The Chuck ToddCast

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...

Chuck Todd speaks with legendary documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney about his newest project The Dark Money Game on HBO and the influence of legalized bribery in American politics. First, Chuck gives his own thoughts on the corrupting influence of money in politics, why Donald Trump’s memecoin is a bribery scheme in plain sight and why money has fueled distrust in politics from both sides of the aisle Then, Chuck and Alex dive into the Ohio scandal at the center of The Dark Money Game, exploring why Americans have grown numb to the Citizens United ruling—and how it effectively legalized bribery in politics. They discuss how money has become a deeply corrosive force in American democracy. Alex shares his process for selecting the story, what he uncovered during his investigation, and why the project ultimately became a two-part series. The conversation also touches on the troubling alliance between organized religion and dark money, the Trump administration’s open embrace of corruption, and, finally, Alex reveals the focus of his next big project: Elon Musk. Finally, Chuck answers a listener question in the Ask Chuck segment! 0:00 Introduction 1:00 Citizen's United created the dark money era 1:45 Reform efforts have failed 3:00 Campaigns used to cost millions, not billions 5:00 Money has cut voters out of the equation 9:00 Trump’s memecoin is a bribery scam in plain sight 10:30 We need strong disclosure laws 13:00 Public funding of elections is an all or nothing propositionv 14:30 Distrust in politics centers on money in the system 17:40 Alex Gibney joins the show! 18:40 Dark Money is the best attempt at telling the story of money corrupting politics 19:40 How hard is it to make this story accessible to the public? 20:40 Campaign finance should be rebranded as bribery 21:40 Ohio state legislature captured by special interests 24:10 Why did First Energy execs not end up in prison? 25:25 Huge money ensured GOP candidates in Ohio won, then were beholden 26:40 The bribe was a good investment 28:10 How did Alex access the wiretaps? 28:55 Investigators stumbled into the case 30:55 We've accepted money in politics and are numb to it 31:40 Citizens United opened the floodgates to corruption via PACs 33:40 Bribery is now legal 35:25 We're in a kleptocracy now 35:55 Reed Hoffman donated millions to Harris and wanted Lina Khan fired at FTC 37:40 Big money interests can just buy their own news coverage 40:10 Ohio whistleblower turned in his friend in service to his state 41:10 Florida gambling initiatives bought and sold petition signatures 42:40 Money in politics is like the mob bribing cops 45:10 Candidates don't run on an anti corruption/campaign finance platform 46:40 Billionaires shouldn't get define the world for the rest of us 47:55 Bernie/AOC turning out huge crowds tapping into anger against a rigged system 49:40 Dark money started as one film and became two because there was too much material 50:55 Evangelical grifters became fused with dark money in exchange for political influence 53:55 Corrupt Religious leaders "bless" political corruption to their followers 55:40 Society is driven by, and consumed by money 56:40 Law firms and universities have capitulated to Trump over their financial interests 59:10 Alex's advice for young documentarians 1:00:40 Lobbying is now corporation vs corporation 1:03:25 Elon Musk is Alex's next topic 1:04:25 Chuck's thoughts on conversation with Alex Gibney 1:05:25 Ask Chuck - How can voters in states with later primaries feel involved in choosing presidential candidates? 1:06:55 A rotating system for primaries based on region is a potential solution 1:09:55 There are ways to make the system fair, but the people in charge don't want a fair system. 1:12:55 Voters in early states take the process very seriously

Chuck begins by weighing in on a new Pew Research poll showing a significant drop in President Donald Trump’s approval rating since his inauguration. He highlights the erosion of support among non-voters as a potential warning sign for the president. Chuck also shares his concerns about the administration’s apparent deference to Russia in the latest Ukraine peace agreement. Next, he’s joined by Jon Tester and Maritsa Georgiou to discuss their new podcast, the underrepresentation of middle America in the media, and why members of Congress should spend more time outside the Washington, D.C. bubble. They explore the loss of trust in national media due to the decline of strong local journalism, Congress’s tendency to cede power to the executive branch, the corrupting influence of dark money in politics, and the urgent need for campaign finance reform. The conversation wraps with a discussion about the TV show Yellowstone and its impact—both positive and negative—on their home state of Montana. Finally, Chuck closes out the show by answering a few listener questions in the "Ask Chuck" segment. Timeline: 0:00 Introduction 2:25 New Pew Research poll released on Trump’s first 100 days 3:45 Not surprising Trump’s approval has dropped 4:15 Non-voters souring on Trump quickly 6:15 Incompetency is defining his first 100 days 7:30 Erratic decision making doesn’t inspire confidence 9:15 Low information voters are a good barometer 10:15 Republican party still has a higher favorability ratings than the Democratic party 14:00 Trump is tarnishing the country’s reputation 16:15 Trump needs to make some trade deals and put points on the board 17:45 The United States government is taking Russia’s side against Ukraine 20:40 Jon Tester and Maritsa Georgiou join the show! 21:10 Why start a podcast? 23:10 Most rewarding part? 25:25 Need more voices in media from all over the country, not just the coasts 27:55 The state of local news in Montana 29:10 "The middle" is underrepresented in media 30:40 Where the media is located can warp the perspective 33:10 If Congress convened in places other than DC, things would be very different 34:10 Politicians pit urban vs rural against one another 34:55 Journalists are pulled to the big markets 36:40 Local media was a character reference for the national media 37:55 Without local reporters, important stories can't reach the national media 39:10 There are no more local reporters telling communities what DC is doing for them 41:25 Why has Congress been willing to cede power to the executive? 43:40 Congress has rolled over in the 21st century due to campaign finance 44:40 Dark money's influence on Montana politics 47:05 Money has skewed the system* 48:40 Local news stations run on two year budgets due to election spending 49:40 Campaign finance reform efforts always result in loopholes 50:40 Campaign finance isn't a voting issue 53:10 Media has to be an educator 54:55 Voters of both parties are worried about money in politics 55:55 Congress needs a NASCAR rule for disclosing donors 56:55 Why is fixing campaign finance so hard? 57:40 Candidates have limits, donors do not 58:40 Most members of Congress have good motivations individually, collectively they become irrational 1:00:20 Senator Lisa Murkowski's comments about fear of retaliation 1:02:40 Founders would be appalled by what's happening in DC 1:03:55 Media needs to listen and rebuild trust 1:04:40 The media needs to stand with the AP 1:05:30 Montana's star turn in pop culture due to Taylor Sheridan 1:07:40 What is Sen. Tester watching on TV? 1:10:20 Montana has been "discovered" by the wealthy 1:10:50 Chuck’s thoughts on the interview 1:11:25 Ask Chuck 1:11:55 If you were in charge of the DNC, what changes would you like to see improve their brand? 1:13:30 The Democrats haven’t tried to be a 50 state party, they need to go on a listening tour 1:17:25 If elections were held a week earlier in 1976 and 2016,...

Chuck Todd is joined by Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, to discuss the damaging effects of President Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade war on the U.S. economy. Chuck opens the episode by framing the nation’s economic struggles as entirely self-inflicted, warning against political pressure on the Federal Reserve, and explaining why the consequences of current policy decisions could take years to reverse. Mark Zandi then joins to share his economic risk assessment, explore why markets failed to anticipate the trade war, and project the level of fallout the U.S. economy could face in the coming months and years. They break down why Trump’s push to reshore American manufacturing is unlikely to succeed, how China could emerge as the real winner of the trade war, and why troubling signals from the bond market spell concern for the broader economy. Zandi also outlines the risks of firing Fed Chair Jay Powell, explains why the trade war is a lose-lose scenario, and discusses why government intervention may be far less effective in responding to a self-inflicted economic crisis. Finally, Chuck wraps up with listener questions in the Ask Chuck segment. Don’t forget to like and subscribe to The Chuck ToddCast! Timeline: 0:00 Introduction 0:30 Why Chuck wanted to have Mark Zandi on the show 1:30 We could have a man made economic disaster on our hands 3:00 Pressuring the fed to lower interest rates is a bad idea 5:15 Immigration has been a boon, not a negative for America 7:00 Trade has helped America have a higher standard of living than anywhere else 8:00 Rebuilding will take years 8:45 Trump administration has been a mess 11:55 Mark Zandi joins the show 12:55 What is Moody's Analytics? 15:55 How is a country's political system factored into economic risk assessments? 17:15 War gaming the trade war 19:10 Why didn't markets price in the trade war? 21:10 Tariffs in Trump 1.0 were more damaging than people realize due to pandemic. 22:55 When will the tariff impacts show up? 24:25 Are any companies reshoring manufacturing due to tariffs? 26:10 How many companies are going to do whatever it takes to get an exemption? 27:25 Consumers and corporations are already changing their spending decisions 28:25 Government cuts are self defeating 29:55 How will this affect China's economy? 32:55 Will the EU spurn the US in favor of China? 34:25 Nixing the TPP was a mistake 35:40 What does the health of the bond market tell us? 37:10 We're in a crisis 38:10 How does this affect financing our debt? 39:10 What would stabilize the market? 39:55 What would happen if he fired fed chair Jay Powell? 42:40 How similar is the current situation to the 1920's-30's? 45:25 US received more pushback from other countries in the 20's-30's 46:40 Which countries are most vulnerable to the trade war? 48:55 This is a lose-lose for everyone 49:55 In an emergency are the only choices inflation or recession? Which is preferable? 52:25 Government intervention will be less viable because government caused the crisis 53:25 Chuck’s thoughts on conversation with Mark Zandi 54:20 Ask Chuck - Will Trump’s trade war become the new normal or just a phase? 55:55 Tariffs are a tool, and shouldn’t be used for everything 57:30Trump’s goal is to replace income taxes with tariff revenue 59:55 How can citizens not be part of the problem when it comes to hyperpartisan media? 1:00:30 Diversifying your media diet is important 1:04:45 If tariffs cause a severe recession, could Trump issue an EO to postpone the midterm elections? 1:07:00 Trump can’t waive a magic wand and postpone elections (Timestamps vary based on advertisements)

Chuck Todd is joined by Benjamin Wittes, editor-in-chief of Lawfare, to break down the widespread legal violations committed by the Trump administration during Donald Trump’s first three months in office. Chuck opens the episode by underscoring the gravity of the moment and why Trump appears to show little respect for the law or the authority of the courts. Ben Wittes then joins the conversation to discuss the constitutional amendments the administration may have violated, whether Trump is defying Supreme Court rulings, and what a potential legal showdown over his immigration policies could look like. They examine the administration’s targeting of law firms and universities, where institutional pressure could serve as a check on executive overreach, and whether lawsuits filed by state attorneys general stand a chance in court. Finally, they unpack Trump’s use of executive orders against his critics, why the U.S. is losing its reputation as a global “beacon of freedom,” and Ben shares one reason he still holds onto a sense of optimism. 0:00 First 90 days of the Trump administration has been tumultuous 1:45 Congress is sitting on its hands 2:45 The administration is slowing down routine investigations 4:00 This is a dangerous moment for the country 5:30 Trump is “flooding the zone” 8:15 There are legal ways to handle deportations but Trump isn’t interested 9:30 They’ve violated amendments four through nine 11:30 Trump left Biden a legal quagmire over the border, but Biden didn’t handle it well 12:30 Prices will rise in the next 60-90 days 14:00 Incompetence has defined Trump’s administration thus far 15:00 Administration is trending toward monarchy 16:45 Lindsey Graham has gone radio silent 18:55 Benjamin Wittes joins the show! 21:10 Trump is violating multiple constitutional amendments 23:30 Is Trump violating the Supreme Court ruling? 25:55 Did the Supreme Court water down their ruling? 27:05 All 9 justices agreed on the premise 28:05 What would satisfy the court's order to "facilitate" the return of Abrego Garcia? 29:40 If Trump asked for the prisoner back, Bukele wouldn't say no 30:45 The White House is brazenly violating court orders 32:10 The administration is extorting law firms 36:45 How will Harvard's decision to fight back affect them? 38:35 Is the administration going out of their way to pick fights? 39:55 They're creating criminal impunity for allies 40:45 Administration is using civil litigation to target enemies 41:55 The government will pay more in damages than money saved by DOGE 45:00 John Roberts is issuing rulings meant to avoid confrontation with Trump 46:25 SCOTUS justices are aware Trump is flaunting their ruling 48:45 Trump is putting tremendous stress on his own party 49:25 Are Trump's actions uniting SCOTUS against him? 52:25 What to make of the three liberal justices putting out a press release? 54:55 How alarmed are the six conservative justices? 56:05 Expectations for California's tariff lawsuit? 58:55 The president has civil immunity from defamation lawsuits 1:01:15 Targeting Krebs and Taylor are two of the most egregious acts so far 1:05:25 Trump 2.0 is an entirely different proposition 1:06:55 What authoritarian model does Trump most emulate? 1:07:55 Ben projected "Trump and Vance betrayed the country" on the Washington monument 1:10:55 The beacon of freedom has been turned off 1:12:25 Ben's hammock studio 1:14:15 Administration is targeting people the public doesn't care much about 1:16:05 The goal is to stop it from getting worse 1:18:03 Showdown with SCOTUS looming? 1:19:30 Chuck’s Nats rant - Fix the bullpen! (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

Chuck Todd takes a deep dive into the JFK assassination conspiracy and the latest document release with Jeff Morley, founder of JFK Facts. He opens the episode by exploring how the government’s lack of transparency and honesty has fueled public distrust—and why that environment often breeds conspiratorial thinking. Chuck and Jeff then examine the government's decades-long effort to keep a tight lid on records related to President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, and how skepticism from high-ranking officials at the time continues to cast doubt on the CIA’s official account. They break down the most recent document releases, discuss why both Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden delayed their full release, and analyze what the timing and redactions might suggest about what the government could still be hiding. The conversation takes a closer look at Lee Harvey Oswald, his potential ties to the CIA, and why the agency has remained evasive about those connections. Finally, they review the key findings from the newly released documents, assess whether any revelations have truly been groundbreaking, and preview what might come next in the ongoing evolution of this historic conspiracy theory. Like and subscribe to The Chuck ToddCast! Timeline: 0:00 Introduction 02:00 What led to massive distrust of the U.S. government 04:00 Chuck’s big questions about the JFK assassination 8:40 How did Jeff Morley become JFKfacts? 10:10 Oliver Stone’s movie led to congress passing the JFK records act in 1992 11:40 Released CIA records were a reporting gold mine 14:55 Until the internet, the government kept a closed fist on the records 15:55 Oswald denied the killing, case was never adjudicated 19:10 Chuck welcoming his son to the conspiracy 21:50 The books that informed Jeff’s thinking on the assassination 24:45 Bobby Kennedy never believed the official story 25:55 How did Oswald not end up in jail after going to Russia? 28:45 Oswald was a known quantity to CIA officials before the assassination 29:55 Robert Kennedy asked the CIA director directly about CIA involvement 32:10 CIA’s fear was their awful operations being brought to light 33:40 Lyndon Johnson didn’t believe the Warren commission 34:50 Why did the CIA cover up its affiliation with Oswald? 35:40 What did Trump hold off on releasing? 37:30 Trump and Biden both punted on releasing files 40:40 Trump got back on board after RFK Jr. joined the campaign 43:10 The timeline for redactions shows what the government prioritized protecting 45:10 Hoover sanctioned FBI agents for their handling of Oswald 45:55 Why did the FBI + CIA remove Oswald from the watch list? 47:40 Oswald clearly was a CIA asset 48:40 Oswald did 5 things that should have landed him in trouble 49:55 Oswald goes public with the Fair Play for Cuba Committee 51:50 4 people confronting Oswald in the courtroom had CIA connections 54:20 Bay of Pigs is the root of Cuban-American support for Republicans 59:00 Did we learn anything from old Soviet files? 1:01:00 Soviets surveilled Oswald while he was in Minsk 1:03:45 Tulsi Gabbard implied new files had been found 1:05:30 CIA hasn’t produced new records that aren’t at the national archives 1:06:00 What are we missing on Jack Ruby? 1:08:10 CIA motivations for cover up? 1:10:15 What if Oswald did it and was part of a conspiracy? 1:10:40 There’s no smoking gun proof Oswald did it? 1:11:10 Compelling evidence that shots came from in front of Kennedy 1:13:10 Investigators botched the chain of possession for evidence 1:17:25 Jeff’s experience testifying in front of congress 1:18:55 Trump’s motive for declassifying the records 1:21:40 Where to find Jeff’s work 1:23:10 The CIA was a rogue agency in the 50s 1:24:55 Chuck’s closing thoughts

Chuck Todd is joined by geopolitical expert and Eurasia Group founder Ian Bremmer to unpack the global implications of President Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape the international order. Chuck opens the episode by examining how Trump’s use of tariffs and his zero-sum approach to foreign policy are dismantling decades of established U.S. trade and diplomatic norms. Ian then joins the conversation to assess the ripple effects of Trump’s tariffs on global trade, how key U.S. allies and rivals are likely to respond, and whether China stands to benefit in the long run. He explains how Trump’s policies may be inadvertently strengthening Xi Jinping, why the U.S. is ill-equipped to operate in a “law of the jungle” environment, and what kind of economic damage could be on the horizon. The discussion turns to the rise of anti-American sentiment abroad, the erosion of the rule of law at home, and why the economic fallout may disproportionately affect red states. They then take a global tour of hotspots: debating the prospects for a renewed nuclear deal with Iran, whether Turkey has fully slipped into autocracy, and the likelihood of a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire in 2025. To wrap up the episode, Chuck answers listener questions in the "Ask Chuck" segment. Timeline 0:00 Introduction 1:00 Trump is creating a new world order 2:00 Trump has a zero-sum view of foreign policy 4:00 Could Trump break with Putin over lack of ceasefire? 6:00 Trump 2.0 and Trump 1.0 are completely different 9:00 Ian Bremmer joins the show 10:00 Has Trump broken the world economic order, or temporarily disrupted it? 11:15 Countries will begin to de-risk away from the US 13:30 Trump using emergency powers to unilaterally break international agreements 18:00 China will become dominant in the old architecture built by the U.S. 21:15 People voting for a second “Trump 1.0” and are getting something vastly different 22:30 Instability will force unity on the EU 23:30 Americans don’t understand how good we have it* 24:30 The future of power seems to lie with the autocracies and not the democracies 25:30 Is Trump throwing a lifeline to Xi Jinping? 29:30 The U.S. doesn’t have the right political system to operate in the “law of the jungle” 32:00 China’s surveillance state will check any type of middle class uprising 34:30 How different would things look if we had the TPP? 38:00 How should companies navigate the uncertainty Trump is creating? 39:30 Products from China are already becoming unavailable 41:00 Companies are all lobbying for exemptions 42:00 The hit to the US economy is going to be massive 44:20 The rise of anti-American sentiment 45:45 The first amendment only applies to citizens now? 46:45 The hit to American tourism will be substantial 48:00 Economic damage will hit red states the hardest 49:30 Mexican government has been willing to cooperate 51:45 Trump wants to cut a deal with Iran, even if it makes Israel unhappy 54:20 Will Erdogan get away with smashing democracy in Turkey? 56:15 What to make of the political turmoil in South Korea? 58:00 Will Bolsanaro/Le Pen have their charges stick, or could they win office in the future? 1:00:30 Biggest risks to the world? Is Trump at the top of that list? 1:02:30 Will the Ukraine/Russia war achieve a ceasefire this year? 1:06:20 Ask Chuck 1:06:40 What books do you assign your class to best understand this political moment? 1:12:00 Are we in a competitive autocracy similar to Erdogan’s Turkey? (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

First, Chuck reacts to President Trump’s announcement that smartphones, computers, and other electronics will be exempt from tariffs. He also previews what we can expect this week in political news, and breaks down what all these developments mean for our democracy as a whole. Then, Chuck is joined by The Atlantic staff writer McKay Coppins to discuss his latest story, “Growing Up Murdoch,” which delves into the Succession-style drama surrounding Rupert Murdoch, his children, and the future of their media empire. They examine Fox News’ enormous influence on American politics, how the network evolved during the Trump era, and how it could undergo major changes once Murdoch’s children take the reins. The conversation explores striking parallels between the Murdoch family and the Roys from HBO’s Succession, including a looming legal battle over the family trust and what it could mean for the company’s direction. McKay explains how Fox News shifted after the departure of longtime CEO Roger Ailes, while Chuck highlights how the potential loss of NFL broadcasting rights could pose an existential threat to the network. Finally, they turn to the Trump family and discuss why its own brewing succession drama might ultimately eclipse that of the Murdochs.

On this episode of The Chuck ToddCast, Chuck Todd is joined by Marc Caputo, Senior White House Reporter for Axios. Chuck begins by breaking down how the personnel guardrails that existed during Donald Trump’s first term are now gone—and why a potential second Trump administration would look dramatically different from the first. He and Marc then explore which Trump official is most likely to take the blame for the administration’s disastrous tariff rollout, and outline three key factors that led Trump to temporarily reverse course with a 90-day delay. They also explain why Trump can no longer credibly pin economic challenges on President Biden, and why his plan to boost domestic manufacturing may fall short. The conversation turns to Trump’s use of executive orders to target whistleblowers and critics, and who might be managing his so-called “enemies list.” Finally, they assess which members of Trump’s inner circle are gaining or losing favor with the president, and preview a looming controversy that could shake up the Florida governor’s race. Timeline: 0:00 Introduction 2:00 Trump 1.0 was NOT a blueprint for Trump 2.0 4:40 This is a brand new style of governing 6:22 Was there insider trading based on Trump’s tweet? 8:28 The market and rich people are serving as a guardrail 10:00 Anti-american sentiment will affect American businesses 11:30 Marc Caputo joins the show 12:55 The “dear leader” quality to the administration 17:37 Howard Lutnick the likely fall guy for tariffs? 18:36 Three factors caused Trump to change course on tariffs 23:07 Trump 1.0 was completely different compared to Trump 2.0 27:50 Does the administration regret that they didn’t pass the tax cut first? 29:22 Trump gave up the ability to blame Biden for the economy 30:00 Manufacturing plants take years to build 31:15 Trump working through an “enemies list”? 35:05 Revenge agenda is a slippery slope 37:00 Is RJK Jr. being reeled in by the White House? 39:56 Trump changes his mind constantly 43:31 What is Elon Musk’s current standing within the administration? 45:46 Is Rubio’s stock rising or falling? 48:09 The administration is using AI to monitor social media feeds 50:30 Scandal looming over the Florida governor’s race 52:55 Chuck’s final thoughts

On this episode of The Chuck ToddCast, Chuck reacts to President Donald Trump’s decision to pause his sweeping tariff regime — and explains why it reveals his continued responsiveness to the wealthy political donor class. He also reflects on how the O.J. Simpson trial forever changed the news media landscape, incentivizing networks to prioritize profits and ratings over journalistic value. Finally, Chuck answers listener questions in another edition of Ask Chuck. 0:00 Trump rescinds the tariffs 0:45 Trump blinked 2:15 First term personnel guardrails are gone 4:00 Congress feeling heat from donor class 6:15 Trump still cares what rich people think 8:45 Trump should have passed tax cuts before tariffs 10:15 If tariffs come back, they’ll be more methodical 11:30 Business leaders are preparing for worst case scenarios 12:45 The OJ trial changed the media 15:00 CNN chased ratings and changed TV journalism 19:30 Trump tariffs could fracture GOP 20:00 Colin Allred could beat Ken Paxton in Texas, Senate in play? 22:12 Ask Chuck 22:45 What can news consumers do to be the solution to partisanship? 25:40 Did Obama not going after banks in 2008 lead to Trump? 27:40 Do you think Bernie would have beaten Trump? 30:30 Have voters shown they won’t elect a woman for president? (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

On this episode of The Chuck ToddCast, Chuck dives into the new waters he’s swimming in—the world of independent media and journalism. He shares his concerns about attacks on the free press by the Donald Trump administration and the lack of a unified pushback from the media. He explains how the erosion of local news sowed the seeds of public distrust, and he expresses his goal to help rebuild media from the ground up. Later, he’s joined by independent journalist Tara Palmeri to dissect the new media landscape. Tara describes her journey into independent media and why authenticity resonates more than polish with digital news consumers. They discuss bias in journalism, why the WHCA made a mistake in selecting comedian Amber Ruffin to host the Correspondents’ Dinner, and why the Trump administration’s adversarial stance toward the media is a façade. Finally, Chuck explains his theories behind the “SignalGate” scandal, asks Tara how her relatives in Poland are processing the threat of the Ukraine war on their border, and discusses why both of them find the American right's embrace of Russia deeply disturbing. Timeline: 0:00 Introduction 1:45 Kicking AP out of press briefings is unconstitutional 4:00 Traditional media has capitulated, lost trust 7:00 Appeal of independent media 11:00 OJ trial + Craigslist changed everything 12:00 Loss of local news broke trust 16:15 Local media was a character reference for national media 19:00 Need to rebuild local media 21:57 Tara Palmeri joins the show 22:57 Going independent as a journalist 27:56 Lack of trust in mainstream media 30:52 Authenticity resonates on social media 34:32 All journalism is affected by bias 37:17 Is mainstream media pulling punches? 41:36 Mistake picking Amber Ruffin for WH correspondents dinner 45:26 Trump administration officials court the media 50:07 Anchors were drinking before reporting Bin Laden was killed 52:15 Where Tara gets her news 57:11 Is there more to “SignalGate” 59:25 Trump DOESN’T like to fire people 1:02:41 Tara’s Polish citizenship/How are Poles feeling about the Ukraine war? 1:08:30 American right’s embrace of Russia 1:10:47 Where to find Tara’s work 1:13:16 Chuck’s closing thoughts (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)