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. 2D AGO

    Will The Epstein Files Bring Down Trump? + How Big Tech Is Weaponizing Your Data Against You w/ Lina Khan

    Chuck Todd begins with the growing firestorm surrounding President Donad Trump’s decision to withhold the Epstein files and why his behavior is only adding to the suspicion. He explains why Epstein is a central figure to the QAnon conspiracy many Trump supporters subscribe to, and why Trump’s continued dismissals of a theory he has fed for years will only further fracture his base and prolong the outrage over his broken promise to release all the files. Then, Chuck is joined by formal FTC Chair Lina Khan to reflect on her transformative tenure leading the Federal Trade Commission and the critical battles she fought against corporate monopolization. Khan discusses how the concentration of corporate power today mirrors the early 20th century, exploring whether capitalism itself is failing as tech giants like Google and Amazon wield unprecedented control over commerce, media distribution, and information flow. She delves into the surveillance economy that has emerged from companies monetizing user data, the regulatory challenges posed by AI development, and controversial practices like surveillance pricing and non-compete agreements that trap both consumers and workers. Khan also addresses the structural limitations of the FTC, noting how the agency is too small for its ambitious mission, while highlighting unexpected bipartisan support from the populist right for her antitrust work. The conversation covers her efforts to tackle everything from pharmacy benefit managers and subscription cancellation difficulties to the urgent need for algorithm regulation, particularly for content affecting children. As she prepares to leave the FTC, Khan reflects on the media's focus on markets rather than the broader economy, the ongoing fight for data privacy rights, and the "ferocious pushback" lawmakers face when challenging powerful corporate interests, offering practical advice for consumers seeking to protect their privacy in an increasingly surveilled digital landscape. Finally, Chuck shares his experience of discovering that Google’s Gemini AI claims that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease… which is not true.  Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Introduction 01:30 Seemed like Trump would fire Jay Powell to distract from Epstein 03:30 Markets reacted badly to potential firing of Powell 04:15 Trump attacks his own supporters over Epstein 06:15 “Hoax” is Trumpspeak for not having a good explanation 08:00 Trump’s behavior is creating more suspicion 11:30 Most Epstein associates probably just looked the other way 12:30 The more defiant Trump sounds, the more guilty he looks 13:15 Most right wing media has fallen in line behind Trump 14:15 Michael Flynn is the pope of QAnon, and is expressing doubts 16:45 The central tenet of QAnon is the idea of an elite pedophile cabal 18:15 If Trump says it’s a hoax, it knocks down the foundational pillar of Qanon 19:00 Epstein became the face of the conspiracy 20:30 Trump and his associates have fed the conspiracy theorists for years 22:00 If they had evidence of crimes, they would have brought charges 23:45 This could be the moment Trump supporters finally feel conned 25:15 Trump’s age is showing, possible health issue they won’t disclose 28:00 You can’t trust any press release the administration puts out 29:30 Trump won’t get out of the Epstein debacle unscathed 31:15 Lina Khan joins the Chuck ToddCast!  32:15 Lina's path to becoming the FTC chair  34:15 Concentration of corporate power is similar to the early 20th century  37:15 Is capitalism failing?  39:00 Large corporations control the distribution of media and information  40:15 Will the consolidation of power destroy the media ecosystem?  42:00 Google and Amazon have enormous power over commerce  43:00 Why are users forced to give up their data in order to use a product?  43:45 Companies monetized by surveilling users  45:15 South Park perfectly parodied the concept of "Terms and Conditions"  46:30 Making the same regulatory mistakes with AI that we did with social media?  47:45 The barrier to entry to starting an AI company is very high  48:45 Collected data is being used for surveillance pricing  49:30 Is the FTC set up to be proactive or reactive?  50:30 Non-compete agreements are being used to trap employees  51:30 The FTC is too small for its mission  52:15 The populist right supported Lina's work at FTC  54:15 Can independent pharmacists survive in this market?  55:45 Why do pharmacy benefit managers exist?  57:30 What cases that she pursued has the FTC continued to ligitage?  59:45 Subscriptions are incredibly difficult to cancel  1:01:00 Companies have made subscriptions their business model  1:03:45 How do you make the public aware of your work at the FTC?  1:06:15 The media covers markets rather than the economy  1:08:30 Who is regulating algorithms?  1:09:45 There's a massive need for regulating algorithms that affect kids  1:11:00 Will we ever get a data "bill of rights" or more individual control over data?  1:12:30 Some data should be off limits for monetization  1:14:00 Apple store's "Ask Not To Track" setting made a positive difference  1:15:00 Younger users are more comfortable with giving up their data  1:16:15 Lawmakers face ferocious pushback and lobbying  1:16:45 Best ways for consumers to protect their privacy  1:18:15 What's next for Lina? 1:19:45 Google AI search says Chuck has Parkinson's disease… he doesn't  1:22:45 The AI confused Chuck with a man named Todd in Florida  1:23:45 AI tools have been trained on the garbage saved on the internet  1:24:45 AI still has terrible flaws based on the data it trains on  1:26:15 The dragnet approach to AI can cause people real problems  1:27:30 AI products are half baked when released to the public  1:28:45 Ask Chuck  1:29:15 Why didn't the administration deport criminal migrants already in prison?  1:30:45 Thoughts on 18 year term limits?

    1h 33m

  2. 3D AGO

    January 6th & Trump Assassination Attempt HAUNT American Politics + Showdown Between Newsom & Texas Over Gerrymandering

    Chuck Todd begins with a rant about his beloved Washington Nationals before pivoting to Trump strong-arming congressman Zach Nunn into running for reelection and Texas into holding a mid decade restricting process to try and maintain control of the house. He weighs in on California governor Gavin Newsom’s threat to gerrymander his state in response to Texas and why that plan may not work. He also surveys the state of several 2026 races.  Then, Chuck is joined by renowned CBS News Capitol Hill correspondent Scott MacFarlane who delivers an unflinching analysis of American politics in the post-January 6th era and recounts his harrowing experience of being in attendance during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump. MacFarlane, drawing from his extensive experience covering the insurrection trials and congressional proceedings, explores how the events of January 6th continue to reshape the political landscape, from Trump's recent blanket pardons to the ongoing divisions within the Republican Party. He provides insider perspectives on the Secret Service's challenges during campaign season, the diverse backgrounds of January 6th defendants, and the broader implications of political violence in American democracy. The conversation spans critical topics including the decline of local journalism, the judiciary's politicization, and the increasingly siloed information ecosystem that defines modern American politics. MacFarlane offers candid insights into the DOJ's handling of January 6th prosecutions under Merrick Garland, the death threats faced by trial witnesses, and how Trump's survival of the Butler assassination attempt reinforced his supporters' belief in divine intervention. The discussion also touches on contemporary challenges facing journalists, from the pressure to develop personal brands to declining morale in newsrooms, while examining ongoing political realignments and the future of democratic institutions in America. Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment about Trump trying to rescind some of Biden’s late-term pardons, Gavin Newsom’s political evolution and why Dan Osborne is running for senate rather than governor in Nebraska. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Introduction 00:45 James Wood didn’t have competent pitching in HR derby 02:00 Lack of summer sports programming 04:45 Trump has unprecedented control over the Republican party 07:30 Zach Nunn flirting with run with Iowa governor or switching seats 09:30 Trump forced Nunn into seeking reelection  10:30 Trump strong arming Texas into mid decade redistricting 11:45 Additional gerrymandering is risky for Texas Republicans 13:30 Gavin Newsom threatens to gerrymander CA in response to Texas 15:15 Newsom’s rhetoric may not match the political reality 16:30 Republicans are trying to rig their house majority 17:30 Donald Trump is dictating all of these actions 18:15 Trump is trying to destroy Thomas Massie for no vote on BBB 19:15 Republicans risk candidates being tied to an unpopular president 21:15 Democrats are grappling with whether to fight fire with fire 23:15 Gerrymandering fights are popping up around the country 24:30 The White House is obsessed with holding the house 26:00 Trumpworld will stoke fear of impeachment to juice turnout 27:00 NRSC has gone all-in on stopping Ken Paxton in Texas 28:15 John Cornyn could walk away and back Wesley Hunt 30:30 Susan Collins is raising money as if she’s seeking reelection 31:30 Jonathan Bush may run for governor in Maine 32:45 Mary Peltola may run for governor or senate in Alaska 35:15 The PGA Tour announcing a new tournament at Trump Doral 38:00 Scott MacFarlane joins the Chuck ToddCast!  38:30 Scott's origin story 40:30 Local news has been decimated in recent years  42:30 People have the closest connection with local news outlets  44:30 Local news should be targeting millennial parents  46:30 Why was the response to the Butler assassination attempt so muted?  48:30 Secret service is stretched thin during campaign season  49:30 Was the secret service underresourced?  51:00 Scott felt the vibe was "off" at the event  53:00 If Trump hadn't survived, the crowd would have attacked media  54:15 Trump surviving created a divine intervention belief in his supporters  57:00 Many J6ers admitted "they don't know what got into them"  58:30 The J6ers are an incredibly diverse group of people  59:45 Only two J6ers were acquitted  1:01:00 The electorate sees almost everything through a red/blue lens  1:02:30 The senate broke the judiciary  1:03:30 There's only ONE apologetic January 6th defendant  1:05:00 Republicans now in congress wouldn't condemn J6  1:07:15 The blanket pardon was Trump condoning political violence  1:08:45 Have all the DOJ prosecutors who worked on J6 cases been fired?  1:10:00 People who testified at J6 trials have received death threats  1:12:30 Merrick Garland slow rolled DOJ's J6 prosecutions  1:14:30 It's surprising how quickly Republicans came back to Trump after J6  1:15:30 If the senate voted to convict, we'd have a president Ron DeSantis  1:18:00 Mitch McConnell's surrender handed the keys over to the MAGA wing  1:19:30 The information ecosystem is incredibly siloed  1:21:15 The public dismisses Trump's corruption as "they all do it"  1:23:00 January 6th is still ongoing, it's just taken different forms  1:24:30 What to make of the ongoing Epstein files saga?  1:26:15 Trump's people fanned the flames of Epstein conspiracies  1:28:00 You can't release names of Epstein associates without proof of a crime  1:30:00 America's political realignment is fascinating and potentially disastrous  1:31:15 Is Pam Bondi's job safe?  1:32:30 Trump flexing his power over the city of Washington D.C.  1:34:00 Muriel Bowser has handled Trump well  1:35:00 Morale for journalists is low and unsettled  1:36:00 Journalists are now required to have a personal brand  1:37:30 Every journalist wants to be Woodward and Bernstein  1:39:30 The state of D.C. professional sports 1:40:15 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Scott MacFarlane  1:40:30 Ask Chuck  1:40:35 What to make of Trump trying to undo Biden's late term pardons?  1:45:45 Will Gavin Newsom's "pivot to the middle" work in middle America?  1:49:30 What is the advantage of Dan Osborne running for senate over governor?

    1h 53m

  3. 5D AGO

    Trump Gets A REALITY Check Over Epstein Files + Why Trump’s Policies Will RAISE Your Cost Of Living

    Chuck Todd begins with a rant about his beloved Washington Nationals interesting selection with the #1 overall draft pick. He pivots to the firestorm surrounding the Trump administration over their refusal to release the promised Epstein files to the public and why Trump’s reality TV style of governance is colliding with actual reality. He also discusses Trump’s retribution campaign having a chilling effect on dissent, the ongoing effort to fire Fed chairman Jay Powell, and highlights a troubling trend for Democrats. Then, Chuck is joined by congresswoman Brittany Pettersen, who offers an insider's perspective on the challenges facing both Congress and her swing district in Colorado. The conversation begins with her advocacy for modernizing congressional rules, particularly around proxy voting for pregnant members, before diving into broader structural issues plaguing the institution. Pettersen argues that Congress has become increasingly dysfunctional due to the consolidation of power in leadership and the erosion of legislative authority, making it especially difficult for women and minority party members to effectively serve their constituents. The discussion covers a wide range of policy challenges, from the housing crisis and healthcare access to immigration reform and climate change. Pettersen emphasizes the need for massive federal investment in housing rather than tax incentives, warns that Trump's policies will exacerbate the housing crisis, and predicts that the homeowners insurance industry will force Congress to act on climate change. She also tackles the politically sensitive topic of immigration, arguing that outdated policies have worsened border security issues and that comprehensive reform would be the best way to address rising costs. Throughout the conversation, Pettersen stresses the importance of transparency in government spending, believing voters deserve to know exactly what services are sacrificed when tax cuts are implemented. Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding Trump administration salaries, third party candidates in presidential elections and the immigration bill that never received a vote.  Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Introduction 00:15 Nationals perplexing #1 draft pick 02:45 The pick isn’t reassuring to Nats fans 04:00 You can’t win if you aren’t willing to spend money 07:00 Trump’s reality TV approach is clashing with reality 08:30 Trump is acting very nervous about the Epstein files 10:00 The most simple explanations for the Epstein file debacle 11:00 What is Trump trying to distract from? 11:45 Trump’s immigration narrative doesn’t match reality 14:00 “Alligator Alcatraz” is a disgusting P.R. stunt 15:15 The fear Trump has created will hurt the economy 16:15 Misinformation made the Texas disaster far worse 18:45 Reality will always get the last word 20:30 Our broken information ecosystem is running into reality 21:30 Trump’s retribution campaign is chilling dissent 23:30 People who know better are staying silent 24:45 Trump is looking for a pretext to fire Jay Powell from the Fed 26:00 Trump wants to use a “cost overrun” loophole to fire Powell 29:00 There is a gender crisis brewing for the Democratic party 31:00 Democrats are being viewed as the “women’s party” and against men 33:30 Check out Chuck’s interview with Rahm Emmanuel on Noosphere! 35:00 Brittany Pettersen joins the Chuck ToddCast!  35:30 Tour of Colorado's 7th district  37:15 Changing congressional rules for proxy voting by pregnant members  40:45 Will she introduce legislation for proxy voting if there's a new speaker?  42:30 What guardrails should be put on proxy voting?  44:30 Congress isn't set up for women  46:45 How difficult is it being in the house minority?  48:30 Big beautiful bill removed substance abuse waiver from Medicaid  49:30 Consolidation of power in leadership has been bad for democracy  52:30 Congress has given away its authority to leadership and the executive  55:00 Balancing voter concerns in a swing district  57:30 Social safety nets are being cut off  1:00:00 Is the housing crisis a state or federal issue?  1:01:00 Housing needs massive investment, not tax incentives  1:02:30 What does that investment look like?  1:04:15 Trump's policies will make the housing crisis worse  1:05:45 The homeowners insurance industry will force congress to act on climate  1:07:30 Will leaders re-think killing FEMA after the Texas disaster?  1:10:15 Will FEMA become Medicaid for disasters?  1:12:15 Voters deserve a receipt for their tax dollars  1:14:00 Voters should know what services get sacrificed for tax cuts  1:15:15 How can the immigration system be improved?  1:17:00 Fixing immigration would be the best way to address rising costs  1:18:30 Did Democrats blow it on the issue of border security?  1:20:00 Outdated immigration policy made the border issue far worse  1:21:30 Any interest in running for Michael Bennet's senate seat?  1:23:00 Should there be an age cap for legislators?  1:25:15 What is wrong with the Colorado Rockies? 1:27:30 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Brittany Petterson  1:28:45 Ask Chuck  1:29:00 Do Trump appointees with multiple roles get multiple salaries?  1:31:00 Would a viable third party cause a deadlock in presidential elections?  1:35:00 Thoughts on the prior immigration reform bill that was tanked?  1:40:30 Andrew Cuomo trying to rally support against Mamdani

    1h 42m

  4. JUL 10

    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

  5. JUL 9

    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

  6. JUL 7

    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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Chuck Todd
  • Show Website
    The Chuck ToddCast

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