The Chuck ToddCast

Chuck Todd reacts to the escalating feud brewing between Donald Trump and Elon Musk after Elon’s departure from the administration. He warns the audience… NOBODY can predict where this will go from here. Timeline: 00:00 Trump and Elon attack each other on social media 01:00 Trump threatens to terminate Elon’s government contracts 01:20 Elon accuses Trump of being in the Epstein files 02:30 Trump and Elon think they’ve bought each other's loyalty 04:15 Trump and Elon are basically the same guy 05:00 This was the most predictable split 07:15 Elon doesn’t understand how politics work 08:45 This feud will run into a reality check at some point 09:45 They are basically teenagers fighting

Chuck Todd begins by trying to make sense of the Elon Musk vs. Donald Trump public feud and why Trump will likely be muted in his criticism. Chuck also weighs in on the NYC mayoral race, why Andrew Cuomo shouldn’t be allowed to run this soon after resigning in disgrace and why voters were deprived of closure in the Cuomo scandal. Then, Chuck sits down with Lindsey Williams Drath, CEO of the Forward Party, to explore the challenges and opportunities facing America's newest third-party movement. Williams discusses the party's "purple" approach to politics, rejecting traditional left-right labels while focusing on governance over party affiliation. The conversation covers the significant barriers third parties face, from institutional pushback to the infrastructure advantages held by Republicans and Democrats, who have "pulled the ladder up behind them" through restrictive ballot access requirements and partisan primaries. Looking ahead to the 2026 and 2028 elections, Drath outlines the Forward Party's strategic approach to building from the ground up at the state level, targeting swing districts and disaffected voters from both major parties. The discussion touches on fusion voting, potential mergers with other independent groups, and the party's unique challenge of maintaining unity without a rigid ideology. Williams also addresses whether candidates with contradictory positions can coexist under one party banner, the role of money in politics, and how the Forward Party plans to avoid becoming a spoiler while building toward federal party status and meaningful electoral competition. Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ question in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding whether he’d ever consider working in the White House comms shop, what type of leader could best correct the erosion of American democracy, and who he thinks are the top 3 candidates to be at the top of the Democratic ticket in 2028. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 02:30 There is tremendous dissatisfaction with both political parties 04:00 What to make of the Elon Musk vs Donald Trump feud? 05:00 One party governance breeds bad governance 07:30 Trump vs Musk was always going to be a test of wills 08:30 Trump isn’t as aggressive with people wealthier than him 10:15 Democrats likely won’t forgive Elon if he turns on Trump 11:30 Winner of the Democratic NYC mayoral primary will be the mayor 12:45 Andrew Cuomo hasn’t lived in NYC in 35 years 13:45 Cuomo shouldn’t have resigned because we never got closure on accusations 15:45 If you resign in disgrace, there needs to be an electoral penalty 16:30 Cuomo never faced an impeachment trial 18:30 Multiple governors have resigned in order to dodge investigations 21:00 We never got an accounting of Al Franken’s ethics committee report 23:00 Cuomo shouldn’t be able to run again so soon 24:00 Lindsey Williams Drath joins the Chuck ToddCast! 24:50 What is the Forward Party and what do they believe? 26:30 Barriers to entry for a third party 27:10 There's growing sentiment for the need for a third party 28:30 There's major institutional pushback to third parties 29:30 Republicans and Democrats have an infrastructure advantage 30:20 10-year goal. What is success? 31:15 Built the party from the ground up at the state level 32:30 Andrew Yang's role in building the party 35:30 Administrative roles in Forward Party 37:45 Goal for the midterms is not a third party spoiler; but party-building; state level 40:15 Working toward federal party status; looking at seats in 2026 & 2028 42:10 What districts will they be targeting? 44:30 How Forward candidates can register for ballot access 47:00 Major parties have pulled the ladder up behind them. 47:50 Partisan primaries are unconstitutional 49:30 Defining fusion voting 51:30 Merging with the Independence Party? 53:15 There are lots of disaffected voters; and many "formers" in the Forward Party 55:45 We need to prioritize governance over party affiliation 57:30...

Chuck Todd begins by analyzing whether Donald Trump or Joe Biden will be a bigger political liability for their respective parties in the 2026 midterms. He also examines the trend of urban vs rural voters happening worldwide and reacts to some newsworthy quotes from American politics Then, he welcomes Jane Coaston to the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation that spans college football, media, and politics. They dive deep into how conference realignment is reshaping college sports, discussing everything from the demise of the Pac-12 to whether Fox can maintain compelling broadcasts without marquee matchups. The conversation explores how football innovation happens from the ground up and why geographic realignment may be inevitable for smaller schools facing logistical nightmares. The discussion then shifts to broader media and political dynamics, examining how algorithms and internet discourse are warping public conversation. They analyze why political hosts get captured by their audiences, how conspiracy theorists find community online, and why politically engaged people are actually the "weirdos" in American politics. They tackle tough questions about media coverage of Biden's age, the responsibility of press versus politicians in covering presidential fitness, and why treating voters as real people rather than demographic categories might be the key to better political communication. Finally, he addresses listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding consuming political interviews, whether Democrats need their own Project 2025 and whether a moderate Republican running third party would have enabled a Harris win in 2024. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Biden or Trump the bigger liability in 2026 midterms? 03:35 It’s rare for a former president to cast a bigger shadow than the current one 05:30 Democratic voters are still mad at Joe Biden 07:30 Trump won’t have much to sell in 2026 09:45 Voters won’t feel any impact from Trump’s tax cut 11:15 Democrats can’t sit back and expect to win in 2026 13:00 Trump is the bigger liability 14:00 Should Republicans have won 2024 in a landslide? 16:45 The rural vs. urban political divide is a worldwide phenomenon 18:30 Mexico to make all judges elected positions, terrible for rule of law 21:00 Character doesn’t matter to voters, results do 23:00 Joe Biden still believes he would have won the election 24:15 Tim Walz suggests Democrats should be a little meaner 27:15 Jane Coaston joins the Chuck ToddCast! 29:35 Mountain time is the best time zone for watching sports 32:15 Has college football hurt itself by losing the Pac-12? 34:15 Conference realignment really hurts the smaller schools logistically 35:45 Schools will be forced to realign into geographic regions 38:15 College football benefits from having fanbases in hundreds of markets 39:45 College football risks concentration only in the midwest and south 41:45 Football innovates from the bottom up 42:45 Can Fox's broadcast stand on its own without two marquee teams? 45:45 If CFB contracts were similar to NFL contracts, everyone makes more money 47:00 Money for college football isn't zero sum 48:15 How do you decide what your daily news lead will be? 49:15 The rhetoric around medicaid cuts is identical to welfare rhetoric 50:45 Many people on Medicaid have jobs that don't offer insurance 52:30 It's important to offer your audience views they don't always agree with 53:45 Algorithms are a major problem for public discourse 55:45 Hosts end up being captured by their audience and public criticism 57:15 The human psyche isn't equipped for the internet 58:15 Conspiracy theorists and cranks can find community online 59:45 The internet is not representative of real life people 1:00:45 Voters hold multiple conflicting views 1:03:00 High information, politically engaged people are weirdos 1:04:15 Politics has become too much like sports 1:06:15 In polling, the way a question is asked can...

Chuck Todd reacts to Elon Musk leaving the Trump Administration and discusses the valuable lessons to be learned from Elon’s tenure. Chuck also reacts to the recent pardons by Donald Trump and explains why they are bad for the country. Then he discusses the problems with the “big, beautiful bill”. Then, Chuck is joined by Amanda Litman, co-founder and president of Run For Something, to discuss the future of Democratic leadership and the urgent need to recruit a new generation of candidates. They examine how Republicans, following the lead of Newt Gingrich’s GoPAC, have outpaced Democrats in preparing talent for public office — and why the Democratic bench remains so thin. Litman shares insights into the challenges young progressives face, from lack of institutional support to financial and family pressures. They discuss the messy but well-intentioned efforts like David Hogg’s DNC initiative, the communication gap with younger voters, and why the information ecosystem is reshaping political engagement. Together, they explore the mechanics of candidate recruitment, debates over ideological litmus tests, and how Run For Something navigates hot-button issues like trans rights and independent candidacies. From socioeconomic diversity in elected office to the underrepresentation of renters and working-class Americans, this conversation is a candid look at how Democrats can rebuild from the ground up — and what success might look like in the 2026 midterms. Finally, in “Ask Chuck,” Chuck digs into the mailbag to answer one of the biggest questions about the state of politics. 00:00 - Chuck recaps his weekend 06:26 - Elon’s Exit from Trump Administration 14:43 - Reaction to Trump’s pardons 21:49 – Amanda Litman joins the Chuck Toddcast! 22:19 – What is “Run For Something”? 24:19 – Newt Gingrich started GoPAC to prep candidates on the right 25:19 – The DNC dropped the ball on prepping candidates 27:34 – Emily’s List was good for candidate training, but only for women 29:04 – There are very few young elected Democrats 30:04 – David Hogg’s DNC effort is a noble one, but messy for the DNC 32:19 – The generational divide in the Democratic party 33:49 – Democrats need younger leaders to speak to younger voters 34:49 – The Republican party changed drastically in ten years 35:49 – Voters under 35 have seen a lot of government failure 37:49 – Voters receive their information so differently now 39:04 – What is the process for recruiting and training candidates? 42:49 – Is there an ideological litmus test for prospective candidates? 44:04 – Trans issues have been very challenging for progressives 45:49 – What if a candidate's passion issue isn’t a voting issue? 47:04 – Will “Run For Something” recruit and run independent candidates? 49:49 – Could we see a lot of former federal employees run for office? 51:49 – Will Run For Something get involved in debates about updating the democracy 53:19 – Legislators should be paid more 55:19 – Lack of money and kids are a huge impediment to candidates under 40 57:19 – We need more socioeconomic diversity in elected office* 59:19 – Renters aren’t represented in Congress* 61:04 – The Democrats have become the “presidency or bust” party* 63:04 – If you want to improve the Democratic brand, you have to change the politicians 65:19 – What does success look like in 2026 midterms? 67:22 – “Ask Chuck”

Chuck Todd starts with new polling showing Trump’s damaging down ballot effect on the Republican party and highlights some key races for the upcoming midterm elections. Then, he sits down with New York Times reporters Michael Schwirtz and Jane Bradley to discuss their explosive investigation into Russia's sophisticated "spy factory" operation in Brazil. The reporters reveal how they uncovered a years-long Russian intelligence program that used Brazil as the perfect cover to create false identities for spies who would then be deployed around the world. The discussion explores how the Ukraine war may have intensified efforts to uncover these operations, and details the meticulous process Russian operatives used to obtain authentic Brazilian birth certificates and build elaborate backstories for their agents. The conversation delves into the remarkable scope of this espionage network, including how one spy successfully infiltrated Johns Hopkins University as a student, before being caught by Brazilian authorities. Schwirtz and Bradley discuss the similarities between their real-world investigation and the plot of "The Americans," the complaints from captured spies about their Russian handlers, and how this program's roots trace back to Cold War tactics. The interview also touches on broader questions about American engagement in Latin America, Brazil's surprisingly robust rule of law, and the ongoing challenges facing international journalism, including reporting in conflict zones like Ukraine and the risks of travel to Russia. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment regarding small state primaries, whether an atheist could ever be elected president and Democratic messaging. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 01:30 Trump is putting the Republican party in a precarious position for midterms 03:30 Trump’s only big win is the border 04:00 Swing voters wanted lower prices and aren’t getting them 04:30 Every election is now a “change” election 06:30 Trump has become the party 08:00 Republicans won’t have anything that’s easy to sell to the public 09:30 New Texas poll shows Trump’s growing unpopularity 12:00 Shrinking the size of government is popular with voters 13:15 Bad economic approval is a warning for Republicans 16:00 Incumbency may be a big problem for John Cornyn 18:00 New Michigan poll released on senate race 19:30 Michigan poll shows anti-incumbent bias in voters 20:30 Lindsay Graham in a closer than expected race 22:15 Michael Schwirtz & Jane Bradley join the Chuck ToddCast! 23:55 What is the origin story of their story on Brazil's "Spy Factory" 24:45 Did the Ukraine war cause countries to double efforts to uncover spies? 27:15 Were the feds in Brazil aware of this spy operation? 30:25 Brazil was the perfect place to create cover identities for spies 31:45 The spy operation was years in the making 32:45 Investigations into spies' birth certificates showed they weren't doctored 34:45 Other Latin American countries are investigating as well 35:45 Was the spy ring uncovered in America in 2010 related to this program? 37:15 The goal wasn't to infiltrate Brazil specifically, but move spies abroad 38:15 The most "successful" spy was arrested by Brazilian authorities 39:30 One spy infiltrated John Hopkins university posing as a student 41:30 Has Putin punished any of the spies that were caught? 43:15 It feels like this story was a plot ripped straight from "The Americans" 44:30 The spies that talked complained about their bosses 45:30 Does America run similar "spy factories?" 48:15 Western agencies don't have the same spy budgets as the Russians 50:15 The seeds of the spy program go back to the Cold War 52:30 Are Brazilian authorities extra motivated to get to the bottom of this? 53:45 Brazil's rule of law is stronger than we give it credit for 55:15 Is this a failure of American engagement in Latin America? 58:00 What other threads are they pulling in their...

Chuck Todd opens with two issues he calls “dead rail” issues; issues that voters care about but don’t vote on… campaign finance reform and the national debt. He explains why both parties aren’t incentivized to address either issue, and provides a brief update on the latest developments for the upcoming midterm and presidential elections. Then, he sits down with acclaimed television writer and producer Debora Cahn, the creative force behind both "The West Wing" and Netflix's hit series "The Diplomat." Cahn shares behind-the-scenes insights from her time in Aaron Sorkin's writers' room, revealing how the team worked to make "The West Wing" realistic and even infused elements of musical theater into the show. She discusses the origins and development of "The Diplomat," explaining how her experience working on "Homeland" prepared her for tackling international diplomacy, and how COVID-19 unexpectedly helped with the show's early development process. They delve into how real-world events have shaped "The Diplomat's" narrative, particularly Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which completely changed the show's plot trajectory. Cahn explores the challenges of creating "news adjacent" content in today's rapidly changing political landscape, where she notes that satire feels off-limits for this decade. She also discusses her approach to writing strong but complex female characters, the differences between working with Shonda Rhimes versus Aaron Sorkin, and how she uses storytelling to give voice to government workers. The interview touches on everything from using real UK embassy locations for filming to incorporating recent political events and the casting of Michael McKean in a Biden-inspired role. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment, addressing topics like the best path to learning journalism, whether Kamala Harris could lose the California gubernatorial race and how to maximize black voter turnout in the south. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 The “third-rail” issues in American politics that are untouchable 01:45 Medicaid is a lifeline for more than just poor people 02:20 Dead rail issues are issues that you can ignore and voters don’t care 03:10 Voters agree on need for campaign finance reform, but don’t vote on it 05:00 Both parties only care about the national debt when they’re out of power 07:00 Voters don’t care about campaign finance or the debt until it affects them 09:00 The Republicans are more fiscally irresponsible than Democrats 10:30 New campaign ad rolls out with purely AI generated people 11:30 Senator Jeff Merkeley may step down 12:30 Senator Ed Markey may face primary challenge 13:00 Rahm Emmanuel attending Iowa event, could it regain 1st primary status? 14:30 Debora Cahn joins the Chuck ToddCast! 15:45 How did she create "The Diplomat" and "West Wing"? 17:00 How important was it to make the West Wing realistic? 19:00 How did you infuse musical theater into West Wing? 20:15 What was the writers' room like? 22:30 How long has she been working on The Diplomat? 25:15 How did working on Homeland prepare her for The Diplomat? 28:30 The origin of The Diplomat 30:00 Covid actually HELPED with early development 31:00 Were the characters modeled off real people? 33:45 Using a real embassy for the set 36:30 Has the narrative arc changed from the original vision? 38:45 Russia's invasion of Ukraine changed the show's entire plot 40:45 Using the PM of the UK character to caricature Trump 42:15 Satire is off the table for this decade 43:30 Giving voice to government workers via storytelling 47:00 Has the UK foreshadowed trends in US politics? 48:15 The downside to being "news adjacent"? 49:45 Writing about strong women but making it messy 51:15 Working with Shonda Rhimes vs Aaron Sorkin 53:30 Whose story would she like to tell? 56:00 Traditional journalism vs. influencer culture 56:45 The Newsroom wasn't an accurate portrayal of TV journalism 58:00 What events...

Chuck Todd begins by examining whether Democrats have lost by enough to force meaningful change or if they're simply tinkering around the edges. He covers Trump's recent controversial moves, including hosting dinners for his memecoin buyers and politicizing his West Point commencement speech, while exploring how "whataboutism" and Trump creating a culture of fear have become pervasive in our political discourse. Chuck analyzes new polling data on potential Democratic matchups and discusses why being an incumbent may be a liability in upcoming elections. Then, he’s joined by political analyst and author of “Where Have All The Democrats Gone”, Ruy Texeira, who provides insights into America's ongoing political realignment and the challenges facing both major parties. They explore whether Democrats need to move toward the center to win back working-class voters, discuss the possibility of party collapse similar to what happened with the UK's Tories, and examine why neither party seems capable of forming a truly dominant coalition. The conversation covers everything from the Democrats' branding problems and communication failures to Trump's enduring influence on American politics and the potential for viable independent candidates in 2028. Chuck concludes with upcoming Republican primary dynamics, including Senator John Cornyn's hiring of Trump's campaign manager and why it could be an UGLY campaign. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Have Democrats lost by enough to force them to change? 04:30 Democrats seem intent on tinkering rather than an overhaul 05:45 Trump hosts dinner for buyers of his memecoin 06:45 Mike Johnson defends corruption if it’s “done in the open” * (14:30) 08:30 Trump politicizes his West Point commencement speech 10:30 “Whataboustism” is plaguing our politics 12:00 Neither party has a monopoly on crazy or violence 12:45 Trump has created a culture of fear which mutes criticism 14:30 The public has become numb to Trump’s bad behavior 15:45 Corruption will eat away the credibility of the MAGA movement* 16:30 New poll released on AOC vs Schumer and Torres vs Hochul 18:30 Being an incumbent will be a negative in 2026 and 2028 22:10 Ruy Texeira joins the Chuck Toddcast 23:40 What is the current state of America's political realignment? 26:25 Do Democrats need to move to the center to win working class voters? 28:10 Lower turnout benefits Democrats 29:55 Democrats have only changed rhetoric, not their positions 31:40 Neither party can form a dominant coalition 32:40 Despite the chaos, Trump's approval rating isn't that bad 34:25 Could we see one party collapse like the Tories in the UK? 36:10 Could a third party replace one of our two parties 37:55 Voters in the western world feel the system is broken 38:40 Democrats are viewed as the status quo party 41:10 What are some lessons Democrats can take from the early 90's? 43:10 Neither party loses by enough to change 46:40 The DNC doesn't grasp how bad the brand has become 47:40 The problem is bigger than communications 49:40 Trump is the towering figure of 21st century American politics 51:10 What to make of Gavin Newsom's political maneuvering? 52:30 Who could be the Democrats next Bill Clinton? 54:40 What states should Democrats be targeting for future elections? 57:10 Democrats made a mistake not having Iowa first in their primary calendar 58:10 Why has Wisconsin stayed so competitive? 1:00:10 What to make of the red shift in blue states where they didn't campaign? 1:02:40 Party strategists are too out of step with the voters 1:04:25 What will we learn from statewide elections in 2025? 1:07:25 Will Joe Biden become a pariah like Jimmy Carter for the Democratic party? 1:09:10 Being a cabinet member for Biden will tank Pete Buttigieg's presidential hopes 1:10:10 The cover up of Biden's decline will haunt the Democrats for years 1:11:25 Any positives for the Democrats? 1:12:25 There could be a viable independent candidate...

Chuck begins with house Republicans struggling to pass their “Big Beautiful Bill” and reflecting on the president’s ability to influence the culture versus imposing on the culture. Then, Chuck welcomes Spencer Kornhaber, staff writer at The Atlantic to discuss his piece on contemporary pop culture and its perceived decline in quality. They dive into the impact of streaming algorithms impacting music discovery, revealing that old music now earns three times the streams of new releases as algorithms trigger nostalgia rather than innovation. The conversation explores how the music industry has lost its traditional gatekeepers, leading to a landscape where new music often sounds "rehashed and doesn't move the ball forward," while examining whether rock music has stopped evolving and how country music is experiencing a resurgence. They also tackle the growing influence of AI on music production and debate whether algorithms, despite their flaws, are actually helping people discover music in different languages and cultures. The discussion expands to examine whether television represents the one area where pop culture is genuinely "better than ever," with prestige TV becoming the cultural center and episodic storytelling reshaping moviemaking. They explore the "Barbenheimer summer" phenomenon as evidence that theatrical experiences still matter, before diving into literature's current state amid declining readership among younger generations. They debate whether high-resolution photography and AI are diminishing visual arts, speculate about experiences becoming the next major art form for Gen Z, and examine how competition with AI might actually make human artists more innovative. They conclude by discussing the enduring popularity of live elements in sports and music—with Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift reigning as pop royalty—while questioning who truly rules Hollywood and acknowledging the surprising innovations happening in live theater. Finally he addresses listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment, weighing in on Europe’s race to rearm itself, his preferred voting method to incentivize legislative compromise and whether the questions surrounding Joe Biden’s decline will loom over the 2028 presidential race. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Republicans struggling to pass the “Big Beautiful Bill” 02:00 Partisan governance is bad governance 03:30 The bill will pass, it’s just a matter of when 05:45 We’re in a “culture cold war” 08:00 Should political leaders impose culture, or influence it? 09:45 Who we elect as president is reflective of the culture 11:45 If a president imposes on culture, they impose on speech 14:45 The public will want a president who doesn’t impose on culture 17:40 Spencer Kornhaber joins the Chuck ToddCast 18:40 What inspired his piece on current pop culture being terrible? 22:25 Algorithms are terrible at introducing new music 23:10 Old music earns 3x the streams of new music 24:40 Algorithms use music to trigger nostalgia 26:10 New music sounds rehashed and doesn't move the ball forward 28:10 The music industry lost its gatekeepers 29:55 Algorithms help people discover music in a different language 32:10 Has rock music stopped evolving? 33:20 Country music is having a resurgence 34:00 The impact of AI on music production 35:40 Is television the one area of pop culture that's better than ever? 36:55 Prestige TV has become the center of the culture 38:25 How has episodic tv impacted moviemaking? 40:40 "Barbenheimer summer" wasn't a fluke 42:40 Are we also in a golden age of literature? 45:25 Younger generations are reading less 46:10 Do high resolution pictures + AI diminish the visual arts? 48:55 Will experiences become the next big artform for Gen Z 50:25 How well will his piece age? 51:55 Will competition with AI make human artists more innovative? 54:25 Will society decide to reinvest in the arts? 55:25 Gaming and sports are more popular than ever 57:10 Is the live...

Chuck Todd begins the episode with an examination of the election landscape starting with the California gubernatorial race and a demographic breakdown that indicates Democrats could perform very well in both 2025 and 2026. Then, is joined by businessman Stephen Cloobeck, who discusses his candidacy for California governor as the "only non-traditional candidate" in the race. Cloobeck offers sharp criticism of the Harris/Walz presidential campaign, which he characterizes as "tone deaf," while proposing concrete solutions for California's most pressing issues. Cloobeck outlines his vision for a new department of "performance and results" to increase government accountability and presents his approach to addressing California's homelessness crisis. Drawing on lessons learned from his adopted father, former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Cloobeck positions himself as a Democrat who understands business concerns, directly addressing why corporate leaders are "tempted" to leave California while asserting that "you can't buy an election" and pledging not to self-fund his campaign. Chuck presses Cloobeck on whether Democrats need their own version of "Donald Trump," and what the party should learn from Trump's political approach. He also offers insight into his success in the timeshare industry, explaining how Marriott ultimately copied his business model and addressing whether AirBnB has undermined the traditional timeshare market. Chuck challenges Cloobeck about potential competition from other business figures like Rick Caruso and former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, with Chuck speculating that by 2026, voters might be "burned out on bravado" after Trump's presidency. Finally, Chuck digs into the mailbag of listeners’ questions in Ask Chuck and responds to questions about six year presidential terms, quirky personal preferences that lead to political preferences and whether it’s harder for him to land interviews with Republicans. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 The importance of the California gubernatorial race 01:15 Kloobeck intro 02:30 Kamala Harris preparing to run for governor in California? 03:45 Younger and infrequent voters were Trump’s “secret sauce” 05:00 Can a Democratic woman win the presidency? 06:30 Higher turnout is better for Republicans 08:15 Trends favor Democrats in non-presidential elections 09:30 Democrats became the “rules” party 11:15 Jared Golden not running for must-win Maine senate seat 12:30 Republicans are already writing off Virginia 13:30 Could New Jersey become a swing state? 14:30 Can the Trump coalition succeed without Trump on the ballot? 15:45 Could Senator Bill Cassidy retire for LSU chancellor job? 17:15 Stephen Cloobeck joins the Chuck ToddCast! 18:30 Why is he the only non-traditional candidate running for CA governor? 23:05 Are California's issues a governor issue or does it run deeper? 26:05 What should Gavin Newsom have done differently? 29:00 The Harris/Walz campaign was tone deaf 30:25 What did Gray Davis get right as governor? 31:55 Creating a department of "performance and results" 33:30 Solution to California's homelessness problem 35:00 Schwarzenegger was an outsider that ran into the bureaucracy 39:30 What makes him a democrat and not an independent? 41:55 Why are business leaders "tempted" to leave California? 44:35 What he learned from his adopted father, Harry Reid 46:15 Do we need a "Donald Trump" in the democratic party? 48:00 What should the democratic party learn from Trump? 48:45 You can't buy an election. Won't self fund his campaign. 51:00 Why couldn't Trump start a casino in Nevada? 53:20 Should people be skeptical of the timeshare industry? 54:35 Has AirBnB killed the timeshare industry? 58:00 Marriott copied his timeshare model 58:45 What would you say to Harris if she wanted help with the governor race? 1:02:00 Are you ready for the arrows coming your way 1:04:25 Did you have high expectations for Joe Biden? 1:07:15 If...

Chuck Todd welcomes Congressman Ritchie Torres for a wide-ranging conversation that begins with a tour of New York's 15th district and the unique challenges of representing one of America's most diverse urban areas. Torres offers candid insights on governance, highlighting how term limits disadvantage legislators compared to lobbyists. The conversation shifts to the current political landscape, with Torres expressing deep concerns about President Trump's approach to his second term, arguing that Trump is "poisoning the well" for bipartisanship despite Biden's successful record of cross-party legislation. Torres delivers a stark warning that America is "planting the seed of its own decline" and characterizes the consequences of proposed GOP Medicaid cuts as "barbaric," particularly in light of the brewing long-term care crisis. They weigh the merits of pragmatism versus idealism in American foreign policy and scrutinize Qatar's growing financial influence in American politics. Torres argues that "Republicans would impeach Joe Biden if he had accepted a plane" while addressing whether Democrats should adopt Trump's aggressive approach to wielding power. Torres acknowledges that Democrats "should have spoken out sooner about Biden's decline" and offers his vision for how the party can project strength moving forward. They conclude with Torres addressing his political future—including speculation about mayoral and gubernatorial ambitions—before outlining his solutions for New York's housing crisis, crime concerns, and utility costs. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Joe Biden diagnosed with aggressive form of cancer 02:00 Was Biden’s decline covered up, or just willful ignorance? 03:00 Robert Hur recording has supercharged the Biden story 06:45 Joe Biden couldn’t assure voters he was up to the job 08:30 Chris Murphy says it’s the Democrats fault that Trump was re-elected 11:45 Democrats need to do soul searching like they did with Bill Clinton 13:30 Clinton had to run against the party and its prior leadership 15:00 Democrats misread the 2020 election result 18:00 Democrats will take some blame for problems Trump causes 19:00 Democrats need to reinvent themselves 21:00 Trump released the Hur tapes as a distraction 23:00 Democrats should be angrier about Biden than Republicans 25:00 Mike Johnson needs Trump to pressure members of congress 26:00 Ritchie Torres joins the Chuck ToddCast 26:30 Tour of the NY-15 district 28:30 The enormity of the New York city council 30:00 Would he support expanding the size of the house? 32:00 Term limits disadvantage legislators compared to lobbyists 33:00 Can any bipartisan agreement be reached with Trump 34:30 Biden had multiple pieces of bipartisan legislation 35:30 Trump is poisoning the well in his second term 37:30 America is planting the seed of its own decline 38:00 Medicaid cuts will be devastating 40:00 Will the Medicaid cuts be delayed where a future congress could fix it? 41:30 Medicaid work requirements don't work 42:45 The consequences of the GOP budget will be barbaric 44:45 How do we address the long-term care crisis? 47:00 Should America's foreign policy be pragmatic or idealistic? 49:45 How should we view Qatar's infusion of money into American politics? 51:30 Republicans would impeach Joe Biden if he had accepted a plane 54:15 Should Democrats wield power like Trump when they're in charge? 55:50 Democrats should have spoken out sooner about Biden's decline 1:00:00 How can the Democrats project strength as a party? 1:01:15 Democrats need to let the cream rise to the top 1:02:30 Campaigning makes candidates sharper 1:03:30 Why aren't you running for NYC mayor? 1:05:30 Andrew Cuomo is a great "builder" 1:07:30 Will you run for governor in 2026? 1:08:00 How would you address the housing crisis in New York? 1:10:30 Addressing crime in New York 1:13:00 New York's budget has increased, the quality of services hasn't 1:14:45 Public...

Chuck Todd opens with a personal reflection on his father's connection to Vietnam before welcoming distinguished guests Ambassador John Negroponte and filmmaker Brian Knappenberger to discuss the new documentary series Turning Point and the lasting impacts of the Vietnam and Iraq wars on American politics and society. The conversation explores how Vietnam fundamentally shifted America's perception of itself, with Ambassador Negroponte sharing his firsthand experiences from the conflict. They examine how televised coverage transformed public perception of war, debate whether Vietnam was "worth it" in the context of the Cold War, and analyze why America ultimately lost the conflict. The discussion dives deep into how Vietnam became the Baby Boomers' defining generational experience, shattering trust in government institutions. They explore the military's evolution into a predominantly Republican constituency, the long-term political fallout of pardoning draft dodgers, and the devastating impact of drug use among soldiers during the conflict. The guests offer a rare perspective on how the Vietnamese people recovered from the war's effects and draw striking parallels between the withdrawals from Saigon and Afghanistan. They reflect on how these historical conflicts continue to shape modern American politics, noting that despite multiple Vietnam veterans running for president, none have ever won the office. They conclude with a thought-provoking consideration of how future generations might commemorate the 75th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, leaving listeners with a deeper understanding of how America's past military engagements continue to influence its present and future. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Chuck’s personal connection to Vietnam was his dad 02:30 Vietnam + Iraq still haunt American politics 04:10 John Negroponte and Brian Knappenberger join the Chuck Toddcast! 06:35 What do you hope people take away from Netflix's Turning Point? 08:55 Vietnam's shadow loomed over the Iraq wars 10:55 We rarely talk about the war itself, mostly just the fallout 12:40 Vietnam shifted America's perception of itself 13:25 Ambassador Negroponte's experience of being in Vietnam 16:55 Was Vietnam viewed as a proxy war at the time? 20:00 The Iraq war has the same effect on our political psyche as Vietnam 23:00 How did daily press coverage affect the ability to control the narrative 25:00 Vietnam being televised drastically changed the public's perception 27:00 Embedded reporters caused new challenges for managing the narrative 28:15 Was Vietnam worth it since we won the cold war? 30:05 Why did we lose the war? 32:45 Watergate ruined historians ability to document presidents 34:15 Vietnam was the boomer's coming of age story, shook their trust in government 35:30 Many January 6th rioters were Vietnam vets 37:40 The importance of equipping and training local forces 39:10 Why did the military become a Republican constituency? 40:40 Pardoning the draft dodgers had long term political impacts 42:40 The horrible impact of drug use by soldiers in Vietnam 47:40 The perspective from the side of the north? 49:10 When did the Vietnamese recover from the effects of the war? 52:25 No Vietnam vet has ever been president 55:10 The military is America's only institution that has bipartisan support 58:35 How similar/different were the withdrawals from Saigon and Afghanistan? 59:25 What will the retrospective be on the 75th anniversary of the fall of Saigon 1:02:35 Chuck’s thoughts on the interview

Chuck Todd opens with a critical analysis of President Trump's approach to governance, suggesting that while his Middle East trip may yield positive results, his administration is missing crucial opportunities for bipartisan cooperation. He argues that Trump's executive order on prescription drugs lacks substance without legislative backing and that the president should "get caught trying" bipartisanship on issues where common ground exists. He also explores Putin's refusal of peace talks as a potential humiliation for Trump, and examines what recent political developments like the Omaha mayoral race might signal about Democratic prospects in upcoming elections. Then, he’s joined by Congressman Ro Khanna, who delivers a candid assessment of the Democratic party's leadership crisis and brand damage. Khanna argues that Chuck Schumer has squandered his leadership position and addresses concerns about deportations in rural communities. The conversation delves into the economic realities facing the Midwest, and calls for Democrats to work more closely with business leaders. Khanna argues that deplatforming Trump after January 6th was "a huge mistake" and discusses the rightward shift among tech leaders. They conclude with Khanna's perspectives on America's global retreat, the timeline for presidential campaigns, and Gen Z's trust issues with politics. The episode wraps with "Ask Chuck," where Todd addresses questions about media coverage of Trump, potential Republican party fractures, and Chuck gives his thoughts on Pete Rose's posthumous Hall of Fame eligibility. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Trump’s middle east trip may net some positive results 02:30 Trump won’t work with Democrats on issues they agree on 04:15 Bipartisanship has become toxic 06:30 Trump’s executive order on prescription drugs is meaningless without legislation 07:45 Congress has been useless 08:30 Trump should “get caught trying” bipartisanship 10:00 There are multiple issues where Trump could make bipartisan deals 12:15 Trump made some great points in his middle east speech 13:45 Trump has been pragmatic with his middle east policy 16:30 Trump can’t pick and choose who to be pragmatic with 18:00 The ball is in Trump’s court after Putin turned down peace talks 19:15 Putin is humiliating Trump… will he sit back and take it? 19:50 Does the Omaha mayoral race show a blue wave building? 21:00 Pete Buttigieg admits Joe Biden is political baggage in Iowa town hall 23:30 Chuck Schumer punting on the Biden question was cowardly 25:30 Donald Trump is unpopular and the Democratic brand is still worse 26:15 Ro Khanna joins the Chuck Toddcast! 27:45 Who is the leader of the Democratic party? 28:45 Chuck Schumer has squandered his leadership position 31:30 Rural communities are highly concerned about deportations 32:15 Is Hakeem Jeffries stuck in Nancy Pelosi's shadow? 34:00 How damaged is the Democratic brand and how to fix it? 37:15 Do midwestern voters want to work multigenerational factory jobs? 40:30 NAFTA benefitted the south and hurt the midwest 43:15 Republicans have become the big government party 45:45 Democrats need to work with business leaders 46:45 What caused the rightward shift of the tech leaders? 48:30 Deplatforming Trump was a huge mistake 50:30 Should Kamala Harris be the next governor of California? 53:30 What characteristics will voters be looking for in 2028 55:15 Will Democratic voters want a "celebrity" president? 58:25 What's the lesson learned from Biden's communications failure? 1:00:15 How do Democrats win over independent voters? 1:03:00 One issue he'd work with Trump on? 1:03:45 Will he debate JD Vance? 1:05:45 America's retreat is making the world more dangerous 1:07:15 Rubio needs to step up and assert America globally 1:10:00 It will take a generation to repair America's reputation 1:10:45 When is it appropriate to begin a run for president? 1:12:15 Kamala Harris and her team were too...

Chuck Todd opens with a blistering analysis of America's current political landscape, arguing that both major parties are fundamentally weak and surviving only through their duopoly of ballot access. He examines the potential for political realignment, questioning whether MAGA and establishment Republicans might fracture and if figures like Senator John Cornyn would fare better as independents. Chuck doesn't hold back on the Biden administration either, calling out what he sees as selfishness from the Bidens and criticizing aides who failed to report the President's decline sooner, suggesting cabinet secretaries will need to answer for what he terms a "cover up." Then he’s joined by Rob Sand, Democratic candidate for governor of Iowa, who discusses his record of uncovering government waste and his vision for the state. Sand outlines his bipartisan approach to governance and delivers a sharp critique of Iowa's school voucher program, arguing it lacks transparency and has allowed private schools to raise tuition while turning away disabled students. The conversation covers Iowa's political shift, education policy, and whether Democrats should restore Iowa's first-in-the-nation primary status. The episode concludes with "Ask Chuck," where Todd answers listener questions on topics ranging from the theoretical "Limbaugh effect" in Obama's election to the practicality of expanding the House of Representatives, and even touches on the NBA draft lottery's impact on Texas basketball teams. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 01:30 Both the Republican and Democratic parties are very weak 03:00 Without the duopoly of ballot access, one of the two parties would have disappeared 04:30 Interparty splits and the potential for independents? 06:00 Could MAGA vs establishment factions fracture in the GOP? 07:30 Would John Cornyn be better served running as an independent in Texas? 11:10 Republicans have too many crowded primaries in Senate races 12:30 Both parties brands are broken 14:30 The Bidens have been selfish 16:30 Shame on the anonymous aides who didn’t report Biden’s decline sooner 17:45 Biden’s aides pushed back publicly and privately before he stepped down 18:20 Biden’s cabinet secretaries will have to answer for the cover up 21:10 The DNC drama surrounding David Hogg 23:55 The DNC looks ridiculous right now 26:15 Rob Sand joins the Chuck ToddCast 26:45 Why run for governor of Iowa? 29:30 Rob found a record amount of waste and abuse in Iowa government 30:15 Did you think about running as an independent? 34:35 If you win, is it a victory for Democrats or for independents? 36:45 Rob would appoint a bipartisan cabinet 37:30 The school voucher program in Iowa isn't transparent 38:45 The public school vouchers can be audited, the private ones can't 41:15 Iowa's public schools are falling behind 43:00 Private schools can turn away disabled students 44:15 Private schools just raised tuition after voucher program rollout 45:30 What's the plan to improve public schools in Iowa? 49:10 What are some Kim Reynolds policies he would keep? 51:05 Has Iowa shifted right, or is it a Trump phenomenon? 53:15 Should Democrats make Iowa their first primary state again? 56:30 Pete Buttigieg broke through in Iowa 59:00 Lottery scam in Iowa 1:03:00 What hurts Iowa more; tariffs or the USAID contracts being terminated? 1:05:15 Does he expect a primary challenger? 1:06:05 Chuck's thoughts on Rob Sand interview 1:06:30 Ask Chuck 1:06:35 Has there ever been a study on the "Limbaugh effect", encouraging Democrats to vote for Obama? 1:11:35 If you doubled the size of the House, would there be physical space constraints? 1:14:15 Would a third party like the forward party focused on a singular issue be effective? 1:17:05 The NBA draft lottery ensured that all three Texas teams will be great (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

Chuck opens with an analysis of President Trump's controversial upcoming Middle East trip, focusing on reports that Trump will receive a luxury Boeing airplane as a gift from Qatar. He characterizes this as potentially "the most corrupt bargain a president has ever made," questioning the ethics and legality of such an arrangement while examining Trump's pattern of personal enrichment in office. The discussion extends to Trump's cryptocurrency ventures, the growing influence of Gulf states in American politics, and the administration's unorthodox approaches to foreign policy and homeland security. Then he’s joined by a rising star in the Democratic party, Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett. She provides insights into her rapidly growing Dallas district and discusses the economic benefits of immigration that contrast sharply with current policies. Crockett, known for her viral moments in congressional hearings, offers a candid assessment of the partisan circus in the House Oversight Committee and the ideological divide within the Democratic Party. The conversation delves into factors behind Trump's victory, whether racism and misogyny impacted Kamala Harris's campaign, and the complex political landscape in Texas, including potential opportunities for Democrats if Ken Paxton defeats John Cornyn in a future primary. Finally, the episode concludes with an "Ask Chuck" segment addressing why abortion has faded from national discourse despite its continued importance. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 01:55 Trump’s first planned overseas trip is to the middle east 02:50 Trump to receive a luxury Boeing airplane as a gift from Qatar 04:50 Most corrupt bargain a president has ever made 07:10 Whether it’s illegal or not, it’s a terrible look 08:20 Trump didn’t want to wait to get a new Air Force One 09:15 Trump believes he’s untouchable 10:30 Trump’s crypto token is purely a bribery scam 12:30 Will any elected Republicans stand up to Trump? 14:30 Trump views personal enrichment as a commission 16:00 The gulf states are openly bribing American politicians 17:45 It was good that Rubio and Vance intervened in India/Pakistan conflict 19:50 Homeland security is running campaign ads with taxpayer dollars 22:30 Trump’s Iran deal won’t get done until after his middle east trip 24:30 Taking a plane as a gift feels like a bad movie plot 25:25 Jasmine Crockett joins the Chuck ToddCast! 25:25 Tour of TX-30 (Dallas) 28:55 TX-30 is a hub for aviation 31:45 Dallas is growing exponentially 33:40 How can St. Louis be revitalized? 37:15 Immigrants produce economic dynamism and we're treating them horribly 39:45 How important are viral moments for political communications 43:25 The partisan circus in the oversight committee 44:40 We have people in government that don't understand how it works* 45:40 DOGE hearing became about trans people competing in fencing 47:25 Is it a generational divide or ideological divide in the Democratic party 48:25 Some members cling to the institutions while they're burning around them* 50:10 State of the Union displayed the differences of approach between members 51:25 How did Democrats end up in this situation? 53:15 Why did Trump win? 55:25 How much did racism and misogyny factor into Kamala Harris losing? 56:40 Did Harris's background as a prosecutor help or hurt her? 59:10 Trump's name being on buildings sold the public on his business acumen 1:01:05 Should Harris take another shot at the presidency?* 1:02:25 Democratic voters don't want "establishment" candidates 1:04:10 Democrats are fighting an uphill battle 1:05:10 Is Texas a 3 party state with two Republican wings? 1:06:10 If Ken Paxton beats John Cornyn, the Texas senate seat will be in play 1:08:40 Did Democrats miss the moment in Texas? 1:10:25 Will the Luka trade leave a lasting mark on Dallas? 1:11:10 Is she running for oversight chair? 1:11:35 Her advice for Hakeem Jeffries 1:12:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with...

Chuck opens with an analysis of growing global tensions, including armed conflict between India and Pakistan, and the power vacuum created by America's retreat from its traditional leadership role. He discusses Joe Biden's recent BBC comments on foreign affairs and the potential for Vladimir Putin to test NATO's Article 5 commitment in the Baltics, suggesting that increased global conflict may be on the horizon as China and Russia fill the void left by the United States. Then he’s joined by the author of the new book "Heaven Help Us" and former Ohio Governor John Kasich, who offers candid insights on the lost art of political compromise and consensus-building. Kasich discusses the toxic partisanship exemplified by the Obama/Christie hug controversy, shares his perspective on healthcare reform, and explores how faith can inform governance without violating church-state separation. The conversation covers the prospects for the 2026 and 2028 elections, Ohio's political landscape, and the need for spiritual renewal in American culture. Kasich offers sharp criticism of both Trump's approach to tariffs and Biden's presidency, which he characterizes as a failure due to insulation from contrarian views. Finally Chuck responds to listeners’ questions in the "Ask Chuck" segment, addressing questions about increasing the size of the House of Representatives, how organizations earn the "non-partisan" label, and whether the national debt will trigger economic catastrophe. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 03:15 Armed conflict between India and Pakistan 07:30 We see more conflict when the U.S. is in retreat 09:00 If America doesn’t play the role of world police, Russia and China will 11:00 We’re likely to see more conflict around the world 13:35 Joe Biden weighs in on foreign affairs on BBC 14:45 Putin likely to test article 5 in the Baltics 16:45 Democrat loss was 10 years in the making 21:45 John Kasich joins the Chuck Toddcast! 23:15 Why have we lost the art of politics and compromise? 25:45 The Obama/Chris Christie hug shouldn't have been a controversy 27:00 Government never finds a way to get money out of politics 29:05 Faith in democracy? 31:35 The next president has the opposite traits of the prior president 33:05 What will the country look for in the next president? 33:55 Advice for 2028 candidates? 35:15 Could the MAGA candidates become toxic in the primaries by 2026? 36:15 Vivek Ramaswamy's prospects in the Ohio governor's race? 37:30 Ohio isn't ruby red 39:45 Voters care less about issues and more about personal connection 41:00 The issues John Kasich would focus most on addressing 43:30 The healthcare system is broken 46:15 For profit hospitals are less profitable than non-profits 48:30 Healthcare stakeholders need to be forced to compromise 49:55 We need politicians that can build consensus, not just offer a plan 53:05 Integrating faith into governance without violating separation of church and state? 56:15 The social gospel changed the culture from an "I" environment to a "we" society 57:15 Local journalism is service journalism, national journalism is civics journalism 1:00:30 How do we move America past its "I" culture? 1:02:00 We need a spiritual renewal 1:02:45 Pope Francis could be remembered as the most important of the century 1:04:15 Trump's tariff implementation shows his inability to listen and win people over 1:06:45 We've never updated the design for our public education system 1:08:30 The education industrial complex resists reform 1:11:00 Biden's staff kept him insulated from hearing contrarian views 1:11:45 Biden's presidency was a failure 1:16:15 College football has been turned into the minor leagues 1:20:20 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with John Kasich 1:21:50 Ask Chuck 1:22:00 How would increasing the size of the house of representatives work? 1:24:40 How do entities/organizations earn the label "non-partisan"? 1:29:00 Will the national debt cause economic...

Chuck Todd begins with analysis of the current travel chaos and President Trump's controversial comments on Alcatraz and movie tariffs. He highlights former Washington Governor Jay Inslee's successful tenure and discusses the evolving political landscape, including key Republican figures declining Senate runs and potential competitive races across the country that could reshape the balance of power. Then, former Washington Governor Jay Inslee joins the podcast, where he discusses his climate policy achievements and the existential threat of climate change. Inslee offers sharp criticism of Trump's energy and trade policies, warning they could cede technological leadership to China and harm American businesses. The conversation expands to examine political courage, institutional challenges, and what Democrats should be doing now to prepare for future elections. Finally, Chuck concludes with an "Ask Chuck" segment covering the promotion of moderate candidates, Glenn Youngkin's legacy, and papal politics 00:00 Introduction 01:15 The US travel situation is a mess 03:15 Trump’s alcatraz comment was a distraction 07:00 Reopening Alcatraz isn’t feasible 07:20 Jay Inslee was wildly successful as governor 09:20 Brian Kemp + Chris Sununu pass on senate run 11:45 The political landscape is terrible for Republicans 13:05 Senate map isn’t great for Democrats 15:45 If Ken Paxton beats Cornyn, Texas could be in play 19:15 4 states where Democrats could put senate seats in play 19:55 Joni Ernst in line to replace Pete Hegseth? 22:20 200 house districts within a 20 point margin 24:50 Jay Inslee joins the Chuck ToddCast 26:05 Do you feel less constrained outside of politics? 28:50 Inslee's biggest achievements achieved 60%+ support 31:10 What are the details of his Climate Commitment Act? 33:20 The potential of fusion power 35:50 Donald Trump's plan to kill clean energy makes no sense 37:50 Trump is ceding clean energy tech and production to China 38:50 Why aren't Americans in the streets en masse? 41:20 Americans will suffer under Trump's policies 42:35 A bad economy will wake up the public 43:50 We'll see empty shelves within weeks 45:50 Institutions capitulating to Trump only enables him 49:35 NAFTA created winners and losers 51:20 Trump is grossly incompetent 52:05 Trump gave away his leverage 53:20 Tariffs generally aren't productive for the economy 56:50 Flooding in WA a direct result of climate change 1:00:50 Americans don't truly understand climate change 1:02:50 The insurance industry will force the government's hand 1:04:50 People in power KNOW climate will be a problem 1:08:50 What should the Democrats be doing? 1:10:20 What can we learn from Canada when dealing with Trump? 1:12:05 Trump took ownership of the economy at his own peril 1:13:05 There's a lot of talent in the Democratic Party 1:13:50 Republicans will get wiped out in the midterms 1:16:20 Congress is now a country club 1:18:20 Voters on each side have self-segregated 1:20:05 We need a president who follows the law 1:22:00 Chuck's thoughts on Inslee interview 1:22:30 Ask Chuck 1:22:45 How can we promote more moderate candidates? 1:28:20 What will Glenn Youngkin's legacy be? 1:31:50 Thoughts on "Conclave" and papal politics?

Chuck begins with analysis of the Trump administration's tariff implementation and personnel changes, including Mike Waltz's removal as national security advisor and Marco Rubio's expanding role within the administration. Then, he’s joined by Oren Cass, a leading conservative economic thinker, on America's trade policy and the challenges of reindustrialization. Cass argues that while tariffs and reindustrialization may be sound concepts, the Trump administration's implementation has been completely counter-productive. They discuss how traditional right-of-center thinking on free trade has evolved, questions whether China's integration into global markets has delivered promised benefits, and explores the regional winners and losers of trade agreements like NAFTA. Cass tackles questions about America's trade deficit, consumer willingness to pay more for domestic products, and whether reshoring manufacturing is practical for the American economy. The conversation examines the national security implications of trade agreements, the potential for losing allies to China's influence, and what realistic reindustrialization might look like in today's economy. Finally, Chuck answers listener questions on the executive branch's guardrails, expectations for "Resistance 2.0," potential federal intervention in college sports, and whether media scrutiny of public officials' backgrounds has gone too far. 00:00 Introduction 02:00 If tariffs actually are a good idea, the way they’ve been implemented hasn’t given it a chance to succeed 03:30 The administration is only interested in communicating to their base 07:30 What should we take away from Mike Waltz being removed as national security advisor? 08:55 Marco Rubio is now holding four jobs in the administration 09:45 Rubio has earned Trump’s trust 13:15 Is the new model to move staff to new roles rather than fire them? 15:15 Abigail Spanberger may have had the best 100 days of any Democrat 17:55 Wes Moore announces he won’t run in 2028 20:35 Oren Cass joins the Chuck ToddCast! 22:35 Tools for achieving re-industrialization 23:35 Tariffs and reindustrialization is a good idea, Trump's rollout has been disastrous 25:35 The U.S. needs credible and sustainable trade policy 27:20 Right of center thinking for 40 years was simply "Free trade is good" 29:05 Has free and open trade been a net positive worldwide? 30:35 Does trade policy of the early 20th century make sense in the 21st century 32:20 Bringing China into the world market didn't lead to liberalization 33:50 Will we be forced to cut an unfavorable trade deal with China? 36:35 Wouldn't it make sense that the US had a trade deficit based on our consumption? 38:35 If we aren't selling other countries goods we produce, they buy our assets and debt 40:50 NAFTA produced winners and losers regionally in the United States 41:50 What could we have done differently to minimize the negative impacts of NAFTA? 44:35 Production has shifted from country to country based on lower costs 46:05 Will American consumers actually be willing to pay more for American made products? 48:50 How can we unwind globalization without severely damaging the U.S. economy? 50:50 The Toyota Camry has more American made parts than the Detroit built cars 52:35 Does reshoring low-cost manufacturing make sense for consumers and American businesses? 53:50 Will poor implementation of policy hurt the goal of reshoring manufacturing? 56:35 How do you weigh the benefits of national security provided by trade agreements? 1:01:05 Does America risk losing allies to China's sphere of influence? 1:02:05 Should our allies get a better deal than those that are unaligned or adversarial? 1:04:15 Does more trade equal less war? 1:07:05 What type of reindustrialization is realistic and what isn't? 1:10:05 Lack of competition has led to problems with Boeing 1:12:35 How long will it take to reindustrialize? 1:13:35 Would TPP have furthered the goal of isolating...

Chuck Todd begins with a critical assessment of the Democratic Party's first 100 days under the Trump administration, noting widespread discontent among Democratic voters with party leadership. He examines the positioning of potential 2028 contenders, with AOC emerging as Bernie Sanders' heir apparent, Buttigieg and Pritzker carefully laying groundwork, and Gavin Newsom attempting to distance himself from his progressive reputation. He highlights Arizona's Ruben Gallego as a potential breakthrough national figure while acknowledging the Democratic brand remains problematic with many voters despite individual politicians' popularity. Then he dives into a fascinating conversation with "Black Mirror" creator Charlie Brooker, who discusses his dystopian anthology series through the lens of human response to technology rather than the technology itself. Brooker reflects on social media's evolution from optimistic beginning to profit-driven outrage machine, and shares insights on artificial intelligence's most pressing concerns: job displacement and algorithmic management. The conversation covers wide-ranging topics including healthcare differences between the US and UK, AI's impact on education and emotional connections, and the accelerating pace of technological change that feels increasingly destabilizing. Throughout, Brooker maintains his characteristic blend of dark humor and thoughtful analysis about our relationship with technology, even touching on how the COVID pandemic influenced his creative perspective. The episode concludes with "Ask Chuck," where Todd addresses listener questions about the potential echo chamber effect in local news, the potential fracturing of the Republican Party, and speculation about Trump's relationship with stock market fluctuations. 00:00 Introduction 02:15 The first 100 days report card for the Democratic Party 03:00 Democratic voters are not happy with party leadership 04:30 Which democratic leaders have performed well? 07:20 AOC has become the heir apparent to Bernie Sanders 10:30 Pete Buttigieg, JB Pritzker teeing up a 2028 run? 12:45 Gavin Newsom is trying to distance himself from his progressive brand 15:00 Ruben Gallego could break through on the national stage 16:30 The Democratic brand is still toxic with voters 18:25 Charlie Brooker joins the show! 18:45 Is Charlie the 21st century George Orwell 20:25 Is Black Mirror meant to be a warning? 22:25 The show isn't about technology, it's about the human response to these tools 25:25 First episode concept came from a podcast Charlie listened to 28:25 The concept of paying for healthcare is foreign outside of America 29:55 Facebook and X were fun at first, but then they turned up the dials for anger and grievance for profit 31:55 How long did Charlie have Black Mirror as an idea before it came to fruition? 33:55 Parallels between Black Mirror and The Twilight Zone? 36:00 We thought social media would be great for society… then it turned out quite differently 37:00 How worried should we be about AI? 40:15 The worry with AI will be two things. Will it take my job, and will it be my boss? 41:45 Has Charlie used AI to help with writing on Black Mirror? 42:15 Charlie's writing 44:00 People will be willing to pay more for human customer service rather than dealing with AI 46:30 Is Charlie obsessed with privacy? 48:00 Technology will always put someone out of work 50:15 Will we have to teach spelling in the future? Have we taken away something from society? 52:45 Robocop was an influence on Black Mirror 54:45 The show deals with futuristic concepts, but also feels like it's taking place in the present 56:30 Is Charlie extrapolating the future on his own, or does he talk to experts? 58:00 The inspiration behind the honeybee episode 59:45 Will we see AI avatars teaching history? 1:02:15 People get emotionally attached to AI companions 1:04:30 Will AI conclude that humans are a threat to progress 1:05:15 Technology...

Chuck Todd begins the show with a candid assessment of President Trump's troubled first 100 days, suggesting that Trump's authoritarian tendencies may stem more from laziness than deliberate strategy. He questions what it would take for Trump to improve his approval ratings, noting that someone truly interested in maintaining power would be working harder to communicate with non-supporters. Then he’s joined by Dr. Jodi Vittori, an expert on kleptocracy – rule by thieves. Dr. Vittori explains why functioning democracies and kleptocracies cannot coexist, offering Russia as the clearest example while suggesting Hungary represents a more subtle version. She warns that America's potential kleptocracy would have unique characteristics, with the tariff exemption process potentially serving as a gateway. The discussion explores how the Constitution originally included anti-corruption measures, how the Supreme Court has eroded these protections, and specific warning signs of kleptocratic governance. Dr. Vittori highlights how crypto enables corruption, why state and local governments are particularly vulnerable, and offers concrete reforms to protect democratic institutions. Their conversation concludes with the provocative question of whether Trump initiated America's slide toward kleptocracy or simply accelerated an existing trend. The episode wraps with "Ask Chuck," tackling listener questions about whether politicians should face legal consequences for lying to the public, what it would take to end gerrymandering, the definition of political moderation in today's polarized climate, and lightens the mood by speculating about which elected officials are most knowledgeable about sports. 00:00 Introduction 01:15 Trump’s first 100 days have gone badly 03:00 Trump is mailing it in 05:00 Trump’s authoritarianism is a product of laziness 08:00 What would it take for Trump to improve his approval rating? 12:00 If Trump was truly interested in a third term, he’d be communicating to non-supporters… and he’s not 13:25 Dr. Jodi Vittori joins the show! 14:35 Define "kleptocracy" and what are some examples? 16:25 You can't have kleptocracy in a functioning democracy 17:35 Is Putin's Russia the clearest example of kleptocracy? 18:55 Hungary is the more subtle version of kleptocracy 19:55 The US kleptocracy will be unique 21:25 Is the tariff exemption process how we end up in kleptocracy? 23:10 Much of the constitution was set up for anti corruption as they knew it at the time 24:55 The Supreme Court laid the foundation for this crisis 26:25 How do you know when you're in a kleptocracy? 27:40 Lack of accountability for elites led us here 28:40 Conflict of interest is unethical but not a crime 30:25 Until 1992 members of Congress could pocket their campaign war chest 31:40 Citizens United made America unique compared to other democracies 32:45 What are the next steps on the road to kleptocracy? 33:55 Crypto is a massive enabler of corruption 35:40 State and local governments are particularly susceptible to corruption 37:05 Are there certain states that have the most corruption? 40:10 What are some reforms that we should look to pass? 44:55 Lobbying used to be corporation vs citizens, now it's corporation vs corporation 45:55 The interests of the citizens are now secondary 47:40 We've enabled corruption 49:25 The US has become a tax haven for overseas money laundering 50:55 Did Trump bring about kleptocracy, or were we already on our way there? 52:25 How did Dr. Vitorri end up specializing in anti-corruption? 55:50 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Dr. Vittori 57:00 Ask Chuck 57:15 Should politicians or government officials be legally liable for lying to, or misleading the public? 1:01:25 What would it take to stop gerrymandering? 1:07:40 What does it mean to be a political moderate? 1:12:15 What elected official is the most knowledgeable about sports?

In this packed episode, Chuck opens with a sobering assessment of President Trump's plummeting approval ratings and questions about his administration's credibility before diving into critical structural concerns about the Department of Justice's independence and the need to expand the House of Representatives. He shifts to Florida politics, where a brewing corruption scandal threatens the governor's race and Republicans are increasingly willing to challenge Ron DeSantis's weakened political standing. New York Congressman Dan Goldman joins for an extended interview about the concept of rule of law before and after his experience during impeachment proceedings. Goldman offers insights into Trump's challenges to fundamental constitutional principles and proposes concrete reforms to better protect America's democratic institutions, including codifying limits on presidential interference in prosecutions, strengthening congressional subpoena powers, and potentially restructuring the Justice Department with Federal Reserve-like independence. The episode's second half features political handicapper Dave Wasserman analyzing the evolving electoral landscape heading into the midterms. Wasserman explains how understanding local communities is crucial to predicting election outcomes, while lamenting the lack of quality coverage in smaller markets. He delivers a forecast that Democrats could see sizable gains in the House, with Trump's tariff policies potentially hurting Republicans in farm states. The discussion explores gerrymandering's changing impact, with both parties now complaining about the practice, and examines how the 2030 census might reshape the electoral map. Finally, they discuss the prospect of a “blue wave” in the 2026 midterm elections and whether we could see one or both chambers of congress change hands. Timeline 00:00 Multiple polls show sharp approval rating drop for Trump 03:00 Trump’s spokespeople are losing credibility 05:00 Department of Justice needs more independence 7:30 The House of Representatives needs to be expanded 8:45 White House Correspondents weekend was awkward 12:15 Corruption scandal looming over Florida governor race 13:15 Florida Republicans are no longer afraid of Ron DeSantis 15:30 Ron DeSantis may be weaker, but Florida Democrats aren’t stronger 17:00 The Shedeur Sanders commentary was ridiculous 19:10 Congressman Dan Goldman joins the show 19:40 What are the highlights of his district, NY-10? 26:35 What did "rule of law" mean to you before and after working on the impeachment proceedings? 30:25 Fundamental tenets of rule of law are being challenged 31:00 Amendments 4-10 are about equal protection under the law, for citizens and non-citizens 34:20 Trump has exposed why government is susceptible to leaders willing to break their oath of office 36:10 We need to codify into law that the president can't weigh in on individual prosecutions 38:40 Enforcement of congressional subpoenas needs legal teeth 41:30 Should we set up Justice with a level of independence like we did with the Federal Reserve? 48:40 If impeachment couldn't hold Trump accountable, why would the justice system? 50:10 Trump's conduct warranted prosecution 52:55 The impeachment process is broken 54:10 Trump has an unexplained infatuation for Vladimir Putin 7:25 The Republican majority in the House has turned all of their authority over to Trump 1:01:40 What can Democratic members of congress do other than speak out? 1:05:25 If Democrats want to win in 2026, what should they be talking about? 1:08:55 Is Andrew Cuomo vs Eric Adams really the best that NYC can do? 1:14:45 Chuck’s thoughts on his conversation with Dan Goldman 1:17:35 Dave Wasserman joins the show! 1:19:35 Mainstreaming interest in political handicapping 1:24:05 Understanding a local community is crucial to handicapping 1:27:05 Smaller markets not getting coverage they deserve 1:28:20 Determining how competitive a race will...