral compass 22:15 Police received a call from a 5 year old whose parents were taken 23:00 Worried that residents could take matters into their own hands? 24:00 Has the “No ICE on city property” policy worked? 25:00 There have been talks with Tim Walz over deploying MN national guard 26:15 What’s behind the subpoena received by the mayor’s office? 26:45 DOJ is being weaponized to target leaders that disagree with Trump 27:45 The current Department of Justice can’t be trusted 29:15 There’s so much value to having career civil servants over political loyalists 31:15 There’s been a failure to believe that Trump will do what he says he’ll do 32:00 Any end in sight to the ICE occupation of Minneapolis? 32:45 Will you be able to do a real investigation into the shooting of Renee Good?See omnystudio.com/

On this “TACO Trump Thursday” episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down how market pressure forced Donald Trump to abruptly back off his Greenland threats and announce a face-saving deal—one that looks suspiciously like what already existed—underscoring how easily Trump can be manipulated and how desperate he is to cement a sense of historical relevance. Even as Republicans in Congress continue to appease him, the damage to America’s relationships with Canada and Europe is already done, and Trump’s indifference to NATO and unilateral approach ensures lasting consequences well beyond any short-term retreat. The conversation then turns to the political fallout at home: the perilous midterm landscape for Democrats, a messy Minnesota Senate race, why conventional Republicans still can’t win blue-leaning states without a net-positive environment, and how figures like Bill Cassidy may have no path forward inside today’s GOP. Chuck also digs into the Democratic Party’s looming 2028 calendar fight, arguing the DNC should rethink its early-state strategy by looking hard at Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska—and remembering that winning rural America, not just big cities, is the only way to build a durable majority. Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions and explains a gripe he has with the baseball Hall of Fame. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction - Welcome to TACO Thursday 00:30 Trump backs off Greenland threats & announces deal after markets tank 02:30 Mark Carney’s speech to Davos resonated & he won’t back off it 04:00 Trump is an easy mark, and a frustrating mark 04:30 They’re likely copy+pasting the same deal we had, but Trump signs it 05:30 Republicans in congress know they have to appease Trump 06:30 Trump is desperate to be historically relevant & will be 07:15 Trump did terrible damage to American relationship with Canada & Europe 08:15 Trump doesn’t care if NATO survives or will abide by the treaty 10:00 Trump backing down won’t change the trajectory of how other countries act 10:45 Trump’s unilateral actions will have consequences 12:15 Feels like a time the out party wins everything, but it’s a tough path for Dems 13:30 Democrats need to be careful with candidate selection to win midterms 14:15 Michelle Tafoya announces senate bid in Minnesota 15:00 Tafoya hasn’t announced much policy, mostly just anti-woke rhetoric 16:30 The Democratic senate primary in Minnesota has been messy 18:15 Conventional conservative Republican doesn’t win in Minnesota 19:30 Republicans would need to be in a net-positive environment to win Minnesota 21:15 If Susan Collins doesn’t run, Maine is off the board for Republicans 22:15 Julia Letlow announces race, promises to be rubber stamp for Trump 23:45 GOP establishment won’t get involved in helping Bill Cassidy 24:30 Cassidy’s only path to winning seat is to run as Independent 26:45 Paul Finnebaum will struggle to run in Alabama after Trump endorsement 28:30 Twelve states applied to be first in the nation for Democrats in 2028 29:30 Iowa should be the first in the nation Dem state 30:45 Iowa has been good to the Democratic party, just not the Clintons 32:45 Just winning Des Moines isn’t enough, you have to win rural areas 34:30 Big Super PAC money can overwhelm in the bigger states 37:15 DNC should look at Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska 45:00 Ask Chuck 45:45 Why are so many senators unwilling to challenge Trump on foreign policy? 51:15 Do political teams consult psychologists when dealing with Trump? 55:30 Why hasn’t Trump’s lack of student loan repayment program gotten attention? 58:45 Is it crazy to think that California could become a swing state? 1:02:45 Chances of Mike Johnson refusing to certify and seat a Democratic congress? 1:07:30 Baseball Hall of Fame has made itself irrelevantSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gina Hinojosa, a Texas state representative and Democratic candidate for governor, joins the Chuck ToddCast to discuss how the school choice debate has created unexpected opportunities for Democrats in traditionally red states. Hinojosa, who entered politics through school board advocacy to save her son's school, argues that corruption—not ideology—is the biggest driver of Texas politics. She accuses Governor Greg Abbott of holding school funding hostage to push through a voucher program, forcing closures across the state while Texas ranks in the bottom three nationally for education funding. Hinojosa contends that vouchers lack transparency and accountability, and notes that even Trump-voting Texas women have joined the fight against them. She criticizes charter schools for cherry-picking students while taking public resources, and highlights how special education funding has been systematically cut, leaving expensive and crucial services unmet. Beyond education, Hinojosa paints a broader picture of dysfunction in Texas, claiming Abbott has awarded $1 billion in no-bid contracts to donors—what she calls the "Greg Abbott corruption tax"—and pointing to failures in the state's deregulated electric grid, border policy, and treatment of vulnerable communities. She argues that Texas operates as a three-party state, with two Republican wings and Democrats, and describes how Abbott used millions to primary moderate "Bush Republicans," successfully defeating nine incumbents who wouldn't toe the line. While acknowledging challenges like the border security issue that flipped the Rio Grande Valley toward Trump and ICE enforcement she describes as "terrorizing communities," Hinojosa sees opportunities in growing business community frustration over tariffs and deportations. She emphasizes that despite Texas's economic power and population growth—which will add 4-5 congressional districts—ordinary Texans aren't benefiting, with small business owners earning less than the national average and electric bills skyrocketing due to data center demand and grid mismanagement. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!  Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Gina Hinojosa joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:00 School choice issue has opened the door for Dems in red states 02:30 Gina’s background in education & school board politics 04:00 Ran for school board to save her son’s school 04:30 Greg Abbott is reallocating money, forcing school closures 05:15 Corruption is biggest driver of politics in Texas 06:00 Consultants & vendors use part time legislators to make money 06:45 Schools closing all over Texas due to budget cuts & vouchers 08:00 Abbott held school funding hostage trying to pass voucher program 08:30 Texas is bottom 3 in the country for school funding 10:00 Texas women who voted Trump joined fight against vouchers 11:15 Vouchers have no transparency or accountability 12:30 The school funding model hasn’t changed since industrial age 13:45 Do you support Texas’s “recapture” funding model? 15:00 The recaptured money is being wasted  16:30 Student testing and NAEP scores are decreasing overall 17:45 Teachers deserve to be treated and paid like professional 18:30 Special needs students can attend private school funded by state 19:30 Special education is very expensive & requests go unmet 20:45 State cut corners to avoid paying for special ed students 22:15 Charter schools take public resources but not all kids 23:15 Charter schools deny admission to kids with disciplinary records 24:45 Education paid for by Texas property taxes which have skyrocketed 25:15 Texans pay the “Greg Abbott corruption tax” 26:00 Abbott has given $1 billion dollars in no-bid contracts to donors 27:45 The corruption issue is ripe but the electorate is cynical on both sides 29:15 Abbott’s corruption is the #1 talking point in the Republican primary 30:30 Gas companies let Texans freeze until prices spiked high enough 32:30 Border security issue led to Rio Grande valley voting for Trump 34:00 Biden was able to fix border issues, just took too long to do it 34:30 Deportations flipped political sentiment in Rio Grande valley  36:00 ICE is terrorizing communities 36:45 Masked law enforcement should be illegal 37:45 Texas is a three party state: Two GOP wings & Democrats 38:30 How can you grow the Democratic party in

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck delivers a blunt warning about how Donald Trump’s erratic, ahistorical tariff strategy is pushing the United States toward a self-inflicted crisis—one that could even stumble into war. With none of the usual political penalties applying to Trump, elected Republicans have opted for fearful silence, becoming complicit as tariffs punish American taxpayers and U.S. credibility abroad rapidly erodes. Americans, worn down by “Trump Exhaustion Syndrome” and the lack of consequences after January 6th, are watching as the last real guardrail—the economy—buckles under market turmoil, while Congress and the Supreme Court delay or abdicate their responsibility to act.  The episode underscores the extraordinary global fallout: Canada openly questioning whether it can rely on the U.S., wargaming invasion scenarios, pursuing “strategic autonomy,” and calling for new middle-power alliances even as it reaffirms commitment to NATO. As isolationism spreads and the rules-based order America once led begins to fracture, Chuck argues that only a congressional reckoning—or a midterm revolt—can halt the damage and preserve the country’s democratic institutions. Finally, Chuck updates his ToddCast Top 5 senate seats Democrats are most likely to flip in the midterms, answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and recaps his experience at the college football national championship game… and the insane prices being charged to attend.  Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!  Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 02:00 Trump is potentially stumbling into a war over tariffs 03:00 Trump’s strategy is erratic & detached from historical norms 03:45 None of the usual political penalties apply to Trump 04:15 Canada is preparing & worrying that U.S. could invade 04:45 Trump’s tariffs punish the American taxpayer 05:30 Elected Republicans are afraid of voicing dissent 06:45 Republicans choose silence & makes them complicit 08:00 Americans are numb, suffering from “Trump Exhaustion Syndrome” 09:00 Lack of consequences for January 6th emboldened Trump 10:45 Trump has weakened American credibility abroad 12:00 There’s little check left in the GOP to prevent damage 12:30 The only guardrail left is the economy and markets, which cratered 14:15 Isolationism is terrible politics and terrible for the country 15:15 Congress is the only institution that can stop Trump & is abdicating 16:15 SCOTUS delays ruling on tariffs, making them hard to unwind 17:15 It’s possible the midterms become a revolt & sober up the GOP 17:45 Trump is affected by the “political YOLO virus” 18:30 Mitch McConnell could have changed the course of history, and didn’t 19:30 Trump has made America most vulnerable & isolated in decades 21:00 Canadian PM gives Davos speech pleading with Americans 22:00 When America chooses isolationism, so will everyone else 23:00 Canada has shifted toward “strategic autonomy” 24:15 Carney is saying Canada can’t rely on the United States 25:00 Canada is wargaming for an invasion from the south 25:45 Canada proposes a middle power trading bloc 27:15 Carney says Canada stands committed to NATO’s Article 5 27:45 Canada looking for new partners to confront an aggressive U.S. 28:30 America has thrived atop the rules based order, and is risking everything 30:45 25th Amendment intended for true incapacitation 31:30 Congress has to do its job to preserve the America we love 38:30 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Gina Hinojosa 40:00 ToddCast Top 5 seats Democrats can win & flip senate 42:45 #1 North Carolina & #2 Maine 46:30 #3 Michigan 49:45 #4 Ohio 51:15 #5 Alaska 54:30 Ask Chuck 55:15 Which presidency would be more dangerous… Trump or Vance? 59:30 If most Americans are center left or right, why can’t we elect centrists? 1:04:15 Would military action against a treaty ally be considered an illegal order? 1:07:45 How should the country resolve insider trading on the prediction markets? 1:09:15 Reaction to Indiana winning National Championship over Miami 1:19:30 The prices at the National Championship were highway robberySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck delivers a blunt warning about how Donald Trump’s erratic, ahistorical tariff strategy is pushing the United States toward a self-inflicted crisis—one that could even stumble into war. With none of the usual political penalties applying to Trump, elected Republicans have opted for fearful silence, becoming complicit as tariffs punish American taxpayers and U.S. credibility abroad rapidly erodes. Americans, worn down by “Trump Exhaustion Syndrome” and the lack of consequences after January 6th, are watching as the last real guardrail—the economy—buckles under market turmoil, while Congress and the Supreme Court delay or abdicate their responsibility to act. The episode underscores the extraordinary global fallout: Canada openly questioning whether it can rely on the U.S., wargaming invasion scenarios, pursuing “strategic autonomy,” and calling for new middle-power alliances even as it reaffirms commitment to NATO. As isolationism spreads and the rules-based order America once led begins to fracture, Chuck argues that only a congressional reckoning—or a midterm revolt—can halt the damage and preserve the country’s democratic institutions. Gina Hinojosa, a Texas state representative and Democratic candidate for governor, joins Chuck to discuss how the school choice debate has created unexpected opportunities for Democrats in traditionally red states. Hinojosa, who entered politics through school board advocacy to save her son's school, argues that corruption—not ideology—is the biggest driver of Texas politics. She accuses Governor Greg Abbott of holding school funding hostage to push through a voucher program, forcing closures across the state while Texas ranks in the bottom three nationally for education funding. Hinojosa contends that vouchers lack transparency and accountability, and notes that even Trump-voting Texas women have joined the fight against them. She criticizes charter schools for cherry-picking students while taking public resources, and highlights how special education funding has been systematically cut, leaving expensive and crucial services unmet. Beyond education, Hinojosa paints a broader picture of dysfunction in Texas, claiming Abbott has awarded $1 billion in no-bid contracts to donors—what she calls the "Greg Abbott corruption tax"—and pointing to failures in the state's deregulated electric grid, border policy, and treatment of vulnerable communities. She argues that Texas operates as a three-party state, with two Republican wings and Democrats, and describes how Abbott used millions to primary moderate "Bush Republicans," successfully defeating nine incumbents who wouldn't toe the line. While acknowledging challenges like the border security issue that flipped the Rio Grande Valley toward Trump and ICE enforcement she describes as "terrorizing communities," Hinojosa sees opportunities in growing business community frustration over tariffs and deportations. She emphasizes that despite Texas's economic power and population growth—which will add 4-5 congressional districts—ordinary Texans aren't benefiting, with small business owners earning less than the national average and electric bills skyrocketing due to data center demand and grid mismanagement. Finally, Chuck updates his ToddCast Top 5 senate seats Democrats are most likely to flip in the midterms, answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and recaps his experience at the college football national championship game… and the insane prices being charged to attend.  Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!  Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 06:00 Trump is potentially stumbling into a war over tariffs 07:00 Trump’s strategy is erratic & detached from historical norms 07:45 None of the usual political penalties apply to Trump 08:15 Canada is preparing & worrying that U.S. could invade 08:45 Trump’s tariffs punish the American taxpayer 09:30 Elected Republicans are afraid of voicing dissent 10:45 Republicans choose silence & makes them complicit 12:00 Americans are numb, suffering from “Trump Exhaustion Syndrome” 13:00 Lack of consequences for January 6th emboldened Trump 14:45 Trump has weakened American credibility abroad 16:00 There’s

Mechele Dickerson, professor at the University of Texas School of Law & author of the new book “The Middle Class New Deal” joins Chuck Todd to make the case that rebuilding the American middle class requires something bold and familiar. Drawing on history, Dickerson explains how the original New Deal didn’t just regulate markets but actively created the first stable American middle class, a reminder that free markets alone don’t guarantee broad prosperity. As today’s economy shifts risk onto workers through independent contracting, weakened unions, and employer-based benefits that no longer fit modern labor markets, she argues that financial security—not wealth—is what most Americans are actually chasing, and it’s essential for economic and democratic stability. The conversation digs into healthcare, education, and labor power as the pillars of a functioning middle class, from why employer-based health insurance is a historical accident to how government-guaranteed healthcare could actually relieve businesses, and why underused public schools and outdated calendars are weakening the future workforce. Dickerson warns that the erosion of unions, the weaponization of cultural divisions, and rising economic nihilism—especially among younger Americans—mirror dangerous Gilded Age dynamics, where extreme inequality hollowed out democracy. The takeaway is stark but hopeful: upward mobility is deeply American, but without intentional policy choices that put workers and families first, an eroding middle class can become fertile ground for political instability and authoritarianism. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code Timeline: 00:00 Mechele Dickerson joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:30 Both the left & right can learn from “The Middle Class New Deal” 03:00 What motivated you to put these ideas under a “New Deal” framework 04:00 The New Deal created the first American middle class 05:00 Free market economies don’t automatically create a middle class 06:30 Socialism & interfering with free markets created the middle class 07:00 A stable middle class is critical for stability 07:45 The uber wealthy can only consume so much & don’t drive spending 09:00 People struggling don’t want to be wealthy, just financially secure 10:45 Independent contractors don’t get same benefits as employees 12:15 Retirement security has been shifted from employers to employees 13:45 Big companies with lots of contractors have a ton of political leverage 15:00 Amazon’s delivery providers aren’t set up to have employees 17:00 CEO’s of big companies hate the cost of healthcare 18:30 Business could support a system where they aren’t responsible for healthcare 19:45 Employer based healthcare was born out of World War 2 wage controls 21:00 Government guaranteed health insurance has many upsides 23:15 The debate around government guaranteed education has stalled 24:00 What steps could be taken to make progress in public education? 25:15 In rural areas there is no “school choice”, just home school  26:00 Public school facilities are underutilized 26:30 Public school calendar revolves around an agrarian calendar 27:45 Without good public education, we’ll have a poor labor force 29:45 Schools should add a voluntary summer trimester  31:30 Workers will only get equal treatment through collective bargaining 32:00 How do you bring back labor unions? 33:15 Middle & lower class have suffered since labor unions were gutted 34:00 Union culture is merged with corporate culture in Europe 35:15 Race & ethnicity have been used as wedges to advance a class argument 37:15 The entire middle class is suffering economically 39:00 How do you prioritize anti-poverty programs to revive the middle class? 40:00 Upward mobility is wired into the DNA of Americans 41:30 Billionaires aren’t incentivized to create a healthy middle class 42:30 There are parallels between the current moment & the Gilded Age 43:30 Should corporations build communities the way Hershey did? 45:30 Politicians have to help constituents be ok, not just tell them they’re ok 46:00 2016 election of Trump was the white middle class primal scream 47:00 An eroding middle class can drive societies into autocracy48:00 Trump administration keeps having “let them eat cake” moments 49:00 Middle class support tax cuts for rich, thinking they’ll become rich 49:45 Younger Americans suffer

Chuck Todd sounds the alarm on how Trump’s aggressive use of tariffs and economic coercion could unintentionally push the U.S. and the world toward open conflict, drawing stark parallels to the Smoot-Hawley tariffs and the dangerous bloc-based thinking that preceded World War II. As Trump threatens NATO unity, wages economic war with Europe, and even uses tariffs as leverage in a pressure campaign over Greenland, the result isn’t strength but instability—risking retaliation, potentially weakening the dollar’s reserve status, and handing strategic advantages to China and Russia. Chuck argues that while Trump may not be trying to start a war, his isolationist instincts, economic bullying, and disregard for democratic norms are dismantling the postwar order America built and benefited from, creating a far more dangerous world. The episode also turns inward, examining Trump’s endorsement politics and fixation on retribution, even at the cost of GOP viability, as Senate Republicans quietly weigh whether stopping this madness—or walking away—is their last remaining option. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the evolving public perception of Muhammed Ali, answers listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment and preview the college football national championship between Indiana and his beloved Miami Hurricanes. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 02:30 Could Trump’s tariffs accidentally stumble the U.S. into a war? 03:45 Bad economic policy could drive the world into war 04:30 Destroying NATO & economic war w/ Europe will create GOP defections 05:15 What Trump is doing is incredibly alarming 05:45 When tariffs are used as leverage, they can create security problems 06:15 Smoot-Hawley tariffs created lasting damage 07:30 Retaliation followed after the Smoot-Hawley tariffs 08:00 Smoot-Hawley didn’t cause WW2, but had a huge impact in creating it 09:00 When the world starts thinking in blocs, wars become more likely 10:00 In blocs, countries start prioritizing resource security 10:30 Trump is using tariffs as leverage for economic bullying to acquire Greenland 11:15 Macron calls for EU use of an anti-coercion law against the U.S. 12:15 Trump’s Greenland posture threatens trade with Europe 12:45 Republicans in the senate need to stop this madness 13:30 We’re risking the dollar as the world’s reserve currency 14:30 Canada has struck trade agreements with China in response to Trump 15:15 China will gain increased leverage in North America 16:30 Trade disputes risk becoming security grievances 17:15 Trump is risking stumbling the U.S. into a war 18:00 The world is more dangerous now than any time since WW2 19:00 Americans are taking a safe and stable world for granted 19:30 Trump has created the dream scenario for the Chinese & Russians 20:15 The world order America built & benefitted from is being dismantled 20:45 Trump’s actions, if not stopped…could set us back generations 22:00 Trump has proven he doesn’t care about democracy in Venezuela 23:30 When the biggest country goes isolationist, everyone else does too 24:15 Trump isn’t trying to get us into war, but his actions are taking us closer to one 27:30 Trump endorses against Bill Cassidy despite Cassidy’s deference 29:00 Cassidy may consider retirement after reviewing polling in Louisiana 30:30 Cassidy could have a shot at winning as an independent 33:30 Trump cares about retribution more than viability of the GOP 37:30 ToddCast Time Machine - January 22nd, 1964 38:00 Cassius Clay announces conversion to Islam & name change 39:00 Heavyweight champion of the world carried huge symbolic weight 39:45 Muhammed Ali challenged the power structures 40:30 Ali exposed unspoken rule - You have to be deferential & assimilate 41:15 Press treated Ali as a problem to be managed 42:00 Ali refusing to be drafted turned him into a villain 42:45 Over time, Ali became vindicated by the public 43:45 Ali carried conviction at great personal cost 44:45 America changed its view of Ali, & speaks to America’s evolution 45:45 Ask Chuck 46:00 Thanks for the book recommendation for “The Barn” 47:00 Could any Republicans defect to hand over control of the House? 52:00 Packers/Bears rivalry goes way beyond football 53:30 Indiana vs. Miami National Championship thoughtsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i

Chuck Todd sounds the alarm on how Trump’s aggressive use of tariffs and economic coercion could unintentionally push the U.S. and the world toward open conflict, drawing stark parallels to the Smoot-Hawley tariffs and the dangerous bloc-based thinking that preceded World War II. As Trump threatens NATO unity, wages economic war with Europe, and even uses tariffs as leverage in a pressure campaign over Greenland, the result isn’t strength but instability—risking retaliation, potentially weakening the dollar’s reserve status, and handing strategic advantages to China and Russia. Chuck argues that while Trump may not be trying to start a war, his isolationist instincts, economic bullying, and disregard for democratic norms are dismantling the postwar order America built and benefited from, creating a far more dangerous world. The episode also turns inward, examining Trump’s endorsement politics and fixation on retribution, even at the cost of GOP viability, as Senate Republicans quietly weigh whether stopping this madness—or walking away—is their last remaining option. Mechele Dickerson, professor at the University of Texas School of Law & author of the new book “The Middle Class New Deal” joins Chuck Todd to make the case that rebuilding the American middle class requires something bold and familiar. Drawing on history, Dickerson explains how the original New Deal didn’t just regulate markets but actively created the first stable American middle class, a reminder that free markets alone don’t guarantee broad prosperity. As today’s economy shifts risk onto workers through independent contracting, weakened unions, and employer-based benefits that no longer fit modern labor markets, she argues that financial security—not wealth—is what most Americans are actually chasing, and it’s essential for economic and democratic stability. The conversation digs into healthcare, education, and labor power as the pillars of a functioning middle class, from why employer-based health insurance is a historical accident to how government-guaranteed healthcare could actually relieve businesses, and why underused public schools and outdated calendars are weakening the future workforce. Dickerson warns that the erosion of unions, the weaponization of cultural divisions, and rising economic nihilism—especially among younger Americans—mirror dangerous Gilded Age dynamics, where extreme inequality hollowed out democracy. The takeaway is stark but hopeful: upward mobility is deeply American, but without intentional policy choices that put workers and families first, an eroding middle class can become fertile ground for political instability and authoritarianism. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the evolving public perception of Muhammed Ali, answers listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment and preview the college football national championship between Indiana and his beloved Miami Hurricanes. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 02:30 Could Trump’s tariffs accidentally stumble the U.S. into a war? 03:45 Bad economic policy could drive the world into war 04:30 Destroying NATO & economic war w/ Europe will create GOP defections 05:15 What Trump is doing is incredibly alarming 05:45 When tariffs are used as leverage, they can create security problems 06:15 Smoot-Hawley tariffs created lasting damage 07:30 Retaliation followed after the Smoot-Hawley tariffs 08:00 Smoot-Hawley didn’t cause WW2, but had a huge impact in creating it 09:00 When the world starts thinking in blocs, wars become more likely 10:00 In blocs, countries start prioritizing resource security 10:30 Trump is using tariffs as leverage for economic bullying to acquire Greenland 11:15 Macron calls for EU use of an anti-coercion law against the U.S. 12:15 Trump’s Greenland posture threatens trade with Europe 12:45 Republicans in the senate need to stop this madness 13:30 We’re risking the dollar as the world’s reserve currency 14:30 Canada has struck trade agreements with China in response to Trump 15:15 China will gain increased leverage in North America 16:30 Trade disputes risk becoming security grievances 17:15 Trump is risking stumbling the U.S. into a war 18:00 The world is more dangerous now than any time since WW2 19:00 Americans are taking a safe and stable world for granted 19:

Chuck Todd unpacks a moment of foreign-policy whiplash as Donald Trump appears to ease off threats against Iran while simultaneously escalating his pressure campaign on Greenland—doubling down after meetings with Danish officials and even floating the idea of holding NATO hostage to get his way. The episode examines why Trump is unlikely to move militarily against Greenland, why Greenlanders are growing more defiant, and how this approach risks a serious rupture with Europe. From there, the conversation widens to a bigger question: what is America’s role in the world now that consensus has collapsed? With China as a peer competitor, alliances under strain, free trade weaponized at home, and isolationism creating dangerous vacuums, the U.S. is operating without a coherent grand strategy even as allies quietly hedge their bets. The second half turns inward, focusing on immigration and the politics of ICE. Drawing lessons from past messaging failures like “defund the police,” Chuck argues Democrats shouldn’t fall into the “abolish ICE” trap but instead run on reform—rethinking leadership, recruiting, and training that’s been slashed from months to weeks. The takeaway is blunt: ICE isn’t going away, the agency will remain a political wedge, and the real question for both parties is who’s in charge of it—and what kind of power they’re willing to wield at home and abroad. Then, geopolitical expert and president of The Eurasia Group, Ian Bremmer joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging, clear-eyed look at a world entering genuinely uncharted territory—where old rules no longer apply and the United States itself has become a central source of global instability. From Venezuela and Mexico to Europe and Greenland, Bremmer explains how Trump’s transactional, coercive approach is reshaping alliances, undermining collective security, and forcing other countries to adapt fast. The conversation explores why regime change remains elusive in places like Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti; how Latin American elections are increasingly driven by domestic security; and why Europe, shaken by Trump’s unpredictability, is funding Ukraine and rethinking its own defense posture. The discussion then turns to the Middle East and beyond: the durability of the Iranian regime, the limits of U.S. military power, Saudi Arabia’s rapid modernization, and what comes next for Israel once Netanyahu exits the stage. Bremmer also assesses Trump’s surprising effectiveness in Middle East dealmaking, the long-term damage to Israel’s global standing, Russia’s tightening economic squeeze amid continued political repression, and rising far-right momentum in Europe. The episode closes with a sobering look at China, Taiwan, and whether the next few years bring deterrence—or a historic rupture. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gets a few sports rants off his chest.  Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the cod Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:00 Trump seemingly backing off threats to strike Iran 02:00 Trump meets with Danish & Greenland officials, then doubles down 03:30 Trump threatens to hold NATO hostage in exchange for Greenland 05:00 Greenlanders are more defiant in the face of Trump’s threats 05:30 Trump’s threats could risk severing U.S. ties with Europe 06:15 Unlikely Trump will take Greenland militarily 06:45 Everything Trump is doing now is bad politics 08:15 Latin American exiles in south Florida create a feedback loop for Trump 09:00 What should be America’s role in the world? 10:45 Trump is not and has never been a multilateralist 11:30 Trump doesn’t care about NATO or see Russia as a threat 12:15 Consensus on America’s role in the world has collapsed 13:15 Free trade has been weaponized domestically in America 14:15 Domestic exhaustion in America with leadership rule 15:30 America is operating without a grand foreign policy strategy 16:30 The “primacy” strategy doesn’t apply now that China is a peer competitor 17:30 The rules based order hasn’t tamed China, Russia or Iran 18:15 Isolationism creates security vacuums that rarely stay empty 19:00 Nationalism assumes you can separate from the rest of the world 19:15 Trumpism is a mix of all of the above, but up to Trump’s whims 21:15 China is a competitor & nothing the U.S. does can

Chuck Todd unpacks a moment of foreign-policy whiplash as Donald Trump appears to ease off threats against Iran while simultaneously escalating his pressure campaign on Greenland—doubling down after meetings with Danish officials and even floating the idea of holding NATO hostage to get his way. The episode examines why Trump is unlikely to move militarily against Greenland, why Greenlanders are growing more defiant, and how this approach risks a serious rupture with Europe. From there, the conversation widens to a bigger question: what is America’s role in the world now that consensus has collapsed? With China as a peer competitor, alliances under strain, free trade weaponized at home, and isolationism creating dangerous vacuums, the U.S. is operating without a coherent grand strategy even as allies quietly hedge their bets. The second half turns inward, focusing on immigration and the politics of ICE. Drawing lessons from past messaging failures like “defund the police,” Chuck argues Democrats shouldn’t fall into the “abolish ICE” trap but instead run on reform—rethinking leadership, recruiting, and training that’s been slashed from months to weeks. The takeaway is blunt: ICE isn’t going away, the agency will remain a political wedge, and the real question for both parties is who’s in charge of it—and what kind of power they’re willing to wield at home and abroad. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gets a few sports rants off his chest.  Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the cod   Timeline: 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:00 Trump seemingly backing off threats to strike Iran 02:00 Trump meets with Danish & Greenland officials, then doubles down 03:30 Trump threatens to hold NATO hostage in exchange for Greenland 05:00 Greenlanders are more defiant in the face of Trump’s threats 05:30 Trump’s threats could risk severing U.S. ties with Europe 06:15 Unlikely Trump will take Greenland militarily 06:45 Everything Trump is doing now is bad politics 08:15 Latin American exiles in south Florida create a feedback loop for Trump 09:00 What should be America’s role in the world? 10:45 Trump is not and has never been a multilateralist 11:30 Trump doesn’t care about NATO or see Russia as a threat 12:15 Consensus on America’s role in the world has collapsed 13:15 Free trade has been weaponized domestically in America 14:15 Domestic exhaustion in America with leadership rule 15:30 America is operating without a grand foreign policy strategy 16:30 The “primacy” strategy doesn’t apply now that China is a peer competitor 17:30 The rules based order hasn’t tamed China, Russia or Iran 18:15 Isolationism creates security vacuums that rarely stay empty 19:00 Nationalism assumes you can separate from the rest of the world 19:15 Trumpism is a mix of all of the above, but up to Trump’s whims 21:15 China is a competitor & nothing the U.S. does can change that 22:15 Trump wants to remake Venezuelan, Iranian and Cuban society 23:15 U.S. still most powerful country and China couldn’t create global alliance 25:45 Free trade, security & innovation trump protectionism 27:45 The Indo-Pacific will be the theatre of great power competition 28:30 America doesn’t get to choose whether it shapes the world 29:15 U.S. allies are hedging 30:00 Presidential candidates need to lay out strategy for US role in the world 33:00 Memo argues Democrats shouldn't fall for the “Abolish ICE” messaging 34:30 ICE training has been reduced from 5 months to 6 weeks 35:15 Dems should run on plan to reform and retrain ICE 36:30 Democrats need to learn from the “defund the police” mistake 38:30 The issue isn’t ICE, it’s who’s in charge of it & their recruiting 40:00 If you get rid of ICE you’ll need a similar agency to replace it 40:45 ICE will become a wedge issue in primary elections 46:30 Iran clears airspace, U.S. attack imminent? 48:00 Ask Chuck 48:15 Why do you think Mississippi could become politically competitive? 51:45 ICE’s actions in Minnesota don’t feel like training issues? 54:15 If Dems win both chambers what are the chances of martial law? 1:01:15 If Europe put a blockade around Greenland, would we still attack? 1:05:30 Why do Americans find the far-left more repugnant than the far-right? 1:10:00 Concerned the market shrugged at threats to Fe

Geopolitical expert and president of The Eurasia Group, Ian Bremmer joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging, clear-eyed look at a world entering genuinely uncharted territory—where old rules no longer apply and the United States itself has become a central source of global instability. From Venezuela and Mexico to Europe and Greenland, Bremmer explains how Trump’s transactional, coercive approach is reshaping alliances, undermining collective security, and forcing other countries to adapt fast. The conversation explores why regime change remains elusive in places like Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti; how Latin American elections are increasingly driven by domestic security; and why Europe, shaken by Trump’s unpredictability, is funding Ukraine and rethinking its own defense posture. The discussion then turns to the Middle East and beyond: the durability of the Iranian regime, the limits of U.S. military power, Saudi Arabia’s rapid modernization, and what comes next for Israel once Netanyahu exits the stage. Bremmer also assesses Trump’s surprising effectiveness in Middle East dealmaking, the long-term damage to Israel’s global standing, Russia’s tightening economic squeeze amid continued political repression, and rising far-right momentum in Europe. The episode closes with a sobering look at China, Taiwan, and whether the next few years bring deterrence—or a historic rupture. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the cod Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Ian Bremmer joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:15 Where we’re going… there are no roads 02:15 The middle east could be heading towards a better place 03:00 Trump gave a wake up call to Europe & others 03:45 America is the top risk to the world & center of instability 05:00 There hasn’t been regime change in Venezuela 06:15 The Venezuelan regime will behave while threatened 07:15 The Venezuelan regime has no interest in sharing power 08:45 National elections could be held in Venezuela in a year 10:15 How much will anti-Americanism affect Latin American elections? 11:30 Domestic security is the #1 voting issue in Latin America 15:00 Brazil’s election will be very close 16:30 Claudia Scheinbaum has been deft in dealing with Trump 17:30 Mexico has been cooperating effectively, negating potential strikes 18:30 Talk of strikes in Mexico has ramped up post-Venezuela 20:15 There’s been a huge number of political assassinations in Mexico 21:00 Trade relations would take a huge hit if America strikes militarily 22:00 There’s less urgency from Trump admin for regime change in Cuba 22:45 Venezuela and Mexico have been propping up the Cuban regime 25:15 Why haven’t we pushed harder for changes in Haiti? 26:30 Almost zero chance there are elections in Haiti this year 27:15 Chance of military invasion of Greenland is extremely low 28:00 A coercion campaign towards Greenland is much more likely 29:15 Denmark very open to negotiations addressing American concerns 30:30 It’d be very easy to ramp up military operation in Greenland 31:15 Trump is undermining the concept of collective security 32:00 Greenland is a legacy play for Trump 32:30 Trump is causing permanent damage to relationship with Europe 34:00 Will the Iranian regime survive the calendar year? 35:15 Iranian regime has large capacity to repress the population 36:00 Looks like the US military will target Iranian police & paramilitary 36:45 Nobody has ever targeted the Iranian judges that send people to die 37:30 Collapse of regime doesn’t feel imminent, but likely within a few years 39:00 Is the US military stretched thin right now? 39:30 What collapse of Iranian regime would mean for the region 41:00 Saudi Arabia is speed running a modernization & reform process 42:00 Any chance Bibi Netanyahu is out in Israel soon? 43:00 Normalization with Saudi Arabia is on the table once Bibi is out 44:00 The Israel/Gaza ceasefire was improbable win for Trump 44:30 Trump’s transactional negotiating works well in the middle east 46:30 Settlements expanding in west bank, that won’t be unwound 48:15 Nobody has done more damage to Israel’s reputation than Bibi 49:00 Russians giving Trump nothing in negotiations over Ukraine 49:30 Europeans are funding Ukraine after Trump cut them off 50:30 Europeans bought a veto over Trump selling out Ukraine 51:45 Still very little meaningful dissent inside Russia over the war 52:45 Russian economy is starting to take more of a hit 53:45 Gio

As the country hurtles toward the 2026 midterms, Chuck Todd breaks down why winning in this moment may be more about margins than movements—and why messaging is about to get brutally hard. With a fragmented, exhausted electorate and a president acting emboldened despite weak political standing, Democrats face a defining choice: run as resistance to Donald Trump or position themselves as problem-solvers ready to turn the page. History suggests forward-looking messages work best, especially with independents who vote in self-interest and are tired of constant political warfare, even as Trump continues to dominate GOP primaries and sideline Congress. The conversation also looks at why Republicans’ razor-thin majority leaves them unable to govern, how Trump’s grip on the party could backfire in a general election, and why Democrats are increasingly optimistic about putting the Senate in play—with strong recruiting wins and favorable midterm math. New polling on the Renee Good shooting and ICE shows Trump-aligned tactics playing poorly outside the MAGA base, particularly with independents and women, underscoring just how volatile—and opportunity-rich—the political landscape could be heading into 2026. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 championship winning Miami Hurricanes football teams & answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.  Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!  Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 1:30 Messaging will be incredibly difficult in this political environment 2:00 If Dems only win house, it will be considered a partial rebuke of Trump 3:00 Trump is weak politically but acting like he has a ton of capital 3:45 Trump feels emboldened to play “Risk” with the world 4:30 Administration will likely back off investigation into Jay Powell 5:45 Talking to a fragmented and exhausted electorate will be tough 7:00 Elections are always won on the margins, not just by the base 8:15 Analysts project their preferences onto the electorate & swing voters 9:15 What is the most effective way to win elections in 2026? 10:15 Democrats will have to balance accountability vs. forward facing 12:00 “Would you work with Donald Trump?” a defining question for Dems 14:00 Dems have to decide whether they are resistance or problem solvers 15:45 History suggests forward looking messages are more effective 16:45 Most voters vote in self-interest, not for the greater good 17:30 After 10 years of Trump, the public is exhausted by politics 18:30 “Turn the page” messaging may appeal to independents 20:15 GOP primaries will be all about Trump, but cause problem in general 21:45 Trump can break ideological rules other Republicans can’t 22:45 GOP majority is so narrow they can’t really govern 23:30 Trump is increasingly uninterested in working with congress 25:00 “Vote GOP to stop impeachment” isn’t enough to woo swing voters 25:45 Growing number of R’s uncomfortable with Trump’s actions 26:30 Dems got a huge recruiting victory in Alaska with Mary Peltola 28:15 Peltola puts Alaska in play, making senate control more possible 29:30 Sherrod Brown has won in midterm years in Ohio 31:00 Democrats much further along in putting senate in play 32:15 Historically the party out of power picks up 4 seats, Dems need 4 34:15 Majority of Americans say Renee Good shooting not justified 35:00 Majority of independents & women say it was unjustified 36:00 82% of respondents were aware of the Renee Good shooting 37:00 57% disapprove of ICE 38:15 ICE + Minneapolis not playing well outside MAGA base 39:15 Kristi Noem is an easy scapegoat, could get dumped 47:00 ToddCast Top 5 Miami Hurricanes football teams if 25’ team wins title 49:45 #1 2001 51:45 #2 1987 53:15 #3 1993 54:45 #4 1983 55:45 #5 2025 59:15 Ask Chuck 59:30 In today’s climate would it benefit a candidate to avoid negative ads? 1:03:00 Are traditional Republicans missing a chance to push back on Trump? 1:10:00 Did Biden cater too much to the far left & hurt appeal with swing voters? 1:12:00 How is public media likely to continue on? 1:14:30 Can Democrats make Mississippi competitive? 1:20:15 Are we still capable of recognizing normalization of democratic collapse?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jon Slavet, a tech entrepreneur and Republican candidate for California governor, joins the Chuck ToddCast to discuss why he's entering one of the nation's most challenging political races. Slavet argues that while national politics dominates headlines, state and local governance has far more impact on people's daily lives—yet California's local politics receives inadequate attention despite intense interest from outsiders. He advocates for radical transparency in government, criticizing the use of NDAs in taxpayer-funded projects and calling out the influence of union spending. Addressing his controversial pursuit of Trump's endorsement despite never voting for him, Slavet positions himself as someone who sees Trump as an effective disrupter but not a builder, and he aligns with the administration on housing policy, particularly prioritizing temporary shelter over California's $1 million-per-unit permanent housing approach. Running as a Republican in deep-blue California, Slavet believes the state's pleasant weather has masked serious problems affecting middle and lower-income residents while the wealthy thrive. He proposes declaring an "affordability emergency" on day one, scrapping the high-speed rail project, and using AI to root out the billions lost to waste and fraud in California's healthcare system. Slavet defends his decision to run as a Republican rather than an independent, arguing that party identification remains essential for effectiveness despite his moderate positions on social issues like same-sex marriage and abortion. He contends that polls show half of Californians would support the "right kind" of Republican, and he's betting his business success and willingness to challenge both parties' orthodoxies will resonate with voters frustrated by the state's affordability crisis and regulatory burdens on small businesses. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!  Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Jon Slavet joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:45 Why enter politics and run for governor of California? 03:30 It’s fraught & dangerous to run for office in this political climate 04:15 National politics get attention, state & local more impactful 05:45 Serious lack of attention to local politics in California 07:00 There’s a ton of interest in California from people outside it 08:15 NDA’s should not be allowed in taxpayer funded projects 09:45 Major government discussions need more transparency in CA 10:15 Unions raise $1B in CA and spend $300 on political donations 11:00 Why seek Trump’s endorsement after not voting for him 3x? 12:15 Trump is good as a disrupter but not as a builder 13:00 Where do you agree with Trump on policy? 13:30 HUD’s new policy prioritizes temporary, not permanent housing 14:30 Permanent housing for homeless costs $1M per unit in CA 16:00 The priority should be getting homeless into temp housing ASAP 17:00 Could you have been as successful in a state other than CA? 18:15 California’s great weather masks many of its problems  19:30 Tech doesn’t suffer from regulatory issues like other industries 20:15 Middle & lower income California’s are suffering, rich doing great 22:30 Half of California’s work for small businesses that are overtaxed 25:00 Where will you find the money to fund your proposals? 25:30 California should scrap the high speed rail to nowhere 26:30 Jon would declare an affordability emergency on day 1 28:00 California’s healthcare costs $160B, Medicare fraud is 10-15% 29:30 AI can be used to root out waste, fraud and abuse in state budget 31:00 Californians pay huge taxes on fuel & energy 32:30 Why run as a Republican and not an independent? 34:00 We should be way beyond the same-sex marriage debate 35:00 Abortion is settled law in California  36:30 Why Jon was against Prop 50 in California 37:30 Gerrymandering is terrible for democracy 39:15 Running as independent isn’t effective, people identify w/parties 40:45 The race will be a Trump referendum, how does a Republican win? 42:30 Polls show half of CA will vote for the “right kind” of Republican 43:45 CA has had plenty of billionaires run & fail to win elections 46:00 Has Silicon Valley been regulated enough? 47:15 AI boom has been critical for San Francisco’s comeback 48:45 Would you ban social media for kids under 16? 50:30 Would you ban phones in schools? 51:15 Ho

As the country hurtles toward the 2026 midterms, Chuck Todd breaks down why winning in this moment may be more about margins than movements—and why messaging is about to get brutally hard. With a fragmented, exhausted electorate and a president acting emboldened despite weak political standing, Democrats face a defining choice: run as resistance to Donald Trump or position themselves as problem-solvers ready to turn the page. History suggests forward-looking messages work best, especially with independents who vote in self-interest and are tired of constant political warfare, even as Trump continues to dominate GOP primaries and sideline Congress. The conversation also looks at why Republicans’ razor-thin majority leaves them unable to govern, how Trump’s grip on the party could backfire in a general election, and why Democrats are increasingly optimistic about putting the Senate in play—with strong recruiting wins and favorable midterm math. New polling on the Renee Good shooting and ICE shows Trump-aligned tactics playing poorly outside the MAGA base, particularly with independents and women, underscoring just how volatile—and opportunity-rich—the political landscape could be heading into 2026. Then, Jon Slavet, a tech entrepreneur and Republican candidate for California governor, joins the Chuck ToddCast to discuss why he's entering one of the nation's most challenging political races. Slavet argues that while national politics dominates headlines, state and local governance has far more impact on people's daily lives—yet California's local politics receives inadequate attention despite intense interest from outsiders. He advocates for radical transparency in government, criticizing the use of NDAs in taxpayer-funded projects and calling out the influence of union spending. Addressing his controversial pursuit of Trump's endorsement despite never voting for him, Slavet positions himself as someone who sees Trump as an effective disrupter but not a builder, and he aligns with the administration on housing policy, particularly prioritizing temporary shelter over California's $1 million-per-unit permanent housing approach. Running as a Republican in deep-blue California, Slavet believes the state's pleasant weather has masked serious problems affecting middle and lower-income residents while the wealthy thrive. He proposes declaring an "affordability emergency" on day one, scrapping the high-speed rail project, and using AI to root out the billions lost to waste and fraud in California's healthcare system. Slavet defends his decision to run as a Republican rather than an independent, arguing that party identification remains essential for effectiveness despite his moderate positions on social issues like same-sex marriage and abortion. He contends that polls show half of Californians would support the "right kind" of Republican, and he's betting his business success and willingness to challenge both parties' orthodoxies will resonate with voters frustrated by the state's affordability crisis and regulatory burdens on small businesses. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 championship winning Miami Hurricanes football teams & answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.  Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!  Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 03:45 Messaging will be incredibly difficult in this political environment 04:15 If Dems only win house, it will be considered a partial rebuke of Trump 05:15 Trump is weak politically but acting like he has a ton of capital 06:00 Trump feels emboldened to play “Risk” with the world 06:45 Administration will likely back off investigation into Jay Powell 08:00 Talking to a fragmented and exhausted electorate will be tough 09:15 Elections are always won on the margins, not just by the base 10:30 Analysts project their preferences onto the electorate & swing voters 11:30 What is the most effective way to win elections in 2026? 12:30 Democrats will have to balance accountability vs. forward facing 14:15 “Would you work with Donald Trump?” a defining question for Dems 16:15 Dems have to decide whether they are resistance or problem solvers 18:00 History suggests forward looking messages are more effective 19:00 Most voters vote in self-interest, not for the greater good 19:45 After 10 years of Tru

In this episode of The Chuck ToddCast, Chuck Todd digs into a growing sense of unease shared across the political spectrum, as 2026 looms as a “year of living dangerously” at home and abroad. From mass migration, rising nationalism, and AI-driven economic fear to flashpoints in Venezuela, Iran, and beyond, the conversation explores why so many global and domestic headlines feel like potential tipping points. Chuck argues the world is less stable—and America more divided—under Donald Trump, whose administration he says views chaos and division as sources of power rather than problems to solve. The episode draws stark parallels between the Minneapolis ICE shooting and the Ruby Ridge standoff, examining how the rush to control narratives, the politicization of law enforcement, and the erosion of civil liberties can fracture public trust. The warning is sobering: America may ultimately be okay, but right now it’s a tinderbox—and a country that fails to protect the rights of its own citizens risks losing its moral authority everywhere else. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit Woodrow Wilson’s “Fourteen Points” speech that laid out the vision for the 20th century world order & warns that retreating from it could be devastating for both the United State & the world. He also answers listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment & previews the national championship between Indiana & Miami. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! 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! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 05:30 People on both sides of the aisle worried if we’ll be ok 07:00 2026 will be the “year of living dangerously” 07:45 We are in uncharted waters and don’t know where it’s headed 09:30 Mass migration has led to rising nationalism in USA & Europe 10:00 Globalization caused a sense of displacement 11:00 AI will create even more fear than globalization 12:15 The political response to economic anxiety has failed 14:00 We still don’t know what will happen with Venezuela 14:30 Iranian regime likely will fall in 2026 15:45 It’s clear Trump has no plan for Venezuela 17:30 Latin America is deeply skeptical of American power 19:00 Every headline feels like a tipping point 20:00 Trump could take military action against many countries 20:30 The world is less safe because Donald Trump is president 21:45 Trump admin believes division bolsters their power 23:00 On social media, it feels like America is on the brink of civil war 24:00 America feels like a tinderbox 25:45 ICE is being trained to treat citizens as threats, not constituents 27:30 Law enforcement is supposed to be a deescalator  30:15 We’ve been living through a “vote against” political roller coaster 32:00 Voters don’t like chaos, & Trump is neither calm or stable 33:00 Elements of the American right have given up on democracy 34:15 America will eventually be ok, but is not ok in this moment 34:45 The sparks of military clash are burning around the world 37:00 Parallels between Ruby Ridge standoff & Minneapolis ICE shooting 39:15 A confrontation occurred between Weaver’s son & law enforcement 40:00 FBI sniper shot Weaver’s wife while holding her baby 40:30 Unlike Minneapolis, government held investigations after Ruby Ridge 41:30 Ruby Ridge led to militia formations & deep state conspiracies 42:15 Administration tried to solidify narrative before facts in Minneapolis 44:00 The left sees Renee Good as a victim, the right sees justification 45:00 The Trump administration has politicized the rule of law 46:00 If U.S. doesn’t respect rights of its citizens, it can’t take moral high ground 52:45 ToddCast Time Machine – January 8th, 1918 53:30 Woodrow Wilson lays out blueprint for 20th century world order 54:15 America tried to shape the world with ideas, not empire 55:30 Wilson’s Fourteen Points speech rejected premise that caused WW1 57:00 Wilson advances transparency, diplomacy & idealistic foreign policy 58:00 Wilson calls for economic interdependence & free trade 59:00 Wilson proposes self-determination over empires 1:00:15 Some American conservatives have rejected Wilsonianism for 100 years 1:01:45 Wilson wanted America’s role to be an arbit

In this episode of The Chuck ToddCast, Chuck Todd digs into a growing sense of unease shared across the political spectrum, as 2026 looms as a “year of living dangerously” at home and abroad. From mass migration, rising nationalism, and AI-driven economic fear to flashpoints in Venezuela, Iran, and beyond, the conversation explores why so many global and domestic headlines feel like potential tipping points. Chuck argues the world is less stable—and America more divided—under Donald Trump, whose administration he says views chaos and division as sources of power rather than problems to solve. The episode draws stark parallels between the Minneapolis ICE shooting and the Ruby Ridge standoff, examining how the rush to control narratives, the politicization of law enforcement, and the erosion of civil liberties can fracture public trust. The warning is sobering: America may ultimately be okay, but right now it’s a tinderbox—and a country that fails to protect the rights of its own citizens risks losing its moral authority everywhere else. Moody’s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi joins Chuck Todd to break down what the numbers actually say about the U.S. economy—and why the headline optimism may be masking deeper problems. Zandi explains how upcoming tax refunds and delayed tax cuts will temporarily juice growth, even as that stimulus is entirely deficit-financed. Interest rate cuts are likely coming, but cautiously, and while AI stocks are soaring, the broader market is barely treading water. Beneath the surface, job creation has stalled, manufacturing jobs are shrinking under tariffs, and deportations aren’t translating into more employment for native-born workers as many expected. The conversation widens to a fragile global outlook, with Trump-era protectionism accelerating deglobalization and reshaping trade, housing, and labor markets. Zandi details why college-educated workers are now seeing the sharpest rise in unemployment, how AI skills will define the next generation of jobs, and why renting often makes more sense than buying right now. Looking ahead to 2026, he warns of elevated geopolitical and financial-system risks, an AI-driven stock market that could be vulnerable to a correction, GDP growth likely under 3%, and a job market that may struggle to grow at all. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit Woodrow Wilson’s “Fourteen Points” speech that laid out the vision for the 20th century world order & warns that retreating from it could be devastating for both the United State & the world. He also answers listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment & previews the national championship between Indiana & Miami. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! 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! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 05:30 People on both sides of the aisle worried if we’ll be ok 07:00 2026 will be the “year of living dangerously” 07:45 We are in uncharted waters and don’t know where it’s headed 09:30 Mass migration has led to rising nationalism in USA & Europe 10:00 Globalization caused a sense of displacement 11:00 AI will create even more fear than globalization 12:15 The political response to economic anxiety has failed 14:00 We still don’t know what will happen with Venezuela 14:30 Iranian regime likely will fall in 2026 15:45 It’s clear Trump has no plan for Venezuela 17:30 Latin America is deeply skeptical of American power 19:00 Every headline feels like a tipping point 20:00 Trump could take military action against many countries 20:30 The world is less safe because Donald Trump is president 21:45 Trump admin believes division bolsters their power 23:00 On social media, it feels like America is on the brink of civil war 24:00 America feels like a tinderbox 25:45 ICE is being trained to treat citizens as threats, not constituents 27:30 Law enforcement is supposed to be a deescalator  30:15 We’ve been living through a “vote against” political roller coaster 32:00 Voters don’t like chaos, & Trump is neither calm or stable 33:00 Elements of the American right have given up on democracy 34:15 America will eventually be ok, but is not ok in this moment 34:45 The sparks of military clash are burning around

Moody’s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi joins Chuck Todd to break down what the numbers actually say about the U.S. economy—and why the headline optimism may be masking deeper problems. Zandi explains how upcoming tax refunds and delayed tax cuts will temporarily juice growth, even as that stimulus is entirely deficit-financed. Interest rate cuts are likely coming, but cautiously, and while AI stocks are soaring, the broader market is barely treading water. Beneath the surface, job creation has stalled, manufacturing jobs are shrinking under tariffs, and deportations aren’t translating into more employment for native-born workers as many expected. The conversation widens to a fragile global outlook, with Trump-era protectionism accelerating deglobalization and reshaping trade, housing, and labor markets. Zandi details why college-educated workers are now seeing the sharpest rise in unemployment, how AI skills will define the next generation of jobs, and why renting often makes more sense than buying right now. Looking ahead to 2026, he warns of elevated geopolitical and financial-system risks, an AI-driven stock market that could be vulnerable to a correction, GDP growth likely under 3%, and a job market that may struggle to grow at all. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! 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! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Mark Zandi joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:15 What do the numbers say about the state of the economy? 02:00 Big Beautiful Bill tax cuts about to start showing up 02:45 Tax refunds will add juice to the economy 03:30 All the “juice” is deficit financed and will only be temporary 04:30 Interest rates cuts likely to be cautious but will continue 05:45 AI stocks on fire, rest of the stocks are just up slightly 07:30 The economy isn’t creating any jobs despite investment 08:15 Job creation flatlined after “Liberation Day” 09:30 Manufacturing has been losing jobs due to tariffs 10:45 Are deportations creating more jobs for native born workers? 11:30 Jobs normally taken by foreign born workers aren’t being filled 12:45 Companies aren’t laying off, they’re just not hiring new employees 14:00 Trade deficit reportedly down, but is that actually a good thing? 14:45 Imports of pharmaceuticals have collapsed due to tariffs 15:30 Tariffs haven’t actually addressed the trade deficit 17:00 Tariff revenue shows the stated tariff rates aren’t holding true 18:15 Will the K-shaped economy continue through 2026? 19:45 Economy is affecting different income groups wildly different 21:00 Partisans believe economy is better depending on who is president 22:15 How do you price in Trump taking Greenland & ending NATO? 23:00 Economies around the world are in a similar, fragile place like the U.S. 24:00 The U.S. is rapidly pulling away from the rest of the world 25:00 Trump’s protectionism has been contagious to other countries 26:15 The world is preparing for a deglobalization 28:15 China hasn’t really taken advantage of U.S. global retreat 29:00 Countries that embrace immigration are the most successful 30:00 No country benefited more from globalization than China 31:45 USMCA has to be renegotiated, will probably remain status quo 34:00 Job market for new college graduates is very tough 34:45 Rise in unemployment is almost exclusively college educated 35:45 Proficiency in AI will be critical in future jobs 36:45 Classical higher education could make a comeback 38:45 Home ownership is unaffordable for many Americans 39:30 It’s better to rent than to buy in this market 40:30 There’s not a lot of buyers for prospective home sellers 41:15 Raising the capital gains exclusion could generate more sellers 43:45 There’s a chance the GOP could lose house majority before November 44:15 What risks that could upend the economy that concern you the most? 45:00 Geopolitical risk is very elevated 45:30 Stock market being buoyed by AI, could be ripe for correction 47:00 If there’s a major problem it will be in the financial system 47:30 If an AI company defaults, it could change the psychology of lenders 49:45 GDP growth will be under 3% in 2026 50:45 Will be tough to imagine positive job growth in 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck examines the deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis and the political, moral, and institutional failures surrounding it. As the administration rushes to rationalize the killing rather than investigate it—despite video evidence and eyewitness accounts that contradict its narrative—Chuck unpacks how DHS rhetoric, recruitment tactics, and targeted ICE deployments appear designed to provoke confrontation and fuel fear. The conversation moves beyond partisan lines to ask what accountability should look like when federal power is used this way, why affected communities are unlikely to trust the investigation, and how the tragedy is being exploited as propaganda. Ultimately, Chuck argues this moment reveals both the fragility and resilience of American democracy, the political danger facing Republicans, and why “whataboutism” has become one of the most corrosive forces in our national discourse. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction on ICE shooting in Minneapolis 01:00 Nobody in administration wants to investigate ICE shooting 02:15 J.D. Vance just idly speculated that ICE was in the right 04:15 DHS recruiting has a militaristic undertone 06:00 DHS has used propaganda to fuel rage in ICE recruits 07:15 Administration is rationalizing the death rather than lamenting it 08:30 There’s an intentionality to which cities are targeted by ICE 09:45 Administration is trying to create confrontation in order to crack down 10:30 This isn’t about left vs. right, it’s about right vs. wrong 11:30 Video contradicts Kristi Noem’s version of events, Tom Homan backtracks 12:15 Police forces don’t normally jump to conclusions 14:15 Campaign to demonize Somalis in Minneapolis led to ICE deployment 15:30 Deployments are meant to maximize, not minimize exposure for raids 16:30 Feds taking control of investigation, community won’t believe outcome 18:00 Administration is using woman’s death as a piece of propaganda 19:00 Trump is acting like his time is running out & he can do what he wants 20:15 No eyewitness accounts match story admin is telling 22:15 Republicans are in huge trouble politically 23:15 American democracy is both fragile and strong 25:00 Admin doesn’t have credibility to provide trustworthy investigation 27:30 ICE needs new leadership and a better code of conduct 29:15 Government is looking to exploit the difficulty in trying to find truth 30:30 Public is supportive of some of Trump’s goals, but appalled by tactics 32:30 Trump doesn’t tolerate any disagreement from within the GOP 35:00 The worst virus in American politics is “Whataboutism”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.