The Chuck ToddCast

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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.

  1. Chuck’s Commentary - Both Parties Showing Cracks After Government Shutdown + Top 5 Senate Seat Most Likely To Flip Parties

    17H AGO

    Chuck’s Commentary - Both Parties Showing Cracks After Government Shutdown + Top 5 Senate Seat Most Likely To Flip Parties

    On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down the political fallout from the ending of the longest government shutdown in history— and what it revealed about both parties’ internal divides. He also answers listeners’ questions regarding the shutdown. Finally, he gives his update ToddCast Top 5 Senate seats most likely to flip parties, and answers more non-shutdown related questions in “Ask Chuck”   Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!  Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!   Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:00 Shutdown fight wasn’t only about healthcare, Dems wanted a fight 02:45 Shutdown was impacting people who don’t follow politics & risky 03:30 Democrats are fighting over tactics, not policy 05:15 Democrats need a leadership change, but may not happen right away 06:15 There’s a growing divide amongst Republicans in congress 07:15 The trickle down economy isn’t working for most Americans 08:15 Voters will want more guardrails on economy to help inequality 09:15 Q&A - Shutdown related questions 09:30 Republicans control government, why aren’t they getting more blame? 10:45 Media mistakenly believes the public understands government 13:00 Johnson kept the house adjourned to avoid optics issues 15:00 Journalists need to explain politics in a way that’s accessible 16:00 How do you win a shutdown fight? Is it possible to win one? 17:45 Congress should find a way to make shutdowns impossible 19:15 Shutdowns are purely for partisan actors 22:15 Is a tough vote the only thing Democrats extracted from shutdown? 25:45 Schumer is a terrible communicator and can’t communicate the win 27:15 Why was the legislative process so dysfunctional? 31:30 We need a congressional leader to make the committee process work 36:00 ToddCast Top 5 Senate seats most likely to flip parties 37:15 #1 North Carolina 41:30 #2 Maine 43:30 #3 Georgia 45:15 #4 Michigan 47:30 #5 Ohio 49:30 Democrats can absolutely win the majority in the senate 50:30 Ask Chuck 50:45 How different would America be if we hadn’t ended the draft? 53:45 Which college football head coaching jobs are most attractive? 57:15 Viability of female presidential candidates? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 2m
  2. Full Episode - Both Parties Showing Cracks After Government Shutdown + How Democrats Can Win In Appalachia

    17H AGO

    Full Episode - Both Parties Showing Cracks After Government Shutdown + How Democrats Can Win In Appalachia

    On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down the political fallout from the ending of the longest government shutdown in history— and what it revealed about both parties’ internal divides. He also answers listeners’ questions regarding the shutdown. Then, former intelligence officer and Democratic senate candidate from Kentucky Joel Willett joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation — from his post-9/11 path into military service to the experiences that pushed him toward the Democratic Party. They highlight the  parallels between his own story and JD Vance’s, offering candid thoughts on Hillbilly Elegy and how addiction, inequality, and disillusionment shape modern politics. He argues that the fentanyl crisis can’t be solved by policing supply alone — the real solution lies in investing in treatment, healthcare access, and rebuilding opportunity in communities like his home state of Kentucky. The conversation turns sharp as Willett critiques senate Democrats’ handling of the recent shutdown deal, calling it a “betrayal of the public,” and weighs in on the Democrats’ leadership struggles, the GOP’s subservience to Trump, and the erosion of national security norms. From the dangers of AI-era inequality to the growing politicization of the intelligence community, Willett warns that without courage and reform, even the institutions built to protect democracy could falter. Finally, he gives his update ToddCast Top 5 Senate seats most likely to flip parties, and answers more non-shutdown related questions in “Ask Chuck”   Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!  Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 03:15 Shutdown fight wasn’t only about healthcare, Dems wanted a fight 05:00 Shutdown was impacting people who don’t follow politics & risky 05:45 Democrats are fighting over tactics, not policy 07:30 Democrats need a leadership change, but may not happen right away 08:30 There’s a growing divide amongst Republicans in congress 09:30 The trickle down economy isn’t working for most Americans 10:30 Voters will want more guardrails on economy to help inequality 11:30 Q&A - Shutdown related questions 11:45 Republicans control government, why aren’t they getting more blame? 13:00 Media mistakenly believes the public understands government 15:15 Johnson kept the house adjourned to avoid optics issues 17:15 Journalists need to explain politics in a way that’s accessible 18:15 How do you win a shutdown fight? Is it possible to win one? 20:00 Congress should find a way to make shutdowns impossible 21:30 Shutdowns are purely for partisan actors 24:30 Is a tough vote the only thing Democrats extracted from shutdown? 28:00 Schumer is a terrible communicator and can’t communicate the win 29:30 Why was the legislative process so dysfunctional? 33:45 We need a congressional leader to make the committee process work 39:00 Joel Willett joins the Chuck ToddCast 41:00 Joel’s origin story 42:15 9/11 was what led Joel to join the armed services 44:00 Experiences in the military led him to join the Democratic party 46:00 Parallels between Joel’s origin story and JD Vance’s 47:00 Thoughts on Hillbilly Elegy? 48:45 It’s hard to square the JD Vance of 2016 vs Vance now 49:30 Politicians haven’t been able to address the fentanyl crisis 50:45 The conversation is only focused on supply side of overdose crisis 52:45 Investment needs to be made in treatment, not incarceration 54:45 It’s too tough to get access to quality rehab resources 56:30 You never get over the loss of a parent 57:15 Kentucky needs more healthcare facilities writ large 58:15 Administration has shown they don’t care about healthcare access 1:00:30 How should the government be thinking about future jobs in AI era? 1:02:30 AI is not the panacea that many think it is 1:04:15 Fascism grows in the fertile fields of inequality 1:05:30 Tax policy needs to address historic inequality 1:06:30 Capital gains should be taxed at least at the same rate as labor 1:08:45 Most people receiving benefits work or want to work 1:10:00 The system has been bought and paid for by entrenched interests 1:11:45 Why did Andy Beshear win and Amy McGrath lose? 1:13:30 Andy Beshear willing to speak his truth and show up 1:14:00 How would Joel try to win over Trump voters? 1:17:00 Shutdown deal struck by Democrats was a betrayal of the public 1:19:00 The shutdown fight isn’t technically over 1:20:45 8 Democrats who voted yes aren’t running for reelection in ‘26 1:21:30 ACA subsidies may actually get Republican votes in January 1:22:15 Republicans will do whatever Trump says to 1:23:45 Without a healthcare deal, Dems should shutdown govt in January 1:25:00 Should Chuck Schumer resign as senate minority leader? 1:26:15 Thoughts on Rand Paul and his distancing himself from Trumpworld? 1:28:00 Republicans aren’t governing for the entire country 1:30:15 Threats are being made to a free and fair election in ‘26 1:32:00 The state of the American intelligence community? 1:34:00 Joel’s security clearance revoked for saying mean things about Trump 1:34:45 Right wing Twitter is influencing the intelligence community 1:36:45 The military isn’t going to save America from authoritarianism 1:37:45 Resignation of head of southern command is a big deal 1:42:00 ToddCast Top 5 Senate seats most likely to flip parties 1:43:15 #1 North Carolina 1:47:30 #2 Maine 1:49:30 #3 Georgia 1:51:15 #4 Michigan 1:53:30 #5 Ohio 1:55:30 Democrats can absolutely win the majority in the senate 1:56:30 Ask Chuck 1:56:45 How different would America be if we hadn’t ended the draft? 1:59:45 Which college football head coaching jobs are most attractive? 2:03:15 Viability of female presidential candidates? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    2h 7m
  3. Interview Only w/ Joel Willett - How Democrats Can Win In Appalachia

    17H AGO

    Interview Only w/ Joel Willett - How Democrats Can Win In Appalachia

    Former intelligence officer and Democratic senate candidate from Kentucky Joel Willett joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation — from his post-9/11 path into military service to the experiences that pushed him toward the Democratic Party. They highlight the  parallels between his own story and JD Vance’s, offering candid thoughts on Hillbilly Elegy and how addiction, inequality, and disillusionment shape modern politics. He argues that the fentanyl crisis can’t be solved by policing supply alone — the real solution lies in investing in treatment, healthcare access, and rebuilding opportunity in communities like his home state of Kentucky. The conversation turns sharp as Willett critiques senate Democrats’ handling of the recent shutdown deal, calling it a “betrayal of the public,” and weighs in on the Democrats’ leadership struggles, the GOP’s subservience to Trump, and the erosion of national security norms. From the dangers of AI-era inequality to the growing politicization of the intelligence community, Willett warns that without courage and reform, even the institutions built to protect democracy could falter. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!  Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Joel Willett joins the Chuck ToddCast 02:00 Joel’s origin story 03:15 9/11 was what led Joel to join the armed services 05:00 Experiences in the military led him to join the Democratic party 07:00 Parallels between Joel’s origin story and JD Vance’s 08:00 Thoughts on Hillbilly Elegy? 09:45 It’s hard to square the JD Vance of 2016 vs Vance now 10:30 Politicians haven’t been able to address the fentanyl crisis 11:45 The conversation is only focused on supply side of overdose crisis 13:45 Investment needs to be made in treatment, not incarceration 15:45 It’s too tough to get access to quality rehab resources 17:30 You never get over the loss of a parent 18:15 Kentucky needs more healthcare facilities writ large 19:15 Administration has shown they don’t care about healthcare access 21:30 How should the government be thinking about future jobs in AI era? 23:30 AI is not the panacea that many think it is 25:15 Fascism grows in the fertile fields of inequality 26:30 Tax policy needs to address historic inequality  27:30 Capital gains should be taxed at least at the same rate as labor 29:45 Most people receiving benefits work or want to work 31:00 The system has been bought and paid for by entrenched interests 32:45 Why did Andy Beshear win and Amy McGrath lose? 34:30 Andy Beshear willing to speak his truth and show up 35:00 How would Joel try to win over Trump voters? 38:00 Shutdown deal struck by Democrats was a betrayal of the public 40:00 The shutdown fight isn’t technically over 41:45 8 Democrats who voted yes aren’t running for reelection in ‘26 42:30 ACA subsidies may actually get Republican votes in January 43:15 Republicans will do whatever Trump says to 44:45 Without a healthcare deal, Dems should shutdown govt in January 46:00 Should Chuck Schumer resign as senate minority leader? 47:15 Thoughts on Rand Paul and his distancing himself from Trumpworld? 49:00 Republicans aren’t governing for the entire country 51:15 Threats are being made to a free and fair election in ‘26 53:00 The state of the American intelligence community? 55:00 Joel’s security clearance revoked for saying mean things about Trump 55:45 Right wing Twitter is influencing the intelligence community 57:45 The military isn’t going to save America from authoritarian takeover 58:45 Resignation of head of southern command is a big deal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 7m
  4. Chuck’s Commentary - The End Of The Government Shutdown? + Is Trump Entering His Lame Duck Era?

    2D AGO

    Chuck’s Commentary - The End Of The Government Shutdown? + Is Trump Entering His Lame Duck Era?

    On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down the latest in Washington as the government shutdown nears its end—and the political fallout begins. Democrats have shown more backbone than expected, while Donald Trump’s strategy has Republicans quietly questioning his grip on power. From his push to cut SNAP benefits for his own voters to his increasingly distorted view of the economy, Trump’s disconnect from reality is starting to cost him. Chuck also looks at the Democrats’ strong showing in the recent elections, what it says about voter sentiment heading into 2026, and whether we’re witnessing the beginning of Trump’s lame duck era. Plus, the ripple effects of Trump’s policies—from affordability to the upcoming World Cup—and what Mike Johnson’s loyalty to Trump means for the GOP’s future. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the surrender of the Ottoman Empire after World War 1 and the lasting implications for peace in the middle east, answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and breaks down the weekend in college football.   Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!  Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 00:30 End of the government shutdown seems imminent  02:15 Democrats have had a stiffer spine than expected 03:00 Surprising that Trump fought to cut SNAP, many were his voters 04:30 Trump ran on protecting benefits, has done the opposite during shutdown 05:15 Trump keeps claiming the economy is better than it is 06:00 Is Trump in an information bubble that’s not giving him reality? 07:00 Trump being out of touch is making Republicans start to distance from them 08:45 Mamdani’s election was not “the most important” result 09:45 New Jersey governor result was more revealing than Mamdani’s 10:30 Democrats win in Nov 4th election showed it was a referendum on Trump 12:00 Democrats should take the win and cut a deal to end shutdown 13:00 Are we entering the lame duck period of Donald Trump’s presidency? 14:45 Trump’s handling of the shutdown has been terrible politics for Republicans 16:15 The affordability message penetrated, culture war didn’t at all 17:30 Trump’s policies are creating a mess ahead of the 2026 World Cup 19:00 Trump is more focused on his image rather than affordability 19:45 Some Republicans are realizing they’ll have to break with Trump 22:15 Mike Johnson has basically become Donald Trump’s puppet 23:30 Trump is either losing his grip on reality, or trying to remake it 25:00 Trump falling asleep in meetings is a big deal 31:30 November 11th, 1918 World War 1 ends  32:15 Surrender of Ottoman Empire is largely forgotten, hugely consequential  33:15 Terms of surrender were incredibly harsh  34:00 European powers began carving up the middle east  34:45 Europe stopped fighting, the middle east didn't  36:15 In the US, World War 1 is only taught as a prequel to WW2  37:15 WW1 is the reason the middle east is still a mess today  39:15 We need to improve how we teach the history of World War 1  40:15 Ask Chuck  40:30 Can you explain why the senate has 60 vs. 50 vote thresholds?  45:45 Should the Virgin islands join with other islands to become a state?  46:45 Love for the election night livestream  48:00 Why haven't the 2026 federal appropriations been approved?  50:30 Chuck's experience at Vets for Tech event  59:45 College football reaction See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 16m
  5. Full Episode - The End Of The Government Shutdown? + From Nixon to Trump: America’s Nonstop Modern Presidential Scandals

    2D AGO

    Full Episode - The End Of The Government Shutdown? + From Nixon to Trump: America’s Nonstop Modern Presidential Scandals

    On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down the latest in Washington as the government shutdown nears its end—and the political fallout begins. Democrats have shown more backbone than expected, while Donald Trump’s strategy has Republicans quietly questioning his grip on power. From his push to cut SNAP benefits for his own voters to his increasingly distorted view of the economy, Trump’s disconnect from reality is starting to cost him. Chuck also looks at the Democrats’ strong showing in the recent elections, what it says about voter sentiment heading into 2026, and whether we’re witnessing the beginning of Trump’s lame duck era. Plus, the ripple effects of Trump’s policies—from affordability to the upcoming World Cup—and what Mike Johnson’s loyalty to Trump means for the GOP’s future. Then, Chuck sits down with journalist and historian Garrett Graff, host of The Long Shadow, to unpack how America’s political scandals—from Watergate to Trump—have shaped the presidency and public trust. Graff reflects on the slow process of uncovering the truth about Nixon’s 1968 interference and how those lessons apply to Trump’s open defiance of the Presidential Records Act. The two dive into why history takes decades to judge leaders, how government secrecy really works, and why even the most shocking revelations—like Iran-Contra or January 6th—take years to fully understand. Graff also discusses the ripple effects of past scandals, from Monica Lewinsky’s mistreatment to the rise of political figures forged during the Clinton impeachment, and how the legacy of Trump may take a generation to contextualize. The conversation ends on the future of media itself—how O.J. Simpson changed television forever, how algorithms broke the internet, and what it means for truth in an age where everyone’s chasing clicks. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the surrender of the Ottoman Empire after World War 1 and the lasting implications for peace in the middle east, answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and breaks down the weekend in college football. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!  Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 00:30 End of the government shutdown seems imminent  02:15 Democrats have had a stiffer spine than expected 03:00 Surprising that Trump fought to cut SNAP, many were his voters 04:30 Trump ran on protecting benefits, has done the opposite during shutdown 05:15 Trump keeps claiming the economy is better than it is 06:00 Is Trump in an information bubble that’s not giving him reality? 07:00 Trump being out of touch is making Republicans start to distance from them 08:45 Mamdani’s election was not “the most important” result 09:45 New Jersey governor result was more revealing than Mamdani’s 10:30 Democrats win in Nov 4th election showed it was a referendum on Trump 12:00 Democrats should take the win and cut a deal to end shutdown 13:00 Are we entering the lame duck period of Donald Trump’s presidency? 14:45 Trump’s handling of the shutdown has been terrible politics for Republicans 16:15 The affordability message penetrated, culture war didn’t at all 17:30 Trump’s policies are creating a mess ahead of the 2026 World Cup 19:00 Trump is more focused on his image rather than affordability 19:45 Some Republicans are realizing they’ll have to break with Trump 22:15 Mike Johnson has basically become Donald Trump’s puppet 23:30 Trump is either losing his grip on reality, or trying to remake it 25:00 Trump falling asleep in meetings is a big deal 35:15 Garrett Graff joins the Chuck ToddCast  37:15 Getting started with The Long Shadow podcast  38:15 The importance of going back and covering recent history  41:00 Looking at pivotal, fork in the road moments in history  44:30 It took 50 years to answer two central questions about Watergate  47:15 Extent of Nixon's treachery in '68 wasn't exposed until recently  48:30 Watergate led to destruction of White House taping system  50:15 Trump is actively skirting the Presidential Records Act  52:45 Mike Johnson excuses Trump's corruption because it's in the open  54:15 Thoughts on looking back into Iran Contra?  56:45 CIA afraid that copping to Oswald could unravel other bad actions?  58:30 History says that meddling in Venezuela will go extremely poorly  59:45 Government conspiracies presuppose limited competence  1:00:30 Government can keep big secrets briefly or small secrets a long time  1:03:15 Is there more to be covered on Monica Lewinsky & impeachment?  1:04:45 No greater victim in a scandal than Lewinsky, Clinton's never apologized  1:07:15 Much of the Supreme Court got their start with Clinton impeachment  1:08:15 The view of presidents changes greatly over the decades  1:10:15 Judging past presidents relative to poor recent leaders  1:12:15 The politics of the author color presidential biographies  1:14:45 The historical telling of January 6th won't be ripe until Trump dies  1:15:45 There are so many January 6th villains whose stories must be told  1:16:45 Chuck's "Love/Hate" relationship with Roger Stone  1:17:45 The best way to interview a serial liar  1:19:15 The only good sources around Trump always remain anonymous  1:21:15 How worried are you about the future of American democracy?  1:22:00 We're underestimating how bad things are 9 months into Trump  1:23:45 We'll never be the country we were before Trump, but still reason for hope  1:24:45 Trump has a strong grip on a weak hand  1:26:30 Don't know whether we're in the beginning, middle or end of Trump story  1:27:45 Trump is too lazy to build a lasting movement  1:29:30 Democrats won't admit that Trump voters aren't wrong about some things  1:30:45 Democrats put asterisks next to elections they lost to Trump  1:33:45 Any interest in covering anything outside of politics?  1:34:45 OJ Simpson fundamentally changed the TV news business  1:37:30 Chasing ratings made the audience the editor for TV news  1:38:15 What Garrett is working on - Why algorithms broke the internet 1:46:15 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Garrett Graff  1:47:15 November 11th, 1918 World War 1 ends  1:48:00 Surrender of Ottoman Empire is largely forgotten, hugely consequential  1:49:00 Terms of surrender were incredibly harsh  1:49:45 European powers began carving up the middle east  1:50:30 Europe stopped fighting, the middle east didn't  1:52:00 In the US, World War 1 is only taught as a prequel to WW2  1:53:00 WW1 is the reason the middle east is still a mess today  1:55:00 We need to improve how we teach the history of World War 1  1:56:00 Ask Chuck  1:56:15 Can you explain why the senate has 60 vs. 50 vote thresholds?  2:01:30 Should the Virgin islands join with other islands to become a state?  2:02:30 Love for the election night livestream  2:03:45 Why haven't the 2026 federal appropriations been approved?  2:06:15 Chuck's experience at Vets for Tech event  2:15:30 College football reaction See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    2h 31m
  6. Interview Only w/ Garrett Graff - From Nixon to Trump: America’s Nonstop Modern Presidential Scandals

    2D AGO

    Interview Only w/ Garrett Graff - From Nixon to Trump: America’s Nonstop Modern Presidential Scandals

    Chuck Todd sits down with journalist and historian Garrett Graff, host of The Long Shadow, to unpack how America’s political scandals—from Watergate to Trump—have shaped the presidency and public trust. Graff reflects on the slow process of uncovering the truth about Nixon’s 1968 interference and how those lessons apply to Trump’s open defiance of the Presidential Records Act. The two dive into why history takes decades to judge leaders, how government secrecy really works, and why even the most shocking revelations—like Iran-Contra or January 6th—take years to fully understand. Graff also discusses the ripple effects of past scandals, from Monica Lewinsky’s mistreatment to the rise of political figures forged during the Clinton impeachment, and how the legacy of Trump may take a generation to contextualize. The conversation ends on the future of media itself—how O.J. Simpson changed television forever, how algorithms broke the internet, and what it means for truth in an age where everyone’s chasing clicks.   Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!  Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Garrett Graff joins the Chuck ToddCast 02:00 Getting started with The Long Shadow podcast 03:00 The importance of going back and covering recent history 05:45 Looking at pivotal, fork in the road moments in history 09:15 It took 50 years to answer two central questions about Watergate 12:00 Extent of Nixon’s treachery in ‘68 wasn’t exposed until recently 13:15 Watergate led to destruction of White House taping system 15:00 Trump is actively skirting the Presidential Records Act 17:30 Mike Johnson excuses Trump’s corruption because it’s in the open 19:00 Thoughts on looking back into Iran Contra? 21:30 CIA afraid that copping to Oswald could unravel other bad actions? 23:15 History says that meddling in Venezuela will go extremely poorly 24:30 Government conspiracies presuppose limited competence 25:15 Government can keep big secrets briefly or small secrets a long time 28:00 Is there more to be covered on Monica Lewinsky & impeachment? 29:30 No greater victim in a scandal than Lewinsky, Clinton’s never apologized 32:00 Much of the Supreme Court got their start with Clinton impeachment 33:00 The view of presidents changes greatly over the decades 35:00 Judging past presidents relative to poor recent leaders 37:00 The politics of the author color presidential biographies 39:30 The historical telling of January 6th won’t be ripe until Trump dies 40:30 There are so many January 6th villains whose stories must be told 41:30 Chuck’s “Love/Hate” relationship with Roger Stone 42:30 The best way to interview a serial liar 44:00 The only good sources around Trump always remain anonymous 46:00 How worried are you about the future of American democracy? 46:45 We’re underestimating how bad things are 9 months into Trump 48:30 We’ll never be the country we were before Trump, but still reason for hope 49:30 Trump has a strong grip on a weak hand 51:15 Don’t know whether we’re in the beginning, middle or end of Trump story 52:30 Trump is too lazy to build a lasting movement 54:15 Democrats won’t admit that Trump voters aren’t wrong about some things 55:30 Democrats put asterisks next to elections they lost to Trump 58:30 Any interest in covering anything outside of politics? 59:30 OJ Simpson fundamentally changed the TV news business 1:02:15 Chasing ratings made the audience the editor for TV news 1:03:00 What Garrett is working on - Why algorithms broke the internet See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 15m
  7. Chuck’s Commentary - A GREAT Night For Democrats + Trump’s Grip On The G.O.P. Could Slip

    6D AGO

    Chuck’s Commentary - A GREAT Night For Democrats + Trump’s Grip On The G.O.P. Could Slip

    On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck reacts to Democrats outperforming expectations across the board in Tuesday’s elections — from New Jersey to Georgia — signaling a sharp political rebuke of Donald Trump and his influence over the GOP. He breaks down why the results were more than just a good night for Democrats, how high electric bills and cost-of-living concerns shaped key races, and why even Republican strongholds are starting to shift. With Trump’s tariffs facing likely Supreme Court scrutiny and voters blaming Republicans for the government shutdown, this week’s results could reshape not just the midterm landscape but the future of both parties. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football.  Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 03:30 Tuesday's elections went even better than expected for Democrats  05:00 Ciaterreli hit all his targets from 2021 and still got blown out  08:00 High electric bills could have resulted in Dem wins in Georgia  11:00 Election results were a repudiation of Donald Trump  12:45 Donald Trump creates the political weather, and voters don't like it  13:15 Trump blamed the shutdown for the losses, giving Dems more leverage  15:00 Voters blame R's over D's for the shutdown by 10 point margin  17:45 We could see more Republican retirements from congress  19:15 Likely the Supreme Court rules against Trump's tariffs  21:00 Election results could reshape the redistricting fight  22:00 When dust settles, redistricting may not swing advantage to either side  23:30 Cost of living is going to be the defining issue in the midterms  25:15 Democrats mistake with Latinos was appealing to identity, not class  26:00 It wasn't a good night for Democrats, it was a GREAT night  27:30 Republican candidates will start to distance themselves from Trump  30:15 Democrats now have a reasonable shot at winning the senate 33:30 Ask Chuck  34:00 Was Mamdani's political skill the difference vs other progressives who lost?  44:45 Thoughts on Elise Stefanik running for governor of New York?  49:45 How will Biden's presidency be viewed in 30-40 years?  55:30 What would Ronald Reagan think about Trump?  1:04:00 College football preview See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 18m
  8. Full Episode - A GREAT Night For Democrats + Democracy Denied: Inside the Push for D.C. & Puerto Rico Statehood

    6D AGO

    Full Episode - A GREAT Night For Democrats + Democracy Denied: Inside the Push for D.C. & Puerto Rico Statehood

    On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck reacts to Democrats outperforming expectations across the board in Tuesday’s elections — from New Jersey to Georgia — signaling a sharp political rebuke of Donald Trump and his influence over the GOP. He breaks down why the results were more than just a good night for Democrats, how high electric bills and cost-of-living concerns shaped key races, and why even Republican strongholds are starting to shift. With Trump’s tariffs facing likely Supreme Court scrutiny and voters blaming Republicans for the government shutdown, this week’s results could reshape not just the midterm landscape but the future of both parties. D.C. representative Oye Owolewa and Executive Director for Puerto Rico 51st George Laws Garcia join Chuck Todd for a deep dive into one of America’s most overlooked democratic debates — the fight for statehood for Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. With over 3 million Americans lacking full representation in Congress, Chuck explores the political, constitutional, and cultural hurdles standing in the way. From Puerto Rico’s 58% support for statehood to the District’s struggle under federal oversight, the episode unpacks how history, partisanship, and outdated systems continue to stall progress. The conversation dives into whether D.C. and Puerto Rico would need to enter as a political “duo”, why half measures like expanded autonomy wouldn’t hold up, and how the economic and tax inequalities faced by both territories have real-world consequences. With bipartisan murmurs of support and the next generation of lawmakers pushing the issue, Chuck asks: is America finally ready to welcome its 51st — and maybe 52nd — states? Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football.  Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 07:30 Tuesday’s elections went even better than expected for Democrats 09:00 Ciaterreli hit all his targets from 2021 and still got blown out 12:00 High electric bills could have resulted in Dem wins in Georgia 15:00 Election results were a repudiation of Donald Trump 16:45 Donald Trump creates the political weather, and voters don’t like it 17:15 Trump blamed the shutdown for the losses, giving Dems more leverage 19:00 Voters blame R’s over D’s for the shutdown by 10 point margin 21:45 We could see more Republican retirements from congress 23:15 Likely the Supreme Court rules against Trump’s tariffs 25:00 Election results could reshape the redistricting fight 26:00 When dust settles, redistricting may not swing advantage to either side 27:30 Cost of living is going to be the defining issue in the midterms 29:15 Democrats mistake with Latinos was appealing to identity, not class 30:00 It wasn’t a good night for Democrats, it was a GREAT night 31:30 Republican candidates will start to distance themselves from Trump 34:15 Democrats now have a reasonable shot at winning the senate 38:00 Rep. Oye Owolewa and George Laws Garcia join the Chuck ToddCast  40:00 Over 3 million Americans don't have representation  42:15 The status of Puerto Rico's fight for statehood  44:30 Public split in Puerto Rico over its status  46:45 DC can pass local laws governing DC and Puerto Rico  47:30 Puerto Rico's residents have 58% support for statehood  49:45 Should DC be holding more referendums on this issue?  50:45 The importance of lobbying people in other states  52:15 Muriel Bowser has been boxed in by the administration  53:30 DC and neighboring states don't want to integrate  54:30 Should Virgin Islands join the fight for statehood?  57:30 DC would be solidly Democratic, Puerto Rico is more up in the air  58:15 Would DC & Puerto Rico have to both get statehood at the same time?  1:00:00 A new constitutional amendment may need to be passed  1:01:00 States are only added as duos due to political considerations  1:02:00 The GOP won't add DC as a state without a Republican counterpart  1:04:15 Puerto Rico's politics would be a huge question mark if admitted  1:05:45 How would the four congressional seats in PR split politically?  1:07:15 Is there a middle ground that would grant rights without statehood?  1:09:30 Why half measures wouldn't work, Congress could claw things back  1:11:00 Statehood admission much easier to pass than an amendment  1:13:30 There is some bipartisan support for statehood  1:16:00 Could the PR statehood push get a boost from NY and FL?  1:17:00 DC lost out on huge amounts of Covid money by not being a state  1:19:30 Puerto Rico receives massively unequal funding relative to states  1:22:15 Puerto Rico pays more in federal taxes than at least 3 states  1:24:15 Tax base in DC would be stronger with statehood  1:25:00 Business are hesitant to operate in DC without statehood status  1:27:00 Puerto Rico had a huge manufacturing base that has diminished  1:29:00 Statehood wouldn't harm people living in other states  1:31:00 States were added in 19th century where English wasn't primary language 1:33:30 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Rep Oye and George Laws Garcia  1:34:30 Ask Chuck  1:35:00 Was Mamdani's political skill the difference vs other progressives who lost?  1:45:45 Thoughts on Elise Stefanik running for governor of New York?  1:50:45 How will Biden's presidency be viewed in 30-40 years?  1:56:30 What would Ronald Reagan think about Trump?  2:05:00 College football preview See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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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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    iHeartPodcasts
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2025
  • Episodes
    180
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    Explicit
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    2025 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
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