The Chuck ToddCast

Chuck Todd
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The Chuck ToddCast

The Chuck ToddCast is back! If you're looking for smart, no-nonsense political conversation, you've come to the right place. The Chuck ToddCast goes beyond the headlines, featuring conversations with top reporters, insiders, and newsmakers from D.C. to the heartland. No scripts, no spin—just real discussions about what’s shaping our politics and why it matters.

  1. 3D AGO

    Will Democrats WIPE OUT Trump & Republicans In 2026 Midterms? + RFK Jr. Is Devastating Public Health

    Chuck Todd begins by highlighting potential Trump cabinet members that are likely to be resigned or fired in the near future. He rails against the damage RFK Jr. is inflicting on public heath, but predicts Pete Hegseth or Pam Bondi will exit first for making Trump “look bad”. He also recounts recent polling show Democratic voters want drastic action from their lawmakers and points out the 2028 presidential hopefuls that have made stops in early primary states. Then, Chuck is joined by Nathan Gonzalez, editor and publisher of “Inside Elections”, to analyze the evolving political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterms. They dive into potential Senate retirements, the challenges facing Trump nominees like Pete Hegseth and RFK Jr., and how issues like tariffs and aggressive deportations could impact Republican prospects. The conversation explores whether we'll see more competitive Democratic primaries as the party searches for a new identity, and examines key races from New York and New Jersey that could foreshadow national trends. The discussion also covers some fascinating political developments, including the IRS decision to allow churches to endorse candidates and what that means for the intersection of politics and religion. Gonzalez and Todd speculate about Elon Musk's potential influence on third-party movements, analyze gubernatorial races in states like Ohio and Michigan, and consider how "Biden baggage" might affect Democratic candidates. They wrap up with some college sports talk, debating conference realignment, misleading conference names and the upcoming Pac-12 season. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment about Pakistan, RFK Jr. and a potential rebranding opportunity for Democratic Socialists. Timeline:  (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Which Trump cabinet secretary will be next to leave? 02:30 Record measles outbreak under RFK Jr. 03:45 RFK Jr could hurt Republican candidates in midterms 05:00 Measles outbreak should be a bigger story 06:30 RFK Jr lied to Senator Bill Cassidy 08:30 Kennedy is doing tremendous damage to public health 09:45 Hegseth and Bondi are doing most damage to Trump politically 11:00 Outsiders get eaten alive at the Pentagon 12:15 Joni Ernst is the most likely Hegseth replacement 13:00 MAGA media has turned on Pam Bondi over Epstein 15:00 Howard Lutnick’s media appearances have stopped 15:45 Scott Bessent could get the fed chair job 17:00 Will the Senate pick a fight with Trump over fed chair? 18:30 Bondi most likely to go in the short term 19:30 Democratic voters want drastic action from their representatives 21:30 Trump’s re-election is creating a reactionary revolution on the left 24:00 The Big Beautiful Bill could be a huge political loser for MAGA 26:30 Democrats will distance themselves from Biden 28:30 New poll mapping voter preferences was revealing 30:15 The “invisible primary” for 2028 presidential election 31:15 2028 Democratic hopefuls are visiting early primary states 33:15 Ruben Gallego is getting lots of buzz  35:30 IRS won’t revoke churches’ tax-exempt status for practicing politics 37:00 Nathan Gonzalez joins the Chuck ToddCast!  39:00 Anticipating any senate retirements prior to 2026?  41:00 Joni Ernst most likely to replace Hegseth if he's fired?  42:30 Hegseth and RFK Jr are causing problems for Trump  44:00 What Kennedy is doing at HHS will be a big midterm issue  46:30 The tariff bomb will hit hard, but hasn't hit yet  49:30 Did Biden's team set up the bad debate on purpose?  51:45 Will NY and NJ elections foreshadow the midterms?  53:45 How Mikie Sherrill handles Zohran Mamdani will be telling  56:00 Will we see more competitive Democratic primaries?  57:30 Democrats are wrestling with finding a new identity  58:15 IRS will allow candidate endorsements by churches  1:00:00 Could other entities claim to be churches for political purposes?  1:01:45 Politics and religion have always mixed, will be more overt now  1:03:15 The IRS decision will be bad for churches  1:05:45 How heavy will "Biden baggage" be in 2026?  1:08:00 Will Biden ties sink Pete Buttigieg?  1:09:30 Is a Ramaswamy victory a done deal in Ohio?  1:10:30 Where should Musk target his money to boost third parties?  1:13:45 Musk should support both the Libertarian and Forward parties  1:16:15 Musk hasn't indicated what he's FOR  1:17:30 Alaska and Maine could be ripe for third party success  1:19:30 Dan Osborne's viability in Nebraska?  1:21:30 Rural states could be in play due to tariff turmoil  1:22:30 Dynamics of Michigan Democratic governor primary  1:25:30 Are Mike Duggan's Biden ties a liability?  1:26:30 What under the radar issues could bubble up in 2026?  1:27:45 Aggressive deportations will hurt Republicans  1:29:15 Republican voters care about immigration nationally, not locally  1:30:45 Bigger sin for college conferences: misleading name or geography?  1:33:00 What to expect in the Pac-12 this season?  1:36:45 Oregon State and Washington State should be playing with big schools  1:38:30 Where to find Nathan's work 1:40:00 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Nathan Gonzalez  1:41:40 Ask Chuck 1:42:00 Why isn't the U.S. government tougher on Pakistan?  1:46:45 Why don't leftist Democrats frame their politics as pre-Reagan Democrat?  1:51:15 Why is anti-vax sentiment only framed as an RFK Jr. issue?  1:55:00 James Wood in the home run derby a bright spot for Nats fans

    1h 56m

  2. 4D AGO

    Will America SURVIVE Donald Trump’s Presidency?

    Chuck Todd begins with Donald Trump receiving criticism and backlash from his own base after essentially declaring “case closed” on the Epstein files and why it’s a “reap what you sow” situation after several members of the administration stoked Epstein conspiracies for years. He also provides Elon Musk with a roadmap for his “America Party” and highlights states where third party candidates would be viable as trust erodes in the two major parties. Then, veteran Boston media personalities Jim Braude and Margery Eagan join Chuck for a wide-ranging discussion about the crisis facing American journalism and democracy. The conversation explores how journalists are compromising their ethics out of personal preservation, the devastating impact of local journalism's decline on political accountability, and the broader media landscape shaped by figures like Roger Ailes since Watergate. Braude and Eagan reflect on how toxic politics has driven good people away from public service, with harassment and threats becoming commonplace for public figures, while an increasingly uninformed public receives information through polarized channels like Fox News and social media. The discussion turns to specific political dynamics, from the deteriorating Kennedy brand in Massachusetts—with RFK Jr. damaging the family legacy while Ted Kennedy's effectiveness as a politician is remembered—to broader questions about whether America can survive and recover from the Trump era. The hosts examine why Americans have become numb to Trump's inflammatory rhetoric, debate whether Democrats should break rules in defiance of Trump (citing the gun violence sit-in as an example of constructive rule-breaking), and discuss the messaging challenges facing the Democratic Party. They also explore how cultural issues rather than economics serve as the glue for both parties, why democratic socialist policies are popular but the socialist label is toxic, and whether politicians from Massachusetts can win nationally, before concluding with reflections on local Boston politics and the ultimate question of whether America can extract itself from its current political mess. Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding a cultural swap between the left and the right, whether we’re living through the fall of the American empire and what it would take to break Trump’s spell over MAGA. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Introduction 02:15 The right wing Epstein conspiracy theorists are turning on Trump  03:30 The CIA withheld info on Lee Harvey Oswald for 60 years 05:30 Right wing media created atmosphere of distrust 06:15 The conspiracy theorists are now in power 07:15 The Trump administration won’t be believed by their followers 08:00 The administration is behaving like they have something to hide* 09:45 Misinformation has polluted the discourse 11:30 Trump acolytes lied about Epstein at some point 13:15 When you stoke conspiracies, you aren’t believable when in power 15:00 The government has earned its distrust 16:30 In a functional administration, Patel, Bondi and Bongino would be fired* 17:30 The two party system is on brink of collapse, and that’s a good thing 19:30 Musk isn’t wrong to want to break the two party system 21:15 The country would be better served by a four party system 23:00 There is a path for Elon to succeed due to his money 23:45 Texas and Florida are the two best states for a third party to succeed 25:15 Several other states are viable for third party senate candidates 29:30 The midterm electorate will be volatile 30:30 Jim Braude and Margery Eagan join the Chuck ToddCast!  32:30 The state of journalism and public radio  34:00 Journalists compromising ethics out of personal preservation  36:00 The death of print journalism  38:00 The impact of local journalism on political accountability  39:30 John's background in politics led him to radio/journalism  40:45 Media is harsher on activists than politicians  42:00 John's experience in city council made him a better journalist  43:15 Harassment/threats to public figures  44:45 Politics is so toxic that good people don't run  47:15 Toxic politics/liberal media discourse goes back to Roger Ailes & Watergate  48:45 How do educated elected Republicans sleep at night?  49:30 The country is woefully uninformed  50:45 Fox News & social media have been incredibly effective for the right  52:15 What's the state of the Kennedy brand in Massachusetts?  54:30 Ted Kennedy was one of the most effective politicians ever  56:30 RFK Jr. is doing tremendous damage to the family name  57:30 Americans have become numb to Trump's outrages  59:00 Will America survive and recover from the Trump era?  1:00:45 The administration is reaping what they've sown with Epstein  1:03:00 Trump gets away with "I hate Democrats" comments  1:04:00 Should Dems break rules in defiance of Trump?  1:06:00 Democrats sit-in over guns was an example of good rulebreaking  1:07:30 Democrats are bad messengers  1:08:45 Politicians have to be performative  1:12:15 The left needs to have a socialism vs capitalism debate  1:13:00 Cultural issues are the glue for both parties, not economics  1:14:45 Democratic socialist policies are popular, the socialist label is not  1:17:00 Can a Massachusetts politician win nationally?  1:20:15 State of the Boston mayoral race  1:23:45 Should Michelle Wu be worried about being an incumbent  1:25:45 Can Andrew Cuomo make a comeback against Mamdani?  1:27:45 Can America get itself out of this mess? 1:32:30 Thoughts on interview with Jim and Margery  1:33:00 Ask Chuck  1:33:15 Why did the left take the "hall monitor" vibe from the right?  1:37:15 Are we living through the fall of the American empire?  1:42:15 What would it take to break Trump's hold over MAGA?  1:44:00 How and where can Musk succeed with a third party?

    1h 49m

  3. 6D AGO

    Playing POLITICS With Texas Disaster + Elon Launches America Party + Will Feminism SURVIVE In The Trump Era?

    Chuck Todd begins with the flooding disaster in Texas and why America’s toxic political landscape makes preparing for extreme weather events unlikely, if not impossible. He also reacts to Elon Musk launching the “America Party” and expresses doubts about Musk’s motives, while applauding the idea of launching a viable third party. Finally, he blasts Florida governor Ron DeSantis for vetoing funding for a veterans program over a personal gripe with another Florida lawmaker. Then, directors Cecilia Aldarondo, Salima Koroma, and Alice Gu join Chuck to discuss their HBO documentary "Dear Ms.: A Revolution In Print," which chronicles the groundbreaking feminist magazine that launched in 1972. The filmmakers share the origins of their collaboration and the challenges of distilling Ms. magazine's complex 50-year legacy into a cohesive narrative, using iconic covers as launching points for exploring three main themes. They discuss how Ms. magazine differentiated itself from traditional women's publications focused on homemaking, instead tackling controversial subjects like pornography, workplace harassment, and the objectification of women—topics that generated significant male backlash and revealed the deep cultural resistance to feminist ideas. The conversation explores how the documentary's themes resonate in today's political climate, examining whether the Trump era represents a step backward for women's rights or simply exposed hidden truths about persistent inequality. The directors reflect on the evolution of feminist discourse, from the magazine's early battles against normalized harassment to contemporary debates about pornography, violence, and the #MeToo movement. They also consider Gloria Steinem's enduring legacy and discuss how early feminists faced far greater challenges than modern advocates, while acknowledging ongoing struggles around pay gaps in sports and the need for systemic rather than merely optical changes. The filmmakers conclude by reflecting on what didn't make the final cut and speculating about what a future installment might explore, including the recent rise of women's sports as a potential focal point. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment about a potential second civil war, what life in an authoritarian state actually looks like, and why the American media has completely neglected the conflict between Rwanda and Congo. To help support the Santa Rose Veterans Treatment Court, visit santarosavtc.com Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Introduction 03:00 Politics is making tragedies like Texas even worse 04:30 No evidence that budget cuts played a role in the tragedy 05:30 We’re not prepared for the extreme weather that’s coming 06:30 Voters don’t reward “preventative” policy 09:00 The insurance industry is sounding the alarm on climate 10:30 The climate/disaster debate will only grow 12:30 It’s not “too soon for politics”, we need to be better prepared 13:45 Elon Musk launches the “America Party” 15:15 Musk wants to own, not share a movement 17:00 We need TWO new parties 20:00 Only a few defections to third parties would force change 21:30 There’s massive interest in a third party 23:30 Trump says he “hates” Democrats 25:30 Ron DeSantis vetoes veterans treatment over personal dispute 27:45 Lawmaker blew the whistle on the DeSantis charity 30:00 Line-item vetoes are fraught for political corruption 32:00 Petty politics is being used to harm veterans 34:30 Cecilia Aldarondo, Salima Koroma & Alice Gu join the Chuck Toddcast!  35:00 What was the origin of "Dear Ms.: A Revolution In Print"?  37:00 The biggest challenge making Dear Ms.  39:45 HBO wanted iconic covers as the launching point for storytelling  41:00 The three main themes of the documentary?  42:00 Pornography was the most difficult issue for the magazine to cover  44:30 1972 was an iconic year for women  46:45 It was hard to have a black woman on the cover of a magazine  48:30 Most women's magazines were about homemaking  51:30 Ms. highlighted the objectification of women  53:00 Culture has evolved significantly since the release of Animal House  54:00 Harassment used to be commonplace and accepted  56:15 Technology has supercharged pornography into the mainstream  57:30 The backlash against feminism rose with the evangelical movement  59:00 There's still plenty of sexual taboos, but also more sexual content  1:00:30 The effort to draw a distinction between violence and pornography  1:02:30 Anti-porn sentiment puts women in danger  1:03:45 Would the documentary be different if we weren't in the Trump era?  1:06:45 The false sense that America had achieved equal rights  1:08:00 The feminist focus on women's rights over other rights  1:09:00 Is the Trump era a step back? Or has it revealed the hidden truth?  1:12:00 "Me too" should have been "Them Too"  1:14:00 Gloria Steinham's legacy  1:16:45 Early feminists faced far greater challenges than modern feminists  1:18:00 The emergence of women in elected politics  1:20:30 The importance of this film coming out now  1:21:45 If there's a Part 4 in ten years, would it be the rise in women's sports?  1:23:15 The pay gap in sports is massive  1:26:00 Sports politics has focused on optical change over systemic change  1:28:00 What didn't make the cut for Dear Ms.? 1:34:15 Chuck's thoughts on the interview  1:34:45 Nats announce they are firing the manager and GM  1:37:30 Ask Chuck  1:37:45 If the country descends into civil war, who would the "sides" be?  1:41:30 What does life look like in authoritarian/kleptocratic countries?  1:45:00 Why is there no coverage of the Congo/Rwanda conflict?

    1h 50m

  4. JUL 3

    Shame On Paramount + Is Trump Selling Out Ukraine? + Can Democrats TAKE BACK Florida From Republicans?

    Chuck Todd begins by reacting to Paramount agreeing to settle Trump’s bogus 60 Minutes lawsuit and explains why it’s demoralizing for journalists and delegitimizing for corporate owned media. He also dives into the news that Trump has cut off weapons shipments to Ukraine despite a large majority of Americans supporting Ukraine and why it makes strategic sense to do so. Then, Chuck is joined by Florida gubernatorial candidate David Jolly for an in-depth conversation about Florida's evolving political landscape and his own remarkable transformation from GOP loyalist to Democratic candidate. Jolly shares his Florida origin story and analyzes how the state's politics have shifted, exploring whether Miami's political evolution offers hope for broader American reconciliation. The discussion delves into immigration dynamics, examining why some immigrant communities have gravitated toward Republicans and the potential backlash from deportation policies, while also addressing whether Democratic socialism remains politically toxic in South Florida. Jolly recounts his political evolution, emphasizing that while his policy positions have changed, his core values remain constant. He reflects on pivotal moments including the Pulse nightclub shooting that served as a reckoning for his views on gun ownership, his departure from the NRA after rejecting their "quid pro quo" offer for an A rating, and his decision to run as a Democrat rather than an Independent. Throughout, Jolly offers candid insights into Florida's systemic challenges—from the unaffordable "Florida dream" and housing crisis exacerbated by hurricane risks, to 27 years of Republican trifecta rule that he argues has led to corruption, gutted public schools through voucher programs, and political interference with state universities. The discussion also touches on everything from NIL regulations in college sports to public financing for professional stadiums, painting a comprehensive picture of Florida's political and social complexities. Finally, in homage to Independence Day, Chuck examines the state of “independents” and third-parties and explains why the appetite for candidates outside the two party system is higher than ever. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Introduction  01:45 Paramount agrees to pay off Trump’s CBS lawsuit to secure merger 03:00 The pay off stains all corporate media and news 04:15 It is a gut punch for practicing journalists 06:00 Corporate owned media are losing their legitimacy 08:15 There’s no good explanation for capitulation 10:30 For media to have credibility, they have to be ethical 11:30 Trump cuts off military aid to Ukraine 13:00 A majority of the American public supports Ukraine 15:45 Supporting Ukraine makes strategic sense for the U.S. 17:30 The Russians helped Trump in 20016, even if there wasn’t collusion 19:00 American news doesn’t prioritize covering the war 20:30 David Jolly joins the Chuck ToddCast!  21:15 David's Florida origin story  23:00 The current state of Florida's politics  24:45 The "Florida dream" is becoming out of reach  27:30 Is Miami's political evolution a sign of hope for the rest of America?  28:45 Backlash to deportations from Florida's immigrant communities?  29:45 What caused immigrants to gravitate towards Republicans?  31:15 Cruelty and broken promises are the two themes of deportations  32:30 Is Democratic socialism politically toxic in south Florida?  34:15 Balancing housing affordability with hurricane safety  36:30 Private insurers can't keep up with risk  37:45 Remove hurricane damage from private insurance policies  38:45 David's political evolution from Republican to Democrat  42:15 His policy positions have changed, his values have not  43:30 What do responsible gun ownership laws look like?  44:15 Differences between a Bush 41 and Bush 43 Republican?  45:15 The NRA's "quid pro quo" offer for A rating  46:30 Pulse nightclub shooting was a reckoning for him  48:30 Running as a Democrats vs an Independent  53:00 Too many Floridians are living paycheck to paycheck  54:15 Republicans have had a trifecta in Florida for 27 years  55:15 Corruption in Florida politics  57:15 Florida's public school system has been gutted due to voucher program  59:15 Vouchers have just subsidized the private schools  1:01:00 There's no vetting process for charter/private schools  1:03:30 Republican meddling with Florida's universities  1:05:45 De-politicizing government job appointments  1:08:45 Should the state play a role in regulating NIL in college sports?  1:11:45 Public financing for professional sport stadiums?  1:13:15 Would the Rays be more successful in Tampa or Orlando?  1:14:30 Favorite governors you'd lean on if elected? 1:16:00 What's happening in third party and independent politics  1:17:00 Ballot access is a huge deterrent for third party candidates  1:18:45 Update on independent candidates around the country  1:21:00 Huge appetite for independent & third party candidates  1:22:00 Many states have big pools of independent voters  1:31:15 If voters want change, they have to challenge the status quo  1:34:00 Democratic socialists need a rebrand, not a new agenda

    1h 36m

  5. JUL 2

    Senate Passes “Big Beautiful Bill” + Ian Bremmer On Fallout Of Trump’s Iran Strike & Why Russia Is Winning

    Chuck Todd begins by reacting to the senate passing Trump’s signature piece of legislation: “The Big Beautiful Bill.” He reviews the excuses and rationales given by the senators who had expressed issues with the bill but still voted for it, and explains why the fear of Donald Trump’s wrath is enough to get lawmakers to fall in line and explains why the bill’s passage is emblematic of the broken state of Congress. Then, Chuck is joined by political scientist and Eurasia Group president Ian Bremmer to dissect the most pressing geopolitical challenges facing the world today. The discussion begins with analysis of recent Iranian strikes and the Middle East conflict, exploring whether Iran has been exposed as a "paper tiger" and examining the complex dynamics between Trump, Netanyahu, and regional powers like Saudi Arabia. Bremmer offers insights into Iran's domestic vulnerabilities—noting the regime's mere 20% public support—while assessing the likelihood of nuclear developments and potential exit strategies from current conflicts. The conversation expands to cover Trump's relationship with NATO allies, the slowly deteriorating situation in Ukraine, and Putin's potential next moves, including the concerning possibility of nuclear escalation if his regime faces existential threats. Bremmer and Todd also tackle the rise of populist movements globally, the erosion of democratic guardrails in America, and the fundamental shift toward reactionary politics that may define a generation. Throughout, Bremmer provides his characteristic blend of realpolitik analysis and concern for democratic institutions, culminating in a sobering assessment of how America's political system now rewards winners over leaders and creates conditions where "socialists can't beat capitalists, but they can beat kleptocrats." Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding the potential for erosion of Trump’s support, election denialism and a fun alternate history theory where legendary Bears coach Mike Ditka beat Barack Obama for state office in Illinois. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Introduction 00:15 90 days from Liberation Day and “90 deals in 90 days”, there are two deals 01:30 Trump will back off on tariffs again to avoid economic damage 02:30 The Big Beautiful Bill passes the Senate 04:15 Josh Hawley votes for bill despite promises not to cut health care 06:00 Lisa Murkowski cites tax break expiration for her yes vote 08:15 Murkowski has always been Alaska first over America first 09:30 Republicans fall in line out of fear of Trump 11:00 Congress is broken  13:00 Bipartisanship is dead in the 21st century 14:30 Both parties have weaponized partisanship 16:15 How do we fix the broken congress? 17:30 The public needs to understand WHY congress is broken 19:00 Independents could force congress to function better 21:00 Bill was rushed due to Trump’s impatience 22:30 We’re in the kleptocracy stage, headed toward authoritarianism 24:00 Dysfunction in congress has created a more powerful presidency 26:00 Ian Bremmer joins the Chuck ToddCast!  28:00 Media cycle has already moved on from the Iran strike  29:15 The strike wasn't meant to be a war  30:15 Steve Bannon's theory that we're on the brink of WW3  31:45 Trump wanted a negotiated settlement with Iran  33:00 Netanyahu was always going to force the US's hand  34:30 Trump is capable of telling Bibi "no"  36:15 Would Trump support a two state solution?  38:30 Iran has no friends on the global stage willing to support them  40:15 After investigators access Gaza, Israel will lose support  41:45 Saudis will demand a two state solution  43:15 Did we expose Iran as a "paper tiger"?  45:30 The Iranian regime only has 20% support from the public  46:30 Iran's strong enough to put down an uprising  47:30 The U.S. won't put boots on the ground in Iran  49:00 What is Iran's exit strategy from this conflict?  52:00 Iran is likely 3 years away from a bomb  53:15 Iran may be a theocracy, but doesn't act irrationally  54:45 The state of Iraq's leadership?  56:15 Is there global investment in Iraq?  57:15 Status of Trump + NATO?  59:30 Europe underinvested in defense for decades  1:01:15 Pushing Europe to spend more on defense is one of Trump's best achievements 1:02:00 Status of Russia/Ukraine war?  1:03:00 Ukraine is losing slowly  1:04:15 Chances Putin would attack one of the Baltic states?  1:06:15 Putin could use a nuke if he felt his regime was at risk  1:08:15 The rise of left wing populism  1:10:00 American elections will be free and fair, but public won't think so  1:12:00 Guardrails on the executive branch have been weakened  1:13:15 Are we stuck with reactionary politics for a generation?  1:14:45 Trump didn't attend funeral for assassinated Minnesota lawmakers  1:15:45 The U.S. doesn't create leaders, it creates winners  1:18:30 The lack of bipartisanship creates bad legislation  1:19:45 The Big Beautiful Bill will create more Mamdanis  1:20:45 Socialists can't beat capitalists, but they can beat kleptocrats 1:23:30 Thoughts on conversation with Ian Bremmer  1:24:00 Mamdani beat Cuomo by double digits in final tally  1:25:30 There will be a fight for the soul of the Democratic party  1:26:15 Ask Chuck  1:26:30 Could Trump's support erode like Marion Barry's?  1:30:30 Election denialism now coming from both sides regularly?  1:36:30 How different would things look if Mike Ditka had beat Obama in Illinois?

    1h 43m

  6. JUN 30

    Can Democrats Flip The Senate In 2026? + The SHOCKING Voter Data That Explains Trump's 2024 Victory

    Chuck Todd reacts to the news that North Carolina senator Thom Tillis won’t seek reelection, why harassment from the Trump team led to his decision, and why his decision gives Democrats another opportunity to pick up a senate seat in the 2026 midterm elections. He also highlights the path for Democrats to win the senate in 26’ and cautions Republicans about the potential of a Democratic president abusing their power in a similar way to Trump. Then, Chuck sits down with renowned pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson to dissect the seismic shifts in American politics following the 2024 election. They dive deep into the surprising demographic realignments that defined Trump's victory, including his unprecedented gains with young and Latino voters, while exploring whether traditional demographic-based political messaging has become obsolete. Anderson shares insights from Pew Research's unique voter validation methodology and explains why the biggest story of 2024 wasn't who showed up to vote, but rather the millions of Biden 2020 supporters who stayed home. The conversation spans from foreign policy contradictions—where only 8% support attacking Iran but majorities back preventing Iranian nuclear weapons—to the evolving nature of political coalitions and whether we're witnessing a return to pre-Obama era electoral patterns. Anderson and Todd examine the psychological profile of different generations, particularly Gen Z's political malleability and loss of societal trust shaped by COVID, while discussing the future challenges facing pollsters as AI technology threatens traditional survey methodology. They conclude by analyzing whether 2024 represented a "vote for" or "vote against" election, and how both parties must adapt to meet an increasingly anti-establishment electorate. Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment about baseball, the media, and the prospects of Republican congressman Mike Lawler running for governor in New York. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Senator Thom Tillis won’t seek reelection 02:00 Tillis struggled to fully embrace Trumpism/MAGA 03:00 Tillis felt harassed by the Trump team 05:30 Rep. Don Bacon also not seeking reelection 08:00 Tillis retirement makes Roy Cooper senate run more likely 09:15 Lara Trump may run for Tillis’s seat 11:00 Trump has caused multiple senate seats to flip blue 12:15 How Democrats can pick up the seats to flip the senate 13:15 North Carolina, Texas, Maine could all be in play for Democrats 15:30 Susan Collin managed to make both sides mad 17:00 Louisiana probably out of reach for Democrats 18:30 Other states Democrats can target 22:00 Budget cuts to rural states could create openings for Democrats 24:15 It’s an uphill battle for Democrats, but they’re in the game 28:00 It’s been a tumultuous week in politics 28:30 Trump has pushed the limits of his powers 29:30 Trump has created a blueprint for successors to follow 31:00 We’ve grown numb to power being used for personal gain 32:00 Politics was becoming less corrupt until Trump 34:00 After Nixon, the country wanted a high character president 35:15 The constitutional guardrails are being weakened 37:00 Is the ability to get attention the most important skill in politics? 37:45 Kristen Soltis Anderson joins the Chuck ToddCast!  39:15 How Pew Research's voter validation poll works  41:15 Why Pew's poll is the best survey of both voters and non-voters  42:30 Voters have an Iraq hangover when viewing the Iran strikes  43:30 Public opinion on foreign policy is complicated and contradictory  44:15 Only 8% of the public supports attacking Iran  45:00 The public supports intervention to prevent Iran nuclear weapon  46:45 Are Republican voters party first, or Trump supporters?  48:30 Polling on Iran hinges on what we actually achieved with strikes  50:00 Huge jump in Hispanic support for Trump in 2024  52:15 Trump gained most with young and latino voters 53:45  Has the electorate reverted to the pre-Obama era?  55:30 Are demographics overrated in messaging?  57:15 Urban/rural divide shrank in 2024  1:00:15 Biggest story of 24' was Biden 20' voters that didn't show up 1:02:15 The parties need to meet voters where they are  1:03:15 Takeaways from Mamdani's victory in NYC?  1:04:30 Bullish on media savvy populists  1:06:15 AOC is a 5 star political athlete  1:08:45 Was 2024 a "vote for" or "vote against" election?  1:10:15 Voters continue to vote against the status quo  1:11:30 Where is the electorate stable/unstable?  1:14:00 Has Trump changed the perception of what government should do?  1:16:00 Republicans want state intervention in "woke" business over illegality  1:17:15 What is the best methodology for conducting polls?  1:20:30 Best way to contact people for polls?  1:22:30 Generative AI will cause major problems for pollsters  1:25:15 Can averaging polls be helpful?  1:27:45 Averaging national polls vs. state polls  1:29:15 Impact of millennials becoming largest voting bloc  1:30:30 Gen Z is politically malleable  1:31:15 The COVID effect on Gen-Z's politics  1:33:15 Gen Z has lost trust and faith in society  1:35:15 How lasting is someone's "coming of age" moment in politics? 1:38:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Kristen Soltis Anderson  1:41:45 Ask Chuck 1:42:15 Naming the Florida Marlins the "Miami Marlins"?  1:47:15 Is the media failing to handle Trump's flood the zone strategy?   1:51:30 Could Mike Lawler win in New York or rise in the Republican party?

    1h 55m

  7. JUN 26

    Zohran Mamdani’s Win Is A Political Earthquake + How Will America Regulate Artificial Intelligence?

    Chuck Todd examines Zohran Mamdani's stunning primary victory as a seismic shift for the Democratic Party, analyzing how the young progressive candidate's win represents a broader rejection of establishment politics and legacy candidates. The discussion explores the Democratic establishment's lukewarm response to Mamdani's victory, their history of imposing flawed candidates on voters, and the growing disconnect between party leaders and their base. The conversation delves into whether the Democratic Party is ripe for a progressive takeover, the uncomfortable alliance between progressives and wealthy Democrats, and how Mamdani's success could inspire primary challenges against older politicians like Chuck Schumer, while also touching on the challenges of governing New York City and the unpopularity of recent legislative packages that fail to energize the Democratic base. Then, Reid Wilson, founder and editor of Pluribus News joins Chuck for a comprehensive discussion that spans from sports stadium financing to the future of artificial intelligence regulation. The conversation begins with lighter topics like public funding for entertainment complexes and the Seattle Mariners' playoff prospects, but quickly dives into substantive policy discussions about AI regulation at both federal and state levels. Wilson provides insights into how different industries are responding to AI oversight, the infrastructure challenges posed by data centers, and why state-level politics often achieves more bipartisan cooperation than federal governance. The discussion shifts to examine critical domestic policy issues, particularly the ongoing privatization of public education through school voucher programs that Wilson argues are draining state budgets while transferring wealth from poor to rich families. They also analyze upcoming gubernatorial races across multiple states, exploring how local issues like housing policy, education reform, and infrastructure development could influence political outcomes in Virginia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Alabama, and Tennessee. The episode concludes with speculation about whether abortion rights will remain a driving force in state legislative sessions, offering listeners a thorough examination of how local and state politics are shaping America's political landscape. Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding politics in Louisiana, journalism, and bridging the gap between progressives and moderates! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Zohran Mamdani is a political earthquake for the Democratic party 01:30 The Democratic party’s lukewarm reaction to Mamdani’s victory 03:30 The Democratic establishment has imposed flawed candidates on their voters 06:30 The establishment doesn’t understand how unpopular their candidates are 07:45 Voters never got due process for Cuomo 08:30 Republicans are trying to weaponize Mamdani 10:30 Democrats need to stop supporting legacy names/candidates 12:00 If the wealthy are upset, Mamdani is winning 13:00 Democrats want to embrace Mamdani without adopting his positions 15:00 Is the Democratic party ripe to be overtaken by progressive candidates? 16:30 The uncomfortable alliance between progressives and wealthy Democrats 20:45 Cuomo felt out of touch to the voters 22:30 Chuck Schumer has becoming the establishment punching bag 24:15 Who can replace Chuck Schumer in leadership? 26:30 Gerry Nadler endorses Mamdani 28:00 Governing New York City is incredibly difficult 29:30 Mamdani’s victory could inspire primaries against older politicians 31:30 The “Big Beautiful Bill” is incredibly unpopular 33:30 There’s nothing positive in the bill to sell to their base 34:30 Polling shows voters want the government to do MORE 36:15 Almost every pick in the NBA draft had been traded 38:15 Reid Wilson joins the Chuck ToddCast!  40:15 As a Seattle native, do you care about the OKC Thunder?  42:00 Public financing for sports stadiums  43:45 Teams aren’t just building stadiums, they build entertainment complexes  45:45 Adding housing to complexes makes them easier to pass politically  47:00 Members of Congress didn't read the "Big Beautiful Bill"  47:45 Will a ban on AI regulation make it into the final bill?  50:15 Is any other industry trying to push back against AI?  52:15 There's more bipartisanship in state level politics  54:15 State lawmakers make the best legislators in Congress  55:15 What AI regulation has been easiest to pass?  56:45 Who will enforce AI regulation?  58:30 Urgency to get AI in place to compensate for boomers retiring  59:15 Meeting power requirements for data centers  01:01:30 Public pushback against data centers  01:03:15 NIMBY's fighting against ADUs as solution for housing crisis  01:05:15 Housing policy fights take a LONG time  01:06:45 The privatization of the public school system  01:08:15 Red state legislatures are all pushing school vouchers  01:09:45 Voucher programs are draining state budgets  01:10:30 Voucher programs are a wealth transfer from poor to rich  01:12:45 Far less standards and accountability for private schools  01:14:45 Are any states innovating in public education?  01:16:15 Education could be a winning issue in a presidential election  01:17:45 Which states are ripe to flip politically based on local issues?  01:20:45 Virginia gubernatorial race won't be close, New Jersey will 0 1:23:45 Any chance for Republicans in Massachusetts?  01:25:00 Chances for Republican senators running for governor?  01:26:15 Could the Alabama governor's race be competitive?  01:28:15 Is Marsha Blackburn too far to the right for Tennessee?  01:31:15 Tennessee Republicans don't want Memphis to become Nashville  01:32:15 Naming airports after presidents  01:34:30 Will the Mariners ever make the playoffs?  01:38:30 Will abortion be an issue this legislative season? 01:41:30 Ask Chuck - Is there a path for a Democrat to win the Senate seat in Louisiana? 01:45:45 Why don't more journalists explain how their work is done?  01:49:00 Could Andy Beshear be a bridge between populists and moderates?

    1h 52m

  8. JUN 25

    Zohran Mamdani STUNS With Victory Over Andrew Cuomo + The NIGHTMARE Of Living Undocumented In Trump’s America

    Chuck Todd begins with Zohran Mamdani’s stunning victory over Andrew Cuomo in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary. He points to Mamdani’s cost of living messaging and youth as major factors in the victory, but cautions the party against embracing the “socialist” label, and wonders whether the party establishment will embrace or shun Mamdani. Then, Chuck is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, who shares his deeply personal journey of living as an undocumented immigrant in America and how it shaped his perspective on one of the nation's most divisive issues. Vargas, who publicly revealed his undocumented status over a decade ago, discusses the atmospheric shift in immigration discourse under Trump, the bipartisan failures that have plagued reform efforts, and why he believes coming out as gay was actually easier than revealing his immigration status. He offers a unique insider's view of working at major outlets like the Washington Post while hiding his legal status, living in constant fear of deportation. The conversation delves into the broader media and political landscape surrounding immigration, with Vargas arguing that Democrats have failed to provide a positive counter-narrative to right-wing messaging that has made anti-immigration sentiment central to Republican identity. He challenges both parties for using immigration as a political football rather than addressing the human reality of 40 million people of Mexican heritage living in America. Vargas advocates for journalism that goes beyond economic impact stories to humanize immigrants' experiences, while grappling with the tension between objective reporting and advocacy journalism. The discussion also touches on America's demographic future, the need for immigrant labor to offset declining birth rates, and whether the nation can reconcile its identity as both a country of immigrants and a Judeo-Christian society. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding the viral Ted Cruz vs Tucker Carlson interview and addresses the conspiracy theory that Starlink hacked voting machines in the 2024 election. Timeline:  (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Zohran Mamdani beats Andrew Cuomo in NYC mayoral primary 02:30 Multiple possible explanations for Mamdani’s victory 03:30 Cost of living messaging resonated 04:30 This will supercharge the young vs old debate in the party 05:30 Will the “democratic socialism” label become a liability for the party? 08:00 Moderates rallying around Cuomo made no sense 09:00 This should be a wake up call for the Democratic establishment 10:00 Democratic voters are looking for “new” 11:45 Mamdani fired first shot in battle to rebrand the party 13:30 Rallying around Eric Adams would be a bad move for the establishment 15:30 Mamdani needs to expand his tent 17:30 The big tent illusion - Both parties claim to be "big tent" but aren't  19:15 It's hard to not have a "label" in our current politics  21:00 The Republican party has become a cult of personality  21:45 Politicians can't ever agree with the other side  22:30 The only politicians with a big tent approach are governors  25:00 The coalition that elected Trump is big tent, he isn't governing like it  26:30 Our politics would be healthier if there was four parties  28:00 Politics wasn't designed to be winner-take-all  29:30 Bipartisanship would produce better, more durable legislation  33:30 John Cornyn may drop out, but only if he can stop Ken Paxton  35:45 If Ken Paxton is the nominee, Democrats could win the TX senate seat  37:00 Center-right voters in Texas are homeless  37:45 The TikTok extension via executive order is illegal  38:30 Donald Trump has refused to enforce the law with TikTok  39:45 Politicians are fearful of alienating TikTok users 41:30 Jose Antonio Vargas joins the Chuck ToddCast!  42:00 What year did you go public with your undocumented status?  44:00 The atmospheric shift around immigration under Trump  45:30 George W. Bush was much more compassionate to immigrants  46:30 Immigration has been a bipartisan mess  47:30 Immigration has been the central issue in right wing media  49:00 Democrats haven't provided a positive counter narrative  50:15 Being undocumented is living a life of fear  51:45 Nobody at the Washington Post knew he was undocumented  53:30 People following the proper process are being arrested  56:00 Backlash to demographic changes  58:00 White immigrants can hide in plain sight  59:00 Anti-immigration is the currency of the Republican party  01:00:30 Immigration wasn't always covered politically  01:03:30 Jose was shocked he wasn't contacted by ICE  01:04:30 Both parties have used immigration to score political points  01:06:30 Coming out as gay was easier than coming out as undocumented  01:09:00 Obligation to be doing advocacy journalism?  01:11:30 We haven't felt the economic effects of mass deportation yet  01:13:45 Why is it so hard to positively sell immigration to conservatives?  01:16:30 Journalists need to be educators  01:18:15 We live in a post-literate world  01:21:15 Journalism vs Advocacy  01:22:30 Helping people tell immigrant stories  01:25:15 Holding people in power to account  01:26:30 Need for immigrants to compensate for declining birth rates  01:28:00 Immigrant stories rarely get told outside of economic impact  01:31:00 Segregation still exists, but it's in media/information ecosystems  01:32:45 Are we a nation of immigrants or a Judeo-Christian society?  01:37:30 The case for optimism  01:39:15 Journalists need to humanize the immigration issue 01:40:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Jose Antonio Vargas  01:42:00 Is the rift between Tucker Carlson and Ted Cruz real or manufactured?  01:47:05 When did U.S. politics become so hyperpartisan?  01:52:00 Thoughts on the theory that Starlink tampered with voting machines?

    1h 58m
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About

The Chuck ToddCast is back! If you're looking for smart, no-nonsense political conversation, you've come to the right place. The Chuck ToddCast goes beyond the headlines, featuring conversations with top reporters, insiders, and newsmakers from D.C. to the heartland. No scripts, no spin—just real discussions about what’s shaping our politics and why it matters.

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  • Creator
    Chuck Todd
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2025
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Chuck Todd
  • Show Website
    The Chuck ToddCast

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