The Chuck ToddCast

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck is joined by former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Rohit Chopra for a deep dive into the role of the agency and the broader fight to regulate powerful financial institutions. Chopra explains why the agency has struggled to gain footing in Washington, the skepticism the public feels toward banks, and how past regulatory failures contributed to the 2008 financial crisis. They discuss how the CFPB uncovered systemic abuses, the resistance it faces from well-funded interests, and the ongoing debate over who should regulate emerging sectors like cryptocurrency and consumer data. The conversation also tackles the independence of the Federal Reserve, the risks of politicizing monetary policy, and how unchecked corporate power—from Wall Street to Silicon Valley—continues to shape the economy. Chopra pulls back the curtain on algorithmic lending practices, the dangers of personalized pricing, and why fines alone aren’t enough to hold companies accountable. From junk fees to crypto, from AI abuse to executive impunity, this episode explores why Americans are increasingly demanding regulators who stand up to entrenched financial interests—and why another populist economic revolt may be closer than we think. 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 Rohit Chopra joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:45 Why has it been so difficult for the CFPB to take root in DC? 02:30 The public is skeptical of financial institutions 03:15 What exactly is the CFPB and what is it supposed to do? 04:45 The fed board wasn’t regulating leading up to financial crisis 06:00 Why were prior regulators ineffective? 06:45 The CFPB has discovered multiple systemic abuses 07:30 Multiple companies settled, and new head of CFPB is ripping them up 08:30 Russ Vought is currently running the CFPB 09:45 What’s the difference between the FTC and the CFPB? 10:45 CFPB is responsible for regulating all financial institutions/lenders 12:30 Voters from both parties benefit from the CFPB protecting them 13:15 Deep pocketed interests want to defang the regulators 13:45 Who should be regulating crypto? 14:30 Is crypto a stock or a commodity? 16:00 Data from stablecoins can be used for targeting consumers 17:00 Which agency should protect Americans from abuse of their data? 18:45 Trump attempting to make more direct control of the Fed 19:30 The founders were against the president controlling the money supply 21:45 Federal Reserve hasn’t been independent under Trump 23:15 The fed has saved the economy twice, but may not if corrupted 24:15 Inflation is just one piece of the equation if the fed loses independence 26:15 Libertarians argue against having a fed, what’s the counter argument? 28:15 The fed should be focused on the entire economy and not just Wall St 30:00 Big moneyed interests wield huge power to avoid regulation 31:00 Did you ever look under the hood of a lending company's algorithm? 34:00 We need to outlaw AI being used for personal pricing 35:00 What is the legal justification for personalizing pricing? 37:30 The administration is destroying financial law enforcement 38:45 No consequences for bad behavior by banks & corporations 40:00 Fines aren’t a deterrent, criminal charges are 42:15 Tech companies are never held accountable 43:45 How did you become a financial regulator? 46:45 Prior generations had an easier path to financial stability 48:00 Who deserved to be brought up on criminal charges for the financial crisis? 49:00 So many investigations were never even started after crisis 51:00 Potential market disruptions dissuaded DOJ from prosecuting executives 53:00 Federal agencies give white glove treatment to...

Chuck Todd unpacks the fallout from Charlie Kirk’s assassination and what it means for public displays of democracy, as lawmakers debate whether fear should keep them from showing up for their constituents. He also dives into explosive Senate testimony from former CDC director Dr. Monarez, who detailed political interference in vaccine policy under the Trump administration. The conversation shifts to the economic strain of tariffs and subsidy cuts—driving up everything from prescription drugs to coffee prices—alongside predictions of mass white-collar job losses fueled by AI. From Trump’s push to end quarterly earnings reports to the unresolved fight over TikTok, he highlights how politics, economics, and technology are colliding in ways that test both government accountability and public trust. Then, he’s joined by former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Rohit Chopra for a deep dive into the role of the agency and the broader fight to regulate powerful financial institutions. Chopra explains why the agency has struggled to gain footing in Washington, the skepticism the public feels toward banks, and how past regulatory failures contributed to the 2008 financial crisis. They discuss how the CFPB uncovered systemic abuses, the resistance it faces from well-funded interests, and the ongoing debate over who should regulate emerging sectors like cryptocurrency and consumer data. The conversation also tackles the independence of the Federal Reserve, the risks of politicizing monetary policy, and how unchecked corporate power—from Wall Street to Silicon Valley—continues to shape the economy. Chopra pulls back the curtain on algorithmic lending practices, the dangers of personalized pricing, and why fines alone aren’t enough to hold companies accountable. From junk fees to crypto, from AI abuse to executive impunity, this episode explores why Americans are increasingly demanding regulators who stand up to entrenched financial interests—and why another populist economic revolt may be closer than we think. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football. 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 Introduction 02:00 Will we have public displays of democracy after Kirk’s death? 02:30 Lawmakers are reconsidering public events 04:00 If public servants are afraid of the public, they need to leave public service 05:30 Lawmakers should take precautions, but they have to show up 06:30 Social media platforms suppress content criticizing them 08:30 Former CDC director Dr. Monarez testified before senate committee 09:30 Trump nominated Dr. Monarez in March 2025 11:00 Dr. Monarez was fired less than a month after swearing 12:45 Kennedy instructed Monarez not to interact with members of congress 14:00 Monarez testifies Kennedy had no science backing change in vaccine schedule 15:30 Chief of staff at HHS says there would be political review of scientific data 17:30 Monarez says the no evidence support change to under 2 vaccine schedule 18:45 Republican senators seemed troubled by the testimony 19:45 You have to be skeptical of any info that comes from the Trump admin 21:00 Prescription drug prices skyrocketing due to tariffs & subsidy cuts 23:00 Coffee prices will become the new gas prices as bellwether for economy 25:00 Tariff impacts are really starting to show up in the economy 26:00 Anthropic predicting massive job losses in the white collar sector 26:45 Mark Kelly proposes AI companies set up special fund to offset job losses 28:30 Trump comes out against quarterly earnings reports 29:30 Quarterly reports make companies focus on short term profits 31:15 Investors...

Chuck Todd unpacks the fallout from Charlie Kirk’s assassination and what it means for public displays of democracy, as lawmakers debate whether fear should keep them from showing up for their constituents. He also dives into explosive Senate testimony from former CDC director Dr. Monarez, who detailed political interference in vaccine policy under the Trump administration. The conversation shifts to the economic strain of tariffs and subsidy cuts—driving up everything from prescription drugs to coffee prices—alongside predictions of mass white-collar job losses fueled by AI. From Trump’s push to end quarterly earnings reports to the unresolved fight over TikTok, he highlights how politics, economics, and technology are colliding in ways that test both government accountability and public trust. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football. 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 Introduction 02:00 Will we have public displays of democracy after Kirk’s death? 02:30 Lawmakers are reconsidering public events 04:00 If public servants are afraid of the public, they need to leave public service 05:30 Lawmakers should take precautions, but they have to show up 06:30 Social media platforms suppress content criticizing them 08:30 Former CDC director Dr. Monarez testified before senate committee 09:30 Trump nominated Dr. Monarez in March 2025 11:00 Dr. Monarez was fired less than a month after swearing 12:45 Kennedy instructed Monarez not to interact with members of congress 14:00 Monarez testifies Kennedy had no science backing change in vaccine schedule 15:30 Chief of staff at HHS says there would be political review of scientific data 17:30 Monarez says the no evidence support change to under 2 vaccine schedule 18:45 Republican senators seemed troubled by the testimony 19:45 You have to be skeptical of any info that comes from the Trump admin 21:00 Prescription drug prices skyrocketing due to tariffs & subsidy cuts 23:00 Coffee prices will become the new gas prices as bellwether for economy 25:00 Tariff impacts are really starting to show up in the economy 26:00 Anthropic predicting massive job losses in the white collar sector 26:45 Mark Kelly proposes AI companies set up special fund to offset job losses 28:30 Trump comes out against quarterly earnings reports 29:30 Quarterly reports make companies focus on short term profits 31:15 Investors punish long term focus from companies and it’s unhealthy 32:00 Trump’s motives are always questionable, but this isn’t a bad policy 34:00 A functional congress, wouldn't let the Chinese run TikTok’s algorithm post-sale 36:00 Why bother with TikTok ban at all 37:15 Major corporations view fines as the cost of doing business 39:30 Ask Chuck 39:45 If state senates duplicate their districts, why have the districts at all? 45:00 Why doesn't Minnesota get swing state attention like other midwest states? 53:15 Should we stop treating real debate the same as clickbait debate? 57:15 Is there any benefit to parties besides the rich being able to push their agenda? 1:02:45 College football preview - Miami vs. Florida 1:09:00 The Iron Skillet SMU vs TCU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck explores the frustrations of the “mainstream middle” in red states and why Democrats can’t seem to reach them, even as discontent with the country grows. From the poisonous information ecosystem that radicalizes voters to the outsized influence of social media and big tech money in Washington, the conversation digs into how extremism thrives while moderation is punished. Chuck also examines the rise of independents, the possibility of a third-party shake-up, and how redistricting battles in California, Missouri, and Georgia could reshape the political map. With major races in New Jersey and Virginia looming, and Democrats struggling to find the right message, the episode highlights both the dangers and the opportunities in an increasingly unsettled political landscape. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 states that could elect an independent candidate to the U.S. Senate and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. 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 Introduction 00:30 Feeling terrible about the state of the country, don't see a path out 02:00 We have a poisonous information ecosystem that radicalizes people 02:45 Social media is poisoning the well, but big tech doesn't shoulder blame 04:00 When algorithms curate content, it makes the platform a publisher 05:30 Public schools finally starting to ban phones in classrooms 06:30 The phones are toxic for adults too, not just kids 08:30 Big tech companies have saturated D.C. with money to avoid regulation 10:30 The administration is speaking in the language of the red scare 11:15 Bipartisanship hasn't been good for Donald Trump 12:00 The fastest growing political party is "no party" 13:15 The two major parties need a time out in order to course correct 14:15 Spencer Cox can't succeed in MAGA, but would be a great leader 15:30 A third party scare could sober up the two major parties 17:15 The one commonality between the parties is internet radicalization 19:00 We need a moderate temperament to lead the country 20:15 Our information ecosystem punishes moderation 22:00 The big redistricting fight brewing in California 23:15 There are 3 big money entities trying to get CA voters to vote no 24:00 California voters are educated and want the redraw to be temporary 25:15 Missouri redistricting law could go before voters and be repealed 26:45 California Democrats have been very organized 28:15 Democrats' messaging problem over redistricting 30:15 The Georgia Democratic primary for governor is fascinating 32:30 GA governor primary could be bellwether for progressive vs moderate 33:15 Big money pouring into NJ and Virginia races 34:45 Virginia AG race will show whether law & order politics will be effective 37:00 Trump conceding the NYC mayor's race to Mamdani 38:00 Jeffries in a tough spot, can't be seen embracing a socialist 39:45 ToddCast Top 5 states most likely to elect an independent to the senate 41:00 #1 & #2 - Vermont & Alaska 42:00 #3 Minnesota 43:30 #4 Arizona 44:15 #5 Florida 45:45 Runner ups 47:00 Ask Chuck 47:15 Is it possible for a candidate to run as a uniter in the current climate? 52:15 At congressional hearings, are the subjects provided questions in advance? 55:00 The importance of presenting multiple viewpoints in a fractured ecosystem 58:30 Instances of a political death being used to attack other side so soon? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck explores the frustrations of the “mainstream middle” in red states and why Democrats can’t seem to reach them, even as discontent with the country grows. From the poisonous information ecosystem that radicalizes voters to the outsized influence of social media and big tech money in Washington, the conversation digs into how extremism thrives while moderation is punished. Chuck also examines the rise of independents, the possibility of a third-party shake-up, and how redistricting battles in California, Missouri, and Georgia could reshape the political map. With major races in New Jersey and Virginia looming, and Democrats struggling to find the right message, the episode highlights both the dangers and the opportunities in an increasingly unsettled political landscape. Then, Chuck sits down with Brian Bengs, who challenged John Thune in South Dakota and is running for senate as an independent, and Todd Achilles, an independent from Idaho, to explore what it really means to run outside the two-party system. They open up about why they chose independence, the challenges of campaigning in red states where the word “Democrat” is a nonstarter, and the dysfunction they see as the product of both parties. From tariffs hurting farmers to the growing cost of attention in politics, the conversation highlights how America’s political and economic systems reward division and extremism over pragmatism and compromise. The discussion also tackles the bigger picture: whether the Republican Party could split between MAGA and traditional conservatives, why democracy no longer serves as a pressure release valve, and how corporate power and money in politics further erode trust. Bengs and Achilles share lessons from Ross Perot’s run, their views on immigration reform, and the importance of building bipartisan relationships in an age where the middle is punished. For them, independence isn’t just about rejecting partisanship—it’s about offering voters an alternative path forward in a system that too often feels broken. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 states that could elect an independent candidate to the U.S. Senate and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. 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 Introduction 02:00 There is a mainstream middle in red states, but Dems can’t reach them 03:00 Feeling terrible about the state of the country, don’t see a path out 04:30 We have a poisonous information ecosystem that radicalizes people 05:15 Social media is poisoning the well, but big tech doesn’t shoulder blame 06:30 When algorithms curate content, it makes the platform a publisher 08:00 Public schools finally starting to ban phones in classrooms 09:00 The phones are toxic for adults too, not just kids 11:00 Big tech companies have saturated D.C. with money to avoid regulation 13:00 The administration is speaking in the language of the red scare 13:45 Bipartisanship hasn’t been good for Donald Trump 14:30 The fastest growing political party is “no party” 15:45 The two major parties need a time out in order to course correct 16:45 Spencer Cox can’t succeed in MAGA, but would be a great leader 18:00 A third party scare could sober up the two major parties 19:45 The one commonality between the parties is internet radicalization 21:30 We need a moderate temperament to lead the country 22:45 Our information ecosystem punishes moderation 25:00 It could be a tough year for incumbents 26:45 The big redistricting fight brewing in California 28:00 There are 3 big money entities trying to get CA voters to vote no 28:45 California voters are educated and want the redraw to be temporary 30:00 Missouri...

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck sits down with Brian Bengs, who challenged John Thune in South Dakota and is running for senate as an independent, and Todd Achilles, an independent from Idaho, to explore what it really means to run outside the two-party system. They open up about why they chose independence, the challenges of campaigning in red states where the word “Democrat” is a nonstarter, and the dysfunction they see as the product of both parties. From tariffs hurting farmers to the growing cost of attention in politics, the conversation highlights how America’s political and economic systems reward division and extremism over pragmatism and compromise. The discussion also tackles the bigger picture: whether the Republican Party could split between MAGA and traditional conservatives, why democracy no longer serves as a pressure release valve, and how corporate power and money in politics further erode trust. Bengs and Achilles share lessons from Ross Perot’s run, their views on immigration reform, and the importance of building bipartisan relationships in an age where the middle is punished. For them, independence isn’t just about rejecting partisanship—it’s about offering voters an alternative path forward in a system that too often feels broken. 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 Brian Bengs & Todd Achilles join the Chuck ToddCast 01:30 Why are you running and why as an independent? 02:45 Someone needed to challenge John Thune in SD 03:45 Voters in red states hear “Democrat” and tune out despite agreement 05:00 We have huge levels of debt, division and dysfunction 06:00 70% of Idahoans identify as independent 06:45 Democrats haven’t provided a counter message in red states 09:00 Will the MAGA and traditional wings of the Republican party split? 10:45 Trump’s tariffs hurting farmers, can they be won over? 12:15 Republican leaders get in trouble for “not being MAGA enough” 13:30 Tariffs and market concentration are squeezing farmers 15:30 What does “caucusing on your own” look like? 17:30 Deny both parties a majority and independents are swing votes 18:15 Is Thune’s leadership an impediment to your candidacy? 19:15 The status quo dysfunction is a product of both parties 20:30 The information ecosystem punishes the middle & incrementalism 22:15 Attention is incredibly expensive for candidates 23:45 The attentional incentive structures reward extremism 25:30 The importance of meeting voters in person 26:30 How did we get to the point where political violence isn’t shocking? 27:30 Democracy is supposed to be a pressure release valve, but it isn’t working 28:30 Talking to the voter who prioritizes economics over democracy 29:45 We need to fix democracy to fix other issues 30:45 There’s a “race to blame” in wake of Kirk shooting 32:00 Corporations are pushing their operation costs onto taxpayers 33:30 Guardrails on the private sector have been chipped away at 35:00 The Big Beautiful Bill will shutter rural hospitals 37:15 How can we make money in politics a salient voting issue? 39:00 Lessons that can be learned from Ross Perot’s run? 41:30 Pragmatic immigration requires border security and path to citizenship 43:45 Congress more worried about their own security than deescalation 44:45 The importance of building bipartisan relationships 46:45 What 2 senators would you most look forward to working with if elected 48:00 Favorite Democratic and Republican president? 49:45 Eisenhower was the closest to an independent of any modern president 50:30 Military service doesn’t lend itself to partisanship Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of...

Chuck Todd reflects on the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and what it reveals about America’s dangerously fractured politics. He explores how social media algorithms, outrage media, and polarized incentive structures are fueling political violence, with 150 politically motivated attacks already in 2025. From the dangers of cancel culture to the unwillingness of both parties to police their own extremes, Chuck argues that disagreements must stop being treated as existential threats if democracy is to function. He also considers the role of leaders like Spencer Cox, the failures of Biden and Trump to unify, and why regulating big tech and breaking out of ideological silos may be the clearest path back to a healthier, more honest political discourse. Then, former U.S. Ambassador and Reagan White House veteran Frank Lavin joins to reflect on the state of American politics and what lessons might be drawn from Ronald Reagan’s presidency. From Reagan’s approach to bipartisanship and his handling of foreign policy, to Trump’s transactional style and fixation on deference, Lavin weighs in on how today’s leaders measure up against the conservative legacy of the past. He explores what governing responsibly looks like in a narrowly divided nation and why Reagan’s emphasis on free trade and coalition-building still matters. The conversation stretches from historical “what ifs”—like whether Reagan would have risen without Ford’s pardon of Nixon—to the present-day challenges of Ukraine, China, and the role of U.S. alliances in Asia. Lavin also tackles questions of Trump’s political lineage, whether there’s an heir to Trumpism, and how both parties are struggling with trade, borders, and identity. With insights from inside the Reagan administration and a sharp eye on today’s divisions, Lavin offers a wide-angle view on conservatism, leadership, and what the future of American politics might hold. Finally, on “This week in history” Chuck remembers Washington’s farewell address and why it perfectly meets the current moment in U.S. politics, answer questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gives his week 3 college football roundup. 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 Introduction 0015: It’s been a tough past five days since Kirk assassination 01:00 The system is rigged for division and against unity 05:45 There are ways to mitigate the risk of political violence, but it takes will 06:45 We’re most unified when there’s an external, existential threat 07:45 Threats from the inside only divide us 08:15 America has experienced 150 politically motivated attacks in 2025 09:30 College should be about exposure to new ideas, both good and bad 10:45 Social media playing a huge role in every political assassination attempt 12:00 Each side is convinced that violence is only coming from the other side 13:30 Politics is supposed to be about meeting somewhere in the middle 14:45 People on the left should now have a better sense of cancel culture 17:00 Policy disagreements can’t be seen as existential threats 18:00 Online discourse is so much more toxic than in-person 19:30 Social media platforms are the problem with their rage drive algorithms 21:00 Trump views this as a political moment to exploit 21:45 Trump doesn’t view that he’s been a contributor to this political climate 22:45 Politics of division has been good politics for Trump, bad for country 24:00 Incentive structures are what matter most for a healthy politics 26:00 Both parties aren’t comfortable policing their own side 27:30 Neither side is incentivized to do the right thing 28:45 On the right, the agitators are in charge 30:15 Spencer Cox might be exactly the type of leader America...

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, former U.S. Ambassador and Reagan White House veteran Frank Lavin joins to reflect on the state of American politics and what lessons might be drawn from Ronald Reagan’s presidency. From Reagan’s approach to bipartisanship and his handling of foreign policy, to Trump’s transactional style and fixation on deference, Lavin weighs in on how today’s leaders measure up against the conservative legacy of the past. He explores what governing responsibly looks like in a narrowly divided nation and why Reagan’s emphasis on free trade and coalition-building still matters. The conversation stretches from historical “what ifs”—like whether Reagan would have risen without Ford’s pardon of Nixon—to the present-day challenges of Ukraine, China, and the role of U.S. alliances in Asia. Lavin also tackles questions of Trump’s political lineage, whether there’s an heir to Trumpism, and how both parties are struggling with trade, borders, and identity. With insights from inside the Reagan administration and a sharp eye on today’s divisions, Lavin offers a wide-angle view on conservatism, leadership, and what the future of American politics might hold. 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 Frank Lavin joins the Chuck ToddCast 03:15 Where are we as a country and how would Reagan have handled it? 04:30 Social media rewards audacity and “nutpicking” 05:45 We haven’t hit bottom yet 08:45 What would Reagan have done with full control of congress? 10:00 What is the responsibility of a 51-49 winner to the 49? 11:00 The problem with only governing for your base 12:15 Leaders should actively pursue their agenda despite opposition 13:30 Clinton and Reagan had to accommodate the other side 14:15 People like the idea of Trump more than him actually being president 15:30 If Ford doesn’t pardon Nixon, does Reagan win the primary? 18:30 Is a political/DC outsider best positioned to win in 2028? 20:15 Reagan would be pushing back on Putin in Ukraine 21:15 Our weakness on Ukraine will motivate China on Taiwan 22:00 Obama’s lack of action on Crimea green lit Putin on Ukraine 23:00 How do our Asian allies change their behavior without US security? 24:00 Asian countries will have to accommodate China 25:00 Hosting US military base didn’t prevent strike on Qatar 26:45 Is Trump an heir to the Reagan lineage? 27:45 Reagan was for free trade, Trump is not 29:00 Trump’s premise that free trade hurts us is faulty 30:15 How often did you get time with Reagan as a staffer? 32:30 Reagan was dedicated to getting George Bush elected 34:30 Trump isn’t foreign policy oriented, he’s transactional 35:30 Trump has a 19th century style of foreign policy 37:45 Trump cares more about deference than achieving policy goals 38:30 Is Trump’s Republican party similar to the 1920’s GOP? 40:15 Democrats have been mixed messengers on free trade 41:00 Sherrod Brown is an “old” politician, been in politics forever 42:15 Should Democrats embrace Trump’s border policy 43:30 Obama likely benefitted from the “deporter in-chief” protests 45:45 What is the definition of traditional conservatism? 46:45 What could Romney/Ryan done better to prevent Trumpism? 47:45 Nobody permanently shifts US politics 49:00 Trump won on culture and by not going after entitlements 50:45 Cutting postal service is a place to cut spending 51:45 There’s little political reward for incrementalism 52:15 Trump isn’t a conservative, but rejects the left 54:00 Trump’s anti-crime policies are deliberately offensive 55:00 George H.W. Bush didn’t have communications skills like Reagan 56:00 Is there an heir to Trump? 59:00 The joy of teaching at USC Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz...

Chuck Todd reflects on the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and what it reveals about America’s dangerously fractured politics. He explores how social media algorithms, outrage media, and polarized incentive structures are fueling political violence, with 150 politically motivated attacks already in 2025. From the dangers of cancel culture to the unwillingness of both parties to police their own extremes, Chuck argues that disagreements must stop being treated as existential threats if democracy is to function. He also considers the role of leaders like Spencer Cox, the failures of Biden and Trump to unify, and why regulating big tech and breaking out of ideological silos may be the clearest path back to a healthier, more honest political discourse. Finally, on “This week in history” Chuck remembers Washington’s farewell address and why it perfectly meets the current moment in U.S. politics, answer questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gives his week 3 college football roundup. 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 Introduction 0015: It’s been a tough past five days since Kirk assassination 01:00 The system is rigged for division and against unity 05:45 There are ways to mitigate the risk of political violence, but it takes will 06:45 We’re most unified when there’s an external, existential threat 07:45 Threats from the inside only divide us 08:15 America has experienced 150 politically motivated attacks in 2025 09:30 College should be about exposure to new ideas, both good and bad 10:45 Social media playing a huge role in every political assassination attempt 12:00 Each side is convinced that violence is only coming from the other side 13:30 Politics is supposed to be about meeting somewhere in the middle 14:45 People on the left should now have a better sense of cancel culture 17:00 Policy disagreements can’t be seen as existential threats 18:00 Online discourse is so much more toxic than in-person 19:30 Social media platforms are the problem with their rage drive algorithms 21:00 Trump views this as a political moment to exploit 21:45 Trump doesn’t view that he’s been a contributor to this political climate 22:45 Politics of division has been good politics for Trump, bad for country 24:00 Incentive structures are what matter most for a healthy politics 26:00 Both parties aren’t comfortable policing their own side 27:30 Neither side is incentivized to do the right thing 28:45 On the right, the agitators are in charge 30:15 Spencer Cox might be exactly the type of leader America needs 30:45 Biden didn’t bring the country together, legislated for his base 32:30 Our political discourse radicalized the gunman 34:00 The biggest, most obvious fix is regulating big tech 35:30 We need a media that accommodates multiple ideologies 38:30 Our information silos create a lack of shared reality 40:45 Outrage media creates a loyal audience but isn’t always honest 42:45 Trying to make the ToddCast a truthful, neutral arbiter 44:00 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Frank Lavin 45:15 This week in history - George Washington's farewell address 45:45 Washington warned against political parties and factionalism 47:00 Washington preached unity above all else 49:30 Washington warned against dominating factions/partisanship 51:00 He argued to follow the Constitution and fiscal responsibility 52:00 He preached morality 53:30 He argued for peace and alliances 55:30 Ask Chuck 55:45 Thoughts on a James Talarico/Jeff Jackson ticket in 2028? 1:03:30 How can media interviewers produce better interviews? 1:08:00 How does Arkansas have such an outsized role in national politics? 1:11:00 College football needs to collectively negotiate...

On this episode of the Chuck Toddcast, Chuck reflects on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it reveals about the tinderbox state of American politics. He explores how escalating rhetoric, dehumanization, and the amplification of fringe anger online have fueled a culture where violence replaces politics—and where children are left grieving the consequences. From the role of algorithms in supercharging extremism to the failure of leaders and tech companies to meet the moment, Chuck asks whether this tragedy can finally serve as the wake-up call for Americans to step back, recommit to the democratic process, and demand a safer political climate. Then, Congressman Greg Landsman joins Chuck for a wide-ranging conversation that begins with the shocking shooting of Charlie Kirk at an event on the Utah Valley University campus. (This conversation was recorded prior to the news of Charlie Kirk’s death) The two dig into how political rhetoric has spiraled out of control, the role of social media algorithms in fueling polarization, and why platforms shouldn’t be shielded from accountability. Landsman argues that leaders who cross the line with their rhetoric must be called out and stresses the urgent need to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people before the U.S. slips further into a dangerous cycle of political violence. From there, the discussion shifts to governing—what Landsman learned on Cincinnati’s city council, why Congress has become dysfunctional since 9/11, and the frustrating reality that most bills are more about messaging than legislating. They also tackle foreign policy, including the stakes of defending Taiwan, the risks of Trump’s trade war with China, and whether an “Asian NATO” could prevent a wider conflict. Plus, Landsman reflects on Kamala Harris’s book, the pressures from party leadership, and the uncertainty of his own political future as redistricting looms. Finally, he reacts to the newly released excerpts from Kamala Harris’s book and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s Introduction - Charlie Kirk assassinated 01:30 We’re in a tinderbox of our own making 02:30 Political rhetoric has escalated out of control 03:00 Young kids lost their father over a political dispute 03:45 When you resort to violence, you are no longer practicing politics 05:00 Dehumanizing rhetoric leads to violence 07:15 We collectively need to step back in this movement 09:00 The way politics has been conducted won’t lead us to a better place 10:15 We have underreacted to political violence in recent years 11:30 Unity doesn’t mean agreeing, it means agreeing to the process 12:45 The super online angry fringe whips people up 13:45 Hopefully this is the “enough is enough” moment 15:45 Algorithms incentive and feed into the extremist rhetoric 16:45 Hoping our leaders can rise up and meet the moment 19:15 The tech companies have created this environment 21:15 Congressman Greg Landsman joins the Chuck Toddcast 21:30 Charlie Kirk shot at event on UVU campus 24:15 We need to turn down the temperature on political rhetoric 25:30 Social media algorithms have accelerated polarization 28:00 Being super online warps your brain 29:15 Political leadership that crosses the line needs to be called out 29:45 Social media companies shouldn't be shielded from litigation 30:45 Algorithms turn social media platforms into publishers 32:15 Need to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people 33:45 We're likely to slide into a "which side is more violent" debate 35:30 Why no committee investigation into Trump assassination attempt? 37:45 The country is a tinderbox, the president needs to calm the waters 40:30 Democrats have been chasing Trump for 10 years 41:30 Democrats need to offer solutions and not just opposition to Trump 43:30 What did Greg do before entering politics? 44:30 What was the experience like...

On this episode of the Chuck Toddcast, Chuck reflects on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it reveals about the tinderbox state of American politics. He explores how escalating rhetoric, dehumanization, and the amplification of fringe anger online have fueled a culture where violence replaces politics—and where children are left grieving the consequences. From the role of algorithms in supercharging extremism to the failure of leaders and tech companies to meet the moment, Chuck asks whether this tragedy can finally serve as the wake-up call for Americans to step back, recommit to the democratic process, and demand a safer political climate. Finally, he reacts to the newly released excerpts from Kamala Harris’s book and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Introduction - Charlie Kirk assassinated 01:30 We’re in a tinderbox of our own making 02:30 Political rhetoric has escalated out of control 03:00 Young kids lost their father over a political dispute 03:45 When you resort to violence, you are no longer practicing politics 05:00 Dehumanizing rhetoric leads to violence 07:15 We collectively need to step back in this movement 09:00 The way politics has been conducted won’t lead us to a better place 10:15 We have underreacted to political violence in recent years 11:30 Unity doesn’t mean agreeing, it means agreeing to the process 12:45 The super online angry fringe whips people up 13:45 Hopefully this is the “enough is enough” moment 15:45 Algorithms incentive and feed into the extremist rhetoric 16:45 Hoping our leaders can rise up and meet the moment 19:15 The tech companies have created this environment 20:00 Excerpts from Kamala Harris's book released, are very direct 20:45 Harris was set up for failure as the "border czar" 21:45 Surprising that Biden staff treated Harris like Obama's treated him 23:45 Harris is cautious by nature 26:00 Harris likely to run again out of Biden's shadow 27:30 Dean Phillips is owed an apology, party needed an open debate 28:45 Ask Chuck 29:00 Importance of Michigan politics? 32:30 Could the energy Detroit sports teams provide could impact politics? 35:30 How should Democrats call out corruption & unfavorables on their side? 40:15 Should Democrats invite the national guard, then highlight crime in red states? 43:45 If the media hounded Trump about Kennedy, would he be more reactive? 46:15 College football games to keep an eye on 51:15 Find your way to do your part to de-escalate

On this episode of The Chuck Toddcast, Congressman Greg Landsman joins Chuck for a wide-ranging conversation that begins with the shocking shooting of Charlie Kirk at an event on the Utah Valley University campus. The two dig into how political rhetoric has spiraled out of control, the role of social media algorithms in fueling polarization, and why platforms shouldn’t be shielded from accountability. Landsman argues that leaders who cross the line with their rhetoric must be called out and stresses the urgent need to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people before the U.S. slips further into a dangerous cycle of political violence. From there, the discussion shifts to governing—what Landsman learned on Cincinnati’s city council, why Congress has become dysfunctional since 9/11, and the frustrating reality that most bills are more about messaging than legislating. They also tackle foreign policy, including the stakes of defending Taiwan, the risks of Trump’s trade war with China, and whether an “Asian NATO” could prevent a wider conflict. Plus, Landsman reflects on Kamala Harris’s book, the pressures from party leadership, and the uncertainty of his own political future as redistricting looms. (This conversation was recorded prior to the news of Charlie Kirk’s death) Timeline: 00:00 Congressman Greg Landsman joins the Chuck Toddcast 00:15 Charlie Kirk shot at event on UVU campus 03:00 We need to turn down the temperature on political rhetoric 04:15 Social media algorithms have accelerated polarization 06:45 Being super online warps your brain 08:00 Political leadership that crosses the line needs to be called out 08:30 Social media companies shouldn’t be shielded from litigation 09:30 Algorithms turn social media platforms into publishers 11:00 Need to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people 12:30 We’re likely to slide into a “which side is more violent” debate 14:15 Why no committee investigation into Trump assassination attempt? 16:30 The country is a tinderbox, the president needs to calm the waters 19:15 Democrats have been chasing Trump for 10 years 20:15 Democrats need to offer solutions and not just opposition to Trump 22:15 What did Greg do before entering politics? 23:15 What was the experience like on the city council? 27:00 Local government teaches you the basics of governing 31:00 After 9/11, congressional leaders ruined congress 32:15 700 bills made it out of committee, 50 made it to the floor 33:15 Most bills on the floor are messaging bills 34:30 America is only united when we have a common external enemy 35:30 We could be in World War 3 within a couple years 36:30 U.S. needs to make clear that it will defend allies 37:45 How do you sell defending Taiwan to the American people? 38:45 Should we have an Asian NATO? 40:00 We have to increase the cost to China for messing with Taiwan 41:15 Trump’s trade war increases the likelihood of a hot war 43:35 Thoughts on the excerpts from Kamala Harris’s book? 45:00 Were you pressured by the administration into not saying anything? 47:30 Will your seat be redistricted?

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck unpacks a whirlwind of economic, geopolitical, and political developments shaping America’s future. From Trump’s tariffs likely surviving a fast-tracked Supreme Court review to rising fears of stagflation fueled by deportations and trade headwinds, the economic outlook is looking grim. Abroad, Russia escalates the war by sending drones into Polish airspace, while Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar risks leaving it more isolated on the world stage. Back home, Trump once again rewrites reality, denying ties to Jeffrey Epstein as his allies echo the talking points — raising fresh parallels to Orwell’s 1984. Chuck also looks ahead to the Democratic Party’s long-term challenges: how can they remain competitive nationally by 2032, when the current path to 270 electoral votes is likely gone? With Georgia and North Carolina emerging as decisive swing states, Democrats will need to expand their map and rethink their message — particularly as the “socialism” label remains toxic to southern voters. Then, political strategist and K-Street veteran Bruce Mehlman joins Chuck to unpack how politics, media, and business have collided in the Trump era and beyond. From the days when three television networks shaped a shared national narrative to today’s fractured landscape of Substack newsletters, podcasts, and hyper-partisan social feeds, Mehlman and Chuck explore how the internet broke traditional politics. They dive into how Washington has become a magnet for American business titans, the sky-high costs of lobbying access to President Trump, and whether bipartisan firms can even survive in the current climate. The conversation then widens to the global stage, connecting the 2008 financial crisis to the populist revolts of Brexit and Trump, and questioning whether the public underestimates just how much globalization has improved daily life. From Trump’s reliance on tariffs to the reality-versus-perception debate over crime, immigration, and the economy, Mehlman outlines the policy flashpoints that will shape 2024 and beyond. Plus: what the redistricting wars could mean for democracy, and why some argue the House of Representatives needs to grow in size to reflect America’s population. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 states each party should target in order to make them battlegrounds by 2032, and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Trump’s tariffs likely to stay in place despite expedited court ruling 02:15 Trump’s team pushed SCOTUS to rule quickly 04:00 John Roberts is always hesitant to upset those in power 06:00 The bad vibes surrounding the economy look to be right 07:15 Economy was facing headwinds, tariffs & deportations make it worse 09:30 The conditions for stagflation are forming 11:30 Incursion of Russian attack drones into Polish airspace 12:15 Putin has escalated the war since Alaska summit with Trump 13:45 Israel makes brazen strike on Hamas political wing in Qatar 15:45 There’s no chance Trump would have approved strike in advance 16:45 Strike could further isolate Israel 18:00 Israel is a wedge issue amongst the American electorate 20:00 Trump goes full George Orwell, denies letter to Epstein 21:15 Trump staffers have been willing to double down on behalf of Trump 22:30 We’re living through Orwell’s 1984 24:30 Democrats can weaponize Epstein to highlight Trump’s dishonesty 26:30 How can Democrats become a competitive national party in 2032? 27:30 By 2032, the current path to 270 won’t be there for Democrats 29:15 Georgia and North Carolina will become the most important swing states 30:30 Democrats need to figure out how to expand their path to 270 32:30 The word socialism is toxic to voters in the south 34:30 Democrats will have to rebrand and back off the socialism label 39:00 Bruce Mehlman joins the Chuck ToddCast 41:30 Traditional media is...

Political strategist and K-Street veteran Bruce Mehlman joins Chuck Todd to unpack how politics, media, and business have collided in the Trump era and beyond. From the days when three television networks shaped a shared national narrative to today’s fractured landscape of Substack newsletters, podcasts, and hyper-partisan social feeds, Mehlman and Chuck explore how the internet broke traditional politics. They dive into how Washington has become a magnet for American business titans, the sky-high costs of lobbying access to President Trump, and whether bipartisan firms can even survive in the current climate. The conversation then widens to the global stage, connecting the 2008 financial crisis to the populist revolts of Brexit and Trump, and questioning whether the public underestimates just how much globalization has improved daily life. From Trump’s reliance on tariffs to the reality-versus-perception debate over crime, immigration, and the economy, Mehlman outlines the policy flashpoints that will shape 2024 and beyond. Plus: what the redistricting wars could mean for democracy, and why some argue the House of Representatives needs to grow in size to reflect America’s population. Timeline: 00:00 Bruce Mehlman joins the Chuck ToddCast 02:30 Traditional media is forced to “sand the edges”due to political climate 03:15 The internet broke politics and media 04:15 When there were 3 networks, news catered to the entire country 05:45 The energy in media is in the podcast/substack space 06:45 The importance of a varied media diet 08:00 Twitter/X has become incredibly right-wing 09:00 Washington D.C. has become a tent-pole for business titans 10:15 Can bipartisan firms succeed in DC these days? 13:30 How is the “Trump purge” affecting K-Street? 15:15 Lobbying firms with access are charging astronomical rates 16:15 Congress isn’t passing legislation, it’s all executive orders 17:30 Does Mike Johnson have a go-to shop on K-Street? 19:00 Was Brexit the event that caused this era of global instability? 19:45 Brexit and Trump were downstream of the 2008 financial crisis 21:15 The populist revolt was inevitable after the financial crisis 23:30 The public takes for granted the benefits of globalization 26:15 Successful western countries haven’t compensated for globalization 28:15 The public suffers from recency bias, things are better now 30:00 The perception of the economy is the economic reality 32:15 People who predict doom are perceived as right and smarter 33:45 If SCOTUS takes away Trump’s tariff power, will congress restore it? 34:45 Trump views tariffs as the solution to every problem 37:00 If Trump loses in court on tariffs, he’ll just use another law 38:15 There’s no incentive for Dems to cut a deal due to recissions 40:00 If Republicans agree to no recissions, they could find a deal 41:15 If legislation passes one chamber, it should force a vote in the other 42:15 Fallout from the raid on South Korean workers at the Hyundai plant? 44:30 There’s support for the “why” of Trump’s immigration policy, not the “how” 48:15 What pushback to Trump’s deployment of troops to cities is most effective? 50:30 The perception of crime in cities vs the reality 51:45 Downplaying crime is a political loser 52:30 Democrats’ support for capitalism is falling and socialism is rising 54:15 The most important electoral states will be GA, NC and AZ 57:15 Socialism is least popular in the states Democrats need in the south 59:00 Higher embrace of socialism in cities and amongst younger voters 1:00:45 Thoughts on the redistricting wars? 1:03:00 The size of the house needs to grow with the population

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck unpacks a whirlwind of economic, geopolitical, and political developments shaping America’s future. From Trump’s tariffs likely surviving a fast-tracked Supreme Court review to rising fears of stagflation fueled by deportations and trade headwinds, the economic outlook is looking grim. Abroad, Russia escalates the war by sending drones into Polish airspace, while Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar risks leaving it more isolated on the world stage. Back home, Trump once again rewrites reality, denying ties to Jeffrey Epstein as his allies echo the talking points — raising fresh parallels to Orwell’s 1984. He also looks ahead to the Democratic Party’s long-term challenges: how can they remain competitive nationally by 2032, when the current path to 270 electoral votes is likely gone? With Georgia and North Carolina emerging as decisive swing states, Democrats will need to expand their map and rethink their message — particularly as the “socialism” label remains toxic to southern voters. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 states each party should target in order to make them battlegrounds by 2032, and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Trump’s tariffs likely to stay in place despite expedited court ruling 02:15 Trump’s team pushed SCOTUS to rule quickly 04:00 John Roberts is always hesitant to upset those in power 06:00 The bad vibes surrounding the economy look to be right 07:15 Economy was facing headwinds, tariffs & deportations make it worse 09:30 The conditions for stagflation are forming 11:30 Incursion of Russian attack drones into Polish airspace 12:15 Putin has escalated the war since Alaska summit with Trump 13:45 Israel makes brazen strike on Hamas political wing in Qatar 15:45 There’s no chance Trump would have approved strike in advance 16:45 Strike could further isolate Israel 18:00 Israel is a wedge issue amongst the American electorate 20:45 Trump goes full George Orwell, denies letter to Epstein 22:00 Trump staffers have been willing to double down on behalf of Trump 23:15 We're living through Orwell's 1984 25:15 Democrats can weaponize Epstein to highlight Trump's dishonesty 27:15 How can Democrats become a competitive national party in 2032? 28:15 By 2032, the current path to 270 won't be there for Democrats 30:00 Georgia and North Carolina will become the most important swing states 31:15 Democrats need to figure out how to expand their path to 270 33:15 The word socialism is toxic to voters in the south 35:15 Democrats will have to rebrand and back off the socialism label 38:45 The Toddcast Top 5 - States each party should target as battlegrounds 40:00 Top 5 states Democrats should target 46:30 Top 5 states Republicans should target 51:00 Ask Chuck 51:15 Why be in congress if you have no interest in exercising power? 57:45 Potential democracy reforms that the U.S. could pass? 1:02:00 Was the eugenics movement similar to the current anti-vax movement?

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, the conversation turns to the political battles shaping 2025. From the issues Democrats should lean into—and the ones they should avoid—to Trump’s trolling of Chicago and his administration’s push for a showdown over crime and “terrorism,” the stakes are high. Chuck dives into how the White House is setting the stage for possible military action against cartels and even Venezuela, with flimsy constitutional justifications that have sparked pushback from voices like Rand Paul. Meanwhile, Democrats face their own identity struggles, from the risks of being tied to “socialism” with Latino voters to Bernie Sanders’ refusal to formally join the party. Plus, a look ahead to the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, where three strong contenders could reshape the party’s future Then, physician-turned-politician Abdul El-Sayed joins Chuck to discuss why he left medicine for the rough-and-tumble of politics. From the challenges of running for office with a foreign name to centering his campaign on improving life for children, El-Sayed argues that healthcare isn’t just about access—it’s about fairness. He pulls back the curtain on a system where insurers and hospital CEOs collude to inflate prices, pharmaceutical companies raise costs simply because they can, and Americans are tricked into thinking “choice” in healthcare actually benefits them. The conversation doesn’t stop at healthcare—it spans the crisis of trust in public health, the lessons El-Sayed learned from his 2018 gubernatorial run, and the corrosive role of money in politics. He weighs in on Gretchen Whitmer’s record, Trump’s overreach beyond Article II, and what sets him apart in Michigan’s Senate race. And in a moment of global reflection, El-Sayed takes on the politics of genocide—from Israel and Gaza to China’s treatment of the Uighurs—arguing that calling atrocities by their name is a test of values, even when nuance is hard to find in today’s polarized climate. Finally, Chuck gives a history lesson on Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon and its impact on modern politics, recaps the weekend in college football, and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Introduction 04:00 The issues Democrats should run on, and issues they should avoid 05:15 Trump’s trolling of Chicago got the reaction he wanted 06:30 The administration wants a showdown over Chicago 08:30 The administration’s aggressive application of the term “terrorism” 10:15 The Democratic base wants fight, government shutdown likely 12:15 Trump administration setting the stage for war with Venezuela 13:30 Administration needs to justify designating cartels terrorists 16:45 Trump's justification to congress for military action against cartels 19:00 Trump's justification was lacking, and didn't mention Venezuela 20:15 Trump ignoring the constitution in rationalizing action against cartels 21:45 Vance says fighting cartels is best use of military 23:15 JD gets into back and forth with Rand Paul on X 24:45 Venezuela story should be consuming Washington 26:15 Rand Paul has been willing to be combative with administration 29:00 The progressive left won't succeed if they're associated with socialism 30:45 "Socialism" isn't rebrandable with Latino voters 31:45 Bernie Sanders still hasn't joined the Democratic party 33:15 Michigan Democratic senate primary has 3 great candidates 33:45 Abdul El-Sayed joins the Chuck ToddCast 35:30 What made you choose politics when your background is medicine? 37:15 The challenge of running for office with a foreign name 38:15 Centering politics around improving the world for children 39:15 Disparities in access to health care based on money and connections 40:45 Health insurance is getting worse despite rising cost 42:00 Insurers and hospital CEOs collude to raise prices 44:00 What should be the cost expectation for pharmaceuticals? 45:30...

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, the conversation turns to the political battles shaping 2025. From the issues Democrats should lean into—and the ones they should avoid—to Trump’s trolling of Chicago and his administration’s push for a showdown over crime and “terrorism,” the stakes are high. Chuck dives into how the White House is setting the stage for possible military action against cartels and even Venezuela, with flimsy constitutional justifications that have sparked pushback from voices like Rand Paul. Finally, Chuck gives a history lesson on Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon and its impact on modern politics, recaps the weekend in college football, and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 The issues Democrats should run on, and issues they should avoid 01:15 Trump's trolling of Chicago got the reaction he wanted 02:30 The administration wants a showdown over Chicago 04:30 The administration's aggressive application of the term "terrorism" 06:15 The Democratic base wants fight, government shutdown likely 08:15 Trump administration setting the stage for war with Venezuela 09:30 Administration needs to justify designating cartels terrorists 12:45 Trump's justification to congress for military action against cartels 15:00 Trump's justification was lacking, and didn't mention Venezuela 16:15 Trump ignoring the constitution in rationalizing action against cartels 17:45 Vance says fighting cartels is best use of military 19:15 JD gets into back and forth with Rand Paul on X 20:45 Venezuela story should be consuming Washington 22:15 Rand Paul has been willing to be combative with administration 25:15 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Abdul El-Sayed 26:45 This week in history - Chuck's history lesson 27:45 Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon on September 8th, 1974 29:30 The case for pardoning Nixon 31:45 The case against pardoning Nixon 34:30 Ford's decision implied the country couldn't handle a trial 35:45 A majority of the country thought the pardon was wrong 37:30 Nixon never got his due process 38:45 Pardon was a stain on presidential decision making 39:15 College football update 43:15 Ask Chuck 43:45 Why Putin won't grant Trump a ceasefire 46:45 Why do Epstein victims face dehumanization when Trump doesn't? 50:30 Thoughts on the political salience of this season of South Park?

Physician-turned-politician Abdul El-Sayed joins Chuck Todd to discuss why he left medicine for the rough-and-tumble of politics. From the challenges of running for office with a foreign name to centering his campaign on improving life for children, El-Sayed argues that healthcare isn’t just about access—it’s about fairness. He pulls back the curtain on a system where insurers and hospital CEOs collude to inflate prices, pharmaceutical companies raise costs simply because they can, and Americans are tricked into thinking “choice” in healthcare actually benefits them. The conversation doesn’t stop at healthcare—it spans the crisis of trust in public health, the lessons El-Sayed learned from his 2018 gubernatorial run, and the corrosive role of money in politics. He weighs in on Gretchen Whitmer’s record, Trump’s overreach beyond Article II, and what sets him apart in Michigan’s Senate race. And in a moment of global reflection, El-Sayed takes on the politics of genocide—from Israel and Gaza to China’s treatment of the Uighurs—arguing that calling atrocities by their name is a test of values, even when nuance is hard to find in today’s polarized climate. Timeline: 00:00 Abdul El-Sayed joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:45 What made you choose politics when your background is medicine? 03:30 The challenge of running for office with a foreign name 04:30 Centering politics around improving the world for children 05:30 Disparities in access to health care based on money and connections 07:00 Health insurance is getting worse despite rising cost 08:15 Insurers and hospital CEOs collude to raise prices 10:15 What should be the cost expectation for pharmaceuticals? 11:45 Pharma companies raise prices because they can 12:45 RFK Jr. shouldn’t be anywhere near healthcare 13:45 The impact of the internet on public health 15:45 The crisis Kennedy is creating at HHS and CDC 16:30 How can we restore trust in public health authorities? 18:45 MAHA’s appeal is the idea you can control your health future 20:00 Parallels between public health and education 21:45 Health relies on both the individual and public health 22:45 Healthcare industry has tricked the public using concept of “choice” 24:30 Would you keep a semi-privatized system under medicare for all? 27:00 Health networks curtail choice and raise prices 28:30 What did you learn from your 2018 run for governor? 31:00 The disease of our political system is money buying politicians and policy 32:15 Trump spoke to economic pain and was able to reach voters 33:45 Assessment of Gretchen Whitmer’s governorship 35:45 Whitmer tried to work with Trump at times, will you? 37:45 Trump is exercising far more power than Article 2 permits 39:30 Differences between you and your opponents for MI senate? 40:15 Taking corporate money is a major philosophical difference 42:45 Reforming public health will require healthcare pros in D.C. 44:30 The trend of public health officials running for office 46:45 How much will Israel/Gaza factor into the election? 48:00 Calling something a genocide when you see it is a values test 49:15 Was Israel justified in going after Hamas? How much was justifiable? 50:15 The extremes on both sides of the war strengthen each other 51:15 We aim, arm and abet Israeli leaders who don’t want two states 52:15 Tax dollars should benefit taxpayers, not foreign militaries 53:15 It’s difficult to find nuance in our current politics 55:30 Money in politics make it difficult to have an honest conversation 56:15 Having a nuanced conversation around the world genocide 58:30 The holocaust can’t set the bar for use of the term “genocide” 1:00:00 Is China committing genocide of the Uighurs? 1:01:15 Using the word genocide can just “switch off” voters 1:03:30 People assume having an Arab name means tribal loyalty to Arabs

Chuck Todd is joined by Punchbowl News co-founders Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer to unpack the turmoil gripping Capitol Hill in the Trump 2.0 era. With Congress ceding power and lawmakers increasingly preoccupied with their own reelection campaigns, the leadership is under fire as redistricting battles in states like California and Texas threaten to tip the House majority. Democrats’ gamble on independent redistricting may backfire, institutionalists in the GOP have all but vanished, and even the Senate is starting to resemble the fractious House of a decade ago. The conversation also dives into whether John Cornyn can outmaneuver Ken Paxton, how redistricting uncertainty could push members into statewide races, and the looming prospect of a government shutdown with healthcare concessions as Democrats’ strongest bargaining chip. Beyond the legislative fights, the episode explores high-stakes questions over tariffs, the White House’s pressure campaign against releasing Epstein files, and GOP senators’ unwillingness to challenge RFK Jr. 's controversial moves at HHS. With potential Senate retirements on the horizon and California’s referendum putting Democrats in survival mode, Sherman and Palmer argue that members of Congress are increasingly acting less like lawmakers and more like elected pundits. As Punchbowl becomes the “local paper” of Capitol Hill, this episode maps the fault lines shaping both parties—and the country’s future. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer join the Chuck ToddCast 02:00 Congress has ceded their power in Trump 2.0 03:45 After Labor Day, lawmakers worry about reelection campaign 04:45 Leadership is taking flak from members over redistricting 05:30 California or Texas redistricting could swing majority 06:15 Redistricting creating massive uncertainty for lawmakers 07:45 Democrats backed independent redistricting and it hurt them 08:30 Are there any institutionalists left in the GOP? 09:45 The Senate is starting to behave like the House 10 years ago 11:30 Redistricting could cause members to run for statewide office 13:30 Is John Cornyn playing for time to prove he can beat Ken Paxton? 14:45 Cornyn closing gap with Paxton, but still well behind 17:00 Democrats have no incentive to cut deal, avoid government shutdown 18:15 White House and Congress have different targets for CR 19:15 Hidden perils for Dems if they shut down government 21:00 Healthcare is the best concession Democrats can extract 22:45 If Democrats shut down the government, how do they get out of it? 23:45 Trump will make a shutdown painful for Democrats 24:30 Dems in the minority have never caused a shutdown 26:30 If Newsom loses the referendum, how will it affect congress? 28:00 Polling shows referendum barely above 50% 29:15 California’s system has been good to Republicans 30:45 If Newsom loses, the party goes into survival mode 33:30 If courts stop tariffs, would Congress vote authority to Trump? 35:30 House might capitulate on tariffs, the senate won’t 36:45 Any chance Schumer and Jeffries meet with Trump? 38:30 Trump likely has the votes to prevent Epstein release 40:00 Epstein files caused rules committee to freeze congress 41:15 White House is pressuring/whipping members against file release 43:15 Where are GOP senators on RFK Jr’s actions at HHS? 44:30 GOP senators are afraid to exercise any leverage 45:45 Is Russia/Putin the only line that would divide Republicans? 47:00 Will there be any more GOP senate retirements? 49:00 Plans for Punchbowl news? 51:30 Members of congress have become elected Trump pundits on TV 53:45 Punchbowl has become the local paper for capitol hill

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck unpacks the growing unease in the GOP over RFK Jr.’s influence and Florida’s decision to drop school vaccine mandates, raising the question of how the once-fringe anti-vax movement went mainstream. Drawing historical parallels to the prohibition era, he examines how framing the issue as “personal freedom” and missteps like the COVID mandate fueled a cultural backlash that could take decades to undo, threatening long-term public health. The conversation then shifts to politics, with Trump maneuvering to dominate the NYC mayoral race—pressuring rivals, exploiting ranked-choice voting debates, and turning contests in New York and California into referendums on his influence, just as Democrats look to tie special elections back to Trump himself. Then, Chuck is joined by Punchbowl News co-founders Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer to unpack the turmoil gripping Capitol Hill in the Trump 2.0 era. With Congress ceding power and lawmakers increasingly preoccupied with their own reelection campaigns, the leadership is under fire as redistricting battles in states like California and Texas threaten to tip the House majority. Democrats’ gamble on independent redistricting may backfire, institutionalists in the GOP have all but vanished, and even the Senate is starting to resemble the fractious House of a decade ago. The conversation also dives into whether John Cornyn can outmaneuver Ken Paxton, how redistricting uncertainty could push members into statewide races, and the looming prospect of a government shutdown with healthcare concessions as Democrats’ strongest bargaining chip. Beyond the legislative fights, the episode explores high-stakes questions over tariffs, the White House’s pressure campaign against releasing Epstein files, and GOP senators’ unwillingness to challenge RFK Jr. 's controversial moves at HHS. With potential Senate retirements on the horizon and California’s referendum putting Democrats in survival mode, Sherman and Palmer argue that members of Congress are increasingly acting less like lawmakers and more like elected pundits. As Punchbowl becomes the “local paper” of Capitol Hill, this episode maps the fault lines shaping both parties—and the country’s future. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Introduction 02:30 Alarm over RFK growing in GOP congress, but don’t expect action 03:15 Florida dropping the vaccine mandate for kids in schools 06:30 How did the kooky anti-vax movement go mainstream? 07:00 Anti-vaxx movement has historical parallel in prohibition movement 08:30 Anti-alcohol movement seized on a particular moment in time 09:15 Anti-vaxx movement has been framed as a personal freedom issue 10:15 Biggest mistake by public health officials was the Covid vaccine mandate 11:30 Prohibition created crime & deaths from bootlegged alcohol 14:00 Officials know potential harm, and made the decision anyway 15:30 Older generation has memories of deaths from these diseases 16:45 It could take decades to reverse the damage to public health 18:30 Pro vaccine messaging needs to not be political 20:00 Trump trying to clear field in NYC mayoral to beat Mamdani 21:00 NYC voters should get ranked choice voting in general election 22:45 If Trump gets Adams to drop out, race will become all about Trump 24:00 NYC mayoral and CA redistricting could become Trump referendums 26:00 Democrats are making special elections all about Trump 29:15 Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer join the Chuck ToddCast 31:15 Congress has ceded their power in Trump 2.0 33:00 After Labor Day, lawmakers worry about reelection campaign 34:00 Leadership is taking flak from members over redistricting 34:45 California or Texas redistricting could swing majority 35:30 Redistricting creating massive uncertainty for lawmakers 37:00 Democrats backed independent redistricting and it hurt them 37:45 Are...