The Chuck ToddCast

Chuck Todd is on vacation but the fresh content keeps coming! Chuck empties the 2025 mailbag and answers a variety of listeners’ questions regarding media, politics, history and sports.   If you’d like to ask Chuck a question, shoot us an email at [email protected]   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: 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:45 As a network on public airwaves, shouldn’t CBS News be neutral? 09:00 How should public figures react to being the targets of satire? 15:00 Why is there a mass exodus of staff from the Heritage Foundation? 18:30 Thoughts on the infusion of prediction markets with political coverage? 23:15 How long does it take for a presidential term to become irrelevant? 30:30 What if Biden stuck with 1 term promise and reformed the presidency? 35:15 What if Russia never sold Alaska to the United States? 38:00 Was the country really united in grief over Garfield’s passing? 42:30 Thoughts on LeBron episode? Magic Johnson should be in GOAT debate 45:15 What one word would you use to describe the year ahead? 49:15 Why don’t we see monopoly concerns over the trading card market? 53:30 Any book recommendations to help understand Roy Cohn? 57:00 Miami’s connection to the cold war portrayed in “Covert City”? 58:30 How does it feel to be an independent journalist after years with NBC? 59:30 Are more people “seeing the light” as MAGA’s coalition cracks? 1:00:45 What are your takeaways from interviewing Andy Beshear? 1:06:00 How did you become a Packers fan after growing up in Miami?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd is on vacation but the fresh content keeps coming! Chuck empties the 2025 mailbag and answers a variety of listeners’ questions focused on politics & policy, the future of Trump & MAGA, and naturally… one on his beloved Green Bay Packers.   If you’d like to ask Chuck a question, shoot us an email at [email protected] 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 01:30 The need for real fiscal reform to try to tackle the national debt? 06:15 Anyone in MAGA that could reunite the two wings of the GOP? 13:30 Would the ACA receive the same blowback if Romney was president? 18:00 Sources to track the Talarico vs. Crockett race in Texas? 22:30 Will Republicans make trans rights a central issue in 2026? 26:30 Will flawed AI content moderation become a bigger issue? 32:15 How could the Trump administration try to rig the 2026 election? 36:30 Thoughts on proposed constitutional amendments? 44:00 Is it a zero-sum game between legacy & independent media? 52:30 Concerns with the Packers?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonathan Martin, the politics bureau chief and senior political columnist at POLITICO joins the Chuck ToddCast to walk through his bold predictions for the political landscape heading into 2026, starting with the idea that Donald Trump’s second term is less about governing and more about validation, legacy, and self-mythmaking. The conversation explores Trump as a pop-culture figure obsessed with monuments, family dynasty, and loyalty—rather than policy—along with why the country proved vulnerable to a political huckster in the first place. Martin breaks down why a Supreme Court vacancy could reshape the cycle, why GOP turnout may sag without Trump on the ballot, and which Senate races—from Nebraska to Florida to Ohio—could unexpectedly come into play. The episode also looks ahead to the fault lines inside both parties: potential Trump family bids, early jockeying for the post-Trump GOP, and Democratic candidates who may help—or hurt—their own chances. Martin weighs in on foreign policy flashpoints that could define the next two years, from Iran to Venezuela to Trump’s transactional approach with China, as well as internal administration instability and cabinet shakeups. Plus, sharp takes on approval ratings, California’s unsettled political bench, why political dynasties still matter, and—because it wouldn’t be a Chuck Todd conversation without it—a few college football predictions to close things out. 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 Jonathan Martin joins the Chuck ToddCast 02:15 Of his 16 predictions for 2026, which ones stood out the most? 03:00 Trump’s second term is a victory lap, more about validation 04:00 Trump is obsessed with building monuments to himself 05:30 Trump doesn’t take the job seriously 07:30 Trump will likely slap his name on the memorial bridge 08:00 Trump is most like Teddy Roosevelt 09:15 Trump is more a pop culture archetype than a political one 10:00 The country turned out to be vulnerable to a huckster 10:30 Prediction of a Supreme Court seat coming open in 2026 11:30 Alito more likely to retire than Thomas 12:45 By October, it will be clear that senate is in play 14:00 Nebraska Dems cleared field for Dan Osborne 15:00 Trump not being on ballot could really suppress GOP turnout 16:30 Rumors that Don Jr. could run in Wyoming? 18:30 Folks in Jackson Hole with money always exploring political runs 19:15 Potential SCOTUS nominees if there’s a retirement? 20:45 The senate appointees from FL & OH get no traction 22:00 Paxton vs. Crockett would be a fascinating race in TX 22:45 Dems have a much better shot of winning in OH than TX 25:00 Biden could have cut deals with McConnell if government was split 26:15 Predictions on next country Trump hits with air strikes? 26:45 Regime in Iran could collapse in 2026 28:30 Netanyahu could be seen as most unstable force in middle east 29:30 Venezuela could become a huge political problem for Trump 31:30 In 1st term, leaks were about Trump, now they’re about cabinet 32:15 Kash Patel, Kristi Noem most likely to get booted from administration 34:30 GOP has political liabilities in Florida, senate race could be interesting 36:45 Could Jared Moskowitz be the wild card in the FL senate race? 37:30 Trump could be at 30% approval by Labor Day 38:15 Dem candidates that could hurt their chances by writing a book? 39:00 Without Covid, Buttigieg is likely the nominee in 2020 40:30 Newsom is easy to create a caricature of 41:30 Buttigieg is too smart to win in electoral politics 42:30 CA governor’s race field still doesn’t feel set 45:15 Swalwell can raise money, has backing from Pelosi 47:15 "Former mayor of SF” is a title that will sink you nationally 48:45 Ro Khanna avoids being associated with California 49:30 Which Republicans most likely to challenge Vance? 50:45 A Trump will be a candidate, Donald obsessed with family name in politics 52:00 Trump won’t just hand off his coalition to Vance 53:15 Trump wants to create a political dynasty 55:30 Trump will get cozy with China, then claim he averted WW3 56:30 College football predictionsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck tackles one of the most consequential counterfactuals in modern history: what if 9/11 never happened? He explores how the attacks fundamentally altered the American psyche, shattered a post–Cold War sense of security, and transformed how Americans consume news, driving the demand for instant information and accelerating the technologies that now dominate our lives. The conversation examines how U.S. politics, foreign policy, and polarization might have evolved without the War on Terror—no Patriot Act, no Department of Homeland Security, no Iraq War—and whether the political forces that produced figures like Trump and Obama would have emerged at all. From global relationships with Russia and China to the delayed reckoning over economic inequality and partisan division, this episode traces the ripple effects of an event that reshaped everything, and asks what might have filled the vacuum if it had never occurred. Then, Jonathan Martin, the politics bureau chief and senior political columnist at POLITICO joins the Chuck ToddCast to walk through his bold predictions for the political landscape heading into 2026, starting with the idea that Donald Trump’s second term is less about governing and more about validation, legacy, and self-mythmaking. The conversation explores Trump as a pop-culture figure obsessed with monuments, family dynasty, and loyalty—rather than policy—along with why the country proved vulnerable to a political huckster in the first place. Martin breaks down why a Supreme Court vacancy could reshape the cycle, why GOP turnout may sag without Trump on the ballot, and which Senate races—from Nebraska to Florida to Ohio—could unexpectedly come into play. The episode also looks ahead to the fault lines inside both parties: potential Trump family bids, early jockeying for the post-Trump GOP, and Democratic candidates who may help—or hurt—their own chances. Martin weighs in on foreign policy flashpoints that could define the next two years, from Iran to Venezuela to Trump’s transactional approach with China, as well as internal administration instability and cabinet shakeups. Plus, sharp takes on approval ratings, California’s unsettled political bench, why political dynasties still matter, and—because it wouldn’t be a Chuck Todd conversation without it—a few college football predictions to close things out. 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 03:00 “What if” 9/11 never happened? 03:45 9/11 changed how Americans consumed information 04:30 9/11 was the first true “hit” on the homeland 05:30 9/11 create a new sense of vulnerability in America 06:45 The trauma from 9/11 changed the American psyche 08:45 Prior to 9/11, America was living in a post cold-war calm 09:30 In 2000, the west was trying to court Russia into joining them 10:15 Both parties will bullish on integrating China into the world 11:45 Bush would have been more western hemisphere focused 12:45 Without 9/11, Washington would have been more polarized 13:45 The Bush presidency essentially began on 9/11 15:30 9/11 triggered a “need” for immediate information 16:30 Social media is created to provide immediate info 17:15 There’s no Patriot Act, Iraq war, War on Terror without 9/11 18:30 There would be no Department of Homeland Security 19:45 Homeland Security eventually became an immigration agency 21:45 The isolationist strain of MAGA may not materialize 23:15 Some of the responses to 9/11 led to rise of MAGA politics 25:00 9/11 created a new sense of urgency for following the news 26:15 9/11 sped up the adoption of new information technologies 28:15 Do we not have Trump or Obama without hyper-engaged politics? 29:00 John Kerry probably isn’t the nominee in 2004 without 9/11 30:30 What replaces 9/11 if it never happened? 30:45 Financial crisis still happens anyways 31:45 9/11 delayed the “uniparty reckoning” 32:45 Occupy Wall Street would supplant Tea Party as driving force in 2010 34:00 Without Iraq War, there’s less distinction between Clinton & Obama 35:30 9/11 delayed polarization, economic issues by a few years 37:30 “If 9/11 never happened” final conclusions 40:30 “What Ifs” left on the cutting room floor 49:00 Jonathan Martin joins the Chuck ToddCast 51:15 Of his 16 predictions for 2026, which ones stood out the most? 52:00 Trump’s second term is a victory lap, more about validation 53:00 Trump is obsessed with building monuments to himself 54:30 Trump doesn’t take the job seriously 56:30 Trump will likely slap his name on the memorial bridge 57:00 Trump is most

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck tackles one of the most consequential counterfactuals in modern history: what if 9/11 never happened? He explores how the attacks fundamentally altered the American psyche, shattered a post–Cold War sense of security, and transformed how Americans consume news, driving the demand for instant information and accelerating the technologies that now dominate our lives. The conversation examines how U.S. politics, foreign policy, and polarization might have evolved without the War on Terror—no Patriot Act, no Department of Homeland Security, no Iraq War—and whether the political forces that produced figures like Trump and Obama would have emerged at all. From global relationships with Russia and China to the delayed reckoning over economic inequality and partisan division, this episode traces the ripple effects of an event that reshaped everything, and asks what might have filled the vacuum if it had never occurred. Finally, Chuck reacts to his Miami Hurricanes upsetting Ohio State in the college football playoff and makes his predictions for the upcoming games. 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 03:00 “What if” 9/11 never happened? 03:45 9/11 changed how Americans consumed information 04:30 9/11 was the first true “hit” on the homeland 05:30 9/11 create a new sense of vulnerability in America 06:45 The trauma from 9/11 changed the American psyche 08:45 Prior to 9/11, America was living in a post cold-war calm 09:30 In 2000, the west was trying to court Russia into joining them 10:15 Both parties will bullish on integrating China into the world 11:45 Bush would have been more western hemisphere focused 12:45 Without 9/11, Washington would have been more polarized 13:45 The Bush presidency essentially began on 9/11 15:30 9/11 triggered a “need” for immediate information 16:30 Social media is created to provide immediate info 17:15 There’s no Patriot Act, Iraq war, War on Terror without 9/11 18:30 There would be no Department of Homeland Security 19:45 Homeland Security eventually became an immigration agency 21:45 The isolationist strain of MAGA may not materialize 23:15 Some of the responses to 9/11 led to rise of MAGA politics 25:00 9/11 created a new sense of urgency for following the news 26:15 9/11 sped up the adoption of new information technologies 28:15 Do we not have Trump or Obama without hyper-engaged politics? 29:00 John Kerry probably isn’t the nominee in 2004 without 9/11 30:30 What replaces 9/11 if it never happened? 30:45 Financial crisis still happens anyways 31:45 9/11 delayed the “uniparty reckoning” 32:45 Occupy Wall Street would supplant Tea Party as driving force in 2010 34:00 Without Iraq War, there’s less distinction between Clinton & Obama 35:30 9/11 delayed polarization, economic issues by a few years 37:30 “If 9/11 never happened” final conclusions 40:30 “What Ifs” left on the cutting room floor 49:15 Chuck’s college football playoff reactionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd is on vacation, but the news never sleeps! Chuck gives his initial thoughts to the Trump administration's military operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolas Maduro, the motivations behind it, and why the success of the operation may emboldened Trump to take even riskier actions. 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!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nuclear engineer & former Miss America, Grace Vanderhei joins Chuck Todd to break down the realities of nuclear energy—what’s safer than most people think, what genuinely needs fixing, and why public perception has lagged so far behind the science. From how she got into nuclear engineering to how disasters like Fukushima reshaped the industry’s momentum, Grace explains why rare accidents dominate the narrative, even as nuclear power remains one of the safest jobs in the country. The conversation explores America’s aging nuclear infrastructure, the challenges of upgrading decades-old plants, and why rising grid demand from AI is pushing utilities to restart and refurbish reactors instead of building new ones. Chuck and Grace also dig into the promise and limits of small modular reactors, the unresolved problem of nuclear waste storage, and how pop culture—from Homer Simpson to Hollywood—has warped the way we think about nuclear energy, all while pointing listeners to where they can follow Grace’s work and research. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 00:45 Why the ToddCast decided to do the “New Voices” series 01:45 Grace Vanderhei is a former Miss America, now promoting nuclear energy 02:30 Nuclear energy is generally safe, but when it’s not safe it’s catastrophic 03:30 Environmentalists are split on nuclear power 04:45 Demand for power is way up, nuclear power will be needed to meet it 8:15 Grace Vanderhei joins the Chuck ToddCast 9:30 How Grace got into nuclear engineering 13:00 Advances in the tools engineers use 14:30 Fukushima disaster set back momentum in nuclear industry 15:45 Every nuclear facility stores emergency backup parts close by 17:15 Disasters are rare, but capture the public perception of nuclear 18:45 Nuclear tends to be more associated with weapons than energy 20:45 How big of a concern is America’s aging nuclear infrastructure? 23:15 Difficulties with updating decades old nuclear pants? 24:45 Grid demand from AI has led to restarting old nuclear plants 25:30 Refurbishing vs. building new nuclear plants 26:45 The nuclear plant decommissioning process 28:45 Three mile island wasn’t far into decommissioning before refurbishment 30:45 The development of small, modular nuclear reactors 32:15 Small modular reactors are on submarines, not used commercially yet 33:45 Safe, workable SMR’s are still a few years away 35:30 Other countries have surpassed US’s ability to build nuclear power 36:15 Which popular misconceptions are easiest to debunk? 37:30 There are only 6 safer jobs than working at a nuclear plant 38:45 Environmental community has always been divided over nuclear 40:15 Challenges of storing nuclear waste 41:15 There aren’t great current options for storing commercial nuclear waste 43:45 Is Homer Simpson good or bad for perception of nuclear energy? 45:15 Where you can find Grace’s workSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck continues his “What If” series, an exploration of how small decisions and turning points can radically reshape American history. Using the razor-thin 2000 election as a starting point, Chuck explains why counterfactuals are a powerful way to understand how we got here—and how different choices might have altered today’s polarized political landscape. The episode then dives into two alternate histories surrounding the 2020 election, examining the butterfly effects of outcomes that almost happened but didn’t. First, Chuck asks what America might look like if Donald Trump had lost in 2020 and accepted the result—no “stop the steal,” no January 6th, and a very different Biden presidency likely constrained by a Republican Senate and a weaker Democratic coalition. Then he flips the premise and explores a more provocative scenario: what if Trump had actually won in 2020? With stronger institutional guardrails, a less sycophantic cabinet, and immediate lame-duck pressures, Chuck argues the country may have experienced less chaos at home and abroad, even as major global questions—from Afghanistan to Ukraine—would still loom. The episode ultimately shows how January 6th became a hinge point that reshaped both Biden’s presidency and Trump’s second term, leaving open the unsettling possibility that American politics—and even the 2024 race—could look entirely different today. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 02:45 Why Chuck launched the “What If” series 03:45 The 2000 election started the deep partisan divide in America 05:30 If Florida had a Dem sec of state the election result could be different 07:00 Gore’s decision to only recount certain counties was a mistake 08:15 “What If” examines butterfly effect of political events going differently 10:15 Alternative scenarios are a great way to teach history 11:30 Examining two alternate histories in this What If episode 14:30 What if Trump won in 2020, or accepted his loss in 2020? 16:15 November 2020, Trump was faced with three scenarios 17:00 PART ONE: What if Trump loses, but accepts the loss? 17:30 There’s no stop the steal, fake electors or January 6th 19:00 Trump wouldn’t have been deplatformed on social media 20:00 Trump would likely have faded away like Al Gore did in 2001 21:00 Trump’s grip over GOP tightened because he lost & didn’t accept it 22:30 What Biden presidency looks like if Trump accepted election result 23:15 Democrats may not win both Georgia runoffs & control congress 24:00 Biden’s entire presidency looks different without senate control 25:45 Biden would have been boxed into being a center-left president 27:45 Biden wouldn’t have gotten the “rally around the flag” effect from J6 30:15 Likely the midterms go worse for Dems without ghost of Trump 31:15 Biden likely still doesn’t win second term  32:45 Biden would likely have faced serious primary challenges 34:00 Border might have been handled better with GOP Senate 36:30 The big question would be how much power Trump retained over GOP 37:30 PART TWO: What if Trump had WON in 2020 with the same result as ‘24? 40:00 The GOP would likely have retained senate, Dems get the house 40:30 Mike Pence is still the vice president, staffing at WH would be very different 42:00 The chief of staff would have still put some guardrails around the WH 44:30 There wouldn’t be a cabinet full of Trump sycophants  45:30 There would be no weaponization of ICE after border surge 47:00 Vaccine rollout could have been more chaotic but w/ higher compliance 48:30 There would be early flood of GOP presidential candidates 51:00 Afghanistan withdrawal would fall at Trump’s feet 53:00 Trump’s lame duckness would have kicked in right away 54:30 Strong argument America would be better off if Trump won in 2020 55:45 There’s less tumult in the military, no Hegseth as SecDef 57:30 Trump may have had more ability to reign in Bibi Netanyahu 59:30 Would the Russia/Ukraine war have gone differently? Probably not 1:02:30 Putin may have taken Ukraine piecemeal, but no full scale invasion 1:04:00 Trump still hasn’t acknowledged that Russia is the invader 1:05:30 America may not have shared advance knowledge of invasion 1:09:00 Biden’s governance changed by J6, T

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck examines Donald Trump’s holiday Truth Social spree as a revealing window into his worldview and leadership style. From angry, vaguely threatening posts tied to Epstein to Christmas messages laced with grievance and insults, Trump’s online behavior paints a picture of a lonely, aggrieved figure who often sounds less like a head of state and more like a mob boss issuing warnings. Chuck unpacks how Trump’s rhetoric on immigration, religion, and military force—sometimes delivered in the same breath as holiday greetings—reflects a transactional “Trump Doctrine” where identity and loyalty justify power, and sovereignty becomes negotiable. The conversation then widens to the global consequences of this approach. Chuck argues that Trump’s selective isolationism and deal-making have badly damaged America’s reputation, eroded trust with Europe, and risk pushing allies toward China in search of stability. By prioritizing short-term wins and performative toughness over alliances and norms, Trump may be trading momentary leverage for long-term strategic loss—reshaping the global order in ways that could haunt the United States for a generation. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to the date Ellis Island closed its doors for immigrant processing and traces the messy history of immigration policy in the United States. He also answers listeners’ question in the “Ask Chuck” segment and does a roundup from the world of sports. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 1:00 What to make of Trump’s Truth Social posts over the holidays? 2:15 Trump makes angry, potentially threatening post over Epstein 3:45 Trump doesn’t have any true close friends/relationships 5:00 Trump spent Xmas behaving lonely on the internet 5:45 The “Trump Doctrine” was on display on his Truth Social feed 6:30 Trump sounded more like a mob boss than head of state 7:00 Trump added immigration rant into his NORAD Santa appearance 7:45 Trump wishes Merry Xmas to “radical left scum” 8:30 Trump announces military strikes in Nigeria to protect Christians 9:15 Trump uses identity as justification for military force 9:45 Trump’s posts about Venezuela through lens of ownership 11:15 Trump strikes different tone with Ukraine, sovereignty is collateral 12:15 Trump’s worldview looks incoherent, but it’s selectively transactional 13:30 Trump has damaged the US’s reputation for a generation 14:30 Europe doesn’t trust the United States anymore 15:45 If oil seizures become precedent, any country could be next 17:15 Allies could turn to China looking for a better deal 18:00 Trump is trading short term wins for long term damage & distrust 20:00 Trump views himself as a TV style mob boss 22:15 Isolationism will cause the EU to strengthen & compete with US 23:15 Trump picks on small countries & does deals with strong ones 28:30 ToddCast Time Machine - December 31st 1954 29:30 Ellis Island closes its doors & becomes a museum 30:00 America has always argued about being a nation of immigrants 30:45 We romanticize Ellis Island, but it caused tension at the time 31:30 America has never experienced immigration surge without fear 32:15 Immigration quota with discriminatory qualifiers enacted 33:30 Ship based migration collapsed after quota 34:45 Cold war politics influenced immigration debate in 1960’s 35:45 Immigration policy was sold as modest and non-transformational 37:00 Chain migration shifted where immigrants came from 38:00 The country relied on illegal immigrant labor & didn’t enforce law 38:45 Congress left immigration policy unfinished due to political constraints 40:30 Trump admin leans on enforcement, makes immigration a cultural fight 41:30 We are a reluctant nation of immigrations 43:00 The central question is “Who gets to be an American?” 43:45 Ask Chuck 44:00 Favorite political comedy? 46:00 Should congress intervene on exorbitant live event prices? 53:30 How will midterms shape push for new congressional leaders? 56:15 Sports roundupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor

Yaron Weitzman, author of “A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers”, joins the Chuck ToddCast to unpack the remarkable rise, impact, and legacy of LeBron James—on the court, in Los Angeles, and far beyond basketball. Drawing from his reporting and authorship, Weitzman explains how access-driven sports journalism shapes the stories we’re told, why LeBron was always more than just another superstar chasing rings, and how the Lakers–LeBron partnership became a mutually saving force for two global institutions. The conversation traces LeBron’s path from Miami to Cleveland to Los Angeles, the myths around his ambition and loyalty, and how “The Decision” reshaped the power dynamics between players and franchises. The episode also looks ahead to LeBron’s next chapter: his eventual role as an owner, the possibility of a farewell tour, how Bronny factors into his decisions, and what a post-LeBron Lakers era might look like. Weitzman and Todd explore LeBron’s business instincts, cultural influence, complicated relationship with fans and social media, and why—despite universal respect—he’s never been universally beloved. In the end, they ask the defining question of any icon: how history will remember LeBron James, and who gets to tell that story. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 Yaron Weitzman joins the Chuck ToddCast 02:30 How Yaron got started as an author 04:15 Sports journalists now have to trade accountability for access 05:15 Sports journalists don’t have a Freedom of Information Act 06:30 Yaron wasn’t dependent on the Lakers for a credential 08:30 Original LeBron pitch was for the Big 3 Heat, not the Lakers 11:30 LeBron is a cultural icon, not just a basketball icon 12:45 LeBron and the Lakers are both institutions 13:45 LeBron’s brand is even bigger than the Lakers brand 14:30 LeBron’s post basketball life was always going to be in SoCal 15:45 LeBron will be involved in an ownership group eventually 17:45 The Lakers/LeBron pairing was a win-win 19:00 Jerry Buss was not as rich as he portrayed himself to be 20:30 How accurate the Lakers TV shows portray real life 21:30 LeBron was a lifeline for a struggling Lakers franchise 23:00 Lakers are the team LeBron has spent most consecutive years 24:30 LeBron wasn’t a ring chaser despite his reputations 25:00 LeBron turned down the Warriors 26:15 LeBron offended Pat Riley during his time in Miami 27:30 LeBron’s return to Cleveland 29:30 Which franchises will be putting up LeBron statues? 30:15 Lakers fans were slow to warm to LeBron due to Kobe rivalry 31:15 Not all Kobe fans are Lakers fans 32:30 LeBron lived up to his sky high expectations and with no scandals 33:45 “The Decision” was the event that made LeBron polarizing 34:45 After The Decision fans started siding with players over franchises 35:45 LeBron showed that greatness and longevity require hard work 37:00 LeBron is universally respected but not universally beloved 38:00 Is this LeBron’s last year? 39:00 Farewell tour only makes sense with Lakers or Cavs 40:30 LeBron could remain a bench player for several more years 41:00 How Bronny will factor into his decision 43:00 Bronny is beloved by other players and the organization 44:45 LeBron’s relationship with Luka Doncic 46:30 Lakers began preparing for the post-LeBron era before Luka trade 48:30 Does Magic Johnson still have a relationship with the Lakers? 51:30 LeBron has mostly stayed away from politics 53:45 LeBron lets social media get under his skin from time to time 56:30 LeBron is reactive politically, not proactive 58:15 LeBron made smart business decisions starting at 20 years old 58:45 LeBron’s legacy 1:01:45 Lakers threatened to sue over the book 1:04:45 LeBron likely won’t ever run for office 1:06:15 LeBron will be doing his own documentary version of The Last DanceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck examines Donald Trump’s holiday Truth Social spree as a revealing window into his worldview and leadership style. From angry, vaguely threatening posts tied to Epstein to Christmas messages laced with grievance and insults, Trump’s online behavior paints a picture of a lonely, aggrieved figure who often sounds less like a head of state and more like a mob boss issuing warnings. Chuck unpacks how Trump’s rhetoric on immigration, religion, and military force—sometimes delivered in the same breath as holiday greetings—reflects a transactional “Trump Doctrine” where identity and loyalty justify power, and sovereignty becomes negotiable. The conversation then widens to the global consequences of this approach. Chuck argues that Trump’s selective isolationism and deal-making have badly damaged America’s reputation, eroded trust with Europe, and risk pushing allies toward China in search of stability. By prioritizing short-term wins and performative toughness over alliances and norms, Trump may be trading momentary leverage for long-term strategic loss—reshaping the global order in ways that could haunt the United States for a generation. Then, Yaron Weitzman, author of “A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers”, joins Chuck to unpack the remarkable rise, impact, and legacy of LeBron James—on the court, in Los Angeles, and far beyond basketball. Drawing from his reporting and authorship, Weitzman explains how access-driven sports journalism shapes the stories we’re told, why LeBron was always more than just another superstar chasing rings, and how the Lakers–LeBron partnership became a mutually saving force for two global institutions. The conversation traces LeBron’s path from Miami to Cleveland to Los Angeles, the myths around his ambition and loyalty, and how “The Decision” reshaped the power dynamics between players and franchises. The episode also looks ahead to LeBron’s next chapter: his eventual role as an owner, the possibility of a farewell tour, how Bronny factors into his decisions, and what a post-LeBron Lakers era might look like. Weitzman and Todd explore LeBron’s business instincts, cultural influence, complicated relationship with fans and social media, and why—despite universal respect—he’s never been universally beloved. In the end, they ask the defining question of any icon: how history will remember LeBron James, and who gets to tell that story. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to the date Ellis Island closed its doors for immigrant processing and traces the messy history of immigration policy in the United States. He also answers listeners’ question in the “Ask Chuck” segment and does a roundup from the world of sports. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 03:00 In the 80’s many fans identified with NBA players over teams 05:00 LeBron will be one of the four most consequential millennials 08:15 What to make of Trump’s Truth Social posts over the holidays? 09:30 Trump makes angry, potentially threatening post over Epstein 11:00 Trump doesn’t have any true close friends/relationships 12:15 Trump spent Xmas behaving lonely on the internet 13:00 The “Trump Doctrine” was on display on his Truth Social feed 13:45 Trump sounded more like a mob boss than head of state 14:15 Trump added immigration rant into his NORAD Santa appearance 15:00 Trump wishes Merry Xmas to “radical left scum” 15:45 Trump announces military strikes in Nigeria to protect Christians 16:30 Trump uses identity as justification for military force 17:00 Trump’s posts about Venezuela through lens of ownership 18:30 Trump strikes different tone with Ukraine, sovereignty is collateral 19:30 Trump’s worldview looks incoherent, but it’s selectively transactional 20:45 Trump has damaged the US’s reputation for a generation 21:45 Europe doesn’t trust the United States anymore 23:00 If oil seizures become precedent, any country could be next 24:30 Allies could turn to China looking for a

In a replay of an interview Chuck Todd hosted during the summer, he’s joined by a rising star in the Democratic party, Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett. This interview was conducted prior to her announcement that she’ll be running for senate in Texas. She provides insights into her rapidly growing Dallas district and discusses the economic benefits of immigration that contrast sharply with current policies. Crockett, known for her viral moments in congressional hearings, offers a candid assessment of the partisan circus in the House Oversight Committee and the ideological divide within the Democratic Party. The conversation delves into factors behind Trump's victory, whether racism and misogyny impacted Kamala Harris's campaign, and the complex political landscape in Texas, including potential opportunities for Democrats if Ken Paxton defeats John Cornyn in a future primary. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 02:15 Crockett’s primary against Talarico will be fascinating 02:45 Democratic primaries will be a “fight vs unite” debate 04:30 A Paxton vs Crockett race would be illuminating 08:00 Dem primary in Texas is a coin flip  09:00 Texas senate race could be an all-timer 13:30 Jasmine Crockett joins the Chuck ToddCast! 13:30 Tour of TX-30 (Dallas) 17:00 TX-30 is a hub for aviation 19:50 Dallas is growing exponentially 21:45 How can St. Louis be revitalized? 25:20 Immigrants produce economic dynamism and we’re treating them horribly 27:50 How important are viral moments for political communications 31:30 The partisan circus in the oversight committee 32:45 We have people in government that don’t understand how it works 33:45 DOGE hearing became about trans people competing in fencing 35:30 Is it a generational divide or ideological divide in the Democratic party 36:30 Some members cling to the institutions while they’re burning around them 38:15 State of the Union displayed the differences of approach between members 39:30 How did Democrats end up in this situation? 41:20 Why did Trump win? 43:30 How much did racism and misogyny factor into Kamala Harris losing? 44:45 Did Harris’s background as a prosecutor help or hurt her? 47:15 Trump’s name being on buildings sold the public on his business acumen 49:10 Should Harris take another shot at the presidency? 50:30 Democratic voters don’t want “establishment” candidates 52:15 Democrats are fighting an uphill battle 53:15 Is Texas a 3 party state with two Republican wings? 54:15 If Ken Paxton beats John Cornyn, the Texas senate seat will be in play 56:45 Did Democrats miss the moment in Texas? 58:30 Will the Luka trade leave a lasting mark on Dallas? 59:15 Is she running for oversight chair? 59:40 Her advice for Hakeem JeffriesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd digs into the growing crisis of trust in American media and politics, sparked by CBS News pulling a 60 Minutes episode amid controversy and perceptions of corporate and political pressure. He examines how Bari Weiss’s handling of the situation exposed a lack of understanding of television news culture, why 60 Minutes has become the ultimate measure of CBS’s credibility, and how ownership, mergers, and appeasing power have once again put business interests ahead of journalism. The episode also explores troubling signals from the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein-related releases and what they reveal about political favoritism and eroding institutional independence. Chuck then widens the lens to the political fallout, arguing that Donald Trump squandered his political capital and failed to build a durable coalition, and lays out how cracks in Trump’s coalition are becoming chasms. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and breaks down the biggest stories in the world of sports.  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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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: 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 02:30 CBS News embroiled with controversy after pulling 60 Minutes episode 03:00 Bari Weiss’s inexperience in TV news is on full display 04:00 Weiss’s made incorrect assumption that everyone saw NYT story 05:15 The perception is the administration leaned on Weiss to kill story 06:30 Too many news executives don’t understand the process 08:00 Trump has complained publicly about 60 Minutes 08:45 Ellison willing to appease Trump in order to get merger approval 09:30 CBS News will be judged entirely on 60 Minutes 11:00 Weiss has lost the trust of the journalists at CBS 11:45 Corporate owned media has once again let the public down 12:30 WaPo’s editorial board completely changed after Bezos bought it 13:30 This event will further erode the public trust in media 14:45 Journalism that’s tethered to popularity will be compromised 15:45 Trust is more important than popularity for journalists 17:15 Corporations won’t let their news divisions interfere with business 18:00 DOJ frontloaded Clinton/Epstein releases & Trump releases later 19:15 DOJ releases statement that sounds like they’re Trump’s defense attorney 21:15 It’s notable that DOJ only singled out Trump for a defensive statement 23:15 Trump blew his “honeymoon” period in less than a year 24:00 Both Biden & Trump burned their political capitol early 26:45 Trump blew the chance to build a GOP that outlasts him 28:00 Trump didn’t win the 2024 election - Biden/Harris lost it 29:45 Voters don’t like party in power, 2008 was last “Vote for” election 31:30 Biden misinterpreted 2022 results, lots of bad GOP candidates 32:30 Liberation Day destroyed Trump’s goodwill with the public 34:45 The cracks in Trump’s coalition are turning into chasms 36:30 The GOP has been too concerned with appeasing the online right 37:45 Democrats could be having their own “Tea Party” moment 45:15 Trump floats leaving the presidency for “hosting” in social post 46:15 Is Trump soft launching stepping down from the presidency? 47:30 Ask Chuck 48:15 What wing of the party will the GOP lean towards in 2028? 54:30 What are the classes you teach like? 1:01:45 How would things be different if H.W. Bush won a second term? 1:06:30 How do we address the erosion of historical education? 1:11:15 Was the country really that united over Garfield’s death? 1:16:45 Sports roundupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Pesca, host of “The Gist” joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of media, technology, and trust at the end of 2025—and where things may be headed next. They dig into how legacy media is being reshaped by new owners, shrinking business models, and audience capture, with a close look at CBS, the Ellisons, and whether disruption is a threat or a lifeline for traditional news brands. Pesca also reflects on the rise of nonprofit journalism, the limits of AI in reporting, and why Congress has largely abdicated its role in regulating both media and tech. The discussion then turns to the growing unease around AI, gambling, and prediction markets, from bipartisan support for getting smartphones out of schools to fears that unregulated betting is distorting journalism, sports, and public life. Pesca and Todd explore why optimism around AI is collapsing, how insider information can be exploited in everything from sports gambling to political markets, and why many of today’s “innovations” feel eerily similar to past technological panics. The throughline: institutions are lagging behind rapid change, and the cost of that delay is showing up everywhere—from newsrooms to classrooms to democracy itself. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 Mike Pesca joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:30 Rundown of Mike’s many “hustles” 03:15 Is the information ecosystem better or worse at the end of 2025? 04:30 CBS News under Bari Weiss is now selling a different product 06:00 Legacy media could benefit from some disruption 06:45 Weiss gave up working for the Salzbergers to work for the Ellisons 07:30 There’s no money in producing network news 09:45 There was audience capture at the New York Times 11:00 A boring president will make the Ellisons care less about CBS 13:00 David Ellison isn’t ideologically MAGA or even a Republican 14:00 Silicon Valley is less ideological, just want less regulation 14:45 Ellisons are treating CBS as part of their lobbying budget 15:45 A huge part of 60 Minutes popularity is that it airs after football 16:30 CBS has brands that will survive even if the network doesn’t 17:45 We’re a few years away from local TV affiliates going a-la-carte 19:00 Channel numbers are meaningless to younger audiences 19:30 Non profits like ProPublica are doing some of the best journalism 20:45 AI can’t replace people in the journalism space 21:45 NOTUS is the only organization covering DC locally 23:15 Historically, American media has been partisan 24:00 Big newspapers should have two editorial sections 26:30 Imagine if Bezos built an “everything” newspaper like he did Amazon 28:00 AI transition will be painful, fear of AI displacement will dominate 28:45 New polling shows huge drop in optimism surrounding AI 30:15 Sam Altman shocked the world by saying “Please regulate me” 31:15 We need more visibility into how AI actually works 32:00 The regulators are always too old & removed from new tech 32:45 Congress has willingly abdicated their regulatory role 34:30 Employees at AI companies express worry it could go very wrong 35:30 Getting tech/smartphones out of schools has bipartisan agreement 37:15 There have always been panics about major tech change 38:15 Sports gambling without regulation has been a disaster 40:45 Athletes can easily fix a player prop to make money 42:15 Online casinos should have never been allowed to exist 44:15 Insider info can easily been cashed in on prediction markets 46:15 Will insider trading laws now affect copy editors at publications? 47:30 Betting has drastically affected coverage at ESPN 49:00 College football playoff selection is totally subjective 51:30 Potential fixes to college football playoff selection 55:00 Will prediction markets remain legal? 56:45 Pandemics make society do crazy things 57:45 Online casinos will likely become illegal in the coming years 1:00:00 The states didn’t roll out marijuana legalization the right waySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd digs into the growing crisis of trust in American media and politics, sparked by CBS News pulling a 60 Minutes episode amid controversy and perceptions of corporate and political pressure. He examines how Bari Weiss’s handling of the situation exposed a lack of understanding of television news culture, why 60 Minutes has become the ultimate measure of CBS’s credibility, and how ownership, mergers, and appeasing power have once again put business interests ahead of journalism. The episode also explores troubling signals from the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein-related releases and what they reveal about political favoritism and eroding institutional independence. Chuck then widens the lens to the political fallout, arguing that Donald Trump squandered his political capital and failed to build a durable coalition, and lays out how cracks in Trump’s coalition are becoming chasms. Then, Mike Pesca, host of “The Gist” joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of media, technology, and trust at the end of 2025—and where things may be headed next. They dig into how legacy media is being reshaped by new owners, shrinking business models, and audience capture, with a close look at CBS, the Ellisons, and whether disruption is a threat or a lifeline for traditional news brands. Pesca also reflects on the rise of nonprofit journalism, the limits of AI in reporting, and why Congress has largely abdicated its role in regulating both media and tech. The discussion then turns to the growing unease around AI, gambling, and prediction markets, from bipartisan support for getting smartphones out of schools to fears that unregulated betting is distorting journalism, sports, and public life. Pesca and Todd explore why optimism around AI is collapsing, how insider information can be exploited in everything from sports gambling to political markets, and why many of today’s “innovations” feel eerily similar to past technological panics. The throughline: institutions are lagging behind rapid change, and the cost of that delay is showing up everywhere—from newsrooms to classrooms to democracy itself. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and breaks down the biggest stories in the world of sports.  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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 04:00 CBS News embroiled with controversy after pulling 60 Minutes episode 04:30 Bari Weiss’s inexperience in TV news is on full display 05:30 Weiss’s made incorrect assumption that everyone saw NYT story 06:45 The perception is the administration leaned on Weiss to kill story 08:00 Too many news executives don’t understand the process 09:30 Trump has complained publicly about 60 Minutes 10:15 Ellison willing to appease Trump in order to get merger approval 11:00 CBS News will be judged entirely on 60 Minutes 12:30 Weiss has lost the trust of the journalists at CBS 13:15 Corporate owned media has once again let the public down 14:00 WaPo’s editorial board completely changed after Bezos bought it 15:00 This event will further erode the public trust in media 16:15 Journalism that’s tethered to popularity will be compromised 17:15 Trust is more important than popularity for journalists 18:45 Corporations won’t let their news divisions interfere with business  19:30 DOJ frontloaded Clinton/Epstein releases & Trump releases later 20:45 DOJ releases statement that sounds like they’re Trump’s defense attorney 22:45 It’s notable that DOJ only singled out Trump for a defensive statement 24:45 Trump blew his “honeymoon” period in less than a year 25:30 Both Biden & Trump burned their political capitol early 28:15 Trump blew the chance to build a GOP that outlasts him 29:30 Trump didn’t win the 2024 election - Biden/Harris lost it 31:15 Voters don’t like party in power, 2008 was last “Vote for” election 33:00 Biden misinterpreted 2022 results, lots of bad GOP candidates 34:00 Liberation Day destroyed Trump’s goodwill with the public 36:15 The cracks in Trump’s coalition are turning into chasms 38

Chuck Todd examines the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files, the uneven political fallout, and why some stories break through while others—often more consequential—don’t. The discussion then turns to public health, RFK Jr.’s corrosive influence on vaccine trust, and how misinformation is putting kids at risk just as measles cases surge. Todd closes by unpacking the growing civil war within MAGA world, where influencers—not elected officials—are driving the GOP agenda, competing for clicks with ever more extreme claims, and exposing deep cracks in Trump’s coalition. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to review the fallout from the dissolution of the Soviet Union and why that story’s ending hasn’t been written yet. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gives his college football roundup. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 3:15 We all know the broad strokes of the Epstein story 4:00 With enough money you can buy your way out of bad character 5:30 Justice department is slow walking the release of the Epstein files 6:00 Releases have a lot of Bill Clinton, very little Trump 6:45 DOJ will frontload releases that embarrass Democrats 8:00 People were willing to look the other way on Epstein 8:45 Character should matter & Epstein ties should be a demerit 10:30 Many people don’t know about or believe many of Trump’s outrages 11:15 The Epstein story breaks through, many consequential stories don’t 12:30 HHS touts accomplishments, but has done tremendous damage 13:45 2000 confirmed cases of measles, about to lose measles-free status 15:15 RFK Jr. is an incredibly low character individual 16:00 Removing food dyes is the only good work MAHA is doing 17:30 No scientific study links vaccines to autism 18:15 Covid vaccine was touted as a shield 19:15 People exploited poor Covid vaccine communication 19:45 MRNA vaccines are a technological marvel 20:15 Cutting funding for MRNA research is a terrible own goal 21:30 RFK Jr is causing less people to take vaccines, putting kids at risk 22:45 Massive infighting has begun amongst the MAGA influencers 24:15 GOP is captured by influencers the ways Dems were captured by “groups” 26:15 Some MAGA influencers have crazy beliefs and conspiracy theories 27:15 Republicans forced to entertain the crazy beliefs of their influencers 29:15 GOP politicians are taking their cues from their influencer base 30:15 Dems are starting to break free from influence of the groups 31:00 Biden’s poor handling of the border was to satiate the groups 31:30 MAGA influencers are conducting a circular firing squad 32:30 MAGA influencers try to out-crazy each other for clicks 35:00 The MAGA coalition is cracking 41:00 ToddCast Time Machine – December 26, 1991 41:30 Soviet Union officially dissolves, ending the Cold War 42:15 Collapse of the Soviet Union is still unresolved 43:30 It felt like history had chosen a winner, but it was just the first act 44:00 The west felt like the liberal democrats had won 45:15 The US treated the Soviet Union like a failed state, not a fallen empire 46:30 Democracy hasn’t taken hold in many former Soviet states 47:45 Democracy has never landed in Russia due to structural reasons 48:45 Fall of the USSR created oligarchs, but not a middle class 49:45 The Russian people equated oligarchy with democracy 51:30 Russians lost a sense of identity, made them vulnerable to a dictator 52:15 Eastern Europe fears Russia & wanted in on NATO 53:45 Ukraine had the world’s third largest nuclear arsenal, gave it up 54:45 Ukraine should have received NATO membership for giving up nukes 55:30 We’re repeating the 1920’s & 30’s in the U.S. & in Europe 57:15 Russia becoming a democracy seems fanciful, but in time it’s possible 58:45 This period feels unstable, but could be bumps in the road 59:15 Ask Chuck 59:30 Why has the U.S. and Europe had a bond, & thoughts on losing it? 1:04:00 Do you think congress will try to limit the pardon power post-Trump? 1:10:00 What does the GOP look like if it loses in 2028? 1:13:30 What wa

Chuck Todd examines the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files, the uneven political fallout, and why some stories break through while others—often more consequential—don’t. The discussion then turns to public health, RFK Jr.’s corrosive influence on vaccine trust, and how misinformation is putting kids at risk just as measles cases surge. Todd closes by unpacking the growing civil war within MAGA world, where influencers—not elected officials—are driving the GOP agenda, competing for clicks with ever more extreme claims, and exposing deep cracks in Trump’s coalition. Then, chief Washington correspondent for Puck News, Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Chuck to unpack how Washington looks different when covered from outside the constraints of legacy media—and why independent journalism may be better suited to capture the dysfunction of Trump’s second term. Caldwell reflects on the groupthink and reaction-driven coverage that defined Trump’s first presidency, the erosion of Congress’s authority in Trump 2.0, and the deep personal animus now defining relationships on Capitol Hill. Together, she and Chuck examine how social media has shaped a younger generation of staffers, why Speaker Mike Johnson may be remembered as one of the weakest in history, and how Congress has willingly made itself irrelevant in the face of executive power. The conversation also digs into healthcare politics, looming shutdown risks, and why Republicans remain unable to act without Trump’s approval—even as he digs in against ACA subsidies out of lingering grievance toward Obama. Caldwell and Todd explore the brewing chaos inside the GOP, from mass retirements and redistricting fights to the staggering cost of House races and the nonstop fundraising grind. The episode closes with a candid assessment of party leadership heading into 2026, why a third Trump impeachment would be a mistake, and why covering Congress—rather than the White House—may now offer the clearest window into where American politics is headed. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to review the fallout from the dissolution of the Soviet Union and why that story’s ending hasn’t been written yet. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gives his college football roundup. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 04:45 We all know the broad strokes of the Epstein story 05:30 With enough money you can buy your way out of bad character 07:00 Justice department is slow walking the release of the Epstein files 07:30 Releases have a lot of Bill Clinton, very little Trump 08:15 DOJ will frontload releases that embarrass Democrats 09:30 People were willing to look the other way on Epstein 10:15 Character should matter & Epstein ties should be a demerit 12:00 Many people don’t know about or believe many of Trump’s outrages 12:45 The Epstein story breaks through, many consequential stories don’t 14:00 HHS touts accomplishments, but has done tremendous damage  15:15 2000 confirmed cases of measles, about to lose measles-free status 16:45 RFK Jr. is an incredibly low character individual 17:30 Removing food dyes is the only good work MAHA is doing 19:00 No scientific study links vaccines to autism  19:45 Covid vaccine was touted as a shield 20:45 People exploited poor Covid vaccine communication 21:15 MRNA vaccines are a technological marvel 21:45 Cutting funding for MRNA research is a terrible own goal 23:00 RFK Jr is causing less people to take vaccines, putting kids at risk 24:15 Massive infighting has begun amongst the MAGA influencers 25:45 GOP is captured by influencers the ways Dems were captured by “groups” 27:45 Some MAGA influencers have crazy beliefs and conspiracy theories 28:45 Republicans forced to entertain the crazy beliefs of their influencers 30:45 GOP politicians are taking their cues from their influencer base 31:45 Dems are starting to break free from influence of the groups 32:30 Biden’s poor handling of the border was to satiate the groups 33:00 MAGA influencers are conducting a circular firing squad

Chief Washington correspondent for Puck News, Leigh Ann Caldwell joins the Chuck ToddCast to unpack how Washington looks different when covered from outside the constraints of legacy media—and why independent journalism may be better suited to capture the dysfunction of Trump’s second term. Caldwell reflects on the groupthink and reaction-driven coverage that defined Trump’s first presidency, the erosion of Congress’s authority in Trump 2.0, and the deep personal animus now defining relationships on Capitol Hill. Together, she and Chuck examine how social media has shaped a younger generation of staffers, why Speaker Mike Johnson may be remembered as one of the weakest in history, and how Congress has willingly made itself irrelevant in the face of executive power. The conversation also digs into healthcare politics, looming shutdown risks, and why Republicans remain unable to act without Trump’s approval—even as he digs in against ACA subsidies out of lingering grievance toward Obama. Caldwell and Todd explore the brewing chaos inside the GOP, from mass retirements and redistricting fights to the staggering cost of House races and the nonstop fundraising grind. The episode closes with a candid assessment of party leadership heading into 2026, why a third Trump impeachment would be a mistake, and why covering Congress—rather than the White House—may now offer the clearest window into where American politics is headed. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 Leigh Ann Caldwell joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:30 Covering politics as independent media vs legacy media 04:45 There was little ability for original thought doing network news 05:45 Legacy media gets stuck in groupthink 07:30 People blame the Gingrich years for our current political dysfunction 09:00 Covering Trump’s 1st term was asking for reactions to Trump 09:30 Congress has handed away their authority in Trump 2.0 10:15 The personal animus between the two parties is very real 11:30 Young staffers had their politics formed by social media 13:30 Mike Johnson will go down as one of the weakest speakers ever 14:30 Johnson has willingly made congress irrelevant 16:15 Are we underplaying the chances of a January shutdown? 17:30 With premiums set to rise, why couldn’t Dems corner the GOP? 18:15 Dems know healthcare is good politics for them 19:15 Trump is digging in rather than caving on ACA subsidies 21:00 Trump doesn’t want to prop up the ACA because Obama passed it 22:00 Lots of Republicans have “Obama Derangement Syndrome” 23:30 The framework of the ACA came from the Heritage Foundation 24:00 Trump comes close to advocating for single payer healthcare 26:15 Republicans can’t do anything on healthcare without Trump 27:15 Trump is done with congress, thinks he can do everything via EO 29:15 Trump lied and claimed military bonuses came from tariff revenue 30:15 If SCOTUS takes tariff power from Trump, will he go to congress? 31:15 Congress unlikely to hand tariff authority to Trump 32:15 Republican bracing for another 20 retirement announcements 33:45 Texas & California members are mad about redistricting 35:30 House races will likely cost $60 million in 2026 37:00 Members of congress spend 50% of their time fundraising 39:30 Democrats would be stupid to try to impeach Trump a third time 41:00 Which congressional leaders will still be in place in 2027? 42:30 Johnson won’t be speaker in a new congress 43:30 Jim Jordan is the quiet favorite to be the house GOP leader 45:00 It’d be shocking if Chuck Schumer ran again 46:30 DSCC botched their oppo release on Graham Platner 48:45 There are doubts about Jeffries, but unlikely to be challenged 50:30 Schumer & Jeffries botched the NYC mayors race 52:15 Does John Thune have support in the senate? 55:00 Covering the hill is a better beat than the White HouseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Businessman, venture capitalist and political strategist Bradley Tusk joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership fatigue, the erosion of America’s rule of law, and the long-term consequences of the Trump era. Tusk argues that many of today’s institutional crises—from weakened economic pillars to America’s retreat from global leadership—are inseparable from Trump’s choices, and that “pay-to-play” politics may linger even after he’s gone. The discussion also explores capitalism’s successes and excesses, the growing public unease around AI, and why uneven, state-by-state regulation is both inefficient and, at times, a necessary laboratory for innovation. The conversation then turns to the future: how AI-driven inequality could spark massive political upheaval, why crypto only works with regulation, and whether mobile voting could dramatically reshape democracy by boosting participation and accountability. Tusk weighs the risks of low-information turnout, the challenges of selling reform in rural America, and why JD Vance may be the biggest wildcard in restoring the rule of law. The episode closes with reflections on missed turning points in presidential history, the changing nature of political communication, and what it will take for candidates in 2028 to be truly battle-tested for the moment ahead. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 Bradley Tusk joins the Chuck ToddCast 02:00 Third terms don’t make sense, people wear out after several years 03:15 America’s rule of law issues will end when Trump ends 04:00 Trump has undermined the pillars of America’s economic strength 04:45 Trump has chosen to end America’s role as leader of the free world 05:45 Trump selling chips to China undermines security argument 07:00 Will business expect the Trump treatment from future presidents? 08:15 State by state regulation is wildly inefficient compared to federal 09:00 There is only state level regulation of autonomous vehicles 10:30 State level regulation allows for experimentation & learning 11:15 Americans have lower approval of AI compared to other nations 12:00 The political tsunami hasn’t hit yet, will by 2028 13:15 If AI makes trillionaires & 18% unemployment, it’ll cause revolution 15:00 Crypto only works due to having a level of regulation 16:15 Regulation is neither inherently good or bad 18:15 We haven’t found the politician to meet the current political moment 19:00 Capitalism has lifted 3 billion people out of poverty since WW2 19:30 Capitalism now has been taken to the extreme, leading to unhappiness 21:00 With less immigration, America would have better safety nets 23:00 The debate would surround when immigrants qualify for the safety net 24:00 Eric Adams decision to house & feed immigrants hurt other services 25:30 Someone willing to risk life to immigrate is willing to work hard 27:00 Will pay to play politics outlast Trump in the business community? 28:00 Different industries will support the party that’s best for their interests 29:30 The case for allowing voting on a mobile device 31:45 Online banking is incredibly secure, voting could be made that way 33:30 Mobile voting should start at the local level, then work its way up 34:00 How security would work for mobile elections 36:45 High turnout will create better incentive structures for politicians 39:15 Is a rise in low information voter turnout actually a good thing? 40:15 Unique challenges selling rural states on mobile voting? 42:00 JD Vance is the biggest variable on the potential return to rule of law 43:15 Vance will struggle to distance himself from Trump 45:00 How different would the world have looked if Gore beat Bush? 46:45 If Gore wins, Iraq never happens 47:45 The two most qualified of the last seven presidents only got 1 term 49:00 The Iowa caucuses force presidential candidates to meet the people 50:30 The DNC made a huge mistake removing Iowa as first in nation status 52:30 Communication is so much more important to success now 53:30 In business, narrative is more important than fundamentals 55:30 Is it better to be a public company or private company in 2026? 57:00 Tech companies sta

Chuck Todd breaks down Donald Trump’s prime-time address to the nation, arguing that it functioned less as a governing update and more as a rapid-fire campaign rally designed to rehab Trump’s political image. Todd explains how the speech sidestepped real policy challenges, leaned heavily into grievance, and once again spoke almost exclusively to Trump’s base—underscoring what he sees as the former president’s biggest weakness: a profound lack of self-awareness. From healthcare and energy costs to AI and economic anxiety, the episode examines how Trump’s fixation on personal slights and image management continues to shape his priorities, even as frustration grows among Republicans and voters alike who are still waiting for results instead of rhetoric. Then, businessman, venture capitalist and political strategist Bradley Tusk joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership fatigue, the erosion of America’s rule of law, and the long-term consequences of the Trump era. Tusk argues that many of today’s institutional crises—from weakened economic pillars to America’s retreat from global leadership—are inseparable from Trump’s choices, and that “pay-to-play” politics may linger even after he’s gone. The discussion also explores capitalism’s successes and excesses, the growing public unease around AI, and why uneven, state-by-state regulation is both inefficient and, at times, a necessary laboratory for innovation. The conversation then turns to the future: how AI-driven inequality could spark massive political upheaval, why crypto only works with regulation, and whether mobile voting could dramatically reshape democracy by boosting participation and accountability. Tusk weighs the risks of low-information turnout, the challenges of selling reform in rural America, and why JD Vance may be the biggest wildcard in restoring the rule of law. The episode closes with reflections on missed turning points in presidential history, the changing nature of political communication, and what it will take for candidates in 2028 to be truly battle-tested for the moment ahead. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football.  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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 04:30 Democrats will struggle to win business community over GOP 08:00 Trump addresses the nation in primetime speech 09:00 Trump doesn’t mention Venezuela in the speech 10:00 Purpose of speech was to fix his political image 10:45 It felt like a Trump rally speech on speed 12:45 Trump asked voters for more time, can’t admit things aren’t working yet 13:30 Trump only knows how to speak in the language of his base 14:15 Trump’s lack of self awareness is his achilles heel 15:30 Trump clearly has “Obama Derangement Syndrome” 17:30 Republicans had 16 years for ACA replacement, couldn’t do it 19:45 The option to buy into Medicare is incredibly popular 21:00 Trump is consumed with grievance, can’t get out of his own way 22:15 Trump will punish the public on healthcare over his grievance 24:15 Republicans at least acknowledged problem of high energy bills 25:15 Trump relationship with AI companies will be tethered to energy bills 26:45 Even Trump’s supporters weren’t happy with the speech 29:00 Trumpworld rallied around Susie Wiles after Vanity Fair piece 29:45 Susie Wiles was the first person to agree to work for him after J6 31:30 Marco Rubio has an ally in Wiles, does JD Vance have one? 32:00 Trump’s presidential walk of fame is a monument to his narcissism 33:00 We should demand better from our leaders 35:45 Trump is using taxpayer dollars on vanity projects 37:45 Trump is appealing to his own interests and not the voters’  45:00 Bradley Tusk joins the Chuck ToddCast 47:00 Third terms don’t make sense, people wear out after several years 48:15 America’s rule of law issues will end when Trump ends 49:00 Trump has undermined the pillars of America’s economic strength 49:45 Trump has chosen to end America’s role as leader of t

Full Episode - Trump Is Exhibiting 25th Amendment Behavior + How To Get Money Out Of Politics For Good Chuck Todd takes a hard look at Donald Trump’s increasingly egregious behavior and the growing questions surrounding his cognitive fitness for the presidency, sparked by a recent post that crossed a line even for many on the right. He asks what would happen if any other public figure behaved this way, why similar concerns about Biden’s decline were openly discussed while Trump’s are often brushed aside, and whether the country is getting a straight story about the former president’s health. With no clear guardrails, no apparent filters, and staff either unable or unwilling to intervene, the episode raises uncomfortable but urgent questions about judgment, accountability, and risk. Then, Jeff Clements, CEO of American Promise joins Chuck for a deep dive into one of the most consequential—and misunderstood—threats to American democracy: money in politics. Clements argues that today’s campaign finance dysfunction isn’t a failure of legislation but a court-created crisis, tracing how Supreme Court rulings turned money into speech, opened massive loopholes, and shifted lawmaking power from Congress to the judiciary. From McCain-Feingold to super PACs, the conversation unpacks why courts have repeatedly blocked reform efforts and why the problem isn’t free speech itself, but the unchecked amplification that allows wealth to drown out everyone else. The discussion turns to whether a constitutional amendment is the only viable path forward, how such an amendment could reclaim authority from the courts, and what it would take to build support across 38 states. Drawing parallels to the Gilded Age and the founders’ obsession with corruption, Clements explains why Americans broadly understand the system is broken—even if it’s hard to make campaign finance a voting issue. In a moment of democratic crisis, he makes the case that meaningful reform is still possible, and that restoring political equality could become a rare point of unity in a deeply polarized era. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 book recommendations for political junkies 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 02:45 Money in politics has gotten out of control 03:45 North Carolina senate race will likely cost a billion dollars 04:30 One outside group can spend more than both campaigns combined 05:00 An amendment is the only way get campaign finance past judiciary 05:45 The judiciary has legislated campaign finance from the bench 07:30 Does the latest outrage over Trump’s Reiner tweet mean anything? 08:30 Trump’s post was a bridge too far for even some on the right 09:00 If any of us posted that, it would cost us jobs, relationships & more 10:30 At what point is Trump’s behavior 25th amendment type alarming? 11:15 Either his staff said something & he ignored it, or nobody said anything 12:15 Biden’s mental decline was apparent 14:00 Judging Trump’s mental decline is harder due to erratic behavior 17:15 It’s possible Trump feared one of his supporters murdered Reiner 18:00 Having a president with no filter should concern every American 19:15 You have to wonder if Trump is all there, all the time 21:00 We aren’t getting a straight story about Trump’s health 22:30 Concerns people on the right had about Biden, are happening w/Trump 23:45 Trump’s behavior is bad for the country & the Republican party 25:00 Voters will punish the GOP if they feel Trump’s decline was covered up 26:45 This story is only going to get worse as time goes on 28:30 New polling out on voters opinions & thoughts on corruption 29:15 What voters think corruption actually means 32:15 The voters are more sophisticated on corruption than politicians are 33:30 Large majorities thought government serves the rich & businesses 35:00 There’s an appetite for government & democracy reform 36:15 Majority of independents saw corruption in both Trump & Biden admins 37:30 Framing issues through lens of corruptio

Jeff Clements,CEO of American Promise joins Chuck Todd for a deep dive into one of the most consequential—and misunderstood—threats to American democracy: money in politics. Clements argues that today’s campaign finance dysfunction isn’t a failure of legislation but a court-created crisis, tracing how Supreme Court rulings turned money into speech, opened massive loopholes, and shifted lawmaking power from Congress to the judiciary. From McCain-Feingold to super PACs, the conversation unpacks why courts have repeatedly blocked reform efforts and why the problem isn’t free speech itself, but the unchecked amplification that allows wealth to drown out everyone else. The discussion turns to whether a constitutional amendment is the only viable path forward, how such an amendment could reclaim authority from the courts, and what it would take to build support across 38 states. Drawing parallels to the Gilded Age and the founders’ obsession with corruption, Clements explains why Americans broadly understand the system is broken—even if it’s hard to make campaign finance a voting issue. In a moment of democratic crisis, he makes the case that meaningful reform is still possible, and that restoring political equality could become a rare point of unity in a deeply polarized era. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 Jeff Clements joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:15 Constitutional amendment the only way to get money out of politics? 02:30 Campaign finance problems are a “court created crisis” 04:00 The Supreme Court created all the campaign finance loopholes 04:45 If money wasn’t speech, is McCain-Feingold good legislation? 05:30 Money will always “find a way” in politics 08:45 Courts have stood in the way of campaign finance reform 09:15 How to word an amendment to take this power away from judiciary 13:00 Is there a first amendment argument against amplification? 14:00 Money in politics isn’t a free speech issue, it’s an amplification issue 18:30 Maine had a $5000 limit on PACs, was knocked down by courts 19:15 Courts ruled that money can’t corrupt when it’s clear they can 20:45 Court could rule that limits apply to PACs & campaigns, or rule no limits 21:45 The court has created many contradictions in campaign finance 22:45 A court ruling won’t fix the problem, an amendment would 23:15 Most campaign finance law has been written by judiciary 25:00 It’s difficult to make campaign finance a voting issue 27:15 The American people understand that the system is corrupted 31:15 There are many similarities between the Gilded Age & now 32:45 We’ll should see see several amendments in the next decade 34:15 Need 38 states for amendment, what’s the biggest hurdle? 35:30 A states rights argument would be very persuasive to legislatures 37:00 Free speech doesn’t mean you get to drown out everyone else 40:00 Money equaling speech has made money equal power 43:00 The founders were obsessed with corruption, led to the revolution 44:00 Limiting campaign finance is perceived to help the left over the right 47:15 Could a presidential candidate galvanize the debate? 47:45 The president & governors have no constitutional role in the process 50:00 The goal is to leave a well-informed electorate & building support 51:15 Are there any super wealthy donors who support these reforms? 53:15 This is a crisis for our democracy but could create an opportunitySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd takes a hard look at Donald Trump’s increasingly egregious behavior and the growing questions surrounding his cognitive fitness for the presidency, sparked by a recent post that crossed a line even for many on the right. He asks what would happen if any other public figure behaved this way, why similar concerns about Biden’s decline were openly discussed while Trump’s are often brushed aside, and whether the country is getting a straight story about the former president’s health. With no clear guardrails, no apparent filters, and staff either unable or unwilling to intervene, the episode raises uncomfortable but urgent questions about judgment, accountability, and risk. He also examines recent polling on the issue of corruption, and why it could be a potent electoral issue if messaged correctly. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 book recommendations for political junkies 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 02:45 Money in politics has gotten out of control 03:45 North Carolina senate race will likely cost a billion dollars 04:30 One outside group can spend more than both campaigns combined 05:00 An amendment is the only way get campaign finance past judiciary 05:45 The judiciary has legislated campaign finance from the bench 07:30 Does the latest outrage over Trump’s Reiner tweet mean anything? 08:30 Trump’s post was a bridge too far for even some on the right 09:00 If any of us posted that, it would cost us jobs, relationships & more 10:30 At what point is Trump’s behavior 25th amendment type alarming? 11:15 Either his staff said something & he ignored it, or nobody said anything 12:15 Biden’s mental decline was apparent 14:00 Judging Trump’s mental decline is harder due to erratic behavior 17:15 It’s possible Trump feared one of his supporters murdered Reiner 18:00 Having a president with no filter should concern every American 19:15 You have to wonder if Trump is all there, all the time 21:00 We aren’t getting a straight story about Trump’s health 22:30 Concerns people on the right had about Biden, are happening w/Trump 23:45 Trump’s behavior is bad for the country & the Republican party 25:00 Voters will punish the GOP if they feel Trump’s decline was covered up 26:45 This story is only going to get worse as time goes on 28:30 New polling out on voters opinions & thoughts on corruption 29:15 What voters think corruption actually means 32:15 The voters are more sophisticated on corruption than politicians are 33:30 Large majorities thought government serves the rich & businesses 35:00 There’s an appetite for government & democracy reform 36:15 Majority of independents saw corruption in both Trump & Biden admins 37:30 Framing issues through lens of corruption could resonate 38:45 Connecting affordability to corruption could be very effective 45:45 ToddCast Top 5 books for your reading list 46:15 #5 The Drift by Kevin Hassett 49:45 #4 Mark Twain by Ron Chernow 51:45 #3 The Barn by Wright Thompson 53:15 #2 107 Days by Kamala Harris 55:45 #1 Fateful Hours by Volker Ullrich 58:15 Ask Chuck 58:30 Appreciation for the quick reaction videos/pods 1:01:30 Omission of “Citizen Kang” from Simpsons time machine segment 1:03:15 Could a Democrat win the Florida senate race?  1:07:15 Why don’t reporters challenge Trump to his face about his behavior? 1:14:00 Why haven’t Democrats leaned into breaking up big monopolies? 1:19:00 How has interview prep changed from MTP to now?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd blasts Donald Trump for his despicable post about Rob Reiner where he attributed the murder to politics and made it about himself. He argues that Trump only knows how to “go low” and that the post is a red flag that something is seriously wrong with the president’s mental state. Timeline: 00:00 Rob Reiner & his wife found murdered in their home 00:30 So much grief from Brown & Australia shootings & now Reiner… 02:15 Trump’s post about Reiner’s death was beyond despicable 03:45 Trump implied that Reiner’s political disagreements got him murdered 04:45 Trump’s lack of empathy during Covid contributed to election loss 06:00 Reiner should be celebrated for his art, not attacked for his politics 07:45 Trump is a virus of polarization & exploitive of any situation 08:30 Trump represents America, and his post was classless & embarrassing 10:00 Trump is leaving a terrible legacy 10:45 Trump is the most successful failure in American history 12:45 We want a president who knows how to “go high”, Trump only goes low 13:45 Nobody in Trump’s inner circle stays there for long 14:30 You can’t chase every Trump outrage, but this one stood out 15:30 Trump’s behavior will accelerate perception that he’s losing it 16:45 This is a red flag that something is seriously wrong with TrumpSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Troiano, executive director of Unite America, joins the Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation about why America’s political system feels increasingly broken—and what reforms could actually fix it. Troiano explains how ranked-choice voting and primary reform can weaken the grip of the two-party system, produce more representative outcomes, and give voters in places like Alaska and Louisiana more meaningful choices. They unpack why partisan primaries reward conflict over problem-solving, how safe districts all but decide elections before voters reach the general, and why unaffiliated voters are often locked out of taxpayer-funded contests. The discussion expands to the broader reform landscape, from redistricting and campaign finance to unconventional ideas like compulsory representation and even randomly selected legislatures. Troiano argues that periods of political turmoil and inequality have historically led to democratic breakthroughs—and that today’s moment may demand the same. As power continues to consolidate and parties work to protect their advantage, this episode explores whether structural reform, rather than new personalities, is the only path to a healthier, more functional 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 Nick Troiano joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:15 How did you get started with Unite America 02:15 There’s been pushback to ranked choice voting in recent years 03:00 Ranked choice voting is a salve for partisan primaries 05:00 New York and Maine are only partially ranked choice system 06:30 There are good ways to present ranked choice results 07:00 The current non-ranked system favors the two major parties 08:45 Runoff elections get a bad rap 10:30 Louisiana has a more functional political system due to electoral reform 11:30 More Alaskan voters can cast a “meaningful” ballot due to ranked choice 13:30 Ranked choice seems to be more beneficial to center left than center right 14:45 Ranked choice opponents trying to repeal it in Alaska 16:00 The two party wants to protect their power & fight against ranked choice 17:00 The status quo is causing our current politics to unravel 17:30 What states do you expect to be on the ballot with primary reform? 18:45 There’s movement to allow unaffiliated voters to vote in primaries 19:45 Politics has become about fighting rather than solving problems 22:00 Why is it so hard to galvanize the centrist voters? 23:45 Without a representative congress, we’ll get terrible policies 24:15 Without competitive elections, we get bad career politicians 26:45 Is there an order democracy reforms will need to be passed? 29:00 There are multiple potential pathways to make democracy better 30:45 Periods of major turmoil & inequality historically lead to major reforms 32:00 Is it difficult to find wealthy donors to back nonpartisan reforms? 34:00 Strong executive leadership makes it easier for legislatures to follow 35:15 Redistricting reform had strong support & has gone in the opposite direction 36:15 Trump is weaponizing the primary system to force redistricting 38:30 90% of districts in the midterms will be decided before the general election 39:15 In safe districts you only can choose what type of Dem/GOP candidate 40:15 Should be able to vote on any candidate in taxpayer funded elections 42:00 It’s strange that government requires public party affiliation records 43:15 Parties shouldn’t be allowed to ask voters to sign party pledge 44:15 Campaign finance reform is a salient issue to most voters 46:00 We used to be far more engaged politically at the local level 48:30 What if we randomly selected legislatures like we do juries 49:30 Rural states might be open to compulsory representation 51:00 Thoughts on a constitutional convention? 52:30 The electoral college is working as intended, but needs updating 53:15 The bar is very high for ratification during a convention 54:00 If power continues to consolidate, a convention becomes more necessary 54:45 Any itch to run for office again? 55:30 What are the major issues running as an independent candidate? 57:00 There are fewer gatekeepers for getting attention as a candidateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privac

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck confronts the alarming rise of antisemitism following a mass shooting that targeted Jews in Australia on the first night of Hanukkah, reflecting on how hatred now crosses traditional political lines and sharing his own family’s experiences. He argues that social media has become a primary accelerant—profiting from outrage, trapping people in media silos, and rewarding the most extreme voices—while insisting that free speech does not guarantee unlimited reach. The conversation widens to the urgent need for tech reform, growing support for restricting smartphones for kids, and public backlash to Donald Trump’s hands-off approach to regulating AI. Chuck also examines Trump’s foreign policy actions, economic excuses, and erosion of constitutional norms, warning that the U.S. is drifting toward “competitive authoritarianism.” Despite the dangers of normalization and resignation, the episode closes with a reminder that America still has the capacity to push back and reclaim democratic guardrails. Nick Troiano, executive director of Unite America, joins the Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation about why America’s political system feels increasingly broken—and what reforms could actually fix it. Troiano explains how ranked-choice voting and primary reform can weaken the grip of the two-party system, produce more representative outcomes, and give voters in places like Alaska and Louisiana more meaningful choices. They unpack why partisan primaries reward conflict over problem-solving, how safe districts all but decide elections before voters reach the general, and why unaffiliated voters are often locked out of taxpayer-funded contests. The discussion expands to the broader reform landscape, from redistricting and campaign finance to unconventional ideas like compulsory representation and even randomly selected legislatures. Troiano argues that periods of political turmoil and inequality have historically led to democratic breakthroughs—and that today’s moment may demand the same. As power continues to consolidate and parties work to protect their advantage, this episode explores whether structural reform, rather than new personalities, is the only path to a healthier, more functional democracy. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the political and cultural impact of The Simpsons, answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and recaps the latest in college football. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 03:00 Mass shooting targets Jews in Australia on first night of Hanukkah 04:30 Antisemitism comes from both sides of the political aisle 06:00 Chuck’s family’s experience with antisemitism 07:15 Biggest culprit in rise in antisemitism is social media 09:45 Social media companies profit from destroying kids & country 11:00 People need to step out of their media silos 13:30 You have the right to speech but not to reach 16:00 Tech companies need to be the focal point for major reform 17:00 Trump’s “light touch” approach to regulating AI is very unpopular 18:45 Tech can get what they want by writing a check to Trump 20:15 Growing support for restricting smartphones for kids/teens 21:15 Most extreme content reaches the most online men* 22:30 Mark Warner says “double tap” strike was 40 mins later 23:30 Strike was indefensible, it’s why Pentagon won’t release video 25:30 Trump has no legal authority from congress for strikes 28:00 Trump basically admits Republicans will lose the midterms 29:00 Trump has begun the excuse making for a bad economy 30:15 Trump spent time working on DC’s golf courses 31:30 Foreign Affairs essay says USA is in competitive authoritarianism 34:30 Trump’s actions subvert rule of law & the constitution 35:15 Competitive authoritarians turn state power on enemies 37:45 Large swaths of the media have caved to the Trump administration 40:00 After Watergate, authoritarian abuse had disappeared… until Trump 41:00 America still has hope for turning away authoritarianism 41:30 Greatest danger is acceptance an

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck confronts the alarming rise of antisemitism following a mass shooting that targeted Jews in Australia on the first night of Hanukkah, reflecting on how hatred now crosses traditional political lines and sharing his own family’s experiences. He argues that social media has become a primary accelerant—profiting from outrage, trapping people in media silos, and rewarding the most extreme voices—while insisting that free speech does not guarantee unlimited reach. The conversation widens to the urgent need for tech reform, growing support for restricting smartphones for kids, and public backlash to Donald Trump’s hands-off approach to regulating AI. Chuck also examines Trump’s foreign policy actions, economic excuses, and erosion of constitutional norms, warning that the U.S. is drifting toward “competitive authoritarianism.” Despite the dangers of normalization and resignation, the episode closes with a reminder that America still has the capacity to push back and reclaim democratic guardrails. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the political and cultural impact of The Simpsons, answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and recaps the latest in college football. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 2:00 Mass shooting targets Jews in Australia on first night of Hanukkah 3:30 Antisemitism comes from both sides of the political aisle 5:00 Chuck’s family’s experience with antisemitism 6:15 Biggest culprit in rise in antisemitism is social media 8:45 Social media companies profit from destroying kids & country 10:00 People need to step out of their media silos 12:30 You have the right to speech but not to reach 15:00 Tech companies need to be the focal point for major reform 16:00 Trump’s “light touch” approach to regulating AI is very unpopular 17:45 Tech can get what they want by writing a check to Trump 19:15 Growing support for restricting smartphones for kids/teens 20:15 Most extreme content reaches the most online men* 21:30 Mark Warner says “double tap” strike was 40 mins later 22:30 Strike was indefensible, it’s why Pentagon won’t release video 24:30 Trump has no legal authority from congress for strikes 27:00 Trump basically admits Republicans will lose the midterms 28:00 Trump has begun the excuse making for a bad economy 29:15 Trump spent time working on DC’s golf courses 30:30 Foreign Affairs essay says USA is in competitive authoritarianism 33:30 Trump’s actions subvert rule of law & the constitution 34:15 Competitive authoritarians turn state power on enemies 36:45 Large swaths of the media have caved to the Trump administration 39:00 After Watergate, authoritarian abuse had disappeared… until Trump 40:00 America still has hope for turning away authoritarianism 40:30 Greatest danger is acceptance and resignation 47:30 ToddCast Time Machine December 17th, 1989 47:45 Debut of The Simpsons 49:00 Simpsons has outlasted entire media eras 49:30 Simpsons is brilliant at parodying politics & culture 50:15 Burns runs for governor teaches lessons of campaigns 51:00 Monorail episode shows failures of debt financing infrastructure 52:00 Lisa goes to Washington a great explainer of how DC works 52:45 Sideshow Bob rigs an election and wins anyway 54:15 Simpsons has had cameos from major political voices 54:45 Simpsons spawned an entire industry for adult animation 55:45 South Park’s “Simpson’s Did It” was the perfect omage 56:30 The Simpsons made audiences smarter about how to consume politics 56:45 Ask Chuck 57:30 Did Adam Schiff hurt or help Mandella Barnes by endorsing him? 1:00:15 A “shave your head” bet between you and Cillizza over A&M vs Miami? 1:03:30 Why has the donor class become the priority over the public? 1:07:30 Why can companies absorb tariff costs, but can’t raise wages? 1:10:45 College football updateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special Friday episode, Chuck Todd breaks down a striking turn inside the Republican Party as Indiana Republicans openly rebuke Donald Trump’s demand to redraw their congressional maps—an early sign that his once-iron grip on the GOP may be loosening. With voters frustrated by a shaky economy, Trump’s political coalition is showing new cracks.  Chuck also explores the Heritage Foundation’s hollow threat against Indiana lawmakers and why Trump’s executive order banning states from regulating AI is unpopular and almost certainly unconstitutional. Taken together, these shifts suggest a pivotal moment: the first real indications that the Trump era may finally be entering its twilight. 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: 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:00 Indiana Republicans rebuke Trump’s redistricting demand 03:00 Voters don’t like the economy and it’s weakening Trump’s grip on GOP 04:30 Trump is not a true conservative 07:15 Heritage Foundation made an empty threat against Indiana 08:00 Trump’s EO banning state AI regulation is unconstitutional 09:30 Trump’s coalition is beginning to fray 10:45 This feels like the beginning of the end of the Trump era  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journalist and founder of MAMA (Mothers Against Media Addiction), Julie Scelfo, joins the Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation on one of the most urgent issues facing American families: the collapse of trust in media, the rise of unregulated tech, and its profound impact on children’s mental health. Scelfo explains how the explosion of social media and smartphones—coupled with virtually nonexistent regulation—has left kids exposed to harmful algorithms, addictive design, and misinformation at formative ages. With both the left and right now pushing to get smartphones out of classrooms, she argues that we’re long past due for meaningful guardrails, especially as Big Tech’s lobbying power grows and federal leaders threaten to block states from regulating AI. Chuck and Julie compare today’s fight with Big Tech to the battle against Big Tobacco, explore why recommendation systems effectively make platforms publishers, and discuss the growing bipartisan appetite for banning iPads in schools and returning to books. They also dig into MAMA’s mission to protect children in a digital world—emphasizing that kids under two should not be exposed to screens, that early childhood development depends on real-world interaction, and that “tech nannies” have emerged because childcare is unaffordable. Scelfo calls for mandatory data transparency from tech companies, stronger child-safety legislation in the states, and a culture shift that prioritizes healthy offline development over the race to dominate AI. With future jobs uncertain and social skills declining, she argues that society must resist sacrificing sensible regulation in the name of innovation—and recognize that too much time online isn’t just unhealthy, it’s shaping a generation. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 Julie Scelfo joins the Chuck ToddCast 03:00 Erosion of trust in media & news is a massive problem 04:00 Mental health decline in youth correlated with rise of social media 05:00 Both left & right want get get smartphones out of classrooms 05:45 Lack of social media regulation leaves kids vulnerable  07:00 Regulation is difficult when big tech has unlimited money to lobby 09:00 Threats from Congress & Trump to prevent states from regulating AI 10:30 Executive order from Trump may be last gasp to avoid AI regulation 12:30 AI has been positive for shareholders & owners, not for the public 13:45 What lessons can be learned from the fight against big tobacco? 16:15 Recommendation algorithms turn platforms into publishers 17:45 Advertiser supported speech is different than first amendment speech 18:30 Broadcast networks are liable for misleading ads, social platforms aren’t  20:00 Momentum building to ban ipads in schools and make kids use books 21:30 MAMA’s mission and goals 23:00 Children under 2 shouldn’t be exposed to screens for entertainment 25:30 Kids know how to find information, but must be taught to filter it 26:30 Most educational building blocks are built during early childhood 27:15 We can’t sacrifice sensible regulation in order to win AI race 28:30 Tech leaders all have very inept and awkward social skills 31:00 Tech must be required to release data for researchers to study 32:30 How to prepare kids for future jobs that may be replaced by AI? 34:00 Real life interactions are critical for a healthy childhood 35:45 We will always need trades, skilled labor and care workers 37:30 What are some near-term activities MAMA is working on? 40:00 States are introducing quality child safety legislation on tech 40:30 There is bipartisan support in congress for regulation 42:00 There hasn’t been one study worldwide on tech at a young age 43:30 We have “tech nannies” because childcare is so expensive 46:00 Too much time online is incredibly unhealthySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Chuck Todd explores the growing bipartisan momentum to rein in Big Tech, noting that while social media’s unintended consequences have already eroded truth and public trust, AI could amplify those failures without strong guardrails. He breaks down why Americans overwhelmingly support protecting kids from tech harms—and why a public revolt is inevitable once people feel they’ve lost control. Chuck also looks at how massive AI investment is masking broader economic weakness before turning to Donald Trump’s botched economic message in Pennsylvania, a “let them eat cake” tone that echoes the same political trap Biden once fell into. With surprising Democratic wins in Miami and Georgia and a demoralizing trend inside the GOP base, the political landscape is shifting fast, especially as ACA subsidies near expiration and no healthcare compromise is in sight. Chuck then pivots to the rise of prediction markets—how they move on insider information, how they could be manipulated by political actors, and why the “casinofication” of news threatens to reduce all political coverage to a risky, easily gamed horse race. Then, journalist and founder of MAMA (Mothers Against Media Addiction), Julie Scelfo, joins  Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation on one of the most urgent issues facing American families: the collapse of trust in media, the rise of unregulated tech, and its profound impact on children’s mental health. Scelfo explains how the explosion of social media and smartphones—coupled with virtually nonexistent regulation—has left kids exposed to harmful algorithms, addictive design, and misinformation at formative ages. With both the left and right now pushing to get smartphones out of classrooms, she argues that we’re long past due for meaningful guardrails, especially as Big Tech’s lobbying power grows and federal leaders threaten to block states from regulating AI. Chuck and Julie compare today’s fight with Big Tech to the battle against Big Tobacco, explore why recommendation systems effectively make platforms publishers, and discuss the growing bipartisan appetite for banning iPads in schools and returning to books. They also dig into MAMA’s mission to protect children in a digital world—emphasizing that kids under two should not be exposed to screens, that early childhood development depends on real-world interaction, and that “tech nannies” have emerged because childcare is unaffordable. Scelfo calls for mandatory data transparency from tech companies, stronger child-safety legislation in the states, and a culture shift that prioritizes healthy offline development over the race to dominate AI. With future jobs uncertain and social skills declining, she argues that society must resist sacrificing sensible regulation in the name of innovation—and recognize that too much time online isn’t just unhealthy, it’s shaping a generation. Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming college football slate. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 03:00 There is bipartisan support for pushing back on tech 05:00 AI regulation to protect kids has massive support 06:15 The public will revolt over tech when they feel they lose control 08:00 Social media came with unintended consequences, AI could be similar 08:45 Social media has destroyed truth 09:30 AI needs guardrails that have been missing from social media 10:45 AI investment is masking a recession for much of the country 12:30 Trump botches economic message at PA rally 13:15 Trump has a tone deaf, let them eat cake mindset 14:45 The Trump WH walking into the same trap Biden did on economy 15:30 Elections in Miami and Georgia showed GOP is in real trouble 17:30 First time a Democrat won Miami mayor in nearly 30 years 18:15 Democratic voters are fired up & more reliable 19:45 The base of the Republican party is becoming demoralized 21:00 ACA credits set to expire, no compromise healthcare deal yet 22:15 Question for audience: Do you follow and participate in prediction markets? 24:00 Prediction

In this episode, Chuck Todd explores the growing bipartisan momentum to rein in Big Tech, noting that while social media’s unintended consequences have already eroded truth and public trust, AI could amplify those failures without strong guardrails. He breaks down why Americans overwhelmingly support protecting kids from tech harms—and why a public revolt is inevitable once people feel they’ve lost control. Chuck also looks at how massive AI investment is masking broader economic weakness before turning to Donald Trump’s botched economic message in Pennsylvania, a “let them eat cake” tone that echoes the same political trap Biden once fell into. With surprising Democratic wins in Miami and Georgia and a demoralizing trend inside the GOP base, the political landscape is shifting fast, especially as ACA subsidies near expiration and no healthcare compromise is in sight. Chuck then pivots to the rise of prediction markets—how they move on insider information, how they could be manipulated by political actors, and why the “casinofication” of news threatens to reduce all political coverage to a risky, easily gamed horse race. Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming college football slate. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 03:00 There is bipartisan support for pushing back on tech 05:00 AI regulation to protect kids has massive support 06:15 The public will revolt over tech when they feel they lose control 08:00 Social media came with unintended consequences, AI could be similar 08:45 Social media has destroyed truth 09:30 AI needs guardrails that have been missing from social media 10:45 AI investment is masking a recession for much of the country 12:30 Trump botches economic message at PA rally 13:15 Trump has a tone deaf, let them eat cake mindset 14:45 The Trump WH walking into the same trap Biden did on economy 15:30 Elections in Miami and Georgia showed GOP is in real trouble 17:30 First time a Democrat won Miami mayor in nearly 30 years 18:15 Democratic voters are fired up & more reliable 19:45 The base of the Republican party is becoming demoralized 21:00 ACA credits set to expire, no compromise healthcare deal yet 22:15 Question for audience: Do you follow and participate in prediction markets? 24:00 Prediction markets move when they get insider info 25:45 Prediction markets seemed to know fed interest rate cut was coming 27:00 Is it wise to allow people to bet on basically everything? 28:45 Gambling is highly regulated, prediction markets are not 29:30 Certain people will know outcomes in advance and can game the system 30:45 Trump allies could game the system on predictions of his actions 32:15 Predictions that can be manipulated should be outlawed 34:00 Prediction markets could make all political coverage “horse race” style 35:15 The “casinofication” of news comes with risks 40:30 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Julie Scelfo 43:00 Thoughts on a limited TV series on the constitutional convention? 46:30 Favorite movies & Ken Burns doc? 52:00 Outlook on the primary races in Texas and Montana? 1:00:30 What if archduke Franz Ferdinand's driver took a different turn? 1:05:30 College football previewSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s ToddCast, Chuck Todd breaks down Donald Trump’s sudden decision to fully engage on the economy—and why his proposals reveal both political vulnerability and economic incoherence. From promising $2.6 trillion in tariff revenue when only a fraction has ever been collected, to floating the idea of replacing income taxes with wildly regressive consumption taxes that would spike prices severalfold, Trump appears more focused on short-term optics than long-term consequences. Chuck also digs into Congress’ scramble to extend ACA subsidies—an issue so politically toxic for Republicans that even Trump may be forced to back the plan—and how the 2026 economic mood will shape the midterms. Plus, he examines the rise of Democratic “fighters” like Jasmine Crockett, the visibility boost for Gavin Newsom and Mark Kelly after their clashes with Trump, and why a politics obsessed with combat over substance leaves both parties drifting away from meaningful policy debates. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and give his ToddCast Top 5 non-playoff college bowl games that should be played NEXT season.   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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 01:00 Donald Trump finally engaging on the economy 01:30 Trump doesn’t accept the premise that the economy isn’t great 02:30 Trump blames Biden for all negative economic news 03:15 Majority of voters blame Trump for the bad economy 04:30 Trump proposes spending $2.6T in tariff revenue, only collected $250B 05:00 If Trump replaces income tax with tariffs, prices will go up 2–5x 05:45 Replacing income tax with consumption tax is incredibly regressive 07:00 Trump proposes farm bailout and cutting checks to taxpayers 08:00 Trump knows the economy is bad and wants to throw money at problem 08:45 The perception of economy in summer ‘26 will be perception for midterms 10:45 Trump worries short term, willing to push all problems off to his successor 11:30 Congress looking to extend ACA subsidies for ACA by two years 12:15 Healthcare is such a bad issue for GOP they are looking for off-ramp 13:30 Trump will have to endorse ACA subsidy extension for it to pass 14:30 Bill will likely have to pass the senate before the house 15:30 Gavin Newsom & Mark Kelly’s fight with Trump boosted their visibility 18:30 Mark Kelly’s bio has more charisma than he does 21:00 Hegseth threatening Kelly gave Kelly some juice 21:30 Jasmine Crockett announces run for senate, is very savvy candidate 22:15 Crockett’s announcement video is grounded in fight with Trump 23:00 The fastest way to get traction is Democratic politics is to be a fighter 24:00 Being a fighter helps centrists avoid the progressive litmus test* 25:15 Republicans don’t run on policy ideas, they run on “owning the libs” 26:15 If you only run on fighting, you don’t stand for anything 27:30 Major policy debates become more about the fight and lose substance 29:15 There will be “issue” candidates for Democrats, but they likely won’t do well 29:45 Crockett vs Talarico will be “fight vs unite” 30:45 Nancy Mace writes op-ed saying Dems ram through their agenda 31:30 Dems also think Republicans ram through their agenda 32:30 GOP willing to take hard votes to fulfill promises, Dems less so 38:15 Ask Chuck 38:30 Will Trump’s policy tank support with latinos & put FL & TX in play? 44:00 Will you and Cillizza have a bet on the A&M vs Miami game? 46:00 Thoughts on electing the Attorney General independently? 52:45 Does Bernie Moreno’s bill ending dual citizenship pass legal muster? 55:30 ToddCast Top 5 bowl games that would be better played next season 56:30 Multiple schools have bowed out of playing non playoff bowl games 1:01:15 #1 Citrus Bowl - Texas vs. Michigan 1:02:00 #2 Pop Tarts Bowl - BYU vs. Notre Dame 1:02:45 #3 Pinstripe Bowl - Penn State vs. Clemson 1:03:30 #4 Sun Bowl - Arizona vs. Duke 1:04:00 #5 Hawaii Bowl - Cal vs. HawaiiSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s ToddCast, Chuck Todd breaks down Donald Trump’s sudden decision to fully engage on the economy—and why his proposals reveal both political vulnerability and economic incoherence. From promising $2.6 trillion in tariff revenue when only a fraction has ever been collected, to floating the idea of replacing income taxes with wildly regressive consumption taxes that would spike prices severalfold, Trump appears more focused on short-term optics than long-term consequences. Chuck also digs into Congress’ scramble to extend ACA subsidies—an issue so politically toxic for Republicans that even Trump may be forced to back the plan—and how the 2026 economic mood will shape the midterms. Plus, he examines the rise of Democratic “fighters” like Jasmine Crockett, the visibility boost for Gavin Newsom and Mark Kelly after their clashes with Trump, and why a politics obsessed with combat over substance leaves both parties drifting away from meaningful policy debates. Then, Chuck sits down with Reese Gorman and Kate Nocera of NOTUS for a deep dive into what it means to build a truly nonpartisan newsroom in today’s hyperpolarized media landscape. Reese and Kate explain how NOTUS approaches journalism without playing to partisan expectations—or to social media algorithms—and why being outside the legacy-media universe gives their reporters a unique advantage. They discuss Washington’s shifting culture, from the decline in local DC reporting to the increasingly strained relationship between the press and Congress, where competition for scoops is fierce, norms have evaporated in Trump’s second term, and newer members often lack any memory of a functional legislature. The conversation then turns to the political tensions shaping Capitol Hill, including Steve Scalise’s quiet maneuvering for the speakership, Trump’s latest approval dip, and the surprising lack of Trump fatigue among GOP lawmakers. Reese and Kate also outline the Democratic Party’s mix of opportunity and dysfunction heading into the midterms: strong messaging on affordability and bullish vibes contrasted with an inability to clear primary fields and a continued failure to operate as a true national party. From the dire mood on the Hill to which unknown members could soon be household names, this episode offers a sharp, insider look at journalism, politics, and power in Washington today. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and give his ToddCast Top 5 non-playoff college bowl games that should be played NEXT season.   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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 01:00 NOTUS has filled a gap left by the Washington Post 03:00 The Washington Post has given up covering DC locally 06:00 Donald Trump finally engaging on the economy 06:30 Trump doesn’t accept the premise that the economy isn’t great 07:30 Trump blames Biden for all negative economic news 08:15 Majority of voters blame Trump for the bad economy 09:30 Trump proposes spending $2.6T in tariff revenue, only collected $250B 10:00 If Trump replaces income tax with tariffs, prices will go up 2-5x 10:45 Replacing income tax with consumption tax is incredibly regressive 12:00 Trump proposes farm bailout and cutting checks to taxpayers 13:00 Trump knows the economy is bad and wants to throw money at problem 13:45 The perception of economy in summer ‘26 will be perception for midterms 15:45 Trump worries short term, willing to push all problems off to his successor 16:30 Congress looking to extend ACA subsidies for ACA by two years 17:15 Healthcare is such a bad issue for GOP they are looking for off-ramp 18:30 Trump will have to endorse ACA subsidy extension for it to pass 19:30 Bill will likely have to pass the senate before the house 20:30 Gavin Newsom & Mark Kelly’s fight with Trump boosted their visibility 23:30 Mark Kelly’s bio has more charisma than he does  26:00 Hegseth threatening Kelly gave Kelly some juice 26:30 Jasmine Crockett announces run for senate, is very savvy candidate 27:15 Crockett’s announcement video is grounded in fight with Trump 28:00 The fastest w

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck sits down with Reese Gorman and Kate Nocera of NOTUS for a deep dive into what it means to build a truly nonpartisan newsroom in today’s hyperpolarized media landscape. Reese and Kate explain how NOTUS approaches journalism without playing to partisan expectations—or to social media algorithms—and why being outside the legacy-media universe gives their reporters a unique advantage. They discuss Washington’s shifting culture, from the decline in local DC reporting to the increasingly strained relationship between the press and Congress, where competition for scoops is fierce, norms have evaporated in Trump’s second term, and newer members often lack any memory of a functional legislature. The conversation then turns to the political tensions shaping Capitol Hill, including Steve Scalise’s quiet maneuvering for the speakership, Trump’s latest approval dip, and the surprising lack of Trump fatigue among GOP lawmakers. Reese and Kate also outline the Democratic Party’s mix of opportunity and dysfunction heading into the midterms: strong messaging on affordability and bullish vibes contrasted with an inability to clear primary fields and a continued failure to operate as a true national party. From the dire mood on the Hill to which unknown members could soon be household names, this episode offers a sharp, insider look at journalism, politics, and power in Washington today. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 Reese Gorman & Kate Nocera of NOTUS join the Chuck ToddCast 01:30 What is NOTUS & how did you end up working there? 04:00 How do you execute being a truly nonpartisan newsroom? 05:30 You can’t balance the truth based on partisan affiliation 08:30 Is NOTUS the only incubator for young journalists in DC? 10:45 How Reese ended up at NOTUS? 14:00 Do you have to play to the algorithms when posting stories? 16:30 Being part of the non-legacy media is an advantage  19:00 The Washington Post has stopped covering local DC politics 21:00 Changes at the Kennedy Center aren’t being covered 23:30 Has Trump changed the culture of DC in his second term? 25:15 The relationship between the press and congress is more strained 27:15 The culture on the hill is very “cliquey”  28:15 There’s a lot more competition for scoops on the hill 29:15 What’s the mission of your podcast? 31:15 How does Steve Scalise continue to maneuver in the Republican party? 32:30 Scalise wants the speaker role currently held by Mike Johnson 34:15 Trump’s recent approval dip seems different than prior ones 35:15 There were still norms in Trump’s first term, there aren’t in 2.0 36:45 No sense of Trump fatigue from Republican members of congress 37:45 Can you tell which members are too trapped in an information bubble? 38:15 Pre-Trump members have a better sense of reality 40:00 New members don’t remember a time when congress was functional 42:00 How much of a problem could congressional leadership be for Dems? 44:30 Democrats could perform well running on affordability message 45:00 Democrats feel bullish headed into the midterms 46:15 The Dem establishment hasn’t been able to clear primary fields 48:00 Democrats aren’t a national party, can’t compete in 1/3rd of the country 50:00 The vibes and mood on the hill are terrible right now 50:30 If Dems win the TN-07 special, you could see wave of retirements 53:00 If you have DSCC questions, do you go to Schumer or Gillibrand? 55:15 A joint fundraising committee for Graham Platner is unlikely 56:15 Haley Stevens seems like a nervous candidate 56:45 Which unknown members could be household names in a year? 1:02:00 Where you can find Reese and Kate’s workSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck examines the sweeping global and domestic implications of Trump’s increasingly personal, transactional approach to foreign policy. He breaks down how the administration has abandoned the post–Cold War order, embraced nationalist movements, sidelined democracy promotion, and even signaled security guarantees in exchange for favors — all while crafting a national security strategy full of dangerous gaps and warmly received by the Kremlin. Chuck then turns to the explosive revelations around Trump’s pattern of selling pardons for loyalty, spotlighting the Henry Cuellar episode as a case study in this mob-style political culture. The conversation also touches on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s recent media tirades and her emerging position as a potential “true MAGA” contender in 2028, before wrapping with a look at the historically low approval of all four congressional leaders and why a dramatic leadership reshuffling by 2029 wouldn’t be surprising. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the history of the United States relationship with China and the unintended consequences that came with it. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and recaps the college football playoff selection. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 04:00 Trump doesn’t want the U.S. to be the leader of the free world 05:15 Administration rejects post cold war world order 06:30 Foreign policy will be subjective based on Trump’s personal relationships 07:15 There is no more value judgement on who the US does business with 08:15 Administration is proving to be very anti-EU 09:00 Administration signals support for other nationalist movements 11:30 Trump has never believed U.S. should promote democracy 12:30 There are plenty of holes in the national security strategy 13:15 Qatari plane bribe led to NATO like security guarantee 14:30 American presidents should believe in democracy 15:45 Trump’s retreat from the world will create generational damage 16:45 The new security memo was loved by the Kremlin 17:30 Trump mad at Henry Cueller for not changing parties after pardon 18:15 Trump is clearly selling pardons in exchange for money or support 20:15 Trump’s primary complaint with Cueller was “lack of loyalty” 22:00 Trump seemingly thought pardon was in exchange for something 24:30 There should be far more outrage over the weekly sale of pardons 25:30 Marjorie Taylor-Greene blasts GOP lawmakers in 60 minutes interview 26:30 MTG believed the BS & is now finally realizing it’s BS 27:30 MTG could become the “true MAGA” candidate in 2028 28:00 All 4 congressional leaders are incredibly unpopular 29:30 Congressional GOP could use a leadership shakeup 30:15 Schumer & Jeffries are looking over their shoulders 32:15 It wouldn’t be surprising if all four leaders are gone by 2029 38:45 ToddCast Time Machine December 1978, 2001, 2025 39:30 Jimmy Carter announce normalization of relations with China 40:30 Kissinger praised bringing Beijing closer, Goldwater was furious 41:15 Business community was ecstatic 42:30 In 2001, China joins the WTO: hinge moment of globalization 43:30 Democrats & Republicans agreed on China in 2001 45:15 Consumers & business loved cheaper good from China 46:00 Bush & Gore both had the same view of China 46:45 Populists warned of job losses and economic pain 47:30 What if US had blocked China’s entry to the WTO? 49:15 China is now viewed as a permanent strategic rival 50:30 US made a bet they could promote reform in Beijing and failed 51:15 Bets on China reshaped the U.S. more than China 52:00 Ask Chuck 52:15 Why don’t national democrats want to be in Iowa? 55:15 How did Obama hurt the DNC beyond endorsing Hillary? 59:30 Which member of each branch would be better in another branch? 1:05:00 Could lack of a primary in 2024 lead to broader election reforms? 1:07:30 College football roundupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck sits down with Jared Bernstein — veteran economic adviser to both the Obama and Clinton administrations — for a sweeping, candid breakdown of the American economy, why the data and national mood feel so misaligned, and how technological change is reshaping the labor market. Bernstein explains how the White House approached economic tradeoffs, from inflation and tariffs to the stubborn low-hire, low-fire job market. He and Chuck dig into the uncertainty surrounding AI-driven job displacement, why Americans are more skeptical of AI than peers abroad, and how policymakers failed to build guardrails around the harms of social media. Bernstein argues that a federal jobs guarantee would be far more effective than universal basic income, and that political candidates will increasingly need to get tough on tech as the power of the “Magnificent Seven” distorts markets and discourages regulation. The conversation then turns to the structural failures of America’s healthcare system — from inelastic demand to weak cost controls — and why “Medicare for more” could be a practical starting point for reform. Bernstein outlines the entrenched inefficiencies of employer-based coverage, the rise of contract work, and the political salience but poor targeting of policies like “no tax on tips.” He also discusses the missed opportunity to protect the expanded child tax credit, the flaws in Trump’s proposed baby bond program, and the broader need for progressive taxation rather than philanthropy by billionaires. Finally, Chuck and Jared confront the realities of the national debt in an era of higher interest rates, the feasibility of reviving a robust child tax credit, and whether new supports — like credits for childcare or elder care — could help families navigate an affordability crisis that shows no sign of easing. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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: 00:00 Jared Bernstein joins the Chuck ToddCast 00:30 Jared worked for both the Obama & Clinton administrations 02:15 Drafting economic policy that has the most upside, least downside 03:15 The economic data doesn’t match the vibe of the country 04:15 The Biden WH talked past the electorate but didn’t lie about economy 05:45 Biden thought the job market was most important economic indicator 08:30 Inflation has been stubborn, how long did you assume we’d have it? 10:15 Tariffs have contributed to about half a point of inflation 11:00 Inflation during Covid was a combo of low supply & high demand 12:45 Should the fed be focusing on inflation or the jobs market? 14:30 AI isn’t causing mass layoffs yet, but it has frozen hiring 15:30 We’re stuck in a low hire, low fire jobs market 16:45 Technology displaces the most workers during economic downturns 18:45 How can we avoid job displacement destruction from AI? 20:15 Americans are far more negative on AI than other western nations 21:30 Politicians failed to create guardrails for the harms of social media 22:15 We don’t know the extent of how AI will displace jobs 23:15 Government should offer a federal jobs guarantee for AI displaced jobs 24:30 Universal basic income pales in comparison to a jobs guarantee 26:15 Getting tough on tech will be critical to successful political candidates 27:30 Tech companies threaten regulators with exiting the country 28:30 Breaking up tech’s power has appeal on both sides of the aisle 29:00 Market cap of the magnificent 7 is 22 trillion dollars 31:00 The S&P 500 minus the magnificent 7 is basically flat 32:45 Non-profit hospital systems make more money than for profit ones 33:30 Leaving healthcare to the free market doesn’t work well & is expensive 34:15 Healthcare isn’t shoppable and demand is inelastic 35:45 The only healthcare solution from congress is subsidizing insurance  36:30 The ACA did a lot to control healthcare spending, but not enough 37:15 We have very few cost controls in our healthcare system 38:00 “Medicare for more” would be a great place to start fixing the system 39:15 Competition in the health insurance market has been insufficient 41:00 Health insurers don’t want to compete with government, w

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck examines the sweeping global and domestic implications of Trump’s increasingly personal, transactional approach to foreign policy. He breaks down how the administration has abandoned the post–Cold War order, embraced nationalist movements, sidelined democracy promotion, and even signaled security guarantees in exchange for favors — all while crafting a national security strategy full of dangerous gaps and warmly received by the Kremlin. Chuck then turns to the explosive revelations around Trump’s pattern of selling pardons for loyalty, spotlighting the Henry Cuellar episode as a case study in this mob-style political culture. The conversation also touches on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s recent media tirades and her emerging position as a potential “true MAGA” contender in 2028, before wrapping with a look at the historically low approval of all four congressional leaders and why a dramatic leadership reshuffling by 2029 wouldn’t be surprising. Then, Chuck sits down with Jared Bernstein — veteran economic adviser to both the Obama and Clinton administrations — for a sweeping, candid breakdown of the American economy, why the data and national mood feel so misaligned, and how technological change is reshaping the labor market. Bernstein explains how the White House approached economic tradeoffs, from inflation and tariffs to the stubborn low-hire, low-fire job market. He and Chuck dig into the uncertainty surrounding AI-driven job displacement, why Americans are more skeptical of AI than peers abroad, and how policymakers failed to build guardrails around the harms of social media. Bernstein argues that a federal jobs guarantee would be far more effective than universal basic income, and that political candidates will increasingly need to get tough on tech as the power of the “Magnificent Seven” distorts markets and discourages regulation. The conversation then turns to the structural failures of America’s healthcare system — from inelastic demand to weak cost controls — and why “Medicare for more” could be a practical starting point for reform. Bernstein outlines the entrenched inefficiencies of employer-based coverage, the rise of contract work, and the political salience but poor targeting of policies like “no tax on tips.” He also discusses the missed opportunity to protect the expanded child tax credit, the flaws in Trump’s proposed baby bond program, and the broader need for progressive taxation rather than philanthropy by billionaires. Finally, Chuck and Jared confront the realities of the national debt in an era of higher interest rates, the feasibility of reviving a robust child tax credit, and whether new supports — like credits for childcare or elder care — could help families navigate an affordability crisis that shows no sign of easing. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the history of the United States relationship with China and the unintended consequences that came with it. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and recaps the college football playoff selection. 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! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 05:00 Trump doesn’t want the U.S. to be the leader of the free world 06:15 Administration rejects post cold war world order 07:30 Foreign policy will be subjective based on Trump’s personal relationships 08:15 There is no more value judgement on who the US does business with 09:15 Administration is proving to be very anti-EU 10:00 Administration signals support for other nationalist movements 12:30 Trump has never believed U.S. should promote democracy 13:30 There are plenty of holes in the national security strategy 14:15 Qatari plane bribe led to NATO like security guarantee 15:30 American presidents should believe in democracy 16:45 Trump’s retreat from the world will create generational damage 17:45 The new security memo was loved by the Kremlin 18:30 Trump mad at Henry Cueller for not changing parties after pardon 19:15 Trump is clearly selling pardons in exchange for money or support 21:15 T

Former U.S. Senator Jack Danforth joins the Chuck ToddCast for a candid and sweeping conversation about the crisis inside the Republican Party and the decay of American politics. Danforth explains why he’s devoted his later years to trying to rehabilitate the GOP—even as he admits the effort may be futile—and argues that Congress has devolved into a stage for self-promotion rather than a forum for legislating. He and Chuck explore how weak parties coexist with fierce partisan loyalty, how smartphones and grievance politics have poisoned public discourse, and why the joy has drained from public service. Danforth reflects on the GOP’s transformation from the “family party” into one defined by division, how Christians have been pushed into a persecution mindset, and why Trump has inflicted deeper damage on the country than any single figure in U.S. history. The conversation turns to the future: whether leaders like James Lankford can spark a moral revival within the GOP, what true conservatism should stand for after being hollowed out by MAGA, and why Republican voters deserve a candidate who actually reflects traditional conservative principles. Danforth and Chuck also dig into constitutional reform, the filibuster, the politicization of the judiciary, and Congress’s abdication on major issues like Social Security and Medicare. Ultimately, Danforth makes the case that America must rediscover kindness, character, and a sense of shared identity if it hopes to govern itself the way the founders intended. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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!  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 Senator Jack Danforth joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:30 Why he’s focused on rehabilitating the Republican party 02:15 We need to restore the role of congress  03:15 Congress has become about self-promotion over legislating 04:30 The parties are weak, but partisan loyalty is strong 05:45 What could moderate both parties? 07:45 Rehabilitating the Republican party might be futile 10:00 Politics has become incredibly ugly, aggrieved and bitter 11:00 The joy has left politics 11:30 Republicans were the “family party”, now has ICE breaking them up 12:45 Christians have been whipped up into a persecution complex 14:15 The country hoped Joe Biden would serve as a healer 15:45 Smartphones have warped political discourse (AUDIO ISSUE) 16:30 There has to be a focus on “who we are as a people” 17:00 Trump has caused more damage to U.S. than any other person 18:15 James Lankford could be a leader in moral revival of GOP 20:30 We need to show kindness to people on the other side of the aisle 21:15 We as a people, are not like Donald Trump 22:45 Trump’s governance and style are not conservative  23:15 Conservatism has lost all meaning in the era of MAGA 25:30 Republican voters need to be offered a truly conservative candidate 26:45 The GOP is now a “strong government” party, not “small government” 27:30 “Our Republican Legacy” is trying to restore traditional GOP 29:00 Does the Republican party stand for anything anymore? 30:30 There are enough shellshocked Americans to get constitutional changes 31:30 Why a constitutional convention would be a bad idea 33:00 The founders trusted us to govern ourselves 34:15 The founders did fear the voter, and added checks to their power 35:45 Money isn’t the same as speech, and it’s corrupted our politics 37:30 Congress must retain the power to tax 39:30 GOP congress has mostly been on vacation and doing TV hits 41:15 Congress is doing nothing to solve the insolvency of social security 42:30 Medicare cuts are coming if congress doesn’t act 44:30 The public learned things during the deliberations over Obamacare 45:30 There is no “perfect bill”, it’s supposed to be a compromise 47:00 Judicial confirmation and judiciary have become politicized 48:30 We have collectively starting thinking of the judiciary as policy making 51:45 If we restored the filibuster for justices, we may never be able to confirm 53:00 Many senators are just automatic no votes against other parties nominees 54:45 What should the filibuster rule be in a perfect world? 56:30 Hope for restoring more traditional conservatives to

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down Donald Trump’s increasingly brazen behavior — from his overtly racist comments about Somalis to his dehumanizing rhetoric that can incite real-world violence — and examines why so many Americans have become numb to it. He explores how the erosion of shame has stripped the public of a key accountability tool, how Trump has mainstreamed kleptocracy and mob-style politics, and why even many Republicans are uneasy with his drug trafficker pardon and his abuse of the presidential pardon power more broadly. Chuck also details the administration’s reported strong arming of corporate mergers, the normalization of corruption, and the role of media fragmentation — amplified by Trump and Fox News — in enabling behavior that would spark impeachment calls if committed by any Democrat. From national security risks to America’s deteriorating reputation as a rule-of-law nation, Chuck traces how Trump’s conduct has reached unprecedented levels while the country struggles with “Trump fatigue” heading into the next election. Then, former U.S. Senator Jack Danforth joins the Chuck ToddCast for a candid and sweeping conversation about the crisis inside the Republican Party and the decay of American politics. Danforth explains why he’s devoted his later years to trying to rehabilitate the GOP—even as he admits the effort may be futile—and argues that Congress has devolved into a stage for self-promotion rather than a forum for legislating. He and Chuck explore how weak parties coexist with fierce partisan loyalty, how smartphones and grievance politics have poisoned public discourse, and why the joy has drained from public service. Danforth reflects on the GOP’s transformation from the “family party” into one defined by division, how Christians have been pushed into a persecution mindset, and why Trump has inflicted deeper damage on the country than any single figure in U.S. history. The conversation turns to the future: whether leaders like James Lankford can spark a moral revival within the GOP, what true conservatism should stand for after being hollowed out by MAGA, and why Republican voters deserve a candidate who actually reflects traditional conservative principles. Danforth and Chuck also dig into constitutional reform, the filibuster, the politicization of the judiciary, and Congress’s abdication on major issues like Social Security and Medicare. Ultimately, Danforth makes the case that America must rediscover kindness, character, and a sense of shared identity if it hopes to govern itself the way the founders intended. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gives his college football preview/rant. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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!  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 02:30 Trump made heinous and overtly racist comments about Somalis 03:15 The inability to shame has taken away public’s tool for accountability 04:15 Trump’s dehumanizing language can lead to physical violence 05:45 Trump fatigue will make upcoming elections tough for GOP 07:00 Too many high character people shrug their shoulders at Trump 07:45 Trump has mainstreamed kleptocracy 09:00 Republicans are expressing discomfort over drug trafficker pardon 11:30 Even Trump supporters say they don’t like some of Trump’s behavior 12:15 Trump doesn’t think white collar crimes are crimes 13:30 Merger approval relies on currying favor with Trump 14:45 Administration is strongarming the Warner Bros acquisition  16:00 What was the price for Henry Cuellar’s pardon? 16:30 Trump is basically running a mob-style protection racket 18:00 Why are we so numb to Trump’s abhorrent behavior? 19:30 If any Democrat behaved this way, Republicans would impeach 21:45 Fragmentation of media allows Trump to get away with more 23:00 Hegseth risked lives of military members by using signal chat 24:30 Trump + Fox News have character assassinated legacy media 25:15 Trump’s pardons are among the most criminal acts ever by a president 27:30 Biden’s family pardons gave a permission slip for Trump to do far worse 28:30

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down Donald Trump’s increasingly brazen behavior — from his overtly racist comments about Somalis to his dehumanizing rhetoric that can incite real-world violence — and examines why so many Americans have become numb to it. He explores how the erosion of shame has stripped the public of a key accountability tool, how Trump has mainstreamed kleptocracy and mob-style politics, and why even many Republicans are uneasy with his drug trafficker pardon and his abuse of the presidential pardon power more broadly. Chuck also details the administration’s reported strong arming of corporate mergers, the normalization of corruption, and the role of media fragmentation — amplified by Trump and Fox News — in enabling behavior that would spark impeachment calls if committed by any Democrat. From national security risks to America’s deteriorating reputation as a rule-of-law nation, Chuck traces how Trump’s conduct has reached unprecedented levels while the country struggles with “Trump fatigue” heading into the next election. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gives his college football preview/rant. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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!  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 02:30 Trump made heinous and overtly racist comments about Somalis 03:15 The inability to shame has taken away public’s tool for accountability 04:15 Trump’s dehumanizing language can lead to physical violence 05:45 Trump fatigue will make upcoming elections tough for GOP 07:00 Too many high character people shrug their shoulders at Trump 07:45 Trump has mainstreamed kleptocracy 09:00 Republicans are expressing discomfort over drug trafficker pardon 11:30 Even Trump supporters say they don’t like some of Trump’s behavior 12:15 Trump doesn’t think white collar crimes are crimes 13:30 Merger approval relies on currying favor with Trump 14:45 Administration is strongarming the Warner Bros acquisition  16:00 What was the price for Henry Cuellar’s pardon? 16:30 Trump is basically running a mob-style protection racket 18:00 Why are we so numb to Trump’s abhorrent behavior? 19:30 If any Democrat behaved this way, Republicans would impeach 21:45 Fragmentation of media allows Trump to get away with more 23:00 Hegseth risked lives of military members by using signal chat 24:30 Trump + Fox News have character assassinated legacy media 25:15 Trump’s pardons are among the most criminal acts ever by a president 27:30 Biden’s family pardons gave a permission slip for Trump to do far worse 28:30 Trump has damaged America’s reputation as a country with rule of law 29:30 Trump’s corruption has become normalized when there should be outrage 31:00 Pardons are the one dictatorial power Trump has, and he’s abusing it 36:00 Ask Chuck 36:15 Has shifting resources to immigration made FBI miss attacks? 41:00 Why does college football feel so broken? 47:45 Will we see Supreme Court justices retire before midterms? 50:45 How do weaker parties lead to stronger partisans? 56:15 College football rantSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Chuck Todd breaks down the surprising Democratic overperformance in Tennessee’s TN-07 special election and what it signals about a rapidly shifting political landscape. From early cracks in Trump’s coalition to the GOP narrowly avoiding a full-scale collapse in a district they should have won easily, Chuck explains why this political environment is inching toward a Democratic “wave.” He digs into why Aftyn Behn’s imperfections didn’t stop her from overperforming, why Republicans can’t replicate this win in dozens of upcoming races, and how establishment ties have become toxic for candidates in Trump’s GOP. With ACA subsidies, tariffs, and Venezuela emerging as major vulnerabilities—and Trump issuing weekly, indefensible pardons—Chuck argues we may be witnessing the end stages of the Trump era. Plus, he makes the case that Democrats’ Senate prospects are stronger than people realize, especially in an environment defined by high Democratic enthusiasm and a struggling economy. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 at-risk Senate seats in a “blue wave” election and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.  Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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!  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 01:00 Takeaways from the TN-07 special election 02:15 Trend of Democrat overperformance continued in Tennessee 03:00 Is this political environment turning into a “wave” scenario for Democrats? 04:00 We’ve already started seeing cracks in Trump’s coalition 05:00 A loss in TN-07 would have led to the bottom falling out for the GOP 07:00 Aftyn Behn was not the perfect candidate for Dems in TN-07 08:45 Republicans will struggle to replicate this win in 35-40 races 11:00 Being associated with the establishment can be the kiss of death 11:30 Democrats are in a great political environment, Trump’s grip is slipping 12:15 GOP will likely extend ACA subsidies to mitigate the political damage 13:30 Tariffs and Venezuela are two big political liabilities for GOP 16:00 There was no mention of Trump from Matt Van Epps during campaign 16:30 There aren’t any positive future headlines coming for Republicans 18:15 We’re at the end stages of the Trump era 19:15 Environment will be high Democrat enthusiasm, with a bad economy 20:30 Trump’s granting indefensible pardons on a weekly basis 22:00 People are underrating Democrats chances of winning senate  24:00 If history is a guide, the likelihood of Dems winning 4 senate seats is high 30:30 ToddCast Top 5 Senate seats on “blue wave watch” 31:15 Historical precedents for massive upsets during wave years 34:15 #5 Florida 36:30 #4 Kentucky 38:45 #3 South Carolina 43:15 #2 Mississippi 44:45 #1 Montana 46:45 Ask Chuck 47:00 Thanks for having Clay Travis on to push us outside our bubbles 49:15 What to make of all the censures in congress? 53:30 How do the U.S. & Europe get responsible leaders into power? 1:01:15 Why is Biden facing challenges fundraising for his library? 1:05:00 Could Trump’s legacy become that of Benedict Arnold? 1:08:45 Could we see a mixed party presidential ticket in the future?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Entrepreneur, investor, and former “Shark Tank” star Matt Higgins joins the Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation on ambition, politics, media, and the rapidly accelerating drone arms race. Higgins reflects on his rise from humble beginnings to serial entrepreneurship, why highlighting adversity can sometimes unintentionally promote victimhood, and how government should focus on leveling the playing field with empathy—not bureaucracy. He also explains why America is undergoing a political realignment and how leaving politics reshaped his view of its inherent narcissism. From the personalization of media to the implicit bias baked into journalism, Higgins warns about how online life can warp our sense of reality and why LinkedIn has succeeded by avoiding the toxicity of other platforms. The discussion then turns to the future of warfare, where drones have transformed the battlefield and triggered the most significant arms race since the nuclear age. Higgins breaks down how the Ukraine war changed everything, why the U.S. is dangerously dependent on Chinese drone technology, and how difficult it will be to build a domestic drone industry without key components like magnets. He also outlines what a modern 9/11-style attack might look like, why America still isn’t prepared to defend public spaces from drone terrorism, and the urgent lessons policymakers should take from past failures. The episode wraps with a detour into the NFL: what makes a great owner, why inherited wealth doesn’t equal success, and why both New York football teams continue to puzzle fans and analysts alike. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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!  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 Matt Higgins joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:00 Matt’s journey to becoming a “serial entrepreneur” 02:15 There are hurdles, but any American can climb the ladder 03:30 Coming from nothing to finding great success in business 05:00 Do we encourage victimhood by highlighting challenging upbringings 06:15 Some ambitious, successful people need to “chase something” 08:00 Where should government have been more/less involved in your businesses? 09:45 Government’s role should be leveling the playing field with empathy 12:00 America is in the middle of a political realignment 12:45 America needs a “next north star” after winning cold war 13:45 How Matt got started working for Rudy Giuliani 14:45 How did leaving politics change your view of politics? 15:45 There’s a degree of narcissism when you’re in government 16:30 The personalization of the media has politicized it 18:00 Humans are born with original bias, journalists will have it 20:15 There will be implicit bias infused in journalism, but it’s gone too far 22:00 If you spend too much time online it warps your view of reality 23:30 LinkedIn has become a trusted space by not being like Twitter or IG 25:45 Press & comms shops matter more than ever in politics & business 28:30 Drones have completely changed the complexion of modern warfare 29:15 How Matt got into the military drone business 31:00 Everything changed in the drone space after the Ukraine war 32:00 Does automating warfare make killing easier when it looks like a video game? 33:00 The U.S. needs an arsenal of drones it doesn’t currently have 34:15 You can’t make drone motors without magnets & the U.S. doesn’t make them 34:45 Drones are the biggest arms race since nuclear weapons 35:30 A dependency on Chinese drones was created in the U.S. 36:15 Biggest obstacles to building a domestic drone industry 37:30 A modern 9/11 style attack would most likely involve drones 39:00 We haven’t figured out protecting public spaces from drones 41:30 What lessons can we take away from 9/11 for countering drone terrorism? 43:30 What makes a good NFL owner and how much does ownership matter? 45:15 Owners shouldn’t placate media or fans with short term moves 45:45 Why is it so hard to build a winner with the Jets? 48:00 Inherited wealth vs success in business impact on sports owners 49:30 D.C. still isn’t aware of how important the drone arms race is 50:30 America’s enemies are learning how to make drones at scale  See omnystudio.com/listener for priv

In this episode, Chuck Todd breaks down the surprising Democratic overperformance in Tennessee’s TN-07 special election and what it signals about a rapidly shifting political landscape. From early cracks in Trump’s coalition to the GOP narrowly avoiding a full-scale collapse in a district they should have won easily, Chuck explains why this political environment is inching toward a Democratic “wave.” He digs into why Aftyn Behn’s imperfections didn’t stop her from overperforming, why Republicans can’t replicate this win in dozens of upcoming races, and how establishment ties have become toxic for candidates in Trump’s GOP. With ACA subsidies, tariffs, and Venezuela emerging as major vulnerabilities—and Trump issuing weekly, indefensible pardons—Chuck argues we may be witnessing the end stages of the Trump era. Plus, he makes the case that Democrats’ Senate prospects are stronger than people realize, especially in an environment defined by high Democratic enthusiasm and a struggling economy. Then, entrepreneur, investor, and former “Shark Tank” star Matt Higgins joins the Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation on ambition, politics, media, and the rapidly accelerating drone arms race. Higgins reflects on his rise from humble beginnings to serial entrepreneurship, why highlighting adversity can sometimes unintentionally promote victimhood, and how government should focus on leveling the playing field with empathy—not bureaucracy. He also explains why America is undergoing a political realignment and how leaving politics reshaped his view of its inherent narcissism. From the personalization of media to the implicit bias baked into journalism, Higgins warns about how online life can warp our sense of reality and why LinkedIn has succeeded by avoiding the toxicity of other platforms. The discussion then turns to the future of warfare, where drones have transformed the battlefield and triggered the most significant arms race since the nuclear age. Higgins breaks down how the Ukraine war changed everything, why the U.S. is dangerously dependent on Chinese drone technology, and how difficult it will be to build a domestic drone industry without key components like magnets. He also outlines what a modern 9/11-style attack might look like, why America still isn’t prepared to defend public spaces from drone terrorism, and the urgent lessons policymakers should take from past failures. The episode wraps with a detour into the NFL: what makes a great owner, why inherited wealth doesn’t equal success, and why both New York football teams continue to puzzle fans and analysts alike. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 at-risk Senate seats in a “blue wave” election and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.  Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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!  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 01:00 Takeaways from the TN-07 special election 02:15 Trend of Democrat overperformance continued in Tennessee 03:00 Is this political environment turning into a “wave” scenario for Democrats? 04:00 We’ve already started seeing cracks in Trump’s coalition 05:00 A loss in TN-07 would have led to the bottom falling out for the GOP 07:00 Aftyn Behn was not the perfect candidate for Dems in TN-07 08:45 Republicans will struggle to replicate this win in 35-40 races 11:00 Being associated with the establishment can be the kiss of death 11:30 Democrats are in a great political environment, Trump’s grip is slipping 12:15 GOP will likely extend ACA subsidies to mitigate the political damage 13:30 Tariffs and Venezuela are two big political liabilities for GOP 16:00 There was no mention of Trump from Matt Van Epps during campaign 16:30 There aren’t any positive future headlines coming for Republicans 18:15 We’re at the end stages of the Trump era 19:15 Environment will be high Democrat enthusiasm, with a bad economy 20:30 Trump’s granting indefensible pardons on a weekly basis 22:00 People are underrating Democrats chances of winning senate  24:00 If history is a guide, the likelihood of Dems winning 4 senate seats is high 31:15 Matt Higgins joi

This week’s episode of The Chuck ToddCast dives into the full spectrum of Donald Trump’s political chaos — from a deadly Venezuela boat strike that jolted Congress awake to an explosive shooting in Washington, D.C., where Trump delivered the most divisive response imaginable. Chuck breaks down how the shooter’s surprising CIA ties, Trump’s immediate “blame game,” and his increasingly politicized rhetoric toward the military risk putting service members in harm’s way. He examines Trump’s contradictory foreign policy moves, including pardoning a cocaine-trafficking former Honduran president and a billionaire fraudster, all while saber-rattling toward Venezuela and relying on Roger Stone as his unofficial “pardon broker.” With Republicans bracing for a wave of resignations and watchdog committees gearing up for investigations, Chuck argues that the founders never intended the pardon power to be used this way — and that a constitutional fix may now be essential. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to December 7th, 1941 when FDR addressed the nation via radio after Pearl Harbor, and traces the history of media fragmentation throughout the decades. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gives his college football update.  Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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!  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 02:00 We got the full spectrum of Trump this week 02:45 Venezuela boat strike has awoken congress from its slumber 03:15 Pete Hegseth could take the fall for war crime strike 04:00 Resignation of head of SouthCom was a flashing red light 05:45 Two national guardsmen shot in Washington D.C.   06:45 Trump’s response to shooting was most divisive possible 07:30 Surprising that shooter was Afghan employee of CIA 08:45 It’s likely shooter was mentally unstable & something triggered him 09:30 Trump immediately went into “blame game” mode after shooting 10:15 Trump’s entire political currency is division 11:00 Trump’s politicization of military risks putting target on their back 12:00 Trump blames Biden’s vetting, but administration rarely vets anything 12:45 Trump gave away everything U.S. won in Afghanistan to Taliban 14:30 Every president in the 21st century has screwed up Afghanistan 15:45 Trump tried to weaponize the shooting for political gain 17:30 Pay attention to what Trump does, not what he says 18:15 Trump pardons cocaine trafficking ex president of Honduras 19:00 Trump threatens war with Venezuela over drugs, then gives this pardon?? 20:00 Trump threatens voters of Honduras over their election 20:45 Roger Stone has become Trump’s pardon merchant 21:45 Pardon was direct result of Roger Stone’s lobbying 22:15 Trump has normalized pardoning of convicted felons 24:15 Trump pardons executive guilty of 1.6B fraud scheme 25:15 Trump’s pardons are far more corrupt than prior president’s pardons 26:30 We need a constitutional amendment to change the pardon power 29:30 Founder imagined congress would prevent abuse of pardon power 28:15 We’ll likely see 2-4 retirements per week in congress through December 29:45 Senate Armed Services committee will do thorough investigation of strike 31:15 Trump is likely to give an illegal order w/ military action in Venezuela 32:45 Trump’s coalition wanted less military intervention overseas 38:45 ToddCast Time Machine - December 7th, 1941 39:30 The shock of Pearl Harbor is almost gone from living memory 40:00 Pearl Harbor showed the power of shared media experience 41:00 Radio was the height of communal media 41:15 December 1945, FCC gave massive expansion of FM radio 42:00 FM created the first fragmentation of media 43:00 Summer of 1980, Walkman introduced personalization in media 44:30 The Walkman was the beginning of mass media fragmentation 46:30 By 1990, 40% of minutes listened in the car weren’t radio 47:15 Radio never recovered from the Walkman 47:45 Streaming and social are diminishing TV & cable 48:30 For Americans under 60, almost all media consumption is on smartphones 51:00 Ask Chuck 51:15 Love for “The Barn” and the book recommen

On today’s Chuck ToddCast, editor of The Dispatch Sarah Isgur joins Chuck for a sweeping conversation about the Supreme Court, constitutional design, and the modern dysfunction of Congress. Sarah argues that SCOTUS is the only institution still operating as the founders intended—and with two major cases on the docket, the Court could soon reshape the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. She and Chuck examine how the activist class has abandoned Congress, why long-term challenges like climate change require legislation rather than court battles, and how a dramatically expanded House—potentially 1,200 members or more—could restore true representation. They dig into how the collapse of traditional parties, the rise of communications-focused lawmakers, and the outsize influence of small states have all warped American governance. The conversation then widens into history, culture, and political “what-ifs”—from Ken Burns’ Revolutionary War documentary to the chaotic post-Lincoln era, to the tantalizing possibility that a surviving President Garfield might have accelerated civil rights by a century. Chuck and Sarah compare Obama to Chester Arthur, debate whether Democrats learned the wrong lessons from Trump, and revisit the alternate timelines of Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina, and the Tea Party. They close with a provocative question: Should the DOJ be structurally separated from the executive branch? And, more fundamentally, should it be far easier to amend the Constitution for a modern nation of 300 million people? Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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!  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 Sarah Isgur joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:30 SCOTUS is the only institution functioning as founders intended 02:00 SCOTUS has 2 cases that could rebalance other two branches 03:15 SCOTUS may strengthen executive while empowering congress 05:30 What if SCOTUS gives Trump everything he wants? 07:00 Activist class has given up or ignored congressional authority 08:00 You need legislation to address long term problems like climate change 09:30 The house needs to be expanded to make it more representative 11:45 The house should have 1200+ members 13:15 We replaced political parties with high dollar special interests 14:00 Members aren’t attending town halls, they’re posting on social media 16:30 The two leaders of each chamber run congress, not committee chairs 17:15 Legislators are frustrated with the broken nature of congress 18:30 Members aren’t hiring legislating staff, they hire comms staff 20:00 Boebert, AOC, MTG would be backbenchers without comms 21:30 Small states are getting far too much influence electorally 24:30 The constitution is a good ballast if we follow it and regularly amend it 25:30 Ken Burns was gutsy to make a doc on the American revolution 27:00 If you want 300 million people to follow a law, it should take time to pass 29:00 Death By Lightning was too short to tell the whole story 31:00 “Manhunt” really painted a picture of Andrew Johnson 32:00 Lincoln assassination was meant to  Lincoln's administration 32:45 Holiday reading list  34:00 End of 19th century was a weird time for the U.S. presidency 36:00 Rehnquist’s book comments on Bush v Gore through 19th century lens 37:45 Thomas Jefferson impeached justices in order to get a SCOTUS rubber stamp 38:30 Chuck’s project to create a scripted TV show about Garfield & reconstruction 39:45 George Washington wanted D.C. to be the biggest port city on east coast 42:30 1860-1865 was a fascinating time for the city of Washington DC 44:00 If Garfield lived we might have gotten the Civil Rights Act 100 years sooner 45:30 Parallels between Obama and Chester A. Arthur presidencies 46:30 Democrats learning from Trump that action matters over process 47:30 Dems gutted their bench during Obama years 48:30 Obama endorsing Clinton was a massive mistake for the Democratic Party 51:00 GOP voters realized the “nice” candidate like Romney couldn’t win 52:30 Without “bridgegate”, Chris Christie may be president instead of Trump 54:00 Chris Christie is a wildly talented politician, but mismanaged era with his shot 55:30 The Tea Party energy in GOP could

This week’s episode of The Chuck ToddCast dives into the full spectrum of Donald Trump’s political chaos — from a deadly Venezuela boat strike that jolted Congress awake to an explosive shooting in Washington, D.C., where Trump delivered the most divisive response imaginable. Chuck breaks down how the shooter’s surprising CIA ties, Trump’s immediate “blame game,” and his increasingly politicized rhetoric toward the military risk putting service members in harm’s way. He examines Trump’s contradictory foreign policy moves, including pardoning a cocaine-trafficking former Honduran president and a billionaire fraudster, all while saber-rattling toward Venezuela and relying on Roger Stone as his unofficial “pardon broker.” With Republicans bracing for a wave of resignations and watchdog committees gearing up for investigations, Chuck argues that the founders never intended the pardon power to be used this way — and that a constitutional fix may now be essential. Then, editor of The Dispatch, Sarah Isgur joins Chuck for a sweeping conversation about the Supreme Court, constitutional design, and the modern dysfunction of Congress. Sarah argues that SCOTUS is the only institution still operating as the founders intended—and with two major cases on the docket, the Court could soon reshape the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. She and Chuck examine how the activist class has abandoned Congress, why long-term challenges like climate change require legislation rather than court battles, and how a dramatically expanded House—potentially 1,200 members or more—could restore true representation. They dig into how the collapse of traditional parties, the rise of communications-focused lawmakers, and the outsize influence of small states have all warped American governance. The conversation then widens into history, culture, and political “what-ifs”—from Ken Burns’ Revolutionary War documentary to the chaotic post-Lincoln era, to the tantalizing possibility that a surviving President Garfield might have accelerated civil rights by a century. Chuck and Sarah compare Obama to Chester Arthur, debate whether Democrats learned the wrong lessons from Trump, and revisit the alternate timelines of Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina, and the Tea Party. They close with a provocative question: Should the DOJ be structurally separated from the executive branch? And, more fundamentally, should it be far easier to amend the Constitution for a modern nation of 300 million people? Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to December 7th, 1941 when FDR addressed the nation via radio after Pearl Harbor, and traces the history of media fragmentation throughout the decades. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gives his college football update.  Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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!  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 02:00 We got the full spectrum of Trump this week 02:45 Venezuela boat strike has awoken congress from its slumber 03:15 Pete Hegseth could take the fall for war crime strike 04:00 Resignation of head of SouthCom was a flashing red light 05:45 Two national guardsmen shot in Washington D.C.  06:45 Trump’s response to shooting was most divisive possible 07:30 Surprising that shooter was Afghan employee of CIA 08:45 It’s likely shooter was mentally unstable & something triggered him 09:30 Trump immediately went into “blame game” mode after shooting 10:15 Trump’s entire political currency is division 11:00 Trump’s politicization of military risks putting target on their back 12:00 Trump blames Biden’s vetting, but administration rarely vets anything 12:45 Trump gave away everything U.S. won in Afghanistan to Taliban 14:30 Every president in the 21st century has screwed up Afghanistan 15:45 Trump tried to weaponize the shooting for political gain 17:30 Pay attention to what Trump does, not what he says 18:15 Trump pardons cocaine trafficking ex president of Honduras 19:00 Trump threatens war with Venezuela over drugs, then gives this pardon?? 20:00 Trump threatens voters of Honduras

At the Texas Tribune Festival, Maryland Governor Wes Moore joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership in the Trump era, the future of Democratic politics, and the policy challenges shaping the next decade. Moore reflects on governing a state uniquely positioned at the crossroads of America’s north and south — and uniquely impacted by Donald Trump’s presidency. He and Chuck dig into the shutdown’s political fallout, why the legal theory behind shutdowns has always been flimsy, and how Maryland worked to blunt its effects. Moore also lays out why kicking people off healthcare is an indefensible shutdown tactic, what Democrats got right and wrong in their approach, and how states can tackle crime without relying on the myths surrounding the National Guard. The conversation turns toward the issues that will define 2026 and beyond, including skyrocketing electric bills, the urgent need to rapidly diversify energy production, and the responsibility tech companies bear as AI and data centers reshape local communities. Moore challenges Democrats to rethink their discomfort with Wall Street, argues that poverty is the result of deliberate policy design, and explains how racial wealth theft — from redlining to inequitable lending — continues to hold the economy back. Chuck also presses him on 2028 rumors, his vision for restoring bipartisanship in a polarized country, and why national service might help rebuild trust in American institutions. Packed with policy, perspective, and political strategy, it’s a candid look at how one of the party’s rising stars sees the road ahead. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 02:00 Introduction 02:45 Chuck Todd is joined by Maryland Governor Wes Moore 05:00 Balancing optimism in pessimism in the current political climate 06:30 No state has felt the impact of Trump more than Maryland 08:30 Maryland is where America’s north and south blend & clash 09:15 Confronting Trump vs. preparing for a post-Trump world 13:00 Did the Democrats take the right approach to the shutdown? 13:45 Shutdowns are predicated on a legal theory, not the constitution 15:30 Maryland took steps to mitigate damage from the shutdown 16:45 Kicking people off healthcare is an indefensible position for shutdown 18:00 Does Donald Trump have a point about crime in major cities? 19:30 How Maryland was able to significantly lower crime rate 21:15 Trump uses the military like they’re childish toy soldiers 22:15 There’s no data to support claim that national guard lowers crime 25:15 Advice Wes Moore gave to Zohran Mamdani for dealing with Trump 27:45 What does Trump do well that got him elected twice? 29:00 Donald Trump doesn’t wait to act 30:45 The electric bill will be the “price of eggs” issue in 2026 32:00 What can government do to alleviate high electricity prices? 34:15 We need to diversify energy projects and bring online faster 36:15 What is the responsibility of tech companies building data centers 37:45 AI & tech advancement must be done in partnership with communities 38:30 Why should Democrats not be overly skeptical of Wall Street? 39:30 Poverty exists due to deliberate policy choices 44:15 Why do Democrats have a net negative view of capitalism? 47:15 Does the socialist label create a branding problem? 48:15 The racial wealth gap has cost the economy $16T over two decades 48:45 Why haven’t reparations happened? 50:15 Redlining was one of the greatest wealth thefts in American history 53:00 Why should we believe Wes isn’t running in 2028? 55:45 What is one policy he supports that the Democratic party avoids? 59:00 How do we bring back bipartisanship when the middle doesn’t exist? 1:02:15 Message to people in their 20’s watching the upheaval in institutions? 1:06:15 Support for mandatory national service? 1:07:45 Best route for Maryland to overcome redistricting roadblocks? 1:11:15 Pitch to convince people to move from Texas to Maryland?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Chuck ToddCast, Chuck previews the Democratic prospects for the 2028 presidential election, highlighting why Gavin Newsom has shot to the top of the field and debates which candidate is most likely to win the “centrist” lane. Then, at the Texas Tribune Festival, Maryland Governor Wes Moore joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership in the Trump era, the future of Democratic politics, and the policy challenges shaping the next decade. Moore reflects on governing a state uniquely positioned at the crossroads of America’s north and south — and uniquely impacted by Donald Trump’s presidency. He and Chuck dig into the shutdown’s political fallout, why the legal theory behind shutdowns has always been flimsy, and how Maryland worked to blunt its effects. Moore also lays out why kicking people off healthcare is an indefensible shutdown tactic, what Democrats got right and wrong in their approach, and how states can tackle crime without relying on the myths surrounding the National Guard. The conversation turns toward the issues that will define 2026 and beyond, including skyrocketing electric bills, the urgent need to rapidly diversify energy production, and the responsibility tech companies bear as AI and data centers reshape local communities. Moore challenges Democrats to rethink their discomfort with Wall Street, argues that poverty is the result of deliberate policy design, and explains how racial wealth theft — from redlining to inequitable lending — continues to hold the economy back. Chuck also presses him on 2028 rumors, his vision for restoring bipartisanship in a polarized country, and why national service might help rebuild trust in American institutions. Packed with policy, perspective, and political strategy, it’s a candid look at how one of the party’s rising stars sees the road ahead. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s Introduction 01:00 Big takeaways from interview with Wes Moore 03:15 Gavin Newsom has shot to the top of Dem presidential candidates 04:15 Gavin Newsom won 2025 on Dem side, Vance on GOP side 06:00 Dems need to win governor races in red states to have good midterm 07:15 Will Shapiro, Moore or Beshear win the centrist lane? 10:30 If Dems are successful in ‘26 they may not want a partisan warrior 14:45 Texas Tribune introduction 15:30 Chuck Todd is joined by Maryland Governor Wes Moore 17:45 Balancing optimism in pessimism in the current political climate 19:15 No state has felt the impact of Trump more than Maryland 21:15 Maryland is where America’s north and south blend & clash 22:00 Confronting Trump vs. preparing for a post-Trump world 25:45 Did the Democrats take the right approach to the shutdown? 26:30 Shutdowns are predicated on a legal theory, not the constitution 28:15 Maryland took steps to mitigate damage from the shutdown 29:30 Kicking people off healthcare is an indefensible position for shutdown 31:15 Does Donald Trump have a point about crime in major cities? 32:45 How Maryland was able to significantly lower crime rate 34:00 Trump uses the military like they’re childish toy soldiers 35:00 There’s no data to support claim that national guard lowers crime 38:00 Advice Wes Moore gave to Zohran Mamdani for dealing with Trump 40:30 What does Trump do well that got him elected twice? 41:45 Donald Trump doesn’t wait to act 43:30 The electric bill will be the “price of eggs” issue in 2026 44:45 What can government do to alleviate high electricity prices? 47:00 We need to diversify energy projects and bring online faster 49:00 What is the responsibility of tech companies building data centers 50:30 AI & tech advancement must be done in partnership with communities 51:15 Why should Democrats not be overly skeptical of Wall Street? 52:15 Poverty exists due to deliberate policy choices 57:00 Why do Democrats have a net negative view of capitalism? 1:00:00 Does the socialist label create a branding problem? 1:01:00 The racial wealth gap has cost the economy $16T over two decades 1:01:30 Why haven’t reparations happened? 1:03:00 Redlining was one of the greatest wealth thefts in American history 1:05:45 Why should we believe Wes isn’t running in 2028? 1:08:30 What is one policy he sup

On today’s Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down why Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation is less an isolated drama and more a warning sign that Trump’s once-tight MAGA coalition is splintering. From Speaker Mike Johnson taking cues directly from Trump to a wave of looming GOP retirements, Chuck explains why Republicans may face a bleak 2026. He also digs into Trump’s mixed economic record, his unexpected openness to extending ACA subsidies, and the widening rift between Republicans over Ukraine, where a new peace proposal appears to reflect more of Kyiv’s asks than Moscow’s. With Europe carrying most of the burden and Trump seen abroad as a lame duck, Chuck argues that MAGA may be reaching the end of its political shelf life as fractures emerge across every major wing of the coalition. Sports & political commentator Clay Travis joins Chuck Todd for a candid conversation that spans the worlds of politics, sports, and media. They explore the shifting boundaries between culture and athletics, the pressure of serving a politically-charged audience, and what Clay learned from stepping into Rush Limbaugh’s former timeslot. Clay discusses the importance of distinguishing fact from opinion, the challenges of modern political incentives, and how law school shaped his worldview. The two also talk about the realities of online hostility, audience expectations, and Clay’s belief that influence in media can outweigh influence in elected office. The episode also digs deep into college football: conference realignment, the CFP committee’s biases, southern schools’ growing appeal, and how cultural and political trends—from Gaza protests to regional identity—shape the sport’s landscape. Clay and Chuck debate how to fix the playoff system, what makes college football uniquely personal for fans, and which major sports league Nashville could attract next. Clay closes by sharing the presidential contenders he wishes would run in 2028 and why treating political opponents like rival sports fans could be a healthier way forward. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 Thanksgiving Dishes, previews a pivotal weekend in college football and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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!  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 03:30 MTG’s resignation a sign of Trump’s coalition fracturing 04:15 MAGA is more likely to continue fracturing rather than galvanize 05:00 Republicans probably hoping for impeachment if Dems take house 06:15 Johnson keeping the house out of session was a huge mistake 07:45 Mike Johnson isn’t operating on his own, Trump dictates to him 09:15 Trump’s agenda has made the economy worse 11:00 Other Republican lawmakers signaling they may resign early 12:15 Holidays are the season of early retirement decisions 13:00 Likely we see 10 or more Republican retirements by end of January 14:45 Donald Trump signals willingness to extend ACA subsidies 17:00 Lame duck president and Dem majority will discourage GOP reelect bids 18:30 Congress has been cut out of governing, makes the job suck 20:00 Ukraine peace plan details have been all over the map 20:45 New peace deal contains more of Ukraine’s considerations 21:15 Trump just wants a deal, doesn’t care about the details 22:30 To his credit, Trump has people on his team supporting Ukraine 25:00 Skeptical that new deal will be well received by the Russians 26:00 Putin knows Trump is a lame duck and will play the long game 27:30 Europe provides most support to Ukraine, Trump has less leverage 29:15 Split between Rubio & Vance wings over Russia and Ukraine  30:30 We are seeing fractures throughout Trump’s coalition 31:30 MAGA may be approaching the end of its shelf life 36:30  Clay Travis joins the Chuck ToddCast 38:00  GW’s near win over the Fab Five  40:00  Thoughts on McAfee interviewing Trump on ESPN? 40:45  If the president wants to do your show, you do it 42:00  Are you a sports guy that does politics or a politics guy that does sports 42:45  Taking over Rush Limbaugh’s timeslot for Premiere Radio 44:00  Balancing sports content v

On today’s Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down why Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation is less an isolated drama and more a warning sign that Trump’s once-tight MAGA coalition is splintering. From Speaker Mike Johnson taking cues directly from Trump to a wave of looming GOP retirements, Chuck explains why Republicans may face a bleak 2026. He also digs into Trump’s mixed economic record, his unexpected openness to extending ACA subsidies, and the widening rift between Republicans over Ukraine, where a new peace proposal appears to reflect more of Kyiv’s asks than Moscow’s. With Europe carrying most of the burden and Trump seen abroad as a lame duck, Chuck argues that MAGA may be reaching the end of its political shelf life as fractures emerge across every major wing of the coalition. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 Thanksgiving Dishes, previews a pivotal weekend in college football and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.   Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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!  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 01:15  MTG’s resignation a sign of Trump’s coalition fracturing 02:00  MAGA is more likely to continue fracturing rather than galvanize 02:45  Republicans probably hoping for impeachment if Dems take house 04:00  Johnson keeping the house out of session was a huge mistake 05:30  Mike Johnson isn’t operating on his own, Trump dictates to him 07:00  Trump’s agenda has made the economy worse 08:45  Other Republican lawmakers signaling they may resign early 10:00  Holidays are the season of early retirement decisions 10:45  Likely we see 10 or more Republican retirements by end of January 12:30  Donald Trump signals willingness to extend ACA subsidies 14:45  Lame duck president and Dem majority will discourage GOP reelect bids 16:15  Congress has been cut out of governing, makes the job suck 17:45  Ukraine peace plan details have been all over the map 18:30  New peace deal contains more of Ukraine’s considerations 19:00  Trump just wants a deal, doesn’t care about the details 20:15  To his credit, Trump has people on his team supporting Ukraine 22:45  Skeptical that new deal will be well received by the Russians 23:45  Putin knows Trump is a lame duck and will play the long game 25:15  Europe provides most support to Ukraine, Trump has less leverage 27:00  Split between Rubio & Vance wings over Russia and Ukraine  28:15  We are seeing fractures throughout Trump’s coalition 29:15  MAGA may be approaching the end of its shelf life 33:45  Thanksgiving is where we try to be the best version of ourselves 34:45  ToddCast Top 5 Dishes For Thanksgiving Dinner 35:00  #1 A meat that is an alternative to roasted turkey 35:45  #2 Macaroni and cheese casserole, not out of the box 36:30  #3 Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows 37:30  #4 Green bean mushroom casserole 38:30  #5 Leftover pumpkin pie w/coffee the next morning 40:00  College football preview 52:15  Ask Chuck 52:30  Will AI take CEO jobs? Does it present a threat to capitalism? 56:30  Has Trump given license to racists & misogynists to be more overt? 1:00:00  Is it possible that teams will play down against Notre Dame? 1:03:30  Thoughts on Qatari air force facility being built in Idaho 1:05:00  Paradox between presidential immunity vs “take care” clause?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.