The Chuck ToddCast: Recent Episodes
Chuck Todd, Meet the Press
Chuck Todd at his best – unscripted, informed and focused on what really matters in politics. Join Chuck as he talks with top reporters from the nation’s capital, plus exclusive sit-down interviews and on-the-ground dispatches from across the campaign trail.
Chuck Todd begins by reflecting on the 10th anniversary of Trump descending his golden escalator and the profound impact he’s had on both our politics and culture since. He argues that Trump has had the greatest impact of any president since FDR, why Trump’s “fake it til you make it” persona appeals to voters and believes the negative impacts Trump has had on society will last for decades. He also highlights the anniversaries of the Watergate break-in and the OJ Simpson chase, and the lasting impacts those two events have had on American media.
Then, Chuck is joined by journalist and staff writer for The Atlantic, Mark Leibovich, for a wide-ranging conversation that seamlessly weaves together sports, politics, and cultural commentary. The discussion begins with Leibovich's criticism of Howard Schultz's role in Seattle losing the Sonics, before diving into whether Obama should be more vocal during this political moment. Leibovich argues that Obama's presence might actually reinforce elitist stereotypes about Democrats and questions whether the former president is out of touch with today's electorate.
The conversation takes fascinating detours through Beatles history (with Leibovich making the case that Ringo was the band's essential glue), speculation about whether Biden's debate performance was intentionally designed to showcase his decline, and pointed observations about Trump 2.0 being "almost beyond satire." Leibovich doesn't hold back on Trump's blatant corruption or Chuck’s assessment that "Idiocracy was a documentary," while also analyzing the genuine nature of enthusiasm around Kamala Harris's campaign. The episode concludes with thoughts on baseball's pitch clock, the Red Sox's future, and advice for Democrats to meet voters where they are.
Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment about discrepancies in polling and why poor campaign finance laws allow for the outsized influence of money in Virginia’s gubernatorial race.
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 June 16th marks the 10th anniversary of Trump descending the escalator
01:45 Trump’s staying power isn’t an accident
02:30 Trump’s impact has been greater than any modern president
04:00 Trump’s “fake it til you make it” strategy worked*
05:45 Trump is comfortable being an outsider and disrespected
07:00 Trump remade the Republican party in his image
09:00 The poison he’s injected is division and politicization
11:00 The culture Trump built will shape politics for decades
13:00 June 17th the anniversary of Watergate break in
13:45 The biased liberal media narrative was manufactured by Nixon
15:15 Republicans mistake press neutrality with antagonism
16:30 Service journalism has become rare
18:15 June 17th also anniversary of OJ Simpson chase
19:30 OJ chase/trial massively changed media
23:00 CNN saw CourTV’s ratings and changed strategy
25:15 Before OJ, news networks didn’t chase ratings
29:00 Mark Leibovich joins the Chuck ToddCast!
32:30 Mark's homage to the Oklahoma City Thunder
33:45 Howard Schultz deserves the blame for Seattle losing the Sonics
35:00 Is there an NBA market that needs to be eliminated/moved?
37:30 Is it a mistake to brand teams to a state/region over a city?
39:30 Should Obama be speaking out more due to the vacuum of leadership?
41:30 Obama to blame for not grooming the next generation?
42:30 Obama favored Hillary Clinton more than Joe Biden
43:00 Obama didn't believe in identity politics
44:45 Can Obama lead by example at this moment?
46:15 Obama's presence reinforces elitist stereotypes about Democrats
48:45 If John Lennon had lived, would the Beatles have just been the Rolling Stones?
51:15 Ringo was the glue for the Beatles
53:30 Ringo is non judgemental and appeals to both sides
55:45 Ringo was a huge American football fan
58:00 Obama seems out of touch with the current electorate
59:15 Was the energy around Harris genuine enthusiasm, or just relief?
1:00:15 Biden probably loses 6-8 more states than Harris
1:02:30 Was the Biden debate intentional to showcase he wasn't up to it?
1:05:15 There was no cover up of Biden's decline, it was obvious
1:06:00 Will "Biden baggage" sink Pete Buttigieg or other Biden alum?
1:08:00 Trump 2.0 is almost beyond satire
1:09:00 Idiocracy was a documentary
1:10:15 Why is there no mass outrage over Trump's blatant corruption?
1:13:00 What traits will the next Democratic president have post-Trump?
1:14:00 Trump's skill set isn't transferable within the Republican party
1:15:45 Trump is the definition of "Fake it til you make it"
1:19:00 Trump weaponized the NFL in the culture war
1:21:00 The pitch clock has been great for baseball
1:22:30 Thoughts on the Devers trade
1:25:00 Are the Red Sox for sale?
1:26:00 Democrats need to meet voters where they are
1:26:45 You can't write off Gavin Newsom
1:28:00 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Mark Leibovich
1:28:30 Ask Chuck
1:28:45 How can two respected polling companies have very different results?
1:35:00 Outside money flooding the Virginia gubernatorial race?
Chuck Todd reacts to the bizarre limbo President Donald Trump has put the country and world into as he weighs bringing the United States military into the conflict between Israel and Iran. Chuck weighs the benefits and risks of such a move, explains why Israel can’t end Iran’s nuclear program without the U.S. and why Trump is treating foreign policy like reality TV.
He provides some updates and analysis on several primaries and special elections across the country, and concludes by answering listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment about the ability of unknown candidates to emerge in a crowded media environment and why voters can’t impeach elected officials for bad behavior like we saw from Senator Mike Lee.
Timeline:
00:00 Trump has put the country into a bizarre limbo over Iran
01:00 It feels like there is a drumbeat towards U.S. military action
01:50 Iran knows nuclear weapons are a powerful deterrent
04:05 Trump got traction in the Republican party by opposing the Bush doctrine
06:20 Iran is weaker than ever after Israel destroyed their proxies
07:20 Israel can't eradicate Iran's nuclear program without the U.S.
08:05 Congress isn't likely to confront him over war powers
09:50 This situation rhymes with the pretense of the Iraq war
11:20 Trump would be taking a great risk by accepting Israeli intelligence
12:50 Trump is treating foreign policy like it's a reality TV show
14:20 America playing world police worked… until it didn't
15:20 Trump has been backed into a corner
16:35 There are diverse opinions in the situation room
17:50 Trump making war decisions via tweet has been normalized
18:35 Virginia primaries have set up governor's race for later this year
19:20 Democrats should be poised for clean sweep in Virginia
20:20 Either way, Virginia will elect its first female governor
21:20 NY and NJ elections will be closer than Virginia
22:50 Ranked choice voting in NYC mayor's race creates unique coalitions
25:20 Ritchie Torres won't run for governor if Zoran Mandani wins mayoral race
26:50 Sen. Michael Bennett to leave Senate and run for Colorado governor
28:50 Byron Donalds is already running attack ads in Florida governor race
30:05 Ohio's gubernatorial race will be closer than you think
34:15 Ask Chuck
34:45 Can an unknown candidate emerge in this media ecosystem?
38:10 Why aren’t house members or senators impeached by their voters?
41:45 The need for straight shooters in media
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Chuck Todd begins with a solemn observation… that the world and country are both in a very unstable and combustible moment and needs President Donald Trump to offer stable leadership to help turn the temperature down… but is likely incapable of, or unwilling of doing so. He also reflects on Trump’s role in creating an environment ripe for political violence and why he believes we’re living in an Orwellian moment where it’s hard to know what to believe.
Then Chuck sits down with Mike Pesca, host of "The Gist," for a deep dive into media, politics, and culture. The conversation kicks off with observations about the podcast industry's shift toward video content and marketing strategies and how news has evolved from reporting to commentary, blurring the traditional lines between journalism and opinion. They explore the trend of audiences gravitating toward partisan content and echo chambers.
They discuss cryptocurrency's similarities to collectibles and its role in financial privacy, to Trump's media strategy and the Democrats' failure to match his "everywhere" approach to communication. They examine specific policy proposals like DOGE's potential costs, Trump's penny elimination plan, and his willingness to negotiate with hostile nations. They conclude with an intriguing look at the potential politicization of sports media, Caitlin Clark's unexpected role as a political lightning rod and the rarity of overtly political sports coaches like Auburn’s Bruce Pearl.
Finally, he concludes the show by answering listeners’ questions about Elon Musk’s access to government data, what may have been different if Trump hadn’t pulled America out of the Iran nuclear deal and his thoughts on podcasting compared to hosting Meet the Press.
Timeline
00:00 Introduction
00:15 Nats swept by the Marlins
01:00 The country and the world depend on Donald Trump’s leadership
02:30 The only person who can end the Israel/Iran war is Trump
03:30 Trump has infused the Republican Party with isolationism
05:30 Israel can’t end Iran’s nuclear program without direct US support
07:15 Trump’s deportation policy is a major driver of instability
08:30 Economic damage could cause Trump to back off deportations
09:15 Minnesota shooter was radicalized online
10:45 Most of the political violence in the country has come from the right
12:15 Trump is not interested in lowering the temperature
13:30 Trump won’t accept that he’s contributed to the tension
14:30 Trump’s parade fell flat, but the No King’s protests were massive
15:30 Chuck ended up on the hit list of a radical in 2018
16:50 Trump has created an environment of violence with the J6 pardons
18:45 We’ve entered an Orwellian moment with disinformation online
19:45 Kristi Noem’s “liberate California” rhetoric was insane
21:15 When people don’t know what to believe, it makes democracy unstable
23:00 Mike Pesca joins the Chuck ToddCast!
25:00 Is video format actually good for podcasts?
28:00 Video feels like the only good way to market a podcast
30:30 The public hasn't published the podcast industry for not being in real time
32:15 News has become more commentary than news reporting
34:00 The lines between news and opinion have been blurred
37:00 Chuck's take on having two first names
38:30 What topic doesn't make the cut for "The Gist"?
40:25 Comedians are the modern day philosophers
43:00 So many podcasts are just people agreeing with each other
44:30 Audiences gravitate towards partisan content
47:00 AI will make the media ecosystem more efficient
48:45 There's a lack of ideological diversity in the two parties
50:15 The political duopoly has been bad for voters
52:45 Crypto is not much different from baseball cards and comic books
54:00 Crypto is inefficient but it's good for hiding money
58:00 Political criticisms aren't always partisan
59:30 DOGE will cost taxpayers more money than it saves
1:00:30 Trump is great a diagnosing problems but isn't interested in solving them
1:03:30 Democrats haven't adopted Trump's "everywhere" strategy with media
1:04:30 Democrats can learn from Trump without emulating him
1:06:15 Trump's plan to eliminate the penny is a good one
1:07:15 Trump is willing to cut deals with hostile countries
1:09:15 Will sports & sports media end up becoming partisan?
1:10:20 Caitlin Clark is a political lightning rod
1:12:00 Bruce Pearl is the only college coach that's overtly political
1:14:45 What is Mike reading that would surprise people?
1:19:00 Ask Chuck
1:19:20 Was Elon Musk's access to government data considered corruption?
1:23:15 Where would we be now if Trump didn't withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal?
1:28:15 Long-form podcast format vs Sunday show format?
Chuck Todd criticizes the controversial military birthday parade planned by Trump in Washington, D.C., which marks both the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and Trump’s 79th birthday. He calls out the event as a politicization of the military, a costly spectacle ($25–$45 million) that could have been spent addressing critical social needs such as homeless veterans, Medicaid funding, or infrastructure repair. He takes particular issue with the military personnel being vetted for political loyalty to Trump, which undermines the traditionally apolitical nature of the military and risks eroding public trust. Chuck examines the broader consequences of Trump’s actions, including his use of military intervention in domestic unrest and harsh rhetoric against protestors, which contributes to the dangerous polarization of Americans and threatens democratic norms.
Chuck Todd sits down with former Congresswoman Barbara Comstock to discuss her ongoing efforts to reform the Republican Party from within and the challenges facing the GOP in the Trump era. Comstock argues that the party's fundamental problem isn't ideological but character-based, as Republicans have abandoned character as a voting issue and are now required to lie to their voters to maintain political viability. She believes reform must come from the bottom up through state and local politics, which have been less infected by Trumpism, and warns that MAGA Republicans' indifference to whether government actually works has created a dangerous dynamic where loyalty to Trump is the only qualification that matters.
The conversation explores the practical consequences of Republican governance, from potential Medicaid cuts that could devastate rural hospitals and long-term care facilities, to the party's abandonment of Christian principles regarding care for the vulnerable. Comstock sees an opportunity for reform during the eventual succession fight after Trump, arguing that it will take just one person of character to begin rebuilding the party. She's particularly critical of figures like JD Vance, whom she describes as a charlatan who cannot represent the party's future, while expressing cautious optimism about leaders like Glenn Youngkin. Throughout the discussion, Comstock draws parallels to international politics, praising Zelenskyy as the world's greatest leader while condemning the Tucker Carlson wing of the party for siding with Putin, ultimately arguing that voters will punish incumbents of both parties if government continues to fail.
00:00 Introduction
01:05 The two types of ex-Repubicans
03:40 The bleak future of the two-party system
04:30 Trump's military birthday parade
07:20 Longterm damage of politicizing the military
08:55 Conservative's absurd renaming of Confederate bases
11:30 The HUGE price of this military parade
13:30 What the $45 million COULD have been used to fix
15:10 Why politicizing the military would be end of the republic
16:00 How this stunt is escalating tensions w/ ongoing protests
17:15 Why this Trump scandal is particularly un-American
19:45 Barbara Comstock joins the Chuck ToddCast!
20:45 Efforts to reform the Republican party from within
23:00 State and local level politics have been less infected by Trumpism
25:15 Republicans are required to lie to their voters
26:15 Reform will come from the bottom up
27:00 Character is a bigger problem for Republicans than ideology
28:30 Republicans have given up on character as a voting issue
30:30 Winsome Earle-Sears has capitulated to the Trump movement
33:15 Should Republicans embrace Trump’s ideology but with high character candidates?
35:15 MAGA Republicans don’t care if government doesn’t work
36:00 Loyalty is the only qualification Trump cares about
39:00 Attrition and incentives are a better way of cutting government
42:15 Emergency care for illegal immigrants is mandated by law
43:00 Christian Republicans want to kick the samaritan to the curb
44:00 Medicaid cuts will cause rural hospitals to close
45:00 Medicaid sustains the long term care industry
46:45 Congress has abdicated its responsibility to govern
48:15 It takes one person of character to begin reforming the GOP
49:15 There will be opportunity for reform during the succession fight
50:45 When you make government work well, voters notice
52:00 Could Republicans get wiped out like the Tories in the UK?
53:30 Zelenskyy is the greatest leader on the world stage
55:00 The Tucker Carlson wing has sided with Putin
56:15 Can a non MAGA Republican win over MAGA voters in the future?
58:45 Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon have looked clueless
1:00:15 The Republican party has become an anti-intellectual party
1:01:30 Has JD Vance always been a charlatan?
1:03:30 JD Vance can’t be the future of the party
1:04:45 Is Glenn Youngkin redeemable?
1:07:00 Trump will want to anoint his successor
1:07:30 Who are some current Republicans that could reclaim the GOP?
1:10:15 The potential GOP reformer needs to be someone new
1:13:15 Voters won’t be kind to incumbents of either party
1:17:45 Analyzing the Musk-Trump breakup
1:22:30 What would happen if Trump... raised taxes on billionaires?
Chuck Todd reflects on his recent conversation with Steve Bannon and proposes his theory for what Donald Trump and his MAGA movement's populism is really tapping into not just in America, but as a global phenomenon. Chuck says that the Democrats have an opportunity to position themselves as an opposition party that taps into the American populace's skepticism of concentrated power, and that if the current Democratic leadership isn't equipped to navigate the moment, they could set themselves up to get steamrolled by Trumpism the same way that the George Bush and Mitt Romney wing of the Republican Party did. Chuck goes on to look at some of the races he's most excited for in 2026.
Chuck Todd welcomes filmmakers Lindsay Utz and Michelle Walshe to discuss their documentary "Prime Minister," an intimate portrait of former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's extraordinary leadership during some of the most challenging moments in recent history. The film, built around Ardern's personal audio diaries that weren't meant to be released until after her death, chronicles her navigation through three defining crises: the Christchurch shooting, the COVID-19 pandemic, and giving birth while in office. The filmmakers had unprecedented access to Ardern, capturing her reflections on leading a nation through tragedy and global upheaval, while New Zealand became the first country to eradicate COVID-19 through decisive leadership and strong public health measures.
The conversation explores the broader themes of the documentary, including the misogynistic backlash Ardern faced both for her COVID response and her decision to ban semi-automatic weapons after Christchurch. Utz and Walshe discuss the challenge of misinformation during the pandemic, the export of American political mistrust to other democracies, and how Ardern's millennial confidence shaped her leadership style. Despite her international popularity, the filmmakers reveal that Ardern has sworn off politics forever, making this documentary a crucial historical record of her tenure. The film serves as both a case study in crisis leadership and an inspiration for young women considering political careers, showcasing how Ardern became a global role model while navigating the unique pressures facing female leaders in the modern political landscape.
Finally, he addresses listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!
00:00 Introduction
03:50 Steve Bannon's theory about Trump & the global populist movement
06:10 Why Trump's character is a distraction for Democrats
08:10 Democrats' advantage as an outsider party
10:45 New Jersey gubernatorial race
14:30 Democratic Senate candidates popping up in Iowa
18:30 Minnesota Senate Democratic primary
20:45 New candidate alert in Georgia!
23:00 Louisiana getting rid of runoffs?
24:10 Mark Green stepping down in Tennesee
29:30 Lindsay Utz and Michelle Walshe join the Chuck Toddcast!
30:30 What was the origin story of their documentary “Prime Minister”
31:30 How often did they have access to Jacinda Ardern?
32:50 Ardern’s audio diaries weren’t supposed to be released until she died
34:00 Ardern showed extraordinary leadership after the Christchurch shooting
35:30 Adrern’s story wasn’t local and could resonate worldwide
37:30 Was Ardern surprised when reflecting on her diaries?
38:30 Ardern had to lead through 2 crises
39:30 The tentpoles of the documentary are Covid, Christchurch and giving birth in office
42:30 Great responsibility to get the story right due to historic nature
44:30 Was Arden’s book coordinated with the release of the documentary?
45:30 What was the hardest thing to leave out?
47:30 New Zealand’s great response to Covid relied on strong leadership
49:30 New Zealand was the first country to eradicate Covid
51:00 Citizens of every country blamed their leaders for Covid
52:30 Misinformation was a huge problem during Covid
53:30 Was there an anti-vax community in NZ prior to Covid?
54:45 Was the widespread mistrust in the American government exported to NZ?
55:45 Ardern received terrible misogynistic blowback from the public
56:30 Was the backlash worse for Covid or for banning semiautomic weapons?
59:40 Ardern swears she’ll never go into politics again
1:02:30 Is Ardern more popular outside of New Zealand?
1:03:45 What do you hope a young female politician takes away from “Prime Minister”?
1:05:15 Was Ardern’s confidence a byproduct of being a millennial?
1:07:45 Ardern was a great role model for young women
1:08:30 Do they have another project planned in the future?
1:11:40 Where can people see “Prime Minister”?
1:14:00 Ask Chuck!
Chuck Todd reacts to Donald Trump’s escalating conflict with the state of California and Governor Gavin Newsom over the ICE raids and protests. Chuck warns that if Trump makes good on his threats to arrest Newsom, he could make him a powerful martyr. He also weighs in Barack Obama’s lack of presence for the Democrats while they struggle with a leadership vacuum.
Then Chuck sits down with Jamie Shor and Sky Sitney, the co-founders of DC/DOX, Washington D.C.'s premier documentary film festival now in its third year. The duo discusses how they merged their individual visions to create a festival that perfectly captures the capital city's unique position as a hub for storytelling about politics, power, and social change. They explore how modern film festivals have evolved from simple showcases to essential curators in an era where the barrier to entry for documentary filmmaking has never been lower, yet the challenge of finding distribution and audience has never been greater.
The conversation highlights some of the festival's most compelling offerings, from the visceral war documentary "2000 Meters To Adiivka" to the humorous AI exploration "Deepfaking Sam Altman," and the shocking government surveillance tale "The Spies Among Us." Shor and Sitney discuss the delicate balance between activism and entertainment in documentary filmmaking, the importance of transparency around AI usage in film production, and how their curation reflects the current cultural moment. They also address the ongoing distribution crisis facing independent filmmakers and explain how festivals like DC/DOX provide crucial visibility for smaller creators who lack major studio backing, while partners like Netflix and National Geographic help amplify important voices in documentary storytelling.
Finally, he addresses listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
02:30 Trump is in a showdown with the state of California
03:30 The “Newscum” nickname makes Trump look unserious
05:30 The first amendment doesn’t only apply to citizens
07:30 The Trump recession has begun
08:30 The Big Beautiful Bill fight is going poorly for Republicans
09:30 Trump wants to make California a political punching bag
10:15 Trumpworld wants to make Gavin Newsom the face of the Democratic party
11:30 If Trump arrests Newsom, Newsom could become a martyr
12:00 Should Barack Obama be filling the Democratic leadership vacuum?
13:30 DNC leadership seems to be paralyzed
14:30 Obama is the only leader the entire coalition trusts
17:45 There’s not enough faith in the Democratic bench
18:45 Obama has stayed above the fray
19:20 Obama speaking out would raise the alarm amongst disengaged voters
20:30 Biden failed to make the country turn the page on Trump
22:45 If Trump tries to seek a third term, so can Barack Obama
24:00 Jamie Shor & Sky Sitney join the Chuck ToddCast!
25:45 What is DC/DOX and how has it evolved over three years?
28:20 How did Jamie and Sky meld their visions into one?
30:00 Why D.C. is the perfect host city for the festival.
32:30 The barrier to entry for making documentaries is lower than ever
34:30 Modern film festivals are a curator for films rather than just a showcase
36:30 Most of the documentaries presented don't have major studio backing
37:45 Netflix and NatGeo were early partners of DC/DOX
40:15 Festivals provide visibility for smaller filmmakers 41:00
Sky's favorite feature length films being featured at DC/DOX?
42:30 "2000 Meters To Adiivka" is a visceral war documentary
44:15 Jamie's favorite films being featured at DC/DOX?
47:00 What is "Andy Kaufman Is Me" about?
49:00 What is "Barbara Walters Tells Me Everything" about?
51:00 "Deepfaking Sam Altman" is a great and funny exploration of AI
53:00 "The Spies Among Us" is a shocking tale of government surveillance
54:15 What are the best documentary shorts featured at DC/DOX?
58:45 Activist documentaries still have to be entertaining to make change
1:00:45 The films curated have to be reflective of the time
1:02:45 Filmmakers must be transparent about their use of AI
1:06:15 AI ethics in filmmaking will continue to evolve
1:07:15 What is the state of the industry for documentary filmmakers?
1:10:00 Is there a distribution crisis in the film industry?
1:12:00 Where do you go to buy tickets or get more info for DC/DOX?
01:14:40 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Jamie Short & Sky Sitney
01:15:50 Ask Chuck
01:16:05 Should the US consider Sunday voting & a Presidential Reform Act?
01:24:10 National security book recommendations?
01:29:10 Members seem clueless…who is actually writing the legislation in Congress?
Chuck Todd begins with the apparent de-escalation of the feud between Donald Trump and Elon and why the power imbalance between the two meant that Elon would be forced to back down. Then, he explains why Trump is deliberately manufacturing a crisis by federalizing the National Guard and sending them to LA to deal with protests over ICE raids. He calls it a “political trap” set by Stephen Miller and that the administration has chosen to use California as a political punching bag. He also weighs in on the crisis of leadership at the DNC after an internal call was leaked to the press and why it could be the end of Ken Martin’s time as chair.
Then, Chuck welcomes filmmaker Chase Joynt and Congresswoman Sarah McBride to discuss the documentary "State of Firsts," which chronicles McBride's historic journey as the first openly transgender person elected to Congress. Joynt explains the origins of the film and the decision to focus on McBride's political coming of age amid the intensifying national debate over trans rights. The conversation explores the broader LGBTQ civil rights movement, the challenges of media coverage around trans issues, and how Trump has weaponized transgender Americans as political scapegoats. They discuss the ongoing tensions within the gay community about whether the fight for trans rights is "worth it," and examine how civil rights have historically advanced incrementally through strategic battles.
McBride joins the conversation to reflect on the personal toll of being thrust into the spotlight as a symbol for an entire community while trying to serve her Delaware constituents effectively. She discusses the unique pressures that come with being the "first" of any identity group in Congress, the performance incentives that can bring out the worst in politicians, and her approach to picking battles strategically rather than fighting on every front. The discussion touches on Delaware's distinctive political dynamics, her relationship with President Biden, the complexities of the trans women in sports debate, and whether she would accept a meeting with Trump. Throughout, both guests emphasize the importance of seeing transgender people as whole individuals rather than reducing them to a single issue, while acknowledging the weight of representation in advancing civil rights.
Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding filibuster reform in the Senate, whether age limits for lawmakers are a good idea, and whether Trump would be best served resigning the presidency in order to receive a pardon from JD Vance.
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
01:15 Trump backs off when dealing with rich and powerful people
02:15 Elon is a bridge between MAGA and the tech elite
03:00 Steve Bannon says Musk’s money might have made the difference in election
05:00 Trump is always for sale, but the deals aren’t stable
06:15 Musk is powerful but not irreplaceable
07:00 Trump could destroy Musk’s companies before his term ends
08:45 The fate of our country hinges on a pissing match between two powerful people
10:15 Voters think all politicians are equally corrupt
11:00 The Trump administration is trying to manufacture a crisis in Los Angeles
12:30 What you’re reading and seeing online isn’t what’s happening on the ground
13:30 Majority of voters want immigration enforced, but humanely and with due process
15:00 Stephen Miller believes he’s setting up a political trap
16:15 The administration wants to use California as a cultural punching bag
18:00 DNC chair Ken Martin caught on recording saying he might not be up to the job
20:00 Martin defined himself as a placeholder with doubts
20:45 Democrats don’t know who’s in charge, or who they want to be in charge
21:45 Ken Martin will be defined by this moment
24:00 Chase Joynt joins the Chuck ToddCast!
25:00 What was the origin of "State of Firsts"?
26:45 Were there any ground rules or "no goes" when creating the film?
28:00 Sarah's ascent to Congress amidst the brewing fight over trans rights
29:45 Is the debate over trans rights being "worth it" still happening in gay community?
31:00 Does the fight for trans rights feel like two steps forward, one step back?
32:30 The value in unearthing the history of the fight for equal LBGTQ rights
34:20 They chose to tell the story of Sarah's political coming of age
36:15 Frustrations with media coverage of the fight for trans rights?
37:00 Trump understands that he created a scapegoat
38:00 The fight over trans women in sports
39:00 Had Chase ever done a political documentary before "State of Firsts"?
41:00 What did you learn about how politics is conducted?
42:30 Politics dominates the public space in America
44:00 What surprised you most after being around congress?
45:15 Being the "first" of an identity group in congress
47:30 The pressure on McBride of being forced to speak on behalf of an entire community
48:45 Civil rights have always been advanced incrementally
51:40 Worried that the Democratic party will abandon the trans community?
53:10 Sarah McBride joins the Chuck ToddCast!
53:40 Was it hard to let people into your private life for the documentary?
54:55 Managing the burden of being a symbol for the trans community
57:10 The pressure that comes with being the "first" representative of an identity group
58:40 Delaware voters were able to see her as a whole person and not just trans
1:00:10 Was it easier to be bipartisan in state government than in Congress?
1:01:25 The performance incentives in Congress can bring out the worst in people
1:04:25 The political dynamics of Delaware
1:06:10 Delaware's status as the home of corporate America
1:09:40 Other states don't have the legal framework to outcompete Delaware for incorporations 1:10:25 Is the criticism of Biden fair?
1:13:10 Hakeem Jeffries is doing a fantastic job managing the caucus
1:14:55 Should Democrats extend an olive branch to Elon Musk?
1:15:40 Is someone who embraces trans rights but not in sports an ally?
1:16:40 Sports governing bodies should oversee the trans women in sports issue
1:18:40 Worried about backlash from the trans community for not fighting hard enough?
1:20:10 Civil rights movements have to pick their battles
1:23:40 Would you accept an invitation from Trump for an oval office meeting?
1:24:40 What achievements in Congress would you consider success?
1:26:10 Did you ever dream of becoming president as a kid?
1:27:05 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Sarah McBride
1:28:05 Ask Chuck
1:28:15 If the Big Beautiful Bill doesn't pass, should the Senate end the filibuster?
1:31:20 Thoughts on Andor season 2?
1:33:55 Are age limits for elected officials a good idea?
1:36:35 Would Trump's best outcome be resigning and having Vance pardon him?
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Chuck Todd reacts to the escalating feud brewing between Donald Trump and Elon Musk after Elon’s departure from the administration. He warns the audience… NOBODY can predict where this will go from here.
Timeline:
00:00 Trump and Elon attack each other on social media
01:00 Trump threatens to terminate Elon’s government contracts
01:20 Elon accuses Trump of being in the Epstein files
02:30 Trump and Elon think they’ve bought each other's loyalty
04:15 Trump and Elon are basically the same guy
05:00 This was the most predictable split
07:15 Elon doesn’t understand how politics work
08:45 This feud will run into a reality check at some point
09:45 They are basically teenagers fighting
Chuck Todd begins by trying to make sense of the Elon Musk vs. Donald Trump public feud and why Trump will likely be muted in his criticism. Chuck also weighs in on the NYC mayoral race, why Andrew Cuomo shouldn’t be allowed to run this soon after resigning in disgrace and why voters were deprived of closure in the Cuomo scandal.
Then, Chuck sits down with Lindsey Williams Drath, CEO of the Forward Party, to explore the challenges and opportunities facing America's newest third-party movement. Williams discusses the party's "purple" approach to politics, rejecting traditional left-right labels while focusing on governance over party affiliation. The conversation covers the significant barriers third parties face, from institutional pushback to the infrastructure advantages held by Republicans and Democrats, who have "pulled the ladder up behind them" through restrictive ballot access requirements and partisan primaries.
Looking ahead to the 2026 and 2028 elections, Drath outlines the Forward Party's strategic approach to building from the ground up at the state level, targeting swing districts and disaffected voters from both major parties. The discussion touches on fusion voting, potential mergers with other independent groups, and the party's unique challenge of maintaining unity without a rigid ideology. Williams also addresses whether candidates with contradictory positions can coexist under one party banner, the role of money in politics, and how the Forward Party plans to avoid becoming a spoiler while building toward federal party status and meaningful electoral competition.
Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ question in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding whether he’d ever consider working in the White House comms shop, what type of leader could best correct the erosion of American democracy, and who he thinks are the top 3 candidates to be at the top of the Democratic ticket in 2028.
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
02:30 There is tremendous dissatisfaction with both political parties
04:00 What to make of the Elon Musk vs Donald Trump feud?
05:00 One party governance breeds bad governance
07:30 Trump vs Musk was always going to be a test of wills
08:30 Trump isn’t as aggressive with people wealthier than him
10:15 Democrats likely won’t forgive Elon if he turns on Trump
11:30 Winner of the Democratic NYC mayoral primary will be the mayor
12:45 Andrew Cuomo hasn’t lived in NYC in 35 years
13:45 Cuomo shouldn’t have resigned because we never got closure on accusations
15:45 If you resign in disgrace, there needs to be an electoral penalty
16:30 Cuomo never faced an impeachment trial
18:30 Multiple governors have resigned in order to dodge investigations
21:00 We never got an accounting of Al Franken’s ethics committee report
23:00 Cuomo shouldn’t be able to run again so soon
24:00 Lindsey Williams Drath joins the Chuck ToddCast!
24:50 What is the Forward Party and what do they believe?
26:30 Barriers to entry for a third party
27:10 There's growing sentiment for the need for a third party
28:30 There's major institutional pushback to third parties
29:30 Republicans and Democrats have an infrastructure advantage
30:20 10-year goal. What is success?
31:15 Built the party from the ground up at the state level
32:30 Andrew Yang's role in building the party
35:30 Administrative roles in Forward Party
37:45 Goal for the midterms is not a third party spoiler; but party-building; state level
40:15 Working toward federal party status; looking at seats in 2026 & 2028
42:10 What districts will they be targeting?
44:30 How Forward candidates can register for ballot access
47:00 Major parties have pulled the ladder up behind them.
47:50 Partisan primaries are unconstitutional
49:30 Defining fusion voting
51:30 Merging with the Independence Party?
53:15 There are lots of disaffected voters; and many "formers" in the Forward Party
55:45 We need to prioritize governance over party affiliation
57:30 What did the Problem Solvers Caucus fail at?
59:00 Lisa Murkowski building trust from her base while caucusing with both parties
59:45 John Cornyn missing opportunity to be more independent from GOP
1:01:45 What's stopping candidates from working with the Forward party?
1:03:45 What candidates do they want to target? What's the win?
1:05:30 Voters have closer relationships with mayors & governors
1:08:50 The Forward Party is planning a convention
1:10:45 Can you be a political party that doesn't have an ideology or candidates that contradict?
1:14:30 Money in politics & government debt are linked
1:27:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Lindsey Willams Drath
1:30:30 Ask Chuck
1:30:45 Would you ever want to work at the White House in communications?
1:34:15 What type of leader can fix the erosion of our democracy and civic unity?
1:38:30 Which three democrats are most likely to win the nomination in 28?
Chuck Todd begins by analyzing whether Donald Trump or Joe Biden will be a bigger political liability for their respective parties in the 2026 midterms. He also examines the trend of urban vs rural voters happening worldwide and reacts to some newsworthy quotes from American politics
Then, he welcomes Jane Coaston to the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation that spans college football, media, and politics. They dive deep into how conference realignment is reshaping college sports, discussing everything from the demise of the Pac-12 to whether Fox can maintain compelling broadcasts without marquee matchups. The conversation explores how football innovation happens from the ground up and why geographic realignment may be inevitable for smaller schools facing logistical nightmares.
The discussion then shifts to broader media and political dynamics, examining how algorithms and internet discourse are warping public conversation. They analyze why political hosts get captured by their audiences, how conspiracy theorists find community online, and why politically engaged people are actually the "weirdos" in American politics. They tackle tough questions about media coverage of Biden's age, the responsibility of press versus politicians in covering presidential fitness, and why treating voters as real people rather than demographic categories might be the key to better political communication.
Finally, he addresses listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding consuming political interviews, whether Democrats need their own Project 2025 and whether a moderate Republican running third party would have enabled a Harris win in 2024.
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
02:00 Biden or Trump the bigger liability in 2026 midterms?
03:35 It’s rare for a former president to cast a bigger shadow than the current one
05:30 Democratic voters are still mad at Joe Biden
07:30 Trump won’t have much to sell in 2026
09:45 Voters won’t feel any impact from Trump’s tax cut
11:15 Democrats can’t sit back and expect to win in 2026
13:00 Trump is the bigger liability
14:00 Should Republicans have won 2024 in a landslide?
16:45 The rural vs. urban political divide is a worldwide phenomenon
18:30 Mexico to make all judges elected positions, terrible for rule of law
21:00 Character doesn’t matter to voters, results do
23:00 Joe Biden still believes he would have won the election
24:15 Tim Walz suggests Democrats should be a little meaner
27:15 Jane Coaston joins the Chuck ToddCast!
29:35 Mountain time is the best time zone for watching sports
32:15 Has college football hurt itself by losing the Pac-12?
34:15 Conference realignment really hurts the smaller schools logistically
35:45 Schools will be forced to realign into geographic regions
38:15 College football benefits from having fanbases in hundreds of markets
39:45 College football risks concentration only in the midwest and south
41:45 Football innovates from the bottom up
42:45 Can Fox's broadcast stand on its own without two marquee teams?
45:45 If CFB contracts were similar to NFL contracts, everyone makes more money
47:00 Money for college football isn't zero sum
48:15 How do you decide what your daily news lead will be?
49:15 The rhetoric around medicaid cuts is identical to welfare rhetoric
50:45 Many people on Medicaid have jobs that don't offer insurance
52:30 It's important to offer your audience views they don't always agree with
53:45 Algorithms are a major problem for public discourse
55:45 Hosts end up being captured by their audience and public criticism
57:15 The human psyche isn't equipped for the internet
58:15 Conspiracy theorists and cranks can find community online
59:45 The internet is not representative of real life people
1:00:45 Voters hold multiple conflicting views
1:03:00 High information, politically engaged people are weirdos
1:04:15 Politics has become too much like sports
1:06:15 In polling, the way a question is asked can distort responses
1:07:45 To reach voters, they need to be thought of as people and not voters
1:09:15 Political hobbyism has been terrible for our politics
1:09:55 Who owns blame for Biden decline cover up, media or Biden/Democrats?
1:12:45 Biden's age couldn't be viewed in a vacuum by the media
1:15:35 The criticism of the press over Biden has been overblown
1:16:15 Biden couldn't sell his accomplishments
1:18:15 How hot is the seat under Michigan's new coach?
1:23:20 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Jane Coaston
1:24:40 College football should motivate teams to play tougher schedules
1:25:55 Ask Chuck
1:26:25 What should viewers focus on when consuming political interviews?
1:28:50 Are Democrats working on their own version of Project 2025?
1:34:15 Would a "traditional" Republican running 3rd party have created a Harris win?
Chuck Todd reacts to Elon Musk leaving the Trump Administration and discusses the valuable lessons to be learned from Elon’s tenure. Chuck also reacts to the recent pardons by Donald Trump and explains why they are bad for the country. Then he discusses the problems with the “big, beautiful bill”.
Then, Chuck is joined by Amanda Litman, co-founder and president of Run For Something, to discuss the future of Democratic leadership and the urgent need to recruit a new generation of candidates. They examine how Republicans, following the lead of Newt Gingrich’s GoPAC, have outpaced Democrats in preparing talent for public office — and why the Democratic bench remains so thin.
Litman shares insights into the challenges young progressives face, from lack of institutional support to financial and family pressures. They discuss the messy but well-intentioned efforts like David Hogg’s DNC initiative, the communication gap with younger voters, and why the information ecosystem is reshaping political engagement.
Together, they explore the mechanics of candidate recruitment, debates over ideological litmus tests, and how Run For Something navigates hot-button issues like trans rights and independent candidacies. From socioeconomic diversity in elected office to the underrepresentation of renters and working-class Americans, this conversation is a candid look at how Democrats can rebuild from the ground up — and what success might look like in the 2026 midterms.
Finally, in “Ask Chuck,” Chuck digs into the mailbag to answer one of the biggest questions about the state of politics.
00:00 - Chuck recaps his weekend
06:26 - Elon’s Exit from Trump Administration
14:43 - Reaction to Trump’s pardons
21:49 – Amanda Litman joins the Chuck Toddcast!
22:19 – What is “Run For Something”?
24:19 – Newt Gingrich started GoPAC to prep candidates on the right
25:19 – The DNC dropped the ball on prepping candidates
27:34 – Emily’s List was good for candidate training, but only for women
29:04 – There are very few young elected Democrats
30:04 – David Hogg’s DNC effort is a noble one, but messy for the DNC
32:19 – The generational divide in the Democratic party
33:49 – Democrats need younger leaders to speak to younger voters
34:49 – The Republican party changed drastically in ten years
35:49 – Voters under 35 have seen a lot of government failure
37:49 – Voters receive their information so differently now
39:04 – What is the process for recruiting and training candidates?
42:49 – Is there an ideological litmus test for prospective candidates?
44:04 – Trans issues have been very challenging for progressives
45:49 – What if a candidate's passion issue isn’t a voting issue?
47:04 – Will “Run For Something” recruit and run independent candidates?
49:49 – Could we see a lot of former federal employees run for office?
51:49 – Will Run For Something get involved in debates about updating the democracy
53:19 – Legislators should be paid more
55:19 – Lack of money and kids are a huge impediment to candidates under 40
57:19 – We need more socioeconomic diversity in elected office*
59:19 – Renters aren’t represented in Congress*
61:04 – The Democrats have become the “presidency or bust” party*
63:04 – If you want to improve the Democratic brand, you have to change the politicians
65:19 – What does success look like in 2026 midterms?
67:22 – “Ask Chuck”
Chuck Todd starts with new polling showing Trump’s damaging down ballot effect on the Republican party and highlights some key races for the upcoming midterm elections.
Then, he sits down with New York Times reporters Michael Schwirtz and Jane Bradley to discuss their explosive investigation into Russia's sophisticated "spy factory" operation in Brazil. The reporters reveal how they uncovered a years-long Russian intelligence program that used Brazil as the perfect cover to create false identities for spies who would then be deployed around the world. The discussion explores how the Ukraine war may have intensified efforts to uncover these operations, and details the meticulous process Russian operatives used to obtain authentic Brazilian birth certificates and build elaborate backstories for their agents.
The conversation delves into the remarkable scope of this espionage network, including how one spy successfully infiltrated Johns Hopkins University as a student, before being caught by Brazilian authorities. Schwirtz and Bradley discuss the similarities between their real-world investigation and the plot of "The Americans," the complaints from captured spies about their Russian handlers, and how this program's roots trace back to Cold War tactics. The interview also touches on broader questions about American engagement in Latin America, Brazil's surprisingly robust rule of law, and the ongoing challenges facing international journalism, including reporting in conflict zones like Ukraine and the risks of travel to Russia.
Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment regarding small state primaries, whether an atheist could ever be elected president and Democratic messaging.
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
01:30 Trump is putting the Republican party in a precarious position for midterms
03:30 Trump’s only big win is the border
04:00 Swing voters wanted lower prices and aren’t getting them
04:30 Every election is now a “change” election
06:30 Trump has become the party
08:00 Republicans won’t have anything that’s easy to sell to the public
09:30 New Texas poll shows Trump’s growing unpopularity
12:00 Shrinking the size of government is popular with voters
13:15 Bad economic approval is a warning for Republicans
16:00 Incumbency may be a big problem for John Cornyn
18:00 New Michigan poll released on senate race
19:30 Michigan poll shows anti-incumbent bias in voters
20:30 Lindsay Graham in a closer than expected race
22:15 Michael Schwirtz & Jane Bradley join the Chuck ToddCast!
23:55 What is the origin story of their story on Brazil's "Spy Factory"
24:45 Did the Ukraine war cause countries to double efforts to uncover spies?
27:15 Were the feds in Brazil aware of this spy operation?
30:25 Brazil was the perfect place to create cover identities for spies
31:45 The spy operation was years in the making
32:45 Investigations into spies' birth certificates showed they weren't doctored
34:45 Other Latin American countries are investigating as well
35:45 Was the spy ring uncovered in America in 2010 related to this program?
37:15 The goal wasn't to infiltrate Brazil specifically, but move spies abroad
38:15 The most "successful" spy was arrested by Brazilian authorities
39:30 One spy infiltrated John Hopkins university posing as a student
41:30 Has Putin punished any of the spies that were caught?
43:15 It feels like this story was a plot ripped straight from "The Americans"
44:30 The spies that talked complained about their bosses
45:30 Does America run similar "spy factories?"
48:15 Western agencies don't have the same spy budgets as the Russians
50:15 The seeds of the spy program go back to the Cold War
52:30 Are Brazilian authorities extra motivated to get to the bottom of this?
53:45 Brazil's rule of law is stronger than we give it credit for
55:15 Is this a failure of American engagement in Latin America?
58:00 What other threads are they pulling in their investigation?
1:00:00 When was Michael last in Ukraine?
1:01:30 Does the Times still have reporters in Russia?
1:02:45 Should Americans avoid travel to Russia?
1:05:00 Does the espionage reporting beat make spy TV shows less watchable?
1:05:40 Chuck’s thoughts on interview
1:06:10 Ask Chuck
1:06:55 Why is America stuck with a first, single small state primary format?
1:09:00Will America ever elect a president that’s atheist or agnostic?
1:16:15 Why are Democrats so clueless at messaging?
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
Chuck Todd opens with two issues he calls “dead rail” issues; issues that voters care about but don’t vote on… campaign finance reform and the national debt. He explains why both parties aren’t incentivized to address either issue, and provides a brief update on the latest developments for the upcoming midterm and presidential elections.
Then, he sits down with acclaimed television writer and producer Debora Cahn, the creative force behind both "The West Wing" and Netflix's hit series "The Diplomat." Cahn shares behind-the-scenes insights from her time in Aaron Sorkin's writers' room, revealing how the team worked to make "The West Wing" realistic and even infused elements of musical theater into the show. She discusses the origins and development of "The Diplomat," explaining how her experience working on "Homeland" prepared her for tackling international diplomacy, and how COVID-19 unexpectedly helped with the show's early development process.
They delve into how real-world events have shaped "The Diplomat's" narrative, particularly Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which completely changed the show's plot trajectory. Cahn explores the challenges of creating "news adjacent" content in today's rapidly changing political landscape, where she notes that satire feels off-limits for this decade. She also discusses her approach to writing strong but complex female characters, the differences between working with Shonda Rhimes versus Aaron Sorkin, and how she uses storytelling to give voice to government workers. The interview touches on everything from using real UK embassy locations for filming to incorporating recent political events and the casting of Michael McKean in a Biden-inspired role.
Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment, addressing topics like the best path to learning journalism, whether Kamala Harris could lose the California gubernatorial race and how to maximize black voter turnout in the south.
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 The “third-rail” issues in American politics that are untouchable
01:45 Medicaid is a lifeline for more than just poor people
02:20 Dead rail issues are issues that you can ignore and voters don’t care
03:10 Voters agree on need for campaign finance reform, but don’t vote on it
05:00 Both parties only care about the national debt when they’re out of power
07:00 Voters don’t care about campaign finance or the debt until it affects them
09:00 The Republicans are more fiscally irresponsible than Democrats
10:30 New campaign ad rolls out with purely AI generated people
11:30 Senator Jeff Merkeley may step down
12:30 Senator Ed Markey may face primary challenge
13:00 Rahm Emmanuel attending Iowa event, could it regain 1st primary status?
14:30 Debora Cahn joins the Chuck ToddCast!
15:45 How did she create "The Diplomat" and "West Wing"?
17:00 How important was it to make the West Wing realistic?
19:00 How did you infuse musical theater into West Wing?
20:15 What was the writers' room like?
22:30 How long has she been working on The Diplomat?
25:15 How did working on Homeland prepare her for The Diplomat?
28:30 The origin of The Diplomat
30:00 Covid actually HELPED with early development
31:00 Were the characters modeled off real people?
33:45 Using a real embassy for the set
36:30 Has the narrative arc changed from the original vision?
38:45 Russia's invasion of Ukraine changed the show's entire plot
40:45 Using the PM of the UK character to caricature Trump
42:15 Satire is off the table for this decade
43:30 Giving voice to government workers via storytelling
47:00 Has the UK foreshadowed trends in US politics?
48:15 The downside to being "news adjacent"?
49:45 Writing about strong women but making it messy
51:15 Working with Shonda Rhimes vs Aaron Sorkin
53:30 Whose story would she like to tell?
56:00 Traditional journalism vs. influencer culture
56:45 The Newsroom wasn't an accurate portrayal of TV journalism
58:00 What events from the past few months does she want to incorporate?
59:45 Michael McKean is great as the Biden character
57:50 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Debora Cahn
58:20 Ask Chuck
58:40 Is college or an apprenticeship better for learning journalism?
1:02:30 Could Kamala Harris lose in the primary for CA governor?
1:06:05 What can Democrats do to maximize the black vote in the south?
1:11:50 NBA playoffs reaction
Chuck Todd begins by examining whether Democrats have lost by enough to force meaningful change or if they're simply tinkering around the edges. He covers Trump's recent controversial moves, including hosting dinners for his memecoin buyers and politicizing his West Point commencement speech, while exploring how "whataboutism" and Trump creating a culture of fear have become pervasive in our political discourse. Chuck analyzes new polling data on potential Democratic matchups and discusses why being an incumbent may be a liability in upcoming elections.
Then, he’s joined by political analyst and author of “Where Have All The Democrats Gone”, Ruy Teixeira, who provides insights into America's ongoing political realignment and the challenges facing both major parties. They explore whether Democrats need to move toward the center to win back working-class voters, discuss the possibility of party collapse similar to what happened with the UK's Tories, and examine why neither party seems capable of forming a truly dominant coalition. The conversation covers everything from the Democrats' branding problems and communication failures to Trump's enduring influence on American politics and the potential for viable independent candidates in 2028.
Chuck concludes with upcoming Republican primary dynamics, including Senator John Cornyn's hiring of Trump's campaign manager and why it could be an UGLY campaign.
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
02:00 Have Democrats lost by enough to force them to change?
04:30 Democrats seem intent on tinkering rather than an overhaul
05:45 Trump hosts dinner for buyers of his memecoin
06:45 Mike Johnson defends corruption if it’s “done in the open” * (14:30)
08:30 Trump politicizes his West Point commencement speech
10:30 “Whataboustism” is plaguing our politics
12:00 Neither party has a monopoly on crazy or violence
12:45 Trump has created a culture of fear which mutes criticism
14:30 The public has become numb to Trump’s bad behavior
15:45 Corruption will eat away the credibility of the MAGA movement*
16:30 New poll released on AOC vs Schumer and Torres vs Hochul
18:30 Being an incumbent will be a negative in 2026 and 2028
22:10 Ruy Texeira joins the Chuck Toddcast
23:40 What is the current state of America's political realignment?
26:25 Do Democrats need to move to the center to win working class voters?
28:10 Lower turnout benefits Democrats
29:55 Democrats have only changed rhetoric, not their positions
31:40 Neither party can form a dominant coalition
32:40 Despite the chaos, Trump's approval rating isn't that bad
34:25 Could we see one party collapse like the Tories in the UK?
36:10 Could a third party replace one of our two parties
37:55 Voters in the western world feel the system is broken
38:40 Democrats are viewed as the status quo party
41:10 What are some lessons Democrats can take from the early 90's?
43:10 Neither party loses by enough to change
46:40 The DNC doesn't grasp how bad the brand has become
47:40 The problem is bigger than communications
49:40 Trump is the towering figure of 21st century American politics
51:10 What to make of Gavin Newsom's political maneuvering?
52:30 Who could be the Democrats next Bill Clinton?
54:40 What states should Democrats be targeting for future elections?
57:10 Democrats made a mistake not having Iowa first in their primary calendar
58:10 Why has Wisconsin stayed so competitive?
1:00:10 What to make of the red shift in blue states where they didn't campaign?
1:02:40 Party strategists are too out of step with the voters
1:04:25 What will we learn from statewide elections in 2025?
1:07:25 Will Joe Biden become a pariah like Jimmy Carter for the Democratic party?
1:09:10 Being a cabinet member for Biden will tank Pete Buttigieg's presidential hopes
1:10:10 The cover up of Biden's decline will haunt the Democrats for years
1:11:25 Any positives for the Democrats?
1:12:25 There could be a viable independent candidate in 2028
1:16:00 Chuck’s thoughts on the interview with Ruy Texeira
1:17:30 Senator John Cornyn has hired Trump’s campaign manager
1:19:00 We’re about to see new level of negativity in a Republican primary
1:20:45 The new traffic patterns out of Nationals games are annoying
Chuck begins with house Republicans struggling to pass their “Big Beautiful Bill” and reflecting on the president’s ability to influence the culture versus imposing on the culture.
Then, Chuck welcomes Spencer Kornhaber, staff writer at The Atlantic to discuss his piece on contemporary pop culture and its perceived decline in quality. They dive into the impact of streaming algorithms impacting music discovery, revealing that old music now earns three times the streams of new releases as algorithms trigger nostalgia rather than innovation. The conversation explores how the music industry has lost its traditional gatekeepers, leading to a landscape where new music often sounds "rehashed and doesn't move the ball forward," while examining whether rock music has stopped evolving and how country music is experiencing a resurgence. They also tackle the growing influence of AI on music production and debate whether algorithms, despite their flaws, are actually helping people discover music in different languages and cultures.
The discussion expands to examine whether television represents the one area where pop culture is genuinely "better than ever," with prestige TV becoming the cultural center and episodic storytelling reshaping moviemaking. They explore the "Barbenheimer summer" phenomenon as evidence that theatrical experiences still matter, before diving into literature's current state amid declining readership among younger generations. They debate whether high-resolution photography and AI are diminishing visual arts, speculate about experiences becoming the next major art form for Gen Z, and examine how competition with AI might actually make human artists more innovative. They conclude by discussing the enduring popularity of live elements in sports and music—with Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift reigning as pop royalty—while questioning who truly rules Hollywood and acknowledging the surprising innovations happening in live theater.
Finally he addresses listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment, weighing in on Europe’s race to rearm itself, his preferred voting method to incentivize legislative compromise and whether the questions surrounding Joe Biden’s decline will loom over the 2028 presidential race.
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Republicans struggling to pass the “Big Beautiful Bill”
02:00 Partisan governance is bad governance
03:30 The bill will pass, it’s just a matter of when
05:45 We’re in a “culture cold war”
08:00 Should political leaders impose culture, or influence it?
09:45 Who we elect as president is reflective of the culture
11:45 If a president imposes on culture, they impose on speech
14:45 The public will want a president who doesn’t impose on culture
17:40 Spencer Kornhaber joins the Chuck ToddCast
18:40 What inspired his piece on current pop culture being terrible?
22:25 Algorithms are terrible at introducing new music
23:10 Old music earns 3x the streams of new music
24:40 Algorithms use music to trigger nostalgia
26:10 New music sounds rehashed and doesn't move the ball forward
28:10 The music industry lost its gatekeepers
29:55 Algorithms help people discover music in a different language
32:10 Has rock music stopped evolving?
33:20 Country music is having a resurgence
34:00 The impact of AI on music production
35:40 Is television the one area of pop culture that's better than ever?
36:55 Prestige TV has become the center of the culture
38:25 How has episodic tv impacted moviemaking?
40:40 "Barbenheimer summer" wasn't a fluke
42:40 Are we also in a golden age of literature?
45:25 Younger generations are reading less
46:10 Do high resolution pictures + AI diminish the visual arts?
48:55 Will experiences become the next big artform for Gen Z
50:25 How well will his piece age?
51:55 Will competition with AI make human artists more innovative?
54:25 Will society decide to reinvest in the arts?
55:25 Gaming and sports are more popular than ever
57:10 Is the live element of sports and music driving popularity?
58:10 Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift are the king and queen of pop
59:10 Who rules Hollywood?
1:02:25 We've seen major innovation in live theater
1:04:45 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Spencer Kornhaber
1:05:00 Algorithms suck at making culture, humans are good at it
1:05:15 Ask Chuck - Should we be concerned about Europe rearming?
1:07:55 What is your preferred voting method to incentivize compromise?
1:13:45 Will the Biden cognitive question loom over the 2028 election?
Chuck Todd begins the episode with an examination of the election landscape starting with the California gubernatorial race and a demographic breakdown that indicates Democrats could perform very well in both 2025 and 2026.
Then, is joined by businessman Stephen Cloobeck, who discusses his candidacy for California governor as the "only non-traditional candidate" in the race. Cloobeck offers sharp criticism of the Harris/Walz presidential campaign, which he characterizes as "tone deaf," while proposing concrete solutions for California's most pressing issues.
Cloobeck outlines his vision for a new department of "performance and results" to increase government accountability and presents his approach to addressing California's homelessness crisis. Drawing on lessons learned from his adopted father, former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Cloobeck positions himself as a Democrat who understands business concerns, directly addressing why corporate leaders are "tempted" to leave California while asserting that "you can't buy an election" and pledging not to self-fund his campaign.
Chuck presses Cloobeck on whether Democrats need their own version of "Donald Trump," and what the party should learn from Trump's political approach. He also offers insight into his success in the timeshare industry, explaining how Marriott ultimately copied his business model and addressing whether AirBnB has undermined the traditional timeshare market. Chuck challenges Cloobeck about potential competition from other business figures like Rick Caruso and former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, with Chuck speculating that by 2026, voters might be "burned out on bravado" after Trump's presidency.
Finally, Chuck digs into the mailbag of listeners’ questions in Ask Chuck and responds to questions about six year presidential terms, quirky personal preferences that lead to political preferences and whether it’s harder for him to land interviews with Republicans.
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 The importance of the California gubernatorial race
01:15 Kloobeck intro
02:30 Kamala Harris preparing to run for governor in California?
03:45 Younger and infrequent voters were Trump’s “secret sauce”
05:00 Can a Democratic woman win the presidency?
06:30 Higher turnout is better for Republicans
08:15 Trends favor Democrats in non-presidential elections
09:30 Democrats became the “rules” party
11:15 Jared Golden not running for must-win Maine senate seat
12:30 Republicans are already writing off Virginia
13:30 Could New Jersey become a swing state?
14:30 Can the Trump coalition succeed without Trump on the ballot?
15:45 Could Senator Bill Cassidy retire for LSU chancellor job?
17:15 Stephen Cloobeck joins the Chuck ToddCast!
18:30 Why is he the only non-traditional candidate running for CA governor?
23:05 Are California's issues a governor issue or does it run deeper?
26:05 What should Gavin Newsom have done differently?
29:00 The Harris/Walz campaign was tone deaf
30:25 What did Gray Davis get right as governor?
31:55 Creating a department of "performance and results"
33:30 Solution to California's homelessness problem
35:00 Schwarzenegger was an outsider that ran into the bureaucracy
39:30 What makes him a democrat and not an independent?
41:55 Why are business leaders "tempted" to leave California?
44:35 What he learned from his adopted father, Harry Reid
46:15 Do we need a "Donald Trump" in the democratic party?
48:00 What should the democratic party learn from Trump?
48:45 You can't buy an election. Won't self fund his campaign.
51:00 Why couldn't Trump start a casino in Nevada?
53:20 Should people be skeptical of the timeshare industry?
54:35 Has AirBnB killed the timeshare industry?
58:00 Marriott copied his timeshare model
58:45 What would you say to Harris if she wanted help with the governor race?
1:02:00 Are you ready for the arrows coming your way
1:04:25 Did you have high expectations for Joe Biden?
1:07:15 If Rick Caruso jumps in, will you cannibalize each other's candidacies
1:10:35 Would Arnold Schwarzenegger be the front-runner if he ran?
1:11:35 By 2026 could voters be burned out on bravado by Trump
1:13:30 Chuck's thoughts on Stephen Kloobeck interview
1:14:45 Check out Chuck's interviews on Noosphere!
1:16:20 Ask Chuck
1:16:45 If congress was expanded, should the president get one 6 year term?
1:19:50 What odd voter personal preferences indicate their political preferences?
1:24:00 Do you find it harder to get interviews with Republicans?
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
Chuck Todd welcomes Congressman Ritchie Torres for a wide-ranging conversation that begins with a tour of New York's 15th district and the unique challenges of representing one of America's most diverse urban areas. Torres offers candid insights on governance, highlighting how term limits disadvantage legislators compared to lobbyists. The conversation shifts to the current political landscape, with Torres expressing deep concerns about President Trump's approach to his second term, arguing that Trump is "poisoning the well" for bipartisanship despite Biden's successful record of cross-party legislation. Torres delivers a stark warning that America is "planting the seed of its own decline" and characterizes the consequences of proposed GOP Medicaid cuts as "barbaric," particularly in light of the brewing long-term care crisis.
They weigh the merits of pragmatism versus idealism in American foreign policy and scrutinize Qatar's growing financial influence in American politics. Torres argues that "Republicans would impeach Joe Biden if he had accepted a plane" while addressing whether Democrats should adopt Trump's aggressive approach to wielding power. Torres acknowledges that Democrats "should have spoken out sooner about Biden's decline" and offers his vision for how the party can project strength moving forward.
They conclude with Torres addressing his political future—including speculation about mayoral and gubernatorial ambitions—before outlining his solutions for New York's housing crisis, crime concerns, and utility costs.
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
00:50 Joe Biden diagnosed with aggressive form of cancer
02:00 Was Biden’s decline covered up, or just willful ignorance?
03:00 Robert Hur recording has supercharged the Biden story
06:45 Joe Biden couldn’t assure voters he was up to the job
08:30 Chris Murphy says it’s the Democrats fault that Trump was re-elected
11:45 Democrats need to do soul searching like they did with Bill Clinton
13:30 Clinton had to run against the party and its prior leadership
15:00 Democrats misread the 2020 election result
18:00 Democrats will take some blame for problems Trump causes
19:00 Democrats need to reinvent themselves
21:00 Trump released the Hur tapes as a distraction
23:00 Democrats should be angrier about Biden than Republicans
25:00 Mike Johnson needs Trump to pressure members of congress
26:00 Ritchie Torres joins the Chuck ToddCast
26:30 Tour of the NY-15 district
28:30 The enormity of the New York city council
30:00 Would he support expanding the size of the house?
32:00 Term limits disadvantage legislators compared to lobbyists
33:00 Can any bipartisan agreement be reached with Trump
34:30 Biden had multiple pieces of bipartisan legislation
35:30 Trump is poisoning the well in his second term
37:30 America is planting the seed of its own decline
38:00 Medicaid cuts will be devastating
40:00 Will the Medicaid cuts be delayed where a future congress could fix it?
41:30 Medicaid work requirements don't work
42:45 The consequences of the GOP budget will be barbaric
44:45 How do we address the long-term care crisis?
47:00 Should America's foreign policy be pragmatic or idealistic?
49:45 How should we view Qatar's infusion of money into American politics?
51:30 Republicans would impeach Joe Biden if he had accepted a plane
54:15 Should Democrats wield power like Trump when they're in charge?
55:50 Democrats should have spoken out sooner about Biden's decline
1:00:00 How can the Democrats project strength as a party?
1:01:15 Democrats need to let the cream rise to the top
1:02:30 Campaigning makes candidates sharper
1:03:30 Why aren't you running for NYC mayor?
1:05:30 Andrew Cuomo is a great "builder"
1:07:30 Will you run for governor in 2026?
1:08:00 How would you address the housing crisis in New York?
1:10:30 Addressing crime in New York
1:13:00 New York's budget has increased, the quality of services hasn't
1:14:45 Public ownership of utilities would lower costs for New Yorkers
1:16:30 Progressives have overprioritized ideological purity over results
1:19:15 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Ritchie Torres
1:20:00 If Torres faces Hochul 1 on 1 he could beat her
1:21:00 Rumors that Kamala Harris could run for governor of California
1:21:45 CA governor race will be tough for Harris
1:25:15 If Harris loses governor race, her political career is over
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
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 cautious in 24
1:13:45 Gen Z has trust issues with politics
1:15:45 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Ro Khanna
1:16:15 Ask Chuck
1:16:55 Why are reporters not more combative with Trump?
1:19:05 If the Republican party fractures, who would be in the traditional wing?
1:21:45 Pete Rose finally eligible for Hall of Fame posthumously
(Timestamps vary based on advertisements)
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 Jasmine Crockett
1:13:15 Ask Chuck
1:13:30 Why has abortion disappeared from the national discourse?
1:16:30 Please let the Wizards get the #1 pick and Cooper Flagg
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
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 catastrophe?
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
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 China?
1:16:35 Chuck's thoughts on the interview Oren Cass
1:17:27 Ask Chuck
1:17:35 Were the guardrails on the executive branch always this frail?
1:20:35 What do you expect out of Resistance 2.0?
1:21:30 Will the federal government intervene in college sports?
1:22:50 Does the media go too deep into the background of public officials prior to their public service?
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
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 brought back the dire wolf from extinction
1:06:30 We're living through a period of accelerated technology
1:09:00 The pace of change feels dizzying and destabilizing
1:10:15 Whose to blame for this moment, tech CEO's or politicians?
1:11:00 Could AI rewrite history?
1:15:30 How did the COVID pandemic affect Charlie's thinking?
1:19:00 How long will Charlie continue making more Black Mirror?
1:23:15 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Charlie Brooker
1:24:00 Ask Chuck
1:24:45 Does local news just become an echo chamber for that community?
1:28:10 If the Republican party fractures, who would remain in the “traditional” wing of the party?*
1:30:25 Is Trump manipulating the stock market so wealthy people can buy the dip?
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 be?
1:31:05 House map is less skewed than it used to be
1:34:35 Complaining about gerrymandering has become more bipartisan
1:36:05 Democrats could see sizeable midterm gains
1:42:50 How will retirements affect the midterms?
1:4:05 Tariffs will cost Republicans in the farm states
1:45:05 Kansas headed toward swing state status?
1:48:05 Reappropriation from 2030 census could add several new red seats
1:49:35 Can Republicans further gerrymander states like Texas and Florida?
1:53:35 Virginia governor race isn't that competitive
1:58:50 Conventional wisdom is that Democrats shouldn't choose a woman for 28
1:59:50 Is a blue wave developing?
2:01:05 Trump doesn't care about Republicans other than himself
2:03:16 Chuck’s final thoughts
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, would Ford and Clinton have won?
(Timestamps vary based on advertisements)
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.
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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?
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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.
Timeline:
00:00 Intro
02:58 Reaction to Trump’s tariff exemption of smartphones and computers
07:45 Are we entering a kleptocracy?
14:05 McKay Coppins joins Chuck
16:47 Any discussion about making Mckay’s Murdoch article into a book?
18:17 Fate of the Murdoch empire impacts the fate of American politics
19:32 Murdoch outlets impacted Trumpism, Brexit and other major events
22:47 Murdoch used to make the weather, now Trump does
26:32 It’s easier to pick a side in media rather than be a neutral observer
29:02 Did Succession have an insider account or were the Murdochs that predictable?
30:47 The Murdochs are a normal, wealthy dysfunctional family
32:17 Status of the Murdoch lawsuit?
34:47 Was Rupert Murdoch “honeypotted” by the Chinese government?
36:32 Will James and Lachlan reconcile after Rupert dies?
38:17 Rupert has pitted his kids against each other
39:32 Without Brexit and Trump, would James and Lachlan have worked better together?
41:17 James can’t stomach what Fox News became in the Trump era
42:17 Fox News went off the rails after Roger Ailes left
43:47 Ailes ruled Fox News with an iron fist
44:32 The inmates are running the asylum at Fox
46:02 If James gets his way after Rupert dies, Fox will change drastically
47:17 Fox can never go as far as Newsmax or OAN
48:32 The Fox empire was built on its current audience
50:32 James is building his own empire
52:02 Sisters are embarrassed by Fox News
52:17 NFL rights are existential for Fox and big tech can outspend them
54:17 Murdoch kids have shielded their kids from the press
55:47 WSJ + NY Post will still needle Trump
57:32 James has more interest in the media business than Lachlan
58:02 The Murdochs and Trumps have similar dynamics
59:17 Don Jr. understood the Trump base better than his father
1:00:17 Succession style drama is coming for the Trump family
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)
On this episode of The Chuck ToddCast, Chuck explores why America is undergoing a major political realignment, and why President Donald Trump’s approval rating may never recover following the disastrous rollout of sweeping tariffs.
Later, Republican Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) joins the show to discuss the impact of those tariffs on his constituents in Omaha and whether Congress could move to limit the president’s tariff powers. They also talk about the need for moral clarity from the U.S. in the Russia-Ukraine war and why abandoning the global order that has benefited America for the past 80 years is a mistake.
Rep. Bacon shares his deep concerns about the recent firing of top military and intelligence officials, and they debate whether one—or both—of America's political parties could be headed for a split.
Finally, in the “Ask Chuck” segment, Chuck responds to a listener question about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez outpolling Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in New York—and whether Democrats should rethink their strategy as a result.
Timeline:
0:00 Introduction
3:15 We’re in the middle of a political realignment
6:00 What if America was a 4 party system?
10:30 Tariffs are Trump’s Afghanistan withdrawal - He won’t recover from it*
16:15 Could the turbulence from the tariff destruction fracture the R party?
17:04 Rep. Don Bacon joins the show!
19:42 How will tariffs negatively impact
21:38 Did the White House notify congress before imposing the tariffs?
22:45 What is the goal of the tariffs?
26:11 Will congress take its tariff power back from Trump?
31:42 We need moral clarity in the Russia/Ukraine war
34:11 Does Trump have a mobster mentality when it comes to geopolitics?
36:27 The last 80 years have been great for America. Why do people think otherwise?
38:30 Lack of official US government response to the crisis of democracy in Turkey
41:28 Does Rep. Bacon consult with his wealthiest constituent, Warren Buffet?
44:02 Concern about firing top military leaders and Laura Loomer’s influence
48:59 Could we see a fracture in one or both political parties?
55:00 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Rep. Bacon and potential cracks in both of America’s political parties
57:30 “Ask Chuck” - Does the latest poll showing AOC beating Chuck Schumer by 19 points could cause a change in direction or strategy for the Democrats?
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
Chuck Todd analyzes the sweeping tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, discussing their historic impact. He argues that free trade has made America safer and more prosperous and predicts significant political backlash for Trump and Republicans. He outlines key political developments to watch in the coming months, highlighting an opportunity for Democrats to regain control in Washington. He also examines how Trump’s promised tax cuts are now at risk, and why his presidency will be even more challenging.
Timeline:
0:00 Introduction
3:20 America has benefitted massively from global trade
4:20 The last time we had a similar tariff regime, it led to WW2
5:48 What political fallout will come from the tariffs?
6:32 Could congress take tariff authority back?
8:25 What to watch for the next 3-6 months
9:18 Trump faces huge blowback from older voters
10:18 The tariffs will tank Trump’s approval rating
11:52 Elected Republicans will be vulnerable
13:36 Trump has no guardrails
15:13 Alienating allies and partners will be incredibly damaging
16:39 The Republican party is courting disaster
19:46 Trump’s tax cuts are in jeopardy
21:05 Getting rid of the tariffs won’t solve the problem
21:50 If Democrats win the house, congress will take the tariffs keys away from the mad king
On episode 2 of the brand-new Chuck Toddcast, Chuck is joined by Jake Sherman, founder of Punchbowl News and one of the most well-connected reporters on Capitol Hill.
But first, Chuck reflects on the results of the special elections in Florida and the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, which showed that the base of the out-of-power party is fired up. He explains why this suggests voters are more inclined to vote against a party rather than for one. He also discusses why the party in question is in desperate need of soul-searching and possible realignment to build a winning coalition.
Then, Jake Sherman joins the conversation to discuss the latest from D.C. They begin by examining Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision to send the House home for the week after a dispute over proxy voting for members of Congress—and why Johnson’s power is tied directly to President Donald Trump. They also explore the revenge-driven mindset that has shaped decision-making on Capitol Hill and the lack of Republican pushback against Trump’s sweeping tariffs.
They dive into how the dynamics of the current Congress differ from those of years past and why some Republicans might view their loss in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race through rose-colored glasses—thanks in part to Elon Musk.
They wrap up by discussing whether Democrats could see a shake-up in leadership and the timeline for passing a tax cut and a debt ceiling extension.
Finally, Chuck wraps up with a listener question in the “Ask Chuck” segment by giving his take on whether the debate around a Trump third term was a smokescreen to knock “Signalgate” out of the news cycle.
Timeline:
0:00 Introduction
2:00 Voters are telling us what they DON’T like
5:00 Democrats need to do some soul searching
9:45 Democrats can’t just be “anti-Trump”
11:17 Jake Sherman joins the show
15:50 Mike Johnson sends the house home
20:30 Is Johnson powerless without Trump?
23:10 Revenge is the mindset of Republicans
25:50 Any appetite in Congress to take back authority from the executive branch?
28:15 Will economic downturn/tariffs scare elected Republicans
31:20 Lack of experience in Trump’s cabinet
38:00 Could we see a deluge of Republican retirements from Congress
41:25 Members of Congress are different now
43:28 Republicans secretly happy they can blame Elon Musk for the Wisconsin loss?
46:28 Would Chuck Schumer win a leadership vote in the Senate?
49:05 Timeline for passing tax cuts/debt ceiling extension?
56:05 Ask Chuck: Was the “Trump third term” debate a smokescreen to knock “Signalgate” out of the news”
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
On the debut episode of the newly relaunched Chuck ToddCast, Chuck sits down with Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman.
But first, Chuck reacts to the special election results for US Congress in Florida that saw Republicans Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine beat out Democrats Gay Valimont and Josh Weil for the seats vacated by Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz. He also discusses the hotly contested Wisconsin Supreme Court race, where liberal judge Susan Crawford won her race against Brad Schimel, who had millions of dollars of support from Elon Musk.
Then, he and Sen. Fetterman discuss a wide range of important issues, beginning with his message to Democrats who are alarmed by the actions of Donald Trump’s administration. He shares his reaction to the “Signalgate” scandal and his assessment of what went wrong for Democrats in the 2024 election. Fetterman gives his take on Elon Musk and Doge performing massive cuts across the federal government, as well as the looming tariffs that President Trump is threatening to impose on America’s top trading partners. They also try to make sense of the administration’s 180-degree turn on longstanding U.S. foreign policy and the president’s fixation on Greenland. Finally, they discuss the current lack of a true leader for the Democratic Party, the role of billionaires in politics, and whether Senator Fetterman is considering a run for president in 2028.
Timeline:
0:00 Introduction
2:30 Special elections in Florida
8:42 Wisconsin Supreme Court race
14:48 Start of John Fetterman interview
18:00 Aaron Rodgers to the Steelers?
19:00 Message to Democrats that are freaking out
23:44 Reaction to “Signalgate”
27:10 What happened in 2024?
30:44 Elon Musk and DOGE
35:22 America’s 180-degree turn on foreign policy
40:38 President Trump’s fixation on Greenland
44:28 Fetterman’s Mar-A-Lago visit
46:45 Who’s the leader of the Democratic party?
51:04 Influence of billionaires in politics
54:08 Will Fetterman run for president in 2028?
56:09 Do Democrats need to move to the center?
1:01:09 Chuck’s final thoughts on the interview with John Fetterman
The Chuck Toddcast is back! If you’re looking for smart, no-nonsense political conversations, you’ve come to the right place. The Chuck Toddcast goes beyond the headlines—talking with top reporters, insiders, and newsmakers from D.C. to the heartland. No scripts, no spin—just real conversations about what’s shaping our politics and why it matters.
As a Trump campaign reporter, Garrett Haake saw the final days of the Trump campaign up close. As a NBC News Senior Capitol Hill Correspondent, his reporting on the Trump transition shows how far the incoming administration's choices will ripple across Washington.
Dante Chinni, director of the American Communities Project, joins Chuck to take a closer look at election turnout and explore what the shifts mean for the future of campaigning.
It’s Wednesday November 6th. Kamala Harris has conceded to Donald Trump and we are all in a state of delirium about the election night -- mostly because nobody has slept much in the last 48 hours.
Chuck is joined by Doug Sosnik, former political director for Bill Clinton and co-author of “Applebee’s America” and Jessica Taylor, the Senate and Governors Editor for The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter.
Polls, surveys and statistics. The NBC News Political Unit looks at the final numbers before the vote comes in on Election Day. Chuck talks with Mark Murray, senior political editor, and national political reporters Bridget Bowman.
NBC News National Political Correspondent Steve Kornacki joins Chuck to break down former President Trump’s and Vice President Harris’ respective paths to winning the Electoral College.
Jon Ralston, CEO and Editor of the Nevada Independent, joins Chuck to talk about the challenges of polling in the Silver State.
Nate Silver, author of, "On the Edge: The Art of Risking Everything," joins Chuck to talk about the world of "professional risk-takers" and how it informed his journey to founding the presidential election forecasting model FiveThirtyEight.
Democratic strategist James Carville joins Chuck around the release of a new documentary on his life, “Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid,” to talk about why he thinks Vice President Kamala Harris is poised to win the 2024 election.
With two weeks to go, Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report … with Amy Walter, and the host of “The Odd Years” podcast, joins Chuck to explore the map.
Symone Sanders-Townsend, the former chief spokesperson for Kamala Harris, joins Chuck to assess the vice president’s home-stretch campaign, as she launches a media blitz and pitches her message across the aisle.
Chuck explores how Vice President Kamala Harris' statements about President Biden hurt her campaign message. Plus, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger talks about his state's historic early vote totals.
Gabriel Sherman, special correspondent at Vanity Fair, joins Chuck to talk about “The Apprentice,” a new film he wrote that details Donald Trump’s early career in real estate.
Entrepreneur Mark Cuban joins Chuck Todd to talk about his new venture, the Cost Plus Drugs Company. He also shares his views on cryptocurrency, sports business, and why he got involved in the 2024 campaign.
Scott Lincicome, vice president of general economics at the Cato Institute, joins Chuck to analyze the stances of former President Trump and Vice President Harris on tariff policy, as trade and import taxes take center stage in the campaign dialogue.
Gov. Walz and Sen. Vance debated for the Vice Presidency. Matt Grossmann, author of “Polarized by Degrees” talks about how the Democratic and Republican parties have been reshaped by divides over education.
Kurt Volker, former U.S. special envoy for Ukraine negotiations and former NATO ambassador, joins Chuck as Presidents Zelenskyy and Biden meet in Washington.
Nathan Gonzales, the Editor & Publisher of Inside Elections, joins Chuck to talk about the long tail effects of Democrats' candidate swap.
David Rohde, NBC News senior executive editor for national security, joins Chuck to talk about the ways in which the Justice Department has been transformed by Donald Trump’s presidency — and how Merrick Garland dealt with the difficult task of investigating a former president running for re-election.
Chuck is joined by Dante Chinni, the director of the American Communities Project, which uses data to track how trends in politics, culture and economics for local communities across the country.
Marc Short, former chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, joins Chuck with his takeaways on Donald Trump’s debate performance and previews the campaign ahead.
Chuck Todd analyzes the first Harris-Trump debate. Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, head of the DOJ's antitrust division, joins Chuck to talk about the administration's push to break up corporate power in the U.S.
In February, Mark Murray, Bridget Bowman and Ben Kamisar joined Chuck to pick their top prospects from the 2024 Senate races. Now they’re back to see which picks stand up for the general election, and which races have changed.
Melissa Deckman, the CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute and author of a new book, “The Politics of Gen Z,” joins Chuck to talk about young voters and their impact on the election.
Charlie Cook, founder of the Cook Political Report, joins Chuck as Vice President Harris gains ground in key states where President Biden was struggling.
Marsha E. Barrett, author of "Nelson Rockefeller's Dilemma" joins Chuck to talk about the role Rockefeller played in the evolution of the Republican Party.
Kamala Harris wrapped up a high-energy Democratic National Convention unlike any we’ve seen since the 1950s. Chuck sits down with former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who ran the Democratic National Committee and the 2000 DNC in Los Angeles, to reflect on the week that was.
Recording from Chicago, Chuck talks with Adam Green, the co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, a grassroots organization that claims a million members working on economics and democracy.
Ambassador John Sullivan was the Biden administration’s first ambassador to Russia, serving from 2020 to 2022. He was also Donald Trump’s last ambassador to Russia — he’s one of those rare people who can work in both a Republican and Democratic administration. Amb. Sullivan talks with Chuck about his new memoir, “Midnight in Moscow: A Memoir from the Front Lines of Russia's War Against the West.”
Bruce Mehlman, a Washington strategist who served in the George W. Bush administration, joins Chuck to talk about the 2024 campaign reset, Mitch McConnell’s view of Donald Trump and the race to define Kamala Harris.
It only took 40 days for the 2024 presidential campaign to transform. NBC News Washington Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor joins Chuck to share her reporting about how Vice President Kamala Harris navigated the historic transition from the bottom to the top of the ticket.
After Vice President Kamala Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, Chris Cillizza, author of “So What,” joins Chuck to discuss the implications it will have on the race.
It’s been a busy few weeks in politics — an attempted assassination, the Republican convention, President Biden’s decision to drop out of the race. But lost in all of those dramatic changes was this piece of news:
Sunday, July 21st was the hottest day ever recorded on earth. It was an alarming piece of history, with heat waves sweeping across Europe, the Western United States and extreme weather around the world. It was one of those landmark moments that makes some people stop and focus on climate change.
And then those very records were broken 24 hours later, when global average temperatures went even higher on Monday, July 22nd.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a Republican from Iowa and the chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus, joins Chuck to discuss.
After President Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential campaign, NBC News White House correspondent Mike Memoli and longtime Biden-reporter describes the many twists and turns that the Biden epic took.
Former President Trump delivered a historically long acceptance speech on Thursday night, and Chuck Todd asks if his energy shift is a sign of things to come. Plus, author and scholar Elaine Karmack explains the byzantine rules and options that a political party has for replacing a candidate, as calls for Joe Biden to step aside as the 2024 Democratic nominee grow louder.
Stephen Hayes, CEO and editor of The Dispatch, joins the ToddCast from the site of the Republican National Convention as former President Trump is officially tapped as the party’s presidential nominee and picks Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) as his running mate.
President Biden answers questions at a press conference, but leaves Democrats without a clear path forward. Marc Short, former chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, joins Chuck to talk veepstakes as former President Donald Trump weighs his decision on a running mate with the start of the Republican National Convention just days away.
After almost two weeks of turmoil, President Biden has a chance to put concerns about his vitality to rest, with a major NATO summit and upcoming press conference. But at the same time, his performance could reignite concerns. Jonathan Martin, senior political columnist for Politico, joins Chuck to discuss.
Chuck moderates a debate between Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) as part of the fifth installment of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute and Orrin G. Hatch Foundation's joint "Senate Project." They debate climate change, how to view China, health care and more.
After President Biden and former President Trump squared off in their first general election debate of 2024, Chuck talks about the consequences of President Biden’s performance. Plus, former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels discusses his experience as the president of Purdue University and why the historic path to the Senate for former governors has started to fade away.
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt (R) and Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther (D) join Chuck to talk about the role of elected officials closest to the people in showing the federal government how bipartisanship works, and why there's "hardly any better job in American politics" than mayor of a city.
Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief for The Economist, joins Chuck to talk about French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to call snap legislative elections following his party's shellacking by the far right in the E.U. elections.
Erik Wemple, media critic for the Washington Post, joins Chuck to talk about the scandal unfolding at his newspaper over the conduct of the Post's publisher and CEO. Plus, they analyze the downsizing of media outlets, as big tech, disinformation and a deeply divisive election put additional strain on those who report the news.
Carlos Orta, author of, “From Havana to DC: The Rise of Cuban Americans in Florida Politics,” talks about his “love letter” to the Latino trailblazers who shaped U.S. politics. Plus, Chuck’s thoughts on how international affairs affect how U.S. elections on the heels of far-right gains in European elections.
Chuck talks with Lakshya Jain and Harrison Lavelle, political scientists at Split Ticket, a new organization that presents electoral data in simple, easy-to-understand maps and graphs.
Rep. Jake LaTurner (R-Kansas) joins Chuck to talk about his decision not to seek a third term in Congress, and discusses the "sadness" and "burden" that lawmakers carry with them.
Steven Brill, author of "The Death of Truth," joins Chuck to talk about the spread of misinformation and disinformation and what his company NewsGuard is trying to do to restore trust in media.
Former President Trump is guilty, but how will the campaigns handle it? And Chuck speaks with John Ellis, the author of a simple but elegant newsletter on Substack called Political News Items, to talk about the data that matters from across economic and political indicators, both foreign and domestic.
Reid Wilson, founder and editor of Pluribus News, focuses on statehouses across the country as local leaders reckon with AI, abortion and marijuana legalization.
Washington Wizards and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis joins Chuck to talk about the intersection of sports, business and politics ... and how he miscalculated on his plan to move the teams to Virginia.
Doris Kearns Goodwin, historian and author of "An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s" joins Chuck to talk about what she learned working on a biography of someone unusually close to her life — her husband, Dick.
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, joins Chuck for an exit interview on what she’s learned during her decades in Congress, and her ongoing fight to regulate Big Tech.
As regulators and election workers try to catch up to a technology evolving at a break-neck speed, one group is trying to give campaigns a list of do’s and don’ts when it comes to the responsible use of AI. Chuck talks with Ben Resnik and Matt Hodges of Zinc Labs, a Democratic group at the intersection of tech and politics.
Jonah Goldberg, co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Dispatch, joins Chuck to talk about an extremely weird week in politics and news.
Stan Greenberg, a Democratic pollster and strategist who’s advised candidates from former President Bill Clinton, to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, joins Chuck to talk about his firm’s latest report, which he says shows a path for a Biden victory in November.
How did lobbying evolve from influence peddling to a power center where “corporate lobbyists are the only ones with their thumb on the scale”? Brody and Luke Mullins join Chuck to talk about their new book, “The Wolves of K Street.”
With former President Trump's ongoing trial in Manhattan, last week's hearing in front of the Supreme Court on presidential immunity, plus federal cases in Florida and Washington, DC, we're getting a glimpse at the edges of how the justice system works. NBC News Senior Legal Correspondent Laura Jarrett and NBC News Supreme Court reporter Lawrence Hurley join Chuck to discuss.
Doug Sosnik, former senior adviser to President Bill Clinton, joins Chuck to explore how President Biden may have a narrower path to the presidency than former President Trump (edited)
Senior Political Editor Mark Murray joins Chuck to talk through the findings in the April 2024 NBC News poll, as former President Trump’s hush money trial begins in Manhattan.
Layne Eskridge, executive producer of "Manhunt," joins Chuck as the Apple TV+ miniseries wraps its seven-episode run on the 12-day search for the killer behind America's first presidential assassination.
Los Angeles Clippers owner and former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer joins Chuck to talk about USAFacts, his civic initiative to make government data more accessible to Americans.
Ken Block, author of "Disproven," tells Chuck how he was brought on by a lawyer with former President Trump's 2020 campaign to validate claims of widespread voter fraud in the election — and instead found far fewer fraudulent votes than were needed to impact the results in any state.
NBC News Chief International Correspondent Richard Engel talks with Chuck about the challenges facing peace in Israel, Ukraine and across the globe.
Produced in collaboration with The George Washington University, Chuck moderates a panel on the topic of sports washing, featuring Professor William Youmans, Professor Kelsey Nelson and a student and women’s soccer player named Avril Silva.
Chuck talks with Nathan Gonzales, the Editor & Publisher of Inside Elections, about the difficulty in using recent presidential elections as a guide for 2024.
In their new docuseries, "American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders," Christian Hansen and Zachary Treitz set out to uncover the mystery behind the 1991 death of journalist Danny Casolaro while he was investigating a shadowy conspiracy. They join Chuck to detail what they've learned
"For All Mankind" co-creators and showrunners Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi join Chuck to talk through an alternative history where the Soviet Union beats the United States in the space race to the moon. This episode contains spoilers through Season 4 of the show.
Read the For All Mankind timeline: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Timeline/ForAllMankind
Democratic pollster Cornell Belcher and Republican strategist Brad Todd join Chuck to debate the races in the election year ahead, and discuss how much we should read into early 2024 polling.
Sasha Issenberg, author of, “The Lie Detectives: In Search of a Playbook for Winning Elections in the Disinformation Age,” talks to Chuck about the wave of artificially generated video, audio and photos that are upending how candidates campaign for office.
Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) joins Chuck for a wide-ranging interview on his proposed reforms for Congress, talks about how young voters are approaching President Biden's handling of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and weighs in on the plan to ban TikTok in the U.S.
Jeff Nussbaum, former Senior Speechwriter and Special Assistant to President Biden, joins Chuck to analyze his former boss's State of the Union address delivered Thursday night.
Amy Walter, editor-in-chief and publisher of the Cook Political Report joins Chuck to talk through the Super Tuesday results and look ahead to the general election.
Nick Troiano, author of “The Primary Solution: Rescuing our Democracy from the Fringes," joins Chuck to argue that partisan primaries have created "a broken system with broken incentives and bad outcomes," and abolishing them would make government more representative of its constituents and more accountable to them.
Chuck asks whether Republicans can win an election without finding a position on abortion.
Plus, Katherine Mangu-Ward, editor-in-chief of Reason, talks about the Libertarian view on elections and why third-party candidates seeking ballot access like to embrace them.
Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman, authors of "White Rural Rage: The Threat to American Democracy," join Chuck to discuss how former President Trump became hailed as the "god-king of heartland, rural America" and wielded their anti-elite resentment despite his background as a billionaire businessman from Queens.
The amount of intra-party infighting might be the most revealing metric when looking ahead to any election. Plus, Mike McFaul, former ambassador to Russia, joins Chuck to talk about the death of Alexei Navalny and what it means for the future of Vladimir Putin’s regime.
Chuck sits down with Mark Murray, Bridget Bowman and Ben Kamisar to talk about who has an edge among the 2024 Senate races.
Plus, the new NBC News Politics newsletter goes live this week. Sign up here: https://link.nbcnews.com/join/5cj/nbc-news-politics-signup
| Chuck | Mark | Bridget | Ben | | Round 1 - Toss ups | Ohio GOP (picked 1st) | Nevada Dem Rosen | Montana GOP | Michigan Dem | | Round 2 - Lean / Likely | Maryland Dem | New Jersey Dem | Wisconsin Dem Baldwin (picked 1st) | Florida GOP Scott | | Round 3 - Lean / Likely | Pennsylvania Dem Casey | Pennsylvania GOP | Texas Dem | Texas GOP Cruz (picked 1st) | | Round 4 - Longshot | New Mexico GOP Domenici | W Virginia GOP Justice (picked 1st) | Missouri Dem Kunce | Vermont Dem (not Sanders) |
TOSS UPS: Arizona, Montana, Ohio, Nevada, Michigan
LEANS AND LIKELY: Pennsylvania, Florida, Maryland, Wisconsin, Texas, New Jersey
LONGSHOTS / Special rules:
- California must pick a name
- West Virginia must pick a name
- Utah must pick a name
Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) has known President Biden for years. She sits down with Chuck and shares her views on what the president needs to do to win in November, how the war in Gaza is impacting her voters, and what she thinks about special counsel Hur’s report on classified documents.
Former National Security Adviser John Bolton joins Chuck to detail the effort of officials appointed to former President Trump's first term in office who want to prevent him from being re-elected to a second. Bolton also delivers his perspective on President Biden's foreign policy as the U.S. launches retaliatory drone strikes on Iran-backed militia groups.
Jon Ralston, founder, CEO, and editor of The Nevada Independent, joins Chuck to discuss the Nevada primary/caucus divide and why the results might mislead outside observers ahead of the November election.
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), a member of the original bipartisan “Gang of Eight” working group on immigration, joins Chuck to detail the path forward on border reform as Senate Republicans clash over a potential deal. Bennet also looks back to how the debate has changed over the past decade, as a pathway to citizenship is unlikely to be included in the final package.
Chuck sits down with Rick Hasen, professor of law and political science at UCLA and the author of a new book coming out in February, “A Real Right to Vote: How a Constitutional Amendment Can Safeguard American Democracy.”
Jonathan Martin, senior political columnist for Politico, joins Chuck on the heels of New Hampshire's primary elections to examine former Gov. Nikki Haley's (R-S.C.) political prospects as the Republican nominating contests continue, and discusses whether President Biden can improve his standing as the general-election campaign takes shape.
NBC News Campaign Embeds Sarah Dean, Emma Barnett and Greg Hyatt join Chuck to preview the New Hampshire primaries, as Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) shifts his resources away from the state and former Gov. Nikki Haley (R-S.C.) — fresh off a third-place finish in Iowa — seeks to portray the contest as a two-person race.
Longshot Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) talks to Chuck about his campaign in New Hampshire and what the results in Iowa say about November 2024.
With days to go until the Iowa Caucus, Chuck talks with Matt Dixon, senior national politics reporter for NBC News, and author of a new book, "Swamp Monsters: Trump vs. DeSantis―the Greatest Show on Earth (or at Least in Florida)," about the most consequential rivalry in the 2024 campaign.
Ian Bremmer, founder and president of the Eurasia Group, discusses his organization’s 2024 “Top Risks” report, with a focus on three dominant conflicts: the U.S. versus Russia, Israel versus Hamas, and the U.S. versus … itself.
Read more from the report here: https://www.eurasiagroup.net/media/eurasia-group-publishes-top-risks-predictions-for-2024-a-year-of-grave-concern
Iowa Republican Strategist David Kochel joins Chuck with just over a week to go until the first GOP contest of 2024 to detail former President Trump's firm hold on the Hawkeye State — and his rivals' determination to pull an upset.
What if John Lennon survived the assassination attempt? Are we living in the worst timeline possible with Russia? What if Sandra Day O'Connor had been made Supreme Court chief justice? Chuck Todd sits down with Fordham professor (and big alt history fan!) Paul Levinson for an extravaganza of topics, on the last ToddCast of 2023.
Former Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) joins Chuck to game out what could have happened in a world where Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell voted to convict former President Trump in his second impeachment trial relating to the insurrection.
Chuck introduces his latest series of Alternative Histories and speaks with NCAA President Charlie Baker about paying college athletes.
Bringing the band back together — NBC News Chief Political Analyst Chuck Todd sits down with the political unit’s Mark Murray, Bridget Bowman and Alexandra Marquez to discuss their top predictions for each quarter of 2024.
Ruy Texeira, author of "Where Have All the Democrats Gone? The Soul of the Party in the Age of Extremes," joins Chuck to detail the Democratic Party's recent leftward shift and argues it has abandoned its core principles.
Author and filmmaker Greg Mitchell joins Chuck to talk about his latest film, "Atomic Cover-up," and the resurgence of anti-nuclear proliferation after the summer release of "Oppenheimer."
Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta joins Chuck to analyze the path forward for lasting peace in the Middle East, and offers his thoughts on the legacy of former Sec. Henry Kissinger, who passed away Wednesday.
Self-described “rebel corporate” Andrew Yang, co-chair of the Forward Party and former Democratic presidential candidate, joins Chuck Todd for a candid conversation about the 2024 election.
Alternative history is back with a special Thanksgiving episode. Turn the clocks back to 1978 and ask, what would air travel be like today if deregulation never took place? Ganesh Staraman, the author of a new book called “Why Flying is Miserable: And how to fix it,” joins Chuck to explain how airline deregulation rules screwed things up for air travel.
Elizabeth Moynihan, who had become known for managing the Senate campaigns of her husband, the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-N.Y.), passed away on Nov. 7 at age 94 — 20 years after him. Their daughter Maura joins Chuck to detail their legacy and how the family's longstanding values of fairness and bipartisanship can inform America in its time of political division.
Mark Z. Barabak, political columnist for the Los Angeles Times, joins Chuck to analyze America's battleground states ahead of 2024 and details what role the West might play in swinging the election.
Canadian journalist and publisher of GZERO Media, Evan Solomon, joins Chuck Todd to discuss what the future holds for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as his polling falls, what President Biden's administration can learn from him and how the two leaders differ on Israel policy.
Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) joins Chuck to discuss his campaign to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and talks about his working relationship with new Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
Political commentator Chris Cillizza and Editor-in-Chief of the Cook Political Report Amy Walter join Chuck Todd to talk about 2024 messaging.
Adam Ganucheau, editor-in-chief for Mississippi Today, and Phillip M. Bailey, national political correspondent for USA Today, join Chuck to preview Tuesday's upcoming gubernatorial elections in Mississippi and Kentucky, and explain what the results in both states could tell us about the 2024 races to come.
Martin Fletcher, former NBC News Middle East correspondent and Tel Aviv Bureau chief, joins Chuck to talk about Israel’s ground invasion into the Gaza Strip and the politics facing Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Judge Lina Hidalgo, head of the Harris County, Texas governing body, joins Chuck to discuss her battle with depression and treatment, and talks about the evolving views around the issue of mental health.
For his new book, “Romney: A Reckoning,” McKay Coppins had access to hundreds of pages of Senator Mitt Romney’s personal notes. In this live interview with Chuck at the New-York Historical Society, Coppins talks about the reporting process and what he learned about the Republican 2012 presidential candidate.
As Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) loses a repeated vote to take up the speaker gavel, House Republicans are considering testing the limits of Rep. Patrick McHenry's (R-N.C.) powers as speaker pro tempore. Matt Glassman, senior fellow at the Government Affairs Institute, joins Chuck to analyze why Congress is paralyzed, as the House of Representatives goes 16 days and counting without an elected leader.
Adam Lazarus, author of “The Wingmen: The Unlikely, Unusual, Unbreakable Friendship Between John Glenn and Ted Williams” joins Chuck to talk about how to titans of the twentieth century ended up as lifelong friends.
Democrats don't trust the Supreme Court, Republicans don't trust the FBI or mainstream media, and everyone is paranoid about deepfakes. Bruce Mehlman, partner at Mehlman Consulting, joins Chuck to discuss both parties' biggest weaknesses ahead of 2024.
Washington faces a House without a speaker, a war in Israel and a crisis at the southern border. Ryan Nobles, NBC News Capitol Hill correspondent and Paul Kane, Washington Post senior congressional correspondent, talk about a confluence of events that sound like “a ‘West Wing’ plot.”
John Reiss, executive producer for Meet the Press during Chuck's first eight years as moderator, joins to post game a chapter of Meet the Press that brought digital expansion, a daily spin-off and a companion newsmagazine to the longest-running show in television history.
As Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) faces growing concerns over his health, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and his House Republicans are debating a possible impeachment inquiry against President Biden. Carl Hulse, chief Washington correspondent for the New York Times, and Marianna Sotomayor, congressional reporter for the Washington Post, join Chuck to detail whether either McConnell or McCarthy is likely to stay in his congressional leadership seat for much longer.
A second public freeze by Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) has revived concerns over the senator's ability to carry out his term — and cast a renewed focus on the health issues of America's aging political leaders. Jake Sherman, co-founder of Punchbowl News, joins Chuck to detail the inside scoop from Capitol Hill.
Former Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) served in the House for three decades, until 2019. In the short time since, the GOP has taken a sharp turn toward anti-trans rhetoric. Ros-Lehtinen and her son, Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, executive director of the National Center of Transgender Equality, join Chuck to analyze the Republican Party's newly developed stance on trans issues and detail their efforts to bring trans acceptance to the party.
On Monday, a federal judge in D.C. set March 4, 2024 as the start date for the first of former President Trump’s two federal criminal trials. The day after that is Super Tuesday. Mark Murray, Ben Kamisar, Bridget Bowman and Alexandra Marquez of the NBC News political unit join Chuck to explain how Trump's legal and political calendars may mix and combine in 2024.
Former Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) joins the ToddCast to analyze how she understood President Biden's 2020 campaign pitch to signal "a promise to be a bridge to the next generation," and tells Chuck, "I took that as one term."
Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who at times looked more like a Trump surrogate, commanded the stage during Fox News’ debate — but mostly because he bore the brunt of his rivals’ attacks on stage. Molly Ball, national political correspondent at Time magazine, and Jonah Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Dispatch, join Chuck to break down what the first presidential debate means for the GOP race.
Former President Trump might skip Wednesday night's debate, but he's ever-present in the minds of voters, according to numbers from the new partnership between NBC News, the Des Moines Register and MediaCom. J. Ann Selzer, the chief pollster behind this latest survey, joins Chuck to detail the toplines — and how most likely GOP Iowa caucusgoers are unlikely to support any candidate who "aggressively criticizes" Trump.
As the first presidential debate of the cycle prepares to usher in the next phase of the 2024 campaign, the challengers to former President Trump's re-election bid have mostly still opted to not take him on, as the four-time indicted front-runner rocks the system with threats to his prosecutors. Lanhee Chen, fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, joins Chuck to analyze why Trump's supporters can't quit him.
Ninety-one felony charges across four criminal indictments: That’s one way to measure former President Trump’s impact on American politics. But what about the stress that these indictments place on our judicial system? Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of the Atlantic and host of PBS' Washington Week with the Atlantic, joins Chuck to discuss how America's system of accountability could be rocked by a former president under trial.
A Georgia grand jury issued former President Trump his fourth indictment late Monday night, charging Trump and 18 of his allies with felony racketeering and numerous conspiracy counts in their attempt to overturn the 2020 election. NBC News Correspondent Blayne Alexander and Greg Bluestein, politics reporter with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, join Chuck from Georgia to discuss what District Attorney Fani Willis' charges mean for the former president.
As both Biden and Trump face special counsel probes in the midst of their re-election campaigns, the developing primaries seem almost secondary to the political implications of the decisions coming out of the courts. Eugene Daniels, White House correspondent for Politico, joins Chuck to analyze how many voters now feel stuck between legal fatigue and indictment confusion.
Americans who waited endlessly for products to make it through the pandemic-era global supply chain crisis know all too well how disastrous a shortage of semiconductor chips can be to the global economy — but few know the extent to which a chips shortage could further exacerbate U.S.-China tensions. Chris Miller, author of “Chip War: The fight for the world’s most critical technology," joins Chuck to detail his research on the global infrastructure behind producing semiconductors.
On Tuesday, Ohio voters resoundingly shot down a constitutional amendment that would have weakened the state's protection of abortion rights, offering a preview of one the GOP's contentious issues ahead of 2024. Republican strategist Brad Todd and Democratic strategist Cornell Belcher join Chuck to debate over each party's strengths and weaknesses ahead of the next cycle.
With former President Trump's third indictment comes the most serious charges facing a former president — and for voters, the difficult decision to either send him back to the White House or to essentially sign off on his prison sentence or home confinement. NBC News Senior Washington Correspondent Hallie Jackson joins Chuck to break down America's unprecedented legal moment.
Christopher Nolan's summer blockbuster "Oppenheimer" brought renewed focus to the moral conflict faced by the father of the atomic bomb. But before there was a movie, there was a seminal biography. Kai Bird, author of "American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer," joins Chuck to detail the physicist's background — and what similarities he shared with former President Jimmy Carter.
A health scare suffered by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and a repeated moment of public confusion for Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) have returned the focus to the aging of our political leaders — with none more scrutinized than President Biden. Faiz Shakir, senior adviser to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), joins Chuck to detail the hurdles ahead in Biden's campaign for re-election, from potential challengers to scrutiny over his mental fitness.
NBC’s Senior National Political Reporter, Sahil Kapur, and NBC News Capitol Hill Correspondent, Julie Tsirken join Chuck to talk about one of the wildest weeks on Capitol Hill.
The problems for Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) are piling up, as he now admits he's looking to reboot his presidential campaign. NBC News Senior National Politics Reporter Matt Dixon joins Chuck to detail whether DeSantis can regain momentum as he sheds more than 40% of his campaign staff.
Republican presidential candidate and Governor of North Dakota Doug Burgum joined Meet the Press in an exclusive interview to discuss his campaign for 2024, former President Donald Trump’s lead in the GOP race and federal versus states’ rights.
Local newspapers were once a staple of every American town. But with the rise of the internet came Craigslist — and with it, the largest threat to the financial survival of newspapers: free, online classified ads. Stanford University professor and researcher Gregory Martin joins Chuck to explain the findings of his study on how Craigslist changed the local news landscape and the impact of this change on political coverage and polarization.
President Biden's actions on the world stage may be judged by history as some of the most impactful decisions of his time in office — even if it may not matter to voters in November 2024. NBC News Washington Managing Editor Carol Lee joins Chuck to break down the takeaways from Biden's trip to the NATO summit.
Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin joins Chuck to talk about the NATO summit in Lithuania and why a hold on Ukraine's membership in the military alliance may turn out to be a "red herring."
As he campaigns for re-election, President Biden is bringing the attention of voters to the strong parts of the U.S. economy in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic. The only problem? Americans aren't easily convinced that "Bidenomics" are making the economy healthier. Rachel Siegel, economics reporter for the Washington Post, and Brendan Pedersen, financial services reporter for Punchbowl News, join Chuck to break down the economic clash between data and sentiment.
As the U.S. agrees to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions — a type of weapon banned in 100+ countries, but not America — critics raise concerns that President Biden might have agreed to "cede the moral authority" on the global stage. Amna Nawaz, co-anchor for PBS NewsHour, joins Chuck to analyze how the ongoing war effort reflects on Biden's standing.
Gov. Doug Burgum (R-N.D.) has launched a longshot bid for his party's presidential nomination, but the software-executive-turned-billionaire-governor is no stranger to dark-horse campaigns. NBC News Senior National Political Reporter Henry Gomez and New York Times Political Correspondent Jonathan Weisman join Chuck to break down the state of the GOP field.
Faced with the apparent likelihood (for now) of a Biden-Trump rematch, the advent of a third-party run seems inevitable — but now, centrists groups are fighting over whether such a bid would end up handing the election to former President Trump. Matt Bennett, Third Way co-founder and EVP for Public Affairs, joins Chuck to argue why he says No Labels could be a "spoiler" in 2024.
After the head of the Wagner mercenary group launched — then halted — an insurrection on Russian cities, President Vladimir Putin is still reeling from the biggest challenge to his authority in the 23 years he has governed Russia. David Ignatius, columnist for the Washington Post, joins Chuck to analyze the evolving power dynamics in the region.
A new NBC News poll shows further evidence that American voters are deeply dissatisfied with the direction of the country and with its leadership. Cornell Belcher, president of Brilliant Corners Research & Strategies, joins Chuck to break down President Biden's low approval numbers — and former President Trump's support holding strong despite him having "the worst couple weeks in the history of modern politics."
Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) launched an early bid to challenge Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in a state that hasn't sent a Democrat to the Senate in 30 years. He joins Chuck to detail his candidacy and delivers his perspective as a former NFL linebacker on politics in sports.
Nationwide, rulings happening in the states are already changing the landscape on abortion and gender-affirming care. Reid Wilson, founder and editor of Pluribus News, and Emily Bazelon, staff writer for the New York Times Magazine, join Chuck to break down the constitutional battles happening stateside.
As former President Trump's legal perils escalate, his rivals might have the opportunity to boost their campaigns — but whether they're rallying for or against him, Trump continues to define the terms of the primary debate. Peter Baker, chief White House correspondent for The New York Times, joins Chuck to break down the state of the Republican Party.
In the aftermath of the 2020 murder of George Floyd, researchers at Columbia worked to trace the roots of America's racial inequalities. The project's lead, Dean of Columbia Journalism School Jelani Cobb, joins Chuck to detail how his project aims to guide journalists in their coverage of present-day systemic racism.
A U.S. president being impeached — and now indicted — twice for criminal behavior is unprecedented — legally, politically and historically. Former Gov. Pat McCrory (R-N.C.) and Brendan Buck, former senior adviser to House Speakers Boehner and Ryan, join Chuck to detail whether this changes anything for the half of the country that already supports former President Trump.
He's a former two-term Wisconsin governor, survived a recall effort, ran for president in 2016, and — in a new Wall Street Journal op-ed — is telling today's Republican primary candidates how to learn from his mistakes as they seek the presidency. Former Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wis.) joins Chuck to detail the state of the race and deliver his read on the pulse of the GOP electorate.
As the GOP primary field expands, its latest entries this week are marked by the candidacies of former Vice President Mike Pence and former Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) — the head of the Trump White House transition team and formerly thought of as a top VP candidate. Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report, and Michael Kruse, senior staff writer for Politico, join Chuck to size up the developing primary.
Chuck announced that after close to a decade at "Meet the Press," he will stepping down from his role as moderator of the longest-running show in television. NBC News Chief Washington correspondent Andrea Mitchell joins Chuck to break down the significance of the show in the public forum.
Gov. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) is preparing to leave the governor's mansion after a decade in office. He joins Chuck to detail his 30+ years of activism — including his signature climate policies to reimagine the nation's reliance on fossil fuels over renewable energies — and the state of democracy.
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.), former President Trump and more presidential hopefuls are rallying in Iowa this week, ahead of the state's first-in-the-nation Republican contest early next year. GOP strategist David Kochel joins Chuck to detail what a success or a misstep in the Hawkeye State could mean for the rest of the primary campaign.
The Department of Veteran Affairs' report last year showing a staggering decline in suicides among military veterans seemed to bring encouraging news — still, that figure was disputed by advocates, who say the undercounting of suicides painted a rosier picture than reality offers. Paul Rieckhoff, founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, joins Chuck to detail the state of veterans' mental health as the nation nears Memorial Day.
It's the busiest week of the 2024 election so far: Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) ("the happy warrior") and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) (the Disney warrior) are jumping in the race ... and Donald Trump has at least one already in his crosshairs. The Dispatch's David Drucker and Audrey Fahlberg discuss DeSantis' unique planned announcement and what could be ahead.
As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis plots a formal entry into the GOP 2024 primary, attacks from former President Trump have knocked him down from the early momentum he'd accrued after the midterms. Former Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) joins Chuck to detail the impending political showdown between both Florida men vying for the presidency as the Republican primary ramps up in earnest.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is headed for a tense election runoff which could end his 20-year rule. Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group, joins Chuck to detail the strongman's legacy as he fights to extend his legacy into a third decade.
Kentucky's GOP nominee for governor fends off an ultra-wealthy opponent, Democrats hold onto the Pennsylvania state House by nationalizing the contest, and election deniers register losses across the board. ... We might be looking to '24, but Decision 2023 isn't done with us yet. NBC News Correspondent Dasha Burns and NBC News Deputy Political Editor Ben Kamisar join Chuck to analyze a packed election day.
Despite some partywide polling showing that a Republican alternative to former President Trump could be popular among partisans, the hands of any would-be challengers seem tied by their need to not alienate his uber-motivated base. Kimberly Atkins Stohr, senior opinion writer for the Boston Globe, joins Chuck to break down how a recent CNN town hall shows that Trump is campaigning for 2024 the same ways he did in 2016 and 2020.
The seemingly exponential growth in artificial intelligence's ability causes concern over potential repercussions to come when the intellect of machines outmatches humans'. Jacy Reese Anthis, a sociologist and co-founder of the Sentience Institute, joins Chuck to break down whether there can be any break pedal or moderation in the advancement of A.I.
President Biden's re-election campaign is headed for a difficult summer — and that's if everything goes right for him. NBC News Political Deputy Editor Bridget Bowman and Nathan Gonzales, editor and publisher of Inside Elections, join Chuck to analyze how troubles related to the economy and immigration have even made Democrats comfortable with criticizing their party's leader … as Democrats themselves stare down a thorny Senate map in 2024.
Another weekend has brought another horrific mass shooting, this time in Texas — and for the editorial staff at "Meet the Press," the question of how to give each its due coverage in a country where gun deaths have unfortunately become all too common. David Gelles, the show's executive producer, joins Chuck to bring the curtain back on how the longest-running show in television history gets made every week.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's (I-Ariz.) divorce from the Democratic Party points to the developing tension of where the center fits in a political climate that seems to promote partisan bickering. New York Times correspondent Robert Draper joins Chuck to talk about where moderates fit in today's politics.
A partisan legal battle is erupting in Montana, as House Republicans bar state Rep. Zooey Zephyr (D) from returning to the floor, in a standoff that put a national spotlight on transgender issues. She joins Chuck to talk about the latest in her state, and how this incident mirrors other examples of muffling of dissent happening in state legislatures.
Justice Samuel Alito's claim that he has a '"pretty good idea" of who leaked the Dobbs decision has raised questions across the nation, as critics claim he's shifting blame for the leak to the left — and intensifying already-increasing doubts on the neutral arbitration from the highest court in the land. Former Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) joins Chuck to discuss how to restore faith in the the nation's judicial system.
Tucker Carlson's apparent firing this week is an upheaval for more than just Fox News — It could also be one of the early indicators of a new type of commentator that is eschewing cable news and moving online. NBC News' Kat Tenbarge and Ben Goggin join Chuck to analyze who's leading the charge among the new guard of political influencers ... and where they're reaching the digitally native.
He's calling it a "battle for the soul of America," but President Biden had at least a few other conflicts on his mind as he announced his re-election campaign Tuesday. Presidential historian Douglas Brinkley joins Chuck to break down how Biden sizes up against some of his predecessors, as strained relations with Russia and China — and a potential looming recession — promise to throw hurdles at whoever is chosen to head up the White House in the next term.
A new NBC News poll gives early insight into the likelihood of a 2020 rematch in the 2024 presidential election, despite substantial majorities of Americans saying they don't want President Biden or former President Trump to run again. Eugene Robinson, columnist for the Washington Post, joins Chuck to break down the developing presidential cycle as Biden seems set to declare his run this week ... and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis struggles to maintain momentum within the Republican primary.
As America clocks in more mass shootings than days in 2023 so far, both major political factions remain irreparably divided as to a legislative path forward to lessen gun violence. Wes Siler, columnist for “Outside," and David Yamane, professor of sociology at Wake Forest University, join Chuck to analyze how inroads might only be attained through reimagining of gun culture in the U.S.
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) fired off another volley of legislative attacks at Disney World in Orlando, in the continuation of a yearlong battle that is dividing fellow Republicans as DeSantis ponders a presidential run. NBC News Senior National Political Reporter Henry J. Gomez and NBC News Deputy Political Editor Ben Kamisar join Chuck to analyze how this feud plays into the 2024 GOP primary ... and why DeSantis can't "Let It Go."
How does a 21-year-old national guardsman, enlisted in 2019, gain access to our nation's top secrets? Former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson joins Chuck to break down whether the wake of the biggest intelligence leak in a decade will spur the U.S. to reconsider just how readily it provides top-secret clearances to officers and employees.
The expulsion of two lawmakers in Tennessee last week is just the latest example of what critics have lambasted as the political overstepping of white lawmakers on the rights of the Black community. Peniel Joseph, author of "The Third Reconstruction: America's Struggle for Racial Justice in the Twenty-First Century," joins Chuck to argue why, after the ratification of the 13th amendment in 1865 and the Brown v. Board of Education ruling in 1954, the U.S. may be dealing with its third major reckoning on race relations.
The release of purported classified documents from the Department of Defense — many of them labeled Top Secret — threw the intelligence community into chaos this week. Former CIA Director John Brennan and NBC News Pentagon Correspondent Courtney Kube join Chuck to detail what we know while as the culprit and motive of the leak remain unclear.
Two legal rulings by federal judges delivered conflicting guidance on the future of the abortion pill, in a week already marked by the arrest and arraignment of a former president and charges that Justice Clarence Thomas accepted luxury trips from a Republican donor. NBC News Senior Legal Correspondent Laura Jarrett joins Chuck to unpack a crazy legal week.
Could we see Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and former Gov. Larry Hogan (R-Md.) together in a presidential ticket? Ahead of 2024, a bipartisan organization named No Labels has vowed to present a third option, should President Biden and former President Trump reprise their roles as their parties' nominees. Ryan Clancy, chief strategist for No Labels, joins Chuck to detail whether his group could weather the uphill battle third parties face in the U.S. to capitalize on the staggering unpopularity of both major party leaders.
It's been a nightmarish start of the week for Republicans: the liberal reclaiming of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, led by Judge Janet Protasiewicz's 10-point trouncing of her opponent, came on top of former President Trump's arrest and arraignment earlier Tuesday. And in Chicago, Brandon Johnson's edging out of Paul Vallas for the city's mayorship seemed to show a breath of relief for the progressive wing's approach to the surge of crime in cities. Scott Bland and Alexandra Marquez of the NBC News Political Unit join Chuck to analyze what this Election Day tells us about the road to 2024.
Despite his frenzied posting about an imminent arrest, news of former President Trump's indictment caught his lawyers by surprise — as some among them were even planning to take time off. Ashley Parker, senior national political correspondent for The Washington Post, joins Chuck to detail her reporting on Trumpworld's response ahead of his arraignment, and the reported fundraising haul that followed his indictment.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was forced to put his planned overhaul of the justice system on the backburner as protests and the backlash over his sacking of his defense minister plunged the country into turmoil — and threw a wrench in Netanyahu's agenda. Martin Fletcher spent 30+ years covering Israel for NBC News, and joins Chuck to detail Israel's current state and its evolving relationship with the United States.
State legislatures in recent months have pushed several bills restricting personal freedoms, as even transpartisan coalitions emerge around measures that limit the reach of TikTok, or curtail social media's impact on minors. Katherine Mangu-Ward, editor in chief of Reason, joins Chuck to break down what has happened to the libertarian ideology, and how it weighs in our contemporary two-party system.
Despite the significant ramping up of his legal troubles, former President Trump again solidified his political command by lining fellow Republicans behind him in his attack on Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg. NBC News Washington Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor joins Chuck to detail the state of the 2024 race, as Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) struggles to gain momentum in a potential challenge to the former president.
This week, lawmakers grilled TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew as he fielded concerns — and recriminations — over his app's privacy and security risks. One member, Rep. Jeff Jackson (D-N.C.), established a commanding presence on the platform, but joins Chuck to outline what he sees as significant problems for users.
Twenty years out from the start of the Iraq war, the Republican Party is facing a new kind of dilemma: How to define itself along — or in opposition to — the issues and political standing of former President Trump. Stephen Hayes, co-founder of The Dispatch, and Charlie Sykes, editor-in-chief of The Bulwark, join Chuck to track the GOP's shift from the party of George W. Bush to its current state.
A prominent Texas politician has broken his silence on a four-decade secret: How he says strategists in Ronald Reagan's orbit used the 1980s Iran hostage crisis to sabotage Jimmy Carter's re-election campaign. Peter Baker, chief White House correspondent for the New York Times, joins Chuck to detail his scoop.
The excitement March Madness routinely generates casts a shadow over a deeper fundamental problem in the NCAA — namely, that the performance of its roughly half a million young athletes earns them no salaried compensation. Former Defense Sec. Robert Gates joins Chuck to detail how he's tried to fix college basketball in his new role as the top person in charge of rewriting the association's constitution.
While Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) calls for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's recusal, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis blames "woke politics" — the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank did more than just expose bank regulatory failures, it also showcased our worsening political divide. Jim Tankersley, White House correspondent for the New York Times, and Ben White, Politico’s chief economic correspondent, join Chuck to break down the politics of the Fed … and Washington's blame game.
Former President Trump is plotting a visit to the key early caucus state of Iowa on the heels of Gov. Ron DeSantis's visit. Jonathan Martin, senior political columnist with Politico, joins Chuck to break down the political standing of both candidates as they are seen as early leading contenders for the GOP presidential nomination.
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy isn't waiting to wade into the Republican presidential primary field. He brings his 2024 campaign pitch against "the secular religions" he calls "wokeism," "gender ideology," "climateism" and "Covidism" to the Toddcast, telling Chuck, "when we rallied behind the cry to Make America Great Again, we did not just hunger for a single man."
In his State of the State address, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis outlined agenda priorities around abortion, gun rights, and immigration — and a potential appetizer for a presidential platform to come. Matt Dixon, Politico's Florida bureau chief, and Patricia Mazzei, Miami bureau chief for the New York Times, bring Chuck the inside scoop on DeSantis as the GOP "invisible primary" takes off.
In a Sunday interview, two leaders of the House Intelligence Committee told Meet the Press that neither were satisfied with the Gang of Eight briefing on classified documents. Former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson joins Chuck after the show to detail his experience dealing with the intelligence community — plus the ways in which the department he used to head should evolve with the times.
"Unbought and Unbossed": This is how Shirley Chisholm described herself in campaign literature — but it's also a mantra that guided her as she became the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1968, and as she broke ground in her 1972 presidential bid. Anastasia Curwood, author of "Shirley Chisholm: Champion of Black Feminist Power Politics," joins Chuck to detail Chisholm's path to power and the adversity she faced along the way.
In a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit, Dominion Voting Systems is taking aim at Fox News — and its chair Rupert Murdoch — for what they say are Fox News hosts "endorsing" claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from former President Trump. Erik Wemple, media critic for the Washington Post, joins Chuck to break down what Fox News's legal woes could mean for the future of cable news as a whole.
President Jimmy Carter was a "political failure, but a substantive and often visionary success as president," says biographer Jonathan Alter. He tells Chuck Todd that the former president, now a week into receiving hospice care, has had his White House accomplishments severely undervalued — and the efforts in his post-presidency overstated, as he took on a role of "freelance secretary of State" to the chagrin of his successors.
A full year into its launch, the war in Ukraine is a far cry from the rapid invasion Russian President Vladimir Putin had planned. Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul joins Chuck to outline Putin's possible paths forward — including the justifications the Russian president may make to save face.
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded with defiance after President Biden carried out surprise visit to Ukraine's embattled capital — Biden's unwavering approach now met with the breaking down of a nuclear arms control agreement between the two nations. Dan Balz, chief correspondent for the Washington Post, and Eliot Cohen, the Arleigh Burke Chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, join Chuck to plot Biden's road ahead in dealing with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
As a bonus for The Chuck ToddCast listeners, we’re sharing a special preview of Letters from Sing Sing, a new original podcast from NBC News Studios. Letters from Sing Sing tells the story of a man convicted of murder, his fight for justice, and how the letters he sent NBC News producer Dan Slepian sparked a 20-year investigation that changed both of their lives. Listen to the first two episodes now: https://link.chtbl.com/lfss_fdlw
Tensions flared following Secretary of State Antony Blinken's meeting with China's top diplomat, as the U.S. accuses Chinese leaders of considering providing "lethal support" to aid Russia in its war with Ukraine. Thomas Friedman, foreign affairs columnist for the New York Times, joins Chuck to chronicle the rise of China over the past several decades, and break down the current state of U.S. relations with the country.
Flying objects recently shot down from North American airspace have left many Americans confused and anxious — yet experts caution that the U.S. is not being overrun by new UFOs, but rather coming to terms with the quantity of objects that fly overhead at all times. Paul Fetkowitz, president of a weather balloon-maker for governmental and civilian use, joins Chuck to detail just how crowded our skies are.
The presidential campaign of former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, made official Wednesday, marks the first primary challenger to former President Trump — to date, the only other candidate in the race — but is unlikely to be the last, as the former president's recent political losses have led to his weakened stance within the Republican Party. Sara Fagen, the former White House political director for President George W. Bush, and Brendan Buck, a former top adviser to House Speakers Boehner and Ryan, join Chuck to size up the GOP's budding "invisible primary."
The U.S. downed three flying objects over North American airspace this week, marking an awakening — for many Americans — of the changing nature of global security and intelligence. Jonah Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Dispatch, joins Chuck to analyze how the White House and Pentagon have responded to the moment.
Americans may be more politically divided than ever disagreeing not only politically but also on what should be taught in schools to what constitutes free speech to book bans. But one place where Americans regardless of political affiliation don’t seem to diverge, however, is football, especially the Super Bowl.
Chuck talks with Samuel G. Freedman, journalism professor at Columbia University and the author “Breaking the Line: The season in Black college football that transformed the sport and changed the course of civil rights.” He recently wrote a piece for the Atlantic in which he reviews a new memoir from former Giants Coach Tom Coughlin.
In his Tuesday speech, President Biden shook hands and cracked jokes — but also traded barbs with Republicans, with verbal back-and-forths some have likened more to the U.K. House of Commons than a traditional address to Congress. Peter Baker, chief White House correspondent for the New York Times, and Leigh Ann Caldwell, co-anchor of Washington Post Live, join Chuck to unpack what the president highlighted — and didn't talk about — at this year's State of the Union address.
Amy Walter, editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report, joins Chuck to analyze how the Chinese surveillance balloon — shot down by a U.S. fighter jet Saturday — reveals not only the evolving nature of our competition with China, but also the deepening partisan rift back home surrounding intelligence, homeland security and oversight. Plus, forget the Oscars: Amy and Chuck tell you their picks for the year's best films and TV shows.
Anders Grimstad, head of Foresight and Emerging Interfaces at Schibstad, joins Chuck to explain why he’s optimistic about how artificial intelligence-powered tools could help journalists and educators … if the tools are well-regulated.
A brand new NBC News poll shows that two-thirds of voters are uncomfortable with President Biden and former President Trump running for the White House again — and while Biden has not yet officially announced a run for re-election, a primary seems to be rearing up in earnest on the Republican side, with reports of fmr. Amb. Nikki Haley's bid to come in the next couple weeks. Mark Murray, Bridget Bowman and Dante Chinni of the NBC News political unit join Chuck to break down the latest on Decision 2024.
The brutal beating of Tyre Nichols by Memphis police officers, caught on video, has renewed calls for greater accountability and oversight on law enforcement. Amna Nawaz, co-anchor of "PBS Newshour," joins Chuck to detail how Congress is once again asked to police the police — and whether they can.
As the new year settles in, giving us a hint of the issues that will shape our political landscape for the foreseeable future, the pollsters with NBC News are hard at work taking the temperature of voters. Mark Murray and Bridget Bowman of the NBC News political unit join Chuck to preview how their next poll will inform us of America's zeitgeist with a new election cycle now heating up.
Rep. Ruben Gallego's (D-Ariz.) Monday launch of his 2024 Senate bid could signal the first major challenge to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), who hasn't announced re-election plans, but shocked Democrats in her switch to independent, late last year. Former Rep. Ron Barber (D-Ariz.) joins Chuck to detail how the Grand Canyon state foreshadows the changing face of party politics nationally.
The seeds are planted for a debt-ceiling showdown, as newly empowered House Republicans aim to use the threat of a default as a tool to force budget cuts. Brendan Buck, a former adviser to House Speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan, joins Chuck to outline how the everlasting crisis of the debt limit might reach a new high as a more extreme form of conservatism steers the GOP agenda.
He had been secretary of Labor, budget director and Treasury secretary, but is most famous as the nation's secretary of State at a time when the world was reeling from the Cold War: George Shultz's legacy of public service is notable not only for being only one of two to have held that many Cabinet posts, but also for his pivotal role in crafting President Reagan's foreign policy. Phil Taubman, author of "In the Nation’s Service: The Life and Times of George P. Shultz," paints the portrait of one of America's most consequential statesmen.
Now fully seated in Congress and committees, Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) launched his way into office thanks to a seemingly unending stream of lies. New York Times reporter Nicholas Fandos and Republican adviser Daniel Scarpinato join Chuck to explain how an unknown Republican from Long Island ended up in Capitol Hill ... and duped everyone tasked with vetting him along the way.
Barely three weeks into the new year, the two likeliest candidates for 2024 — President Biden and former President Trump — now both face criminal investigations for their handling of classified documents. The Rev. Al Sharpton, host of MSNBC's "PoliticsNation" and president of the Political Action Network, joins The Chuck ToddCast to weigh in on how the next presidential cycle might ride on the special counsels appointed by the DOJ.
Jim Popkin's new book "Code Name Blue Wren" documents his 15 years-long investigation of Ana Montes, a senior Pentagon analyst who spent close to two decades handing over state secrets to Cuba. He details the deadly double agent's story on the Chuck ToddCast.
The fraught House speaker drama along with the unfolding shadow campaigns to represent the GOP in the 2024 presidential election have left Republicans with the complicated task of figuring how they want to be defined. Josh Kraushaar, senior political correspondent at Axios, and Leigh Ann Caldwell, co-author of the Washington Post Early 202, join Chuck to detail the intraparty fights that have been ringing in the new year.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was finally elected House speaker after 14 rounds of bitter votes that exposed the Republican Party's intraparty division. Rachael Bade, co-author of Politico's "Playbook," joins Chuck to detail how Speaker McCarthy now finds himself tasked with the difficult mission of setting the legislative road ahead.
Representative-Elect Robert Menendez Jr. joins Chuck to talk about his decision to follow in his father's footsteps and run for Congress. His father, Senator Bob Menendez, once held this New Jersey 8th District seat, and they now will be the only parent-child duo in the 118th Congress.
It's his personal Groundhog Day: Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) lost five consecutive speaker bids as the House continues to be deadlocked in its search for a leader — with McCarthy's Republican colleagues in charge of deciding his fate. Brendan Buck, a former top adviser to Speakers Paul Ryan and John Boehner, joins Chuck to talk about the biggest House leadership crisis in a century.
Alternative History: What if Ed Muskie was the Democratic nominee in 1972 and Watergate never happened? David Shribman, the former executive editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and former Washington bureau chief at the Boston Globe joins Chuck to explore another alternative history.
Dwight Eisenhower might have been the last true moderate in American politics. His terms came on the heels of wars and bridged into the cultural movements and strife of the ‘60s. How much more likely was another war if we’d had a different president? Chuck talks with William Hitchcock, professor at University of Virginia, author of “The Age of Eisenhower: America and the World in the 1950s” and the co-host of the podcast, “Democracy in Danger.”
Harry and Meghan may be in the news, but one person who would’ve understood their plight best is King Edward the Eighth, Harry’s great uncle. How different would the world be if Edward hadn’t abdicated the throne in December 1936.
Chuck talks with Jeff Nussbaum, a speechwriter for President Biden and author of “Undelivered: The never-heard speeches that would have rewritten history.”
What if the 22nd amendment – which limits how many times a president can be elected – was never ratified?
In the mid-1940s, after FDR was elected to four terms, many of those running in the midterms campaigned on the amendment idea. But where would our country be if that hadn’t happened? Would Eisenhower or Reagan have served longer terms? Would Bill Clinton be the one who dealt with 9/11?
Chuck is joined by presidential historian Alexis Coe, author of “You Never Forget Your First” about George Washington. She is currently writing a book about young John F. Kennedy, spanning from 1917 to 1957.
Former Indiana Gov. and Purdue University president Mitch Daniels says he hasn't lost hope that extreme political polarization in the U.S. can abate in the coming years.
Ronna McDaniel is facing re-election for RNC chair, as the longest serving Republican party leader since 1856 … despite the fact that the GOP has underperformed in every election since 2017 when she took office. McDaniels got a new challenge, from an RNC committeewoman whose firm represents Trump. And then there’s Harmeet Dhillon, who is picking up endorsements from people like Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham. Jonathan Martin, senior political columnist at POLITICO and Blake Hounshell, editor of the New York Times "On Politics" newsletter, join Chuck to discuss.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's (I-Ariz.) departure from the Democratic Party has left some Democrats reeling from the ramifications this may deal to their 2024 Senate elections map. Pollster and political analyst Cornell Belcher joins Chuck to detail the state of the Democratic coalition.
Former TV weatherman Eric Sorensen will pick up the seat vacated by retiring Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.) come January. The first openly gay member from his state, he joins Chuck to talk about the impact the weaponizing of LGBTQ issues, classroom curricula and climate change will have on how he tackles his upcoming mandate.
With a billion users worldwide, TikTok has taken the youth by storm — but as the White House delays a deal with the video app over national-security concerns, and states like Maryland move to ban the service from government-owned hardware, the opacity behind the scale of personal data TikTok collects and what it does with it has U.S. regulators mulling whether to issue a crackdown. Emily Baker-White, technology reporter at Forbes, and Kaya Yurieff, who reports on the creator economy for The Information, join Chuck to delve into what we know (and don't know) about the privacy risks associated with TikTok.
This week, President Biden posed a new order for the presidential primaries — one that catapults South Carolina to first place, demotes New Hampshire, and boots Iowa from the early states. Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, host of the upcoming "Jen Psaki Show" on Peacock, joins Chuck to detail the advantage Democrats stand to gain from this reorganization.
Leibovich, staff writer at The Atlantic, talks to Chuck about his latest story, a profile of the “GOP’s hottest molecule.”
After initial hesitation, a growing number of Republicans have taken to condemning former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago dinner with a white nationalist — and the tension is stretching into Capitol Hill, where Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) faces intraparty hostility to his run for Speaker. John Bresnahan, co-founder of Punchbowl News, and David Weigel, political reporter for Semafor, join Chuck to detail the state of the GOP.
As Washington further entrenches itself into hostile sides, state legislatures seem to be following suit — with deep partisan rancor turning up the heat in state capitols. Reid Wilson, founder and editor-in-chief of Pluribus News, brings his 50-state analysis to the Chuck ToddCast.
Following former Vice President Mike Pence's long-form interview on Sunday's Meet the Press, Chief White House correspondent for the New York Times Peter Baker joins Chuck to dissect Pence's precarious positioning in a political sphere where half resent him for proposing an alternative to Mr. Trump ... and the rest might only remember him as his former running mate.
Despite holding off a stronger-forecasted Republican rebuff, Democrats still emerge from these midterm elections with control over one fewer chamber of Congress, and the promise of a divided government come January. Ruy Teixeira, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, joins Chuck to break down which constituencies turned out for the Democrats, and which ones may have slipped away from the party.
Former President Trump's re-election bid, made official Tuesday night, comes as Republicans reel from a disappointing midterms result that many in the party say are the former president's fault. Republican strategist Doug Heye and Sarah Chamberlain, president and CEO of the Republican Main Street Partnership, join Chuck to outline the GOP's complicating roadmap to 2024.
Former President Trump's re-election bid, made official Tuesday night, comes as Republicans reel from a disappointing midterms result that many in the party say are the former president's fault. Republican strategist Doug Heye and Sarah Chamberlain, president and CEO of the Republican Main Street Partnership, join Chuck to outline the GOP's complicating roadmap to 2024.
With Speaker Nancy Pelosi's plans unclear, Rep. Kevin McCarthy's potential slim majority imperiled by the House Freedom Caucus, and Sen. Mitch McConnell's planned leadership elections facing resistance from several of his members, the makeup of the coming congressional leadership is anything but certain. Jake Sherman, founder of Punchbowl News, joins Chuck to dissect the developing turmoil in Congress's election of its would-be leaders.
With Speaker Nancy Pelosi's plans unclear, Rep. Kevin McCarthy's potential slim majority imperiled by the House Freedom Caucus, and Sen. Mitch McConnell's planned leadership elections facing resistance from several of his members, the makeup of the coming congressional leadership is anything but certain. Jake Sherman, founder of Punchbowl News, joins Chuck to dissect the developing turmoil in Congress's election of its would-be leaders.
As Tuesday's first results trickled in, Republicans saw their hopes for a red wave vanish, in what was a surprise to many onlookers — but not for the pollsters we work with at NBC News. Bill McInturff, co-founder of Public Opinion Strategies, Jeff Horwitt, senior vice president at Hart Research, and Dante Chinni, director of the American Communities Project, join Chuck to detail how public opinion presaged the unique nature of this year's midterm votes.
As Tuesday's first results trickled in, Republicans saw their hopes for a red wave vanish, in what was a surprise to many onlookers — but not for the pollsters we work with at NBC News. Bill McInturff, co-founder of Public Opinion Strategies, Jeff Horwitt, senior vice president at Hart Research, and Dante Chinni, director of the American Communities Project, join Chuck to detail how public opinion presaged the unique nature of this year's midterm votes.
Chuck sits down with Mark Murray, Bridget Bowman and Ben Kamisar from the NBC News Political Unit to discuss Tuesday's midterm results and look forward to the races that haven't been called yet.
Chuck sits down with Mark Murray, Bridget Bowman and Ben Kamisar from the NBC News Political Unit to discuss Tuesday's midterm results and look forward to the races that haven't been called yet.
Chuck Todd looks back at the legacy of "Meet the Press" in a special discussion, joined by Betsy Fischer Martin, George Will, Yamiche Alcindor and Michael Beschloss.
Chuck Todd looks back at the legacy of "Meet the Press" in a special discussion, joined by Betsy Fischer Martin, George Will, Yamiche Alcindor and Michael Beschloss.
A little more than a week after Elon Musk took control of Twitter, and as layoffs hit employees around the world, Chuck talks with Nilay Patel, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Verge, about Twitter’s future.
A little more than a week after Elon Musk took control of Twitter, and as layoffs hit employees around the world, Chuck talks with Nilay Patel, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Verge, about Twitter’s future.
It's looking increasingly like we won't be able to call the Senate on Election Day — less than a week from now — as the country braces for results that could contradict what the polling's been showing until then. Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics and the editor-in-chief of the Crystal Ball, and Charlie Cook, founder of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, join Chuck to preview where voters' minds might end up on November 8.
It's looking increasingly like we won't be able to call the Senate on Election Day — less than a week from now — as the country braces for results that could contradict what the polling's been showing until then. Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics and the editor-in-chief of the Crystal Ball, and Charlie Cook, founder of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, join Chuck to preview where voters' minds might end up on November 8.
Meet the Press Reports: Five years after #MeToo, some young people ask, "so what?" A look at the #MeToo legacy and backlash. Featuring reporting from Savannah Sellers and interviews with Rosanna Arquette and Anita Hill.
Former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) talks about the missed opportunities for Democrats in rural counties, telling Chuck Todd that they could bring innovative ideas to rural challenges but only if they engage with those constituents in the first place.
It's the homestretch to the elections, and strategists on both sides are still trying to redefine the midterms map in the way that will best aid their party. Brianne Pfannenstiel, chief politics reporter at the Des Moines Register, and Kyle Clark, a reporter for KUSA in Denver, join Chuck to break down how Iowa and Colorado might also end up being states to watch as the results roll in.
Meet the Press Reports: A once fringe claim has now become a top talking point embraced by many in the GOP — including 2022 candidates.
Sixteen days to Election Day, interest for midterm elections is soaring to record highs — but so is polarization, with some 80% of Democrats and Republicans saying that the political opposition poses a threat and, if not stopped, will destroy America as we know it. NBC News Chief White House Correspondent Kristen Welker joins Chuck to give her read on the developing midterms map.
Former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory talks about why the Senate race between Republican Congressman Ted Budd and former State Supreme Court Chief Justice, Democrat Cheri Beasley, is one of those under-the-radar races that could end up being as decisive as any other state on our watch lists.
Lauren Mayk, reporter for NBC 10 Philadelphia, Jacob Solis, staff reporter at The Nevada Independent, and Shannon McCaffrey, politics reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution join Chuck to talk about races in the three make-or-break states for Senate races.
With nearly two million Americans having already cast their vote, campaign operatives in both parties are focusing their attention — and ads funding — into the battle to control the upper chamber. Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report, joins Chuck examine the developing Senate map ahead of November.
Meet the Press Reports: How one state's unique political culture has changed national politics.
This midterm election is the first so-called “normal” election since the pandemic … and there’s a lot we really don’t know about what the election will look like. And elections haven’t just changed because of Covid — the contested 2020 election and the January 6th riot have made us question basic assumptions about how much Americans really trust elections.
Chuck speaks with Michael McDonald, the author of “From Pandemic to Insurrection: Voting in the 2020 US Presidential Election” and a professor of political science at the University of Florida.
LINKS:
https://www.electproject.org/
Less than one month out from Election Day, Georgia's Herschel Walker is in the midst of a scandal amid allegations he paid for an ex-girlfriend's abortion, and Pennsylvania's John Fetterman speaks to NBC News in an interview that does little to assuage health concerns as he recovers from a stroke. Democratic strategist Adrienne Elrod and Stephen Hayes, co-founder and editor of the Dispatch, join Chuck to give their read on the latest midterm developments.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb was sworn into office in January 2022. Chuck talks with the mayor about crime, economics, and the role that sports can play in supporting the city.
Less than six weeks before November’s midterm elections, Democrats lead Republicans by more than 20 points among Latino voters, but that Democratic advantage has declined from previous election cycles, according to a new national NBC News/Telemundo poll of the Latino electorate. Aileen Cardona-Arroyo, vice president at Hart Research, one of the polling partners for this survey, and Natasha Korecki, senior national political reporter for NBC News, join Chuck to discuss the results.
LINK: https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/first-read/gop-cuts-democrats-lead-latino-voters-new-poll-shows-rcna50189
Less than six weeks before November’s midterm elections, Democrats lead Republicans by more than 20 points among Latino voters, but that Democratic advantage has declined from previous election cycles, according to a new national NBC News/Telemundo poll of the Latino electorate. Aileen Cardona-Arroyo, vice president at Hart Research, one of the polling partners for this survey, and Natasha Korecki, senior national political reporter for NBC News, join Chuck to discuss the results.
LINK: https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/first-read/gop-cuts-democrats-lead-latino-voters-new-poll-shows-rcna50189
Meet the Press Reports: In 2014, only 3 people donated at least 10 million dollars to House and Senate races. In 2022, that number is up to 18 – a six-fold increase.
Meet the Press Reports: In 2014, only 3 people donated at least 10 million dollars to House and Senate races. In 2022, that number is up to 18 – a six-fold increase.
Former FEMA Director Craig Fugate, one of the most experienced disaster recovery experts in the world, talks about Hurricane Ian and how state and federal agencies should view future storm preparation.
Former FEMA Director Craig Fugate, one of the most experienced disaster recovery experts in the world, talks about Hurricane Ian and how state and federal agencies should view future storm preparation.
Young Russian men are fleeing their country, as Russian President Vladimir Putin makes a surprise announcement drafting additional troops into his invasion of Ukraine. Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul joins Chuck to analyze Putin's fluctuating strategy, as his originally planned swift incursion meets the stronger-than-expected shield of the Ukrainian defense.
Young Russian men are fleeing their country, as Russian President Vladimir Putin makes a surprise announcement drafting additional troops into his invasion of Ukraine. Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul joins Chuck to analyze Putin's fluctuating strategy, as his originally planned swift incursion meets the stronger-than-expected shield of the Ukrainian defense.
As the list of individuals donating millions and billions of dollars grows, so do concerns that political campaigns are being controlled by this rich donor class, made up of individuals who have an outsized influence on who wins elections and who runs the country.
As the list of individuals donating millions and billions of dollars grows, so do concerns that political campaigns are being controlled by this rich donor class, made up of individuals who have an outsized influence on who wins elections and who runs the country.
Chuck is joined by Russ Feingold, former Democratic senator from Wisconsin and co-author of a new book, “The Constitution in Jeopardy: An unprecedented effort to rewrite our fundamental law and what we can do about it.”
Chuck is joined by Russ Feingold, former Democratic senator from Wisconsin and co-author of a new book, “The Constitution in Jeopardy: An unprecedented effort to rewrite our fundamental law and what we can do about it.”
The generic ballot is dead even at 46-46 between Democrats and Republicans, according to the latest NBC News poll, with Senate candidates on either side duking it out on on a diverse set of priorities from one state to the next. NBC News Senior Political Editor Mark Murray and Jessica Taylor, the Senate and Governors editor for the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, join Chuck to break down the races to watch, just about six weeks out from the midterms.
The generic ballot is dead even at 46-46 between Democrats and Republicans, according to the latest NBC News poll, with Senate candidates on either side duking it out on on a diverse set of priorities from one state to the next. NBC News Senior Political Editor Mark Murray and Jessica Taylor, the Senate and Governors editor for the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, join Chuck to break down the races to watch, just about six weeks out from the midterms.
An Idaho town grapples with questions about the role that religion should play in the public square.
An Idaho town grapples with questions about the role that religion should play in the public square.
Long gone his days of public-opinion highs, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani is nowadays best known as a fixer for former president President Trump's alleged crimes. Andrew Kirztman, author of “Giuliani: The Rise and Tragic Fall of America’s Mayor," joins Chuck to detail the fall from grace of Trump's highest-profile attorney.
Long gone his days of public-opinion highs, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani is nowadays best known as a fixer for former president President Trump's alleged crimes. Andrew Kirztman, author of “Giuliani: The Rise and Tragic Fall of America’s Mayor," joins Chuck to detail the fall from grace of Trump's highest-profile attorney.
It's full throttle onto November with all primaries now in the rearview mirror, which means pollsters are putting out their data in early hints of where both parties will stand at the outcome of the elections. Nate Cohn, chief political analyst for the New York Times, joins Chuck to detail the science behind the tracking of public opinion... and why not all polls are created equal.
It's full throttle onto November with all primaries now in the rearview mirror, which means pollsters are putting out their data in early hints of where both parties will stand at the outcome of the elections. Nate Cohn, chief political analyst for the New York Times, joins Chuck to detail the science behind the tracking of public opinion... and why not all polls are created equal.
As both parties seem to entrench themselves deeper into their respective sides, some independent voters tell "Meet the Press" they feel disenfranchised by a political offer that does not reflect their views. Matt Gorman, former NRCC communications director, joins Chuck to zoom in the American center. Plus, what effect will Queen Elizabeth's passing have on the UK royal family's mystique viewed from abroad?
As both parties seem to entrench themselves deeper into their respective sides, some independent voters tell "Meet the Press" they feel disenfranchised by a political offer that does not reflect their views. Matt Gorman, former NRCC communications director, joins Chuck to zoom in the American center. Plus, what effect will Queen Elizabeth's passing have on the UK royal family's mystique viewed from abroad?
What stands out about Arizona this cycle – beyond all of its competitive statewide contests and its status as a presidential battleground – is that the entire slate of GOP candidates are 2020 election-deniers.
Chuck speaks with Al Bell, a Navy veteran who was a registered Republican for 52 years until he recently switched to an independent. He’s joined by Amy Jensen, a speech pathologist who was a Republican until 2020 when she switched to an independent. And Karilyn Van Oosten, who has registered as an independent since she was 21 but voted Democratic in recent elections.
What stands out about Arizona this cycle – beyond all of its competitive statewide contests and its status as a presidential battleground – is that the entire slate of GOP candidates are 2020 election-deniers.
Chuck speaks with Al Bell, a Navy veteran who was a registered Republican for 52 years until he recently switched to an independent. He’s joined by Amy Jensen, a speech pathologist who was a Republican until 2020 when she switched to an independent. And Karilyn Van Oosten, who has registered as an independent since she was 21 but voted Democratic in recent elections.
As the last few primaries make way for general elections to come, Republican voters in Arizona will find an entire slate of 2020 election deniers. Jim Sharpe, host of Arizona's Morning News on KTAR, joins Chuck with his insight on the Copper State's politics in 2022.
As the last few primaries make way for general elections to come, Republican voters in Arizona will find an entire slate of 2020 election deniers. Jim Sharpe, host of Arizona's Morning News on KTAR, joins Chuck with his insight on the Copper State's politics in 2022.
Jane Coaston, host of “The Argument” from the New York Times, joins Chuck to preview the fall college football season and to wonder why they can't quit watching the sport.
Have the Democrats turned things around this midterm cycle — thanks to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and former President Donald Trump’s constant presence in the news. Josh Kraushaar, Senior political correspondent at Axios, and Ally Mutnick, Politico reporter covering House campaigns and redistricting, join Chuck to talk about the House races.
A shadow primary seems to be taking place over who will succeed Trump at the head of the GOP, as the FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago shuffles public opinion on the former president. Rich Lowry, editor of the National Review, joins Chuck to analyze the Republican road ahead.
For most of the year, we’ve been repeating the conventional wisdom that a president’s party usually loses seats during a midterm election.
But there are two recent exceptions to that rule: 1998 and 2002.
Former Republican Congressman Tom Davis, from Virginia — the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee during the 2002 midterms —and former Democratic Congressman Martin Frost, from Texas — the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee during the 1998 midterms — join Chuck to talk about what works and doesn’t for congressional campaigns.
Primary season is nearing a close after Tuesday's contests in Florida and New York. Now, the big picture for the midterms environment seems to be that the GOP's hope for a red wave may at least come with a blue undertone. Steve Kornacki, NBC News national political correspondent, joins Chuck to bring his insight on the developing 2022 terrain.
Mark Murray, senior political editor at NBC News and co-author of First Read, joins Chuck to look into the latest numbers from the NBC News poll.
This back-to-school season, schools across the country are reckoning with a lack of available teachers, with several districts lowering standards for hiring educators and others reducing school days to four a week. Dan Domenech, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators, joins Chuck to analyze the problem and talk through potential solutions.
With only seven primary states to go until the midterms, all eyes are trained on the Sunshine State, with Democrats mounting fierce challenges to unseat Senator Marco Rubio and Governor Ron DeSantis. Marc Caputo, NBC News national political reporter, and Emily Mahoney, political editor for the Tampa Bay Times, join Chuck to break down how abortion, a raid on Mar-a-Lago, and other major issues may sway the Floridian electorate on November 8.
Progressive writer and scholar, Ruy Teixera, focuses on the American electorate. He’s also the co-author of a seminal 2004 book, The Emerging Democratic Majority. In July he left the Center for American Progress and joined AEI as a senior fellow.
The FBI's search of former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate has created an information vacuum. While the Department of Justice has remained silent on the reason for the investigation, Trump and a growing number of Republicans have been quick to politicize the incident and speculate corruption. Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Republican strategist Brendan Buck join Chuck to discuss the search's implications and what's to come.
Former Sen. John Danforth (R) represented Missouri in the Senate for three terms until 1995. Before that he was the state attorney general but today he is bankrolling a Super PAC that's helping prop up independent senate candidate John Wood. Chuck talks to Danforth about his motivation and how politics have changed.
Josh Kraushaar, senior political correspondent at Axios, and Nathan Gonzales, editor and publisher of Inside Elections, join Chuck to talk about the primary results.
As the weight of Trumpism prepares for another test in Tuesday's midterms, Jonathan Lemire, Politico's White House Bureau Chief and host of MSNBC's "Way Too Early," joins Chuck to detail the rise of former President Trump's false stolen election claims, and why that movement — far from dwindling — is taking root in the GOP for the long term.
NBC News Justice correspondent Pete Williams joins Chuck for a tell-all interview on his last week on the job. Revealed: His future plans for a jazz podcast, his longstanding relationship with the Cheneys, and his old aspirations for a congressional run.
The Federal Reserve's Wednesday decision to raise interest rates by 0.75 percentage point — the second hike this summer — marks another historic move in the central bank's effort to avoid a deep recession in America. Ben White, Politico's chief economic correspondent, joins Chuck to analyze Washington's continued moves to avoid a national economic meltdown.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, while acknowledging a slowing US economy, downplayed distress over the US potential road to a recession in her Meet the Press interview Sunday. Jake Sherman, founder of Punchbowl News and NBC News contributor, joins Chuck to analyze the Biden administration's handling of the country's economic woes. Plus, Chuck and Jake talk through their emotional breakup with the Washington Nationals.
Sen. Roy Blunt's (R-Mo.) retirement next term triggered a crowded Republican field to replace him. Embroiled former Gov. Eric Greitens leads the pack, but candidacies like John Wood's seem to present a middle ground on the right, away from the extremes of election denialism. He joins Chuck to pitch his candidacy and to discuss the strength of the institutions surrounding voting and lawmaking.
The outpouring of revelations coming from ongoing Jan. 6 hearings seem to have spurred former President Trump to feed into the rumors of his potential redux presidential bid — a shiny metal object to distract from the committee's damning allegations. Betsy Woodruff Swan, national correspondent at Politico, and Reid Epstein, politics reporter at the New York Times, join Chuck to discuss lessons learned from the past in covering Trump's tactics.
As Presidents Biden and Trump both inch toward reprising their role as their respective party nominees, challengers are testing the waters on either side in potential forecasts of 2024 primaries to come. NBC News Senior Washington Correspondent Hallie Jackson joins Chuck to dive deep into the changing political landscape.
Independent challenger Evan McMullin thinks Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) should be fired. If elected, McMullin would join the small group of senators who are not affiliated with either political party. He joins Chuck to pitch his candidacy to represent the Utahns in the U.S. Senate.
Denver Riggleman was a Republican Congressman from Virginia until 2020 when he lost his seat in a primary challenge. Today he calls himself an independent, saying the Republican party has moved away from him and turned into a cult of personality. Riggleman also served on the January 6th committee as a “senior technical adviser” — working with the committee’s team to sift through data that the committee uncovered as part of its investigation. He left that position at the end of April.
Katie Benner, Justice Department reporter at the New York Times, and Peter Nicholas, national politics reporter for NBC News join Chuck to talk about the January 6th Investigation.
The hearings continue to pose questions such as:
- Will the Justice Department pursue Trump supporters for witness tampering?
- What about allegations of fraud — both in fundraising and in creating a slate of alternate electors?
- And are the hearings really designed to build a legal case for prosecution, after all?
The Supreme Court's Friday reversal of the constitutional right to abortion has thrown lawmakers and those vying for office into a political reality unrecognizable moments prior. NBC News Senior Capitol Hill correspondent Garrett Haake joins Chuck to break down the state of politics in a post-Roe America.
We finally have the decision in Roe v. Wade. and as we expected from the leaked opinion in May, the Court has overturned Roe and Casey v. Planned Parenthood, striking down a woman’s right to abortion. This case, known as Dobbs versus Jackson Women’s Health, will functionally remove a right for more than half of the population … something unheard of in American history. Mary Ziegler, a professor at the University of California - Davis School of law and the author of several books about reproductive rights and politics, including her most recent book Dollars for Life.
Trump-endorsed candidates are soaring through primary elections, but a string of losses in competitive races puts into question whether — two years since leaving office — former President Trump's influence on his party is finally waning. NBC News National Political Reporter Marc Caputo and Brendan Buck, a former advisor to Republican House Speakers, join Chuck to discuss the GOP's complicated relationship with its former flagbearer.
As gas prices spike and the Dow Jones tumbles, President Biden struggles with plummeting approvals on inflation and economic concerns. NBC News Chief White House Correspondent Peter Alexander joins Chuck to break down the administration's response to a worsening domestic crisis.
Former Alabama Senator Doug Jones (D) talks to Chuck about Joe Biden and Democrats' prospects in 2024. A former U.S. Attorney, Jones also explains the challenges of pursuing a criminal case against former President Trump and his allies. Jones says the fraud allegations are “the email version of a telemarketing scheme.”
Primary results last night in South Carolina, Nevada and across the country seem to show — once more — Trump's undying influence over the Republican Party. Jon Ralston, CEO of the Nevada Independent, and Bridget Bowman, NBC News political deputy editor, join Chuck to preview some of the midterm's marquee general elections — now just taking shape.
Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, joins Chuck to talk about President Biden's 2024 plans, the House January 6th committee hearings ... and Star Wars.
A minor stroke hospitalized Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) for just over a week. Now cleared — though still in recovery — he breaks down the problems he sees with Congress and the Supreme Court, and outlines the institutional reforms he wishes to see.
Tuesday's elections in California and across the country saw the prevailing of more moderate politicians over their farther-left and farther-right opponents. Dave Wasserman, House editor of the Cook Political Report, and Melanie Mason, national political correspondent for the LA Times, join Chuck to break down the establishment candidates' cruise to victory.
The European Union blocks Russian oil. The United States pledges to support Taiwan. And elections from Australia to Colombia could shift the balance of power in key countries.
Chuck talks with Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group and the author of a new book, “The Power of Crisis: How Three Threats – and Our Response – Will Change the World”
From inflation to the baby formula shortage, the Biden White House can’t seem to catch a break. And it’s all helping to drive down the poll numbers for the president and his party ahead of the midterms.
Instead of constantly playing defense on crises after crises, why isn’t the White House going on offense?
Chuck talks with Cornell Belcher, president of Brilliant Corners Research and Strategies, and Faiz Shakir, Bernie Sanders's 2020 campaign manager and he runs “More Perfect Union” — a progressive media startup.
Pat McCrory (R), former Governor of North Carolina, talks to Chuck about the Republican Senate primary that he recently lost and changes within the Republican party.
A bombshell investigation of sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention has revealed that SBC leaders kept a secret list of more than 700 abuse cases, stonewalled investigations, and covered up allegations of sexual abuse and sexual violence. Russell Moore, public theologian for “Christianity Today,” joins Chuck to discuss the fallout.
Greg Bluestein, political reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and Mark Murray, NBC News Political Unit senior editor and co-author of First Read, join Chuck to talk about the results from Tuesday night’s primaries and the killing of schoolchildren in Texas.
Sen. Pat Toomey’s (R-Pa.) announcement that he was retiring from the Senate after two terms created an opening for one of the most hotly contested seats in the 2022 primaries. But his choice to leave comes down to a mix of personal decisions.
Sen. Toomey joins Chuck for an exit interview to talk about how the Senate functions today, his defunct push for background checks for guns and what he sees as the next big challenge for legislators in Washington.
This interview was recorded before Tuesday's primary contest in Pennsylvania.
When 75 percent of Americans think the country is headed in the wrong direction, as our recent NBC News poll found, strange things happen on election night.
Nathan Gonzales, Editor and Publisher of Inside Elections, and Jessica Taylor, the Senate and Governors Editor for The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, join Chuck to talk through Tuesday's primary results.
The year is 2027 and China has decided to attack Taiwan and bring the island nation under direct control. Now the U-S has to answer: do we fight for Taiwan’s freedom? How far are we willing to go? And will allies support us?
Those are the questions we ask in this week’s season finale of “Meet the Press Reports.” We staged a full-day war game to help envision what a battle for Taiwan might look like … and what it would mean for both sides to win or lose.
Ed McGrady and Becca Wasser from the Center for New American Security join Chuck to talk about our war game, pitting China and the U.S. in a war over Taiwan. Ed is an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the CNAS Defense Program and Becca is a fellow in the defense program and co-lead of the Gaming Lab at CNAS.
Chuck speaks with Mikhail Khodorkovsky, an exiled Russian oil tycoon who was once the richest man in Russia. In the early 2000’s — during Vladimir Putin’s first years as president — Kodorkovsky supported one of Putin’s political rivals and was punished for it.
He was arrested on charges of tax fraud and later also charged with embezzlement and money laundering. He spent more than a decade behind bars before being released in 2013 and then expelled from the country.
NBC News Capitol Hill Correspondent Ali Vitali joins Chuck to discuss the leaked Roe decision and the position Senate Republicans find themselves in after years of campaigning for its overturn.
In 2020, Black voters turned out in large numbers for Joe Biden, giving him a nearly 30-point win over Bernie Sanders — proving, once again, the power of the Democrats’ most loyal constituency.
That influence is rooted in the work of politically active black pastors who get souls to the polls, crown winners with endorsements … and even run for office themselves. But is that power waning in a party that’s considered secular and elite?
Joshua Johnson, host of NOW Tonight with Joshua Johnson, talks about the role that the Black Chuck plays in Democratic politics, the subject of this week’s “Meet the Press Reports.”
Leaked documents show that the Supreme Court is poised to overturn abortion rights — leaving each state to decide regulations on its own terms. For some, this means even in cases of rape or incest, abortion could be illegal.
Democratic political strategist and former Emily’s List President, Stephanie Schriock, and Republican strategist Matt Gorman, Vice President for Targeted Victory, join Chuck to talk about the impact that the abortion ruling could have on the midterms.
NBC News Senior Congressional Correspondent Garrett Haake joins Chuck to discuss the building fight over immigration, President Biden's request for additional money to assist Ukraine, and whether whiskey and tequila have replaced beer and wine as cultural stand-ins.
This week on Meet the Press Reports, how Democrats lost rural America. In the latest NBC News poll from March, the Democratic Party’s net favorability is a negative 41 in rural areas. Former Obama White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs joins Chuck to talk about Obama’s strategy to raise turnout among young people and minorities in large cities, while also winning majorities in postindustrial towns.
Matthew Continetti, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and the author of “The Right: The Hundred-Year War for American Conservatism,” joins Chuck to talk about the Republican party’s coalition and the historical roots of conservativism.
Three words: Buy heat pumps. Wired Reporter Matt Simon joins Chuck Todd to discuss the strengths, and the limits, of technology when it comes to tackling climate change.
National Political Reporter at NBC News, Henry Gomez, and The Washington Post’s Josh Dawsey join the ToddCast to discuss President Trump’s endorsement gambles and Bidenism ahead of the midterm elections.
Ruth Marcus, deputy editorial page editor for the Washington Post, joins Chuck to talk about President Biden’s economic challenges and the upcoming Title 42 backlash.
After former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores, one of only two black coaches in the NFL, was fired this year — and then sued the league for discrimination — football’s race problem, once again, burst into the open. This week on “Meet the Press Reports,” we look at how America’s most popular sport got to this point, why past attempts at reform have failed and how other sports have successfully tackled inequality.
Jane Coaston, the host of “The Argument,” the New York Times podcast about politics and culture, joins Chuck to talk about football’s race problem.
White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain talks about U.S. support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia, telling Chuck Todd that “Evil exists. But we certainly can punish it. And we certainly can help those who are fighting back against it do that.” Klain also discussed immigration, the Biden agenda, how the White House views Vladimir Putin and reports of a rift with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
NBC News Correspondent Josh Lederman joins Chuck to discuss interviews with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
From vaccine skepticism to conspiracy theories about politics, misinformation has knocked American society back and forth during an already rocky period. Chuck speaks with Ben Dubow, the co-founder and president of Omelas, a firm that looks at how governments manipulate the internet and run online influence campaigns.
Nathan Gonzales, editor and publisher of Inside Elections and Bridget Bowman, deputy editor at the NBC News Political Unit, join Chuck to talk about primary races across the country, from Pennsylvania and Ohio to Georgia … even Oklahoma.
As Russia enters a new phase in its invasion of Ukraine, NBC News Capitol Hill correspondent Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Chuck to break down the Congressional battle lines forming over what shape America’s response should take.
According to Forbes, Sam Bankman-Fried tops the list of wealthiest crypto billionaires, calling him the world’s richest 29-year old. Chuck talks with Sam for this week’s “Meet the Press Reports” about how he made his money and what form he expects government regulation to take.
Democratic policy analysts Bill Galston and Elaine Kamarck join Chuck to discuss their latest report, “The New Politics of Evasion: How Ignoring Swing Voters Could Reopen the Door for Donald Trump and Threaten American Democracy.”
Read the report here:
https://www.progressivepolicy.org/publication/the-new-politics-of-evasion%20%5Bprogressivepolicy-org%5D/
Mark Murray, senior editor for the NBC News Political Unit, joins Chuck to discuss the process of creating the NBC News poll and the insights we learned from the latest numbers.
Emily Knox, an associate professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the author of “Book Banning in 21st Century America,” joins Chuck to talk about the rise of school board polarization.
The war in Ukraine has — rightly — taken virtually every other story off of the front page. But that doesn’t mean that political news has frozen in place.
Dave Wasserman, House editor at the Cook Political Report, Jonathan Martin, national political correspondent for The New York Times and Dave Weigel, national political correspondent at the Washington Post, join Chuck to talk about the latest in midterms developments, from Ohio’s tense Republican primary, to debates over Democratic messaging.
Michael Hirsh, a senior correspondent at Foreign Policy has gotten us all thinking with his column, “Putin’s thousand-year war.”
Read more here: https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/03/12/putins-thousand-year-war/
Jeanne Whalen, global business reporter for the Washington Post and Amara Omeoke, economics reporter at the Wall Street Journal, join Chuck to talk about the Fed's plans to rein in inflation without tipping the economy into a recession.
Russian forces are closing in on Kyiv and Putin’s threats of escalating the conflict to chemical warfare have put the world on notice. Peter Baker, Chief White House correspondent for the New York Times, joins Chuck to shed some light on the Russian president's rise to power.
Major league baseball and the players association have a deal. Baseball is coming back — with opening day is scheduled for April 7th. But how did we get here?
Chelsea Janes, national baseball reporter for the Washington Post, walks Chuck through the backstory of major league baseball’s lockout and what a new deal means for the future of the game.
Mike McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia and professor of international studies at Stanford, joins Chuck to talk about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s future.
Russian attacks on Ukraine reached a new high point this week, with an ever-increasing number of shellings on civilians and children in major Ukrainian cities. The New Yorker’s Robin Wright joins Chuck to get a first draft of how this moment will go down in Russian history.
Former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz joins Chuck to talk about the state of nuclear weapons and how far deterrence can take us when there’s a war underway.
From 2013 to 2017, Sec. Moniz worked on nuclear security and stability as former president Obama’s energy secretary. He is the co-chair and CEO of the Nuclear Threat Initiative and a professor emeritus at MIT.
Dany Pletka, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, joins Chuck to talk about the Russian attack on Ukraine and why she believes everyone in Washington has "a perspective."
Retired Admiral James Stavridis, former NATO supreme allied commander, Europe, talks to Chuck Todd about the tools NATO has to fight back against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
William Taylor, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine and Vice President, Russia & Europe at the U.S. Institute of Peace, talks to Chuck about Ukraine’s history and why Russian President Vladimir Putin’s push to control Ukraine could backfire.
As Russian aggression at its Western border reaches a newfound high this weekend, NBC News Pentagon Correspondent Courtney Kube joins Chuck to detail the possible looming timeline of a 190,000-troop march up to Kyiv.
Matthieu Aikins, journalist and author of the new book, “The Naked Don't Fear the Water: An Underground Journey with Afghan Refugees,” talks to Chuck about what he saw during the fall of Kabul. In his new book, we tells the story of Omar, a friend and translator, who Aitkins accompanied in 2016 as he tried to escape to Europe, first through Turkey and then Greece.
Chuck Klosterman, cultural critic and author of “The Nineties” talks to Chuck Todd about how life was different in the last decade before the internet was everywhere, and why Gen X might be, in his words, “the least annoying” of the generations that are still alive.
John Della Volpe, author of, “Fight: How Gen Z is channeling their fear and passion to save America” talks to Chuck about how Gen Z differs from generations that preceded them and what campaigns need to understand about the newest voters.
Russia is now poised for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine if they want one, with diplomacy talks taking place this week between Russia and France, Russia and the U-K, and of course, Russia and NATO. Meanwhile, the U-S diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics looks like a non-issue. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Australia, negotiations continue with Iran over a nuclear agreement.
Chuck talks with John Hudson, National Security Reporter at the Washington Post and Abigail Williams, producer and off-air reporter for NBC News at the State Department.
Helene Cooper, New York Times Pentagon correspondent, joins Chuck to discuss an interview with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, the rising military tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and the American diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
Tensions between Russia and the West remain high but what happens next is something of a mystery — in part because Vladimir Putin’s playbook is designed to be unpredictable.
David Remnick, the editor of the New Yorker, author and former Moscow correspondent, talks to Chuck about what might be motivating the Russian president.
Leon Panetta, former Secretary of Defense and Director of the CIA during the Obama administration and White House Chief of Staff to Bill Clinton, talks to Chuck Todd about “the shadow of the New Deal” and what Vladimir Putin really wants.
As Russian troops remain at the Ukrainian border, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) talks about a possible diplomatic resolution. NBC News correspondent Carol Lee joins Chuck to talk about the latest.
Jacob Ward, technology correspondent for NBC News and the author of a new book, “The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back,” joins Chuck to talk about artificial intelligence and the push to regulate tech companies.
Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff and campaign manager for the 2012 Obama re-election campaign, Jim Messina, joins Chuck to talk about news of Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer’s resignation and the Biden administration’s attempt to reset the political climate ahead of the midterms.
Chuck speaks with Bill McInturff, from Public Opinion Strategies, and Jeff Horwitt, from Hart Research, the pollsters behind the latest NBC News poll.
Last week, President Biden and Vice President Harris came to Atlanta to remember Martin Luther King Jr. and call for voting rights. This week, Chuck went down to Atlanta to speak with voters and reporters about the state of play in Georgia.
Chuck talks with Greg Bluestein, political reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution to set the stage for why Atlanta deserves our focus. We’ll also hear from so-called “New Biden Voters” — people who either came off the sidelines to vote in 2020, or who switched sides and voted for the Democrat. Finally, Jill Savitt, the CEO of the Civil Rights Museum, joins the podcast to talk about the history of voting rights.
At the end of his first year in office, President Biden suffers low poll numbers and widespread frustration over Covid. Presidential historian Douglas Brinkley talks to Chuck Todd about Americans’ decades-long dissatisfaction with their elected leaders.
NBC News Chief Washington Correspondent Andrea Mitchell joins Chuck for a post-broadcast discussion about the Russian troop buildup and President Biden’s attempt to push voting rights through the Senate.
Enes Kanter Freedom, a center for the Boston Celtics and an outspoken critic of the leaders of Turkey and China, joins Chuck to talk about how he became focused on human rights and the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Former Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and former ambassador to China talks to Chuck about why he believes the filibuster should be preserved ... but could be reformed.
NBC News Chief White House correspondent Peter Alexander joins Chuck to talk about the muddled Covid message coming from the White House and CDC.
As Senate Democrats gear up to take on voting rights, President Biden kicked off the week with a focus on the meatpacking industry as prices soar. So what will it be? Kitchen table issues or the progressive agenda? Covid or “saving the democracy.”
Guy Cecil, chairman of the super PAC, Priorities USA, joins Chuck to talk about how Democrats view the upcoming elections and where the campaigns are putting their priorities.
Every ten years, states redraw their political lines and so far, about two-thirds of states have adopted their new congressional district maps. But there’s one thing we know already — the biggest loss won’t be among districts with solid red or solid blue voters. It will among be the competitive districts.
Chuck talks with Michael Li, senior counsel at the Brennan Center, and Dante Chinni, founder of the American Communities Project and the brain behind Data Download.
Meet the Alternative History: Chuck takes a dive into alternate timelines to see how history would have evolved if one thing had changed.
Episode 4: What if Scalia hadn’t died in 2016? With David French
Meet the Alternative History: Chuck takes a dive into alternate timelines to see how history would have evolved if one thing had changed.
Episode 3: What if JFK had survived? With historian Michael Beschloss
Author Curtis Sittenfeld joins Meet the Alternative History. Chuck takes a dive into alternate timelines to see how history would have evolved if one thing had changed.
Episode 2: What if Hillary Clinton ran for president in 2004?
Meet the Alternative History: Chuck takes a dive into alternate timelines to see how history would have evolved if one thing had changed.
Episode 1: What if Bill Clinton had resigned in 1998? With Jeff Greenfield
2021 was a year of big accomplishments — and big disappointments — for the Biden administration. Mark Murray, Ben Kamisar and Bridget Bowman from the NBC News Political Unit join Chuck to look ahead to 2022.
As of today, Wednesday, Congress has mostly finished its work for the year - with the debt limit, government funding and defense authorization all in hand. But there are still a few notable blank spots.
John Bresnahan, co-founder of Punchbowl News, joins Chuck to talk about the unusually efficient December Congress is experiencing.
Marianna Sotomayor, Washington Post Congressional Reporter, joins Chuck to talk about the devastation caused by tornado damage across six states, and Sen. Roger Marshall's (R-Kan.) views on the 2020 election result.
Pollster Brian Stryker talks about the lessons Democrats from their loss in Virginia, and what the polling data shows about their prospects for 2022.
With upcoming primaries, elections and runoffs for both the Governor's mansion and the U.S. Senate, , Georgia is about to be the most important state in the 2022 midterms. Republican strategist Brendan Buck and WXIA anchor Jeff Hullinger join Chuck to talk about the many races for voters in the Peach State
Washington Post White House Bureau Chief Ashley Parker joins Chuck to talk about the unintended consequences of a new fight over abortion.
After 9/11, the CIA began detaining people who they believed had information about the next attack. In custody, they used a brutal and ineffective method of questioning, euphemistically known as “Enhanced Interrogation Techniques” — which outside groups later called, “torture.” Chuck speaks with filmmaker Alex Gibney talks about his latest documentary, “The Forever Prisoner.”
For nearly the last 50 years, Roe has provided stability to an uncomfortable and controversial issue. But if you get rid of Roe, every single state will need a position on fetus viability, weeks when you can/can’t have an abortion, parental notification, sonograms and possible exceptions. Chuck talks with Democratic strategist Adrienne Elrod and Republican strategist Susan del Percio.
Chuck unpacks his interviews with Dr. Anthony Fauci about the Omicron variant of Covid-19 and with Gov. Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) ahead of the Supreme Court case focused on Mississippi's restrictive abortion law.
Steven Roberts remembers his wife, Cokie. He sits down with Chuck to talk about their shared career in journalism and Washington politics.
NBC News Senior White House Correspondent Kelly O'Donnell joins Chuck to talk about exclusive interviews with Sens. Tester and Cramer ... and the story that could dominate the holiday week.
Marc Caputo, national political reporter for Politico, Leah Askarinam, editor of the Hotline, and Ben Kamisar, staff writer with the NBC News Political Unit, join Chuck to look at the key governors' races of 2022.
Chuck gets off the set and sits down with NBC News Congressional correspondent Leigh Ann Caldwell to talk about their takeaways from interviews with Gov. Chris Sununu (R-N.H.), Brian Deese, and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.)
Ian Bremmer, founder of the Eurasia Group, joins Chuck to talk about Xi Jinping’s internal political challenges and China's increasing hostility towards Taiwan.
Paul Rieckhoff, the founder of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, joins Chuck to talk about the memory of Max Cleland and the challenges facing veterans today.
After exclusive interviews with White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, and Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida, Chuck sits down with John Reiss and Carrie Budoff Brown to discuss how the show was put together.
Steve Kornacki, NBC News National Political Correspondent and the man at the big board, talks to Chuck about the revealing numbers from Tuesday's races in New Jersey and Virginia.
Amy Walter, Editor in Chief of the Cook Political Report and Mark Murray, Senior Politics Editor with the NBC News political Unit sit down after getting off the air to discuss close races in Virginia and New Jersey.
NBC News Chief White House Correspondent Kristen Welker joins Chuck to break down the biggest news from exclusive interviews on Meet the Press with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
Dante Chinni, the director of the American Communities Project and the brain behind Data Download, joins Chuck to talk about County to County and the 2022 midterms.
Larry Sabato, the Director of the UVA Center for Politics and the Editor in Chief of the Crystal Ball, plus Nathan Gonzales, the editor and publisher off Inside Elections, talk with Chuck about the tight race in Virginia.
James Whitfield is one of the most prominent casualties in a national war over race, history and diversity. The principal at Colleyville Heritage High School, Whitfield was put under administrative leave after he was attacked by protestors who accused him of teaching critical race theory at his high school.
Why are so many “do-or-die” issues ending the same way? Is it the media’s fault for focusing on the wrong thing? Should Trump be allowed back on social media so we can actually see the crazy things he’s saying? Or is this just a sign of broken politics. Jackie Calmes, columnist at the Los Angeles Times and Olivier Knox, Washington Post reporter and author of the Daily 202 newsletter, join Chuck to talk about the balance between urgency and emergency.
NBC News Senior Capitol Hill Correspondent Garrett Haake joins Chuck after Meet the Press wraps to discuss news that climate change provisions are likely getting dropped from the Democrats’ spending plan. Plus, how serious is Matthew McConaughey about running for Texas governor?
Kristen Du Mez, historian and author of "Jesus & John Wayne" talks to Chuck about the evolution of American evangelicism.
Chuck talks with OnMessage Co-Founder Brad Todd and President of Brilliant Corners Research and Strategies Cornell Belcher about competing messages heading into 2022.
The new space race doesn’t just pit nation-states against one another, it’s also a fight between private companies looking to cash in. Chuck talks with Michio Kaku, theoretical physicist and professor at the City University of New York and the author of “The God Equation: The Quest for a Theory of Everything.”
Chuck talks with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and former White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham about the former president's final weeks in office. He also sits down with Nick Clegg, Facebook’s VP of Global Affairs, on the reform needed on the platform.
Steven Dennis, Congressional reporter at Bloomberg and Siobhan Hughes, Capitol Hill reporter for the Wall Street Journal, talk about the debate over the debt limit.
Chuck talks about his interviews with Vermont senator Bernie Sanders and White House Senior Adviser Cedric Richmond, plus his discussion about Facebook’s troubles. Sarah Blackwill, senior broadcast producer at Meet the Press.
On Capitol Hill, moderate and progressive Democrats continue to negotiate over their massive domestic spending bill, the timing on a vote for infrastructure, government funding and the debt. But with all the back and forth over what Democrats want, there’s one voice that seems to be missing from the conversation: and that’s the president of the United States.
Sen. Cory Booker talks to Chuck Todd about negotiations between centrist and progressive Democrats. DHS Sec. Mayorkas defends efforts to send migrants back to Haiti. Allie Sandza talks to Chuck about what went into this week’s broadcast of Meet the Press.
Twenty-five years ago, a Democratic president — Bill Clinton — signed the Defense of Marriage Act, a law that prohibited the federal government from recognizing same-sex unions. Today, marriage equality is the law of the land. Chuck talks to Sasha Issenberg, author of “The Engagement: America's Quarter-Century Struggle Over Same-Sex Marriage.”
Biden’s agenda on the line as Democrats jockey over government funding and the debt limit. Garrett Haake, newly minted Senior Capitol Hill correspondent, with NBC News correspondents Leigh Ann Caldwell and Ali Vitali.
After the messy Afghanistan withdrawal, mixed-messaging on Covid booster shots and a rising migration problem at the southern border, Chuck talks with Executive Producer John Reiss about what made it on-air and what we learned on Sunday.
Chuck talks with George Will, syndicated columnist and the author of a new book, “American Happiness and Discontents,” in which he writes about Afghanistan, social-distancing and of course, American history.
California Governor Gavin Newsom easily beat back a recall effort this week, thanks to trends inside the state’s Democratic electorate … and thanks to the ongoing shifts inside the Republican party in the wake of former President Trump. Chuck talks with Christina Bellantoni, Director of the Annenberg Media Center at the University of Southern California and Tim Miller, political strategist and writer at the Bulwark.
Ben Nelson, former Democratic senator from Nebraska, built a reputation from 2000 to 2013 pushing for bipartisanship and bucking his party. He joins Chuck to talk about his new book, “Death of the Senate.”
With a little more than a year to go before the midterms, the terms of the campaign are still in flux. Kristen Soltis Anderson, Republican pollster and co-founder of Echelon Insights joins Cornell Belcher, Democratic pollster and president of Brilliant Corners Research and Strategies, talk to Chuck about the political impact of the Texas abortion law.
If you take a close look at almost every political issue today — whether it’s Covid, voting, policing or climate — you will find one problem at the root of it: Polarization. Mark Sanford, former South Carolina governor (R) and former congressman talks to Chuck about partisanship in politics and his new book, “Two Roads Diverged.”
President Biden spoke from the White House to defend his decision to pull forces out of the country, but his legacy may be more about the “how” than the “why” ... And that’s assuming that Afghanistan doesn’t once again become a haven for terrorist attacks. NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel talks about his firsthand reporting from Kabul as the U.S. mission came to an end.
For years, top universities have been overwhelmed by potentially qualified student candidates, but unable to fit them on campus … leading to a race to the top that no student can ever really win, often leaving students from diverse backgrounds struggling for a chance to get ahead. Professor David Kirp proposes a radical idea to expand the world of higher education.
Afghanistan? A pandemic and misinformation campaign? A congressional showdown coming in late September? Washington Bureau Chief for USA Today Susan Page and LA Times Columnist Mark Barabak predict what's next as President Biden fight battles at home and abroad.
How bad is it going to get in Afghanistan and what happens to our intelligence as the U.S. withdraws. Former CIA Director John Brennan talks to Chuck about what was lost in Afghanistan.
Jim Steinberg, Deputy Secretary of State for President Obama and Bill Clinton’s deputy national security adviser, plus Bruce Jentleson, professor of public policy at Duke University and the author of “The Peacemakers: Leadership Lessons from 20th Century Statesmanship“ join Chuck to talk about the worldwide implications of the Taliban’s return.
Lee Drutman, Senior Fellow at New America and author of "Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop" plus Nick Troiano, executive director of Unite America, talk about the future of nonpartisan primaries and ranked choice voting general election.
On Tuesday, the Senate passed a bipartisan infrastructure bill and sent it to the House. Then they immediately celebrated by starting the process of passing a 3.5 trillion dollar spending package with a record-breaking vote-a-rama that wrapped up a little before 4 AM.
The former governor of California, Jerry Brown, talks to Chuck about what he sees as the real threats facing the United States.
Chuck Todd sits down with two downballot election gurus — Inside Elections' Nathan Gonzales and Cook Political Report's Jessica Taylor — to discuss everything from special elections in Ohio and California, Virginia's governor race ... and Gov. Cuomo's lieutenant governor who might take the reins as he faces multiple criminal investigations.
Chris Matthews, former host of Hardball and author of “This Country: My life in Politics and History," joins Chuck to talk about whether former President Trump is a real or imagined power-center in the Republican Party.
Pollsters Bill McInturff, co-founder of Public Opinion Strategies and Jeff Horwitt, Senior Vice President at Hart Research join Chuck to discuss what they learned when they went back and examined the 2020 polling.
Lanae Erickson, Senior Vice President for the social policy & politics program at Third Way joins Chuck to talk about a post-election report that shows where Democrats fell short in 2020.
Michael D. Cohen, author of “Modern Political Campaigns: How Professionalism, Technology, and Speed Have Revolutionized Elections” and the CEO of the public affairs firm Cohen Research Group joins Chuck to talk about the disconnect between education and execution.
As troops leave Afghanistan, Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) talks about what the end to America’s longest war may mean for our influence on the world stage. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) discusses the influence of far-right extremism in the GOP.
Carrie Dann’s final number of the week looks at Americans’ optimistic feelings about the future.
The FEC is responsible for enforcing federal finance laws and it’s led by an equal number of Republicans and Democrats — in theory that should create a spirit of cooperation. But in today’s environment, that divide creates more “deadlock” than “bipartisan enforcement.” Shane Goldmacher, national political reporter for the New York Times, joins Chuck to talk about the failures at the FEC and what it means for campaign finance law.
Chuck Todd recaps a special Covid-focused episode of Meet the Press. Carrie Dann looks at new rankings of all presidents from C-SPAN.
NBC News Justice correspondent Pete Williams looks back at the Supreme Court term to see what we learned about power and alliances on the Court.
Washington is emptying out ahead of the July fourth weekend … with the Senate in recess and the House leaving town for two weeks on Thursday afternoon. Before they go, Congressional Democrats will vote to create a select committee on January 6th. Still on the table — how will Washington move forward on infrastructure.
Chuck recaps his exclusive interviews with Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). Carrie’s number of the week looks into declining national unity around the world.
Award-winning author and staff writer at the Atlantic, George Packer joins the ToddCast to talk about his new book, written during the Covid lockdown and the 2020 election.
Washington bureau chief for USA TODAY and the author of Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power, Susan Page, and NBC News Capitol Hill correspondent and the host of Way Too Early on MSNBC, Kasie Hunt, join Chuck to talk about Democrats’ strategy in advancing their agenda.
Meet the Press Reports: As the United States looks beyond war in Afghanistan and Iraq, the military is preparing for conflict in new domains, from outer space to cyberspace.
Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) discuss the future of bipartisanship and President Biden’s infrastructure plan. Fiona Hill breaks down the Biden-Putin summit. Carrie Dann looks at the numbers to see where consensus is emerging on the January 6th insurrection.
Democratic political consultant Stephanie Cutter and Emmy-winning TV producer Ricky Kirshner joined up together in the midst of the pandemic to produce “Celebrating America,” the first virtual Democratic National Convention last August … and then again for “America United,” Joe Biden’s inauguration.
President Biden ends his first overseas trip meeting Russian President Putin at a summit in Geneva. The Putin summit is the capstone to a complex series of meetings that the president attended during this overseas trip — including meetings with the G-7, NATO and the EU.
Punchbowl News co-founder Jake Sherman and Axios Congressional reporter Alayna Treene join Chuck to talk about the shifting infrastructure talks, police reform and Sen. Joe Manchin’s ability to stay in the center of the news. Plus WRC NBC4 Investigative reporter Scott MacFarlane joins the show to discuss the long road ahead for convicting people who attacked the Capitol on January 6th.
Meet the Press Reports: Athletes have long been involved in activism, but today's protests are different.
After another week of cyberattacks, Chuck talks with Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. Plus, Carrie Dann looks at the push underway by Republican state houses to limit access to voting.
New Mexico's special election signals an environment that favors Democrats ahead of 2022, while Biden fights a cybersecurity war ahead of his summit with Putin. NBC's Shannon Pettypiece and Ben Kamisar join.
Later, Washington Post Sports Columnist Jerry Brewer weighs in on Naomi Osaka and the sometimes "toxic environment" between sports players and the press.
Barbara Comstock and Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) discuss the failure to form a bipartisan Jan. 6 commission. Matthew Pottinger and Dr. Peter Hotez explain why the Covid-19 lab leak theory is gaining legitimacy from the Biden administration. Carrie Dann looks at latest polling which shows that a rising number of Americans believe in QAnon.
Jacqueline Alemany, author of the Washington Post’s early morning newsletter, PowerUp and Edward-Isaac Dovere, staff writer at the Atlantic and author of the new book, “Battle for the Soul: Inside the Democrats’ campaign to defeat Trump,” join Chuck to talk about a New York grand jury that’s looking into the Trump organization.
Jeff Shesol, author of “Mercury Rising: John Glenn, John Kennedy, and the New Battleground of the Cold War,” talks about one presidential campaign that never got off the launchpad.
Author and filmmaker Sebastian Junger talks to Chuck Todd about his new book and about the future of the military.
The most educated generation in history is without a political home. These young adults have come of age through war, recessions and shootings, all during their most productive years. Will they coalesce behind a party or rip the institutions completely apart?
Dr. Rochelle Walensky explains why the CDC’s masking guidance changed. Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) and Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) discuss what Liz Cheney’s ousting from GOP leadership means for the future of the Republican Party. Carrie Dann looks at the polling on social media.
Washington Post congressional reporter Paul Kane, and Sahil Kapur, National Political Reporter for NBC News discuss Rep. Liz Cheney’s purge from House GOP leadership. Neil Howe talks about how millennials will change politics.
The crisis at the U.S./Mexico border started long before the Trump Administration’s zero tolerance policy. How a nation founded by immigrants continuously demonizes those who cross our borders, and why the immigration reform impasse in Washington leaves refugees and mixed-status families in fear.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Gov. Larry Hogan (R-Md.) discuss the potential ousting of Liz Cheney from Republican leadership. Dr. Anthony Fauci explains what the state of vaccinations means for the return to normalcy. Carrie Dann learns a new language.
The internal feud between House Republicans broke out into the open once again this week, as Liz Cheney, the number three Republican, faces calls for her ouster from leadership because she continues to disagree with former President Trump. Chuck is joined by deputy editorial page editor for the Washington Post, Ruth Marcus and Lachlan Markay, politics reporter at Axios.
Plus, former GOP congressman Reid Ribble discusses the GOP’s changes on immigration.
A deep-dive into the influx of migrants at the U.S./Mexico border and how Washington’s failure to tackle immigration reform leaves mixed status families and new arrivals seeking asylum in a precarious position.
Chuck talks about his exclusive interviews with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Carrie Dann looks at the new numbers inside the 2020 census.
Meet the Press Reports: Water is a vital and precious resource. How do we keep it secure and make sure all Americans have access to clean and usable water?
Chuck Todd talks about the top moments from Sunday's "Meet the Press" including a discussion about police reform. Carrie Dann reports on the latest polling from parents with school-age children.
The question of what happens next really moves from Minneapolis to Washington, where the issue of police reform is now in the hands of President Biden and Congress. Chuck is joined by co-founder of Punchbowl News, John Bresnahan and NBC News Capitol Hill producer and reporter, Alex Moe. Plus Bettina Boxall, staff writer at the LA Times covering water and the environment talks about water security.
Meet the Press Reports: As the most powerful nation in the world pours money into offense, private companies and taxpayers are mostly left to defend themselves.
Chuck Todd sits down for an extended interview with former Speaker of the House, John Boehner. Carrie Dann reports on big moves in polling for transgender rights.
Nicole Perlroth, New York Times reporter covering digital espionage and author of “This Is How They Tell Me The World Ends,” joins Chuck to uncover what's really happening with America's cyberwar.
Twenty years after her lone vote to oppose a broad use of force authorization following September 11th, and on the same day that President Biden announced his plan to withdraw from Afghanistan, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) talks to Chuck about America's longest war.
The dotted line from before the Oklahoma City bombing to the anti-mask protests and the Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot to the Jan. 6th Capitol attack. Why does America have an apparent inclination toward violent extremism? How are populism, grievance politics and nationalism playing into that inclination across the political spectrum? And what can law enforcement, national security experts and elected officials do to turn down the temperature? Or, is it too late?
Chuck recaps his exclusive interview with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R). Carrie Dann’s Number of the Week looks at the gap between people who identify as Republicans and those who identify as Democrats.
LA Times columnist Mark Z. Barabak and New York Times congressional reporter Emily Cochrane join Chuck to talk about the Republican Party. Jim Cavanaugh, former special agent in charge at the ATF, talks about the uptick in extremism — a topic we’re going to focus on this week with our new season of Meet the Press Reports.
The American electorate is changing. From where people live to how they vote, political parties are trying to keep up.
Chuck Todd recaps this week's Meet the Press. Carrie Dann looks into a new poll that shows a majority of GOP voters support same-sex marriage for the first time.
Yamiche Alcindor, White House correspondent for PBS NewsHour, Leigh Ann Caldwell, Capitol Hill Correspondent for NBC News and Sarah Isgur, staff writer for the Dispatch join Chuck to talk about the next steps for the Biden White House. Plus, Andrew Maraniss, author of Singled Out, a biography of Glenn Burke, the first openly gay major league baseball player and the inventor of the “High Five.”
The fight to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was only the latest skirmish in a decades-long fight over the Judiciary.
Chuck recaps this week's special edition of Meet the Press and Carrie Dann shares her number of the week: In November's election, 10 percent of Trump voters in Georgia said that they were not confident that the state's votes would be counted accurately.
Josh Rogin, author of "Chaos Under Heaven" and columnist for the Washington Post, joins Chuck to talk about how U.S.-China relations changed during the last four years, driven by former President Trump's personality.
An "October Surprise," one day in 2016 set off political rip currents that have yet to be settled.
Chuck talks about his interview with DHS Sec. Mayorkas and Carrie Dann looks into the numbers of all 3,143 counties in the United States.
NBC News Capitol Hill Correspondent Kasie Hunt and NBC News White House Correspondent Mike Memoli sit down with Chuck to talk about Biden’s next steps in Washington. And the immigration stalemate
To talk about the migrant crisis, Chuck is joined by the president of Voto Latino, Maria Teresa Kumar and former Republican Congressman Carlos Curbelo.
In this episode of Meet the Press Reports, Chuck takes a look at the rise of QAnon. Conspiracy theories are nothing new in American politics, but QAnon presents unique problems.
Carrie Dann explains how former President Trump turned former President Reagan's maxim about inter-party criticism on its head.
Nathan Gonzales, Editor & Publisher of Inside Elections, and Carrie Dann discuss the stampede towards the door for a certain kind of Republican senator. And former GE CEO, Jeff Immelt, talks to Chuck about his new book "Hot Seat" and what it was like to run one of the most storied American companies.
Chuck talks about the top news from his interviews with Jeffrey Zients, Michael Osterholm, Sen. Manchin & Sen. Barrasso. Carrie Dann looks at the many candidates running in a Texas special election.
Gov. Pedro Pierluisi explains why the time has come for statehood for Puerto Rico.
NBC News Capitol Hill correspondent Leigh Ann Caldwell and Washington Bureau Chief for the Texas Tribune, Abby Livingston, discuss Covid relief and Texas recovery.
Chuck checks in from the set of Meet the Press and Carrie Dann looks past Cancun to tell the story of Fanne Fox, a dancer who became involved with Congressman Wilbur Mills, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Shannon Pettypiece Senior White House Reporter for NBC News Digital and Eli Stokols White House reporter for the LA Times join Chuck to talk about how Republicans are reckoning with Biden's Washington.
Plus, Facebook and Australia have come to an agreement to allow news links to be shared on the social media platform after Australia tried to give news organizations more leverage. Mike Isaac, technology correspondent at the New York Times, and Elizabeth Dwoskin, Silicon Valley Correspondent of the Washington Post, explain.
As the recall campaign against California Governor Gavin Newsom takes a step closer, Carrie Dann looks at what happened in 2003 when a recall election replaced Gray Davis with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"I already have a family and a religion and so I've never looked at my political party to replace either," 2016 presidential candidate Evan McMullin says. He tells Chuck Todd about his explorations into a new faction of the GOP ... and possibly a third party. NYT's Annie Karni and Punchbowl's Jake Sherman join to discuss President Biden's To-Do list.
With the first approval ratings for the Biden presidency starting to come together, Carrie Dann looks back at how past support for past administrations changed over time.
Chuck talks with Bruce Mehlman about his latest analysis on trends in populism and GOP priorities. Mehlman is a Republican adviser and founding partner at Mehlman, Castagnetti, Rosen and Thomas. Plus, Kiersten Todt, managing director at the Cyber Readiness Institute, discusses a hack that could have poisoned municipal water in Florida.
To read Bruce's presentation:
https://mehlmancastagnetti.com/wp-content/uploads/Crossroads-2021-Mehlman.pdf
Carrie Dann looks back over polling since 2019 to see how Republican voters view President Trump, and where those splits differ from elected Republicans.
Anna Palmer, co-founder of Punchbowl News and Sahil Kapur, national political reporter for NBC News join Chuck to talk about the future of the Republican Party. Plus, Jeff Bezos is stepping down as the CEO of Amazon after 27 years. NBC News Senior Media Correspondent Dylan Byers shares the latest.
Carrie Dann looks at the story of the one and only presidential censure, a rebuke of President Andrew Jackson which was quickly removed by Jackson's supporters.
NBC News Capitol Hill Correspondent Kasie Hunt and Nathan Gonzales, Editor & Publisher of Inside Elections, join Chuck to talk about the future of the Republican Party. Plus, Adam Jentleson, author of "Kill Switch: The Rise of the Modern Senate and the Crippling of American Democracy" talks about the history of the filibuster and why it might be reformed.
Carrie Dann looks at how the filibuster has evolved, from an unwritten rule to a blocking tactic that has been used at historically high rates.
Michael Kruse, senior staff writer at Politico, and Joshua Johnson, host of “The Week with Joshua Johnson” on MSNBC, join Chuck to talk about former President Trump's exit from Washington. Plus, national security reporter Marc Ambinder looks at how the Biden presidency will react to the insurgent attack on the Capitol.
President Joe Biden delivers his inaugural address after being sworn in as the 46th president.
In the latest NBC News poll, Jill Biden's favorability falls as partisanship rises. Carrie Dann reports.
Washington Post Senior Congressional correspondent Paul Kane joins Carrie Dann to talk about the politics of impeachment. Chuck and Carrie discuss the Biden team's plans for the first six months.
Carrie Dann looks back in time to see why some previous presidents skipped the inaugurations of their successors.
Dan Balz, Washington Post Chief Correspondent, Amy Walter, National Editor for the Cook Political Report, and Eddie Glaude, Jr. Princeton professor, talk to Chuck Todd about the attack on the Capitol and the president's role in stoking violence.
Chuck Todd returns with a recap from the Georgia Senate runoffs, which could have wide-reaching impacts on politics and campaigns for years to come.
Back with a big number for the week, Carrie Dann tracks the historic ad spending underway in the two Georgia Senate runoffs.
Carl Hulse, Chief Washington correspondent for the New York Times and Leigh Ann Caldwell, NBC News correspondent covering Congress, join Chuck to talk about negotiations over a Covid relief bill.
In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) talks to Chuck Todd about President Trump's efforts to overturn the election and the upcoming electoral college vote.
Annie Linskey, National Political Reporter for the Washington and Alex Thompson, reporter for Politico and co-author of the Transition Playbook join Chuck to talk about the Biden transition. And Sarah Isgur, senior writer for The Dispatch, discusses a new poll from the Knight Foundation on how Americans view the election.
Some time in the future, if you want to remind yourself what life was like during the Trump administration, you could think back to today and you’d have a good sense of how Washington operated. Reid Epstein, Politics reporter at the New York Times, and Janet Hook, National Political Reporter at the Los Angeles Times join Chuck.
Chief Correspondent for the Washington Post, Dan Balz, and Katie Glueck, national politics reporter for the New York Times, join Chuck to talk about the Biden transition effort and Republican resistance. Democratic polling expert David Shor talks through lessons learned from the 2020 vote.
As the vote continues to come in, Chuck is joined by the NBC News Political Unit to sift through what we've learned so far about the picture captured by the 2020 election.
As we wait for the final numbers, Chuck is joined by Kasie Hunt to discuss the early lessons from the 2020 election.
As we wait for more results, Carrie Dann shares an episode of the Lid. The ToddCast will be back later this week.
National Editor for the Cook Political Report, Amy Walter, and Larry Sabato, Director of Politics at the University of Virginia, talk to Chuck about the race for the White House and the down-ballot contests to watch on election night.
Kasie Hunt and Brendan Buck discuss the chances for a Covid relief bill in the House. Glenn Plaskin recalls his 1990 interview with Donald Trump.
In the final installment of Florida Florida Florida, the Chuck ToddCast returns with a 2020 Florida-centric panel. Politico correspondent Marc Caputo and Washington Post reporter Beth Reinhard talk about their years covering politics in the sunshine state. Documentary filmmaker Billy Corben talks to Chuck about his new film, "537 Votes."
Florida Florida Floirda: Episode 5. Two decades after the 2000 recount, the results can still be felt today in the way campaigns are staffed, media messages are created and how courts view elections. Susan Glasser, Barton Gellman and Nathan Persily join the discussion.
Florida Florida Florida Episode 4: When the recount began, it wasn't a foregone conclusion that the result would be decided by the Supreme Court. But now that the Court has gotten involved in elections, its effect can still be felt today. Featuring interviews with Laurence Tribe, Pete Williams, Ben Ginsburg and others.
Florida Florida Florida, Episode 3: The Bush team deployed a 4-pronged strategy during the recount, including something very new for Republicans: public protest. Featuring interviews with Ted Cruz, John Bolton, Al Cardenas and Matt Schlapp.
Lesson 3: Work the refs.
Election night showed the importance of pushing back against the news media when the story wasn't going the way the campaigns expected.
Lesson 4: Stay on message.
After election night, the team with the tightest control over messaging would gain an advantage.
Featuring interviews with Joe Lieberman, Tom Brokaw, Lester Holt, Betsy Fischer Martin and others.
Meet the Press introduces: Florida Florida Florida. In this new five-part series, Chuck Todd looks back at the enduring political lessons of the 2000 presidential recount.
Lesson 1: Every election is the most important election of our lifetimes.
Lesson 2: Candidates Matter.
Featuring interviews with Stuart Stevens, Tad Devine, "Mac" Stipanovich, Lucy Morgan and archival recordings from NBC News.
Anna Palmer & Jake Sherman, co-authors of Politico's Playbook, join Chuck to talk about the frozen negotiations over a covid relief bill.
Al Cardenas, the former chair of the Florida GOP and worked on President George W. Bush’s campaign, and Obama’s White House Communications Director, Jennifer Palmieri, join Chuck to talk about the first Trump-Biden debate.
NBC News Correspondent Leigh Ann Caldwell talks to Chuck about the steps the Senate is taking to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. David French, senior editor at the Dispatch, discusses the long-term implications of Republicans' flip-flop on late-term court fights.
A peak at Russia's cards during the next election with former FBI Counterintelligence Officer Peter Strzok and Scientific American Editor in Chief Laura Helmuth discusses the publication's decision to endorse a candidate for the first time in 175 years.
Chuck talks with polling heavyweights Charlie Cook and Larry Sabato to talk about the election now that we are eight weeks out. Maria Teresa Kumar updates Chuck on Latino outreach from both campaigns.
Brian Stelter, chief media correspondent at CNN and author of "Hoax" joins Chuck to talk about Fox News. Will Sommer from the Daily Beast and Ben Collins from NBC News explain what's really going on with Qanon.
Chuck talks with Politico Magazine's chief political correspondent, Tim Alberta, and staff writer at the Dispatch, Sarah Flores. Plus, a conversation with Congressman Denver Riggleman about the ways his party has changed.
Olivia Nuzzi reported a must-read look inside the Trump campaign, for New York Magazine. NBC News Political Unit reporter Ben Kamisar updates on ad-spending and Steve Kornacki reacts to the first nights of the DNC.
NBC News Senior Washington Correspondent Andrea Mitchell and NBC News Political Embed Deepa Shivaram join Chuck to talk about Sen. Kamala Harris. Washington Post Sports Columnist Sally Jenkins discusses the changes to the fall college sports season.
Dave Wasserman, House editor for the Cook Political Report, and Abby Livingston, Washington Bureau Chief for the Texas Tribune, join Chuck. The Knight Foundation's Sam Gill and former Missouri University professor, Barbara Cochran talk about a new report on trust in the media.
In one week, one of the decisions that could have the most impact on the race is reportedly set to be announced: Biden’s VP pick.
Josh Kraushaar, columnist for National Review, and Jonah Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief of the Dispatch, join Chuck to talk about the battles playing out to control the Republican Party after President Trump. Fred Frommer, author of "You Gotta Have Heart: Washington baseball from Walter Johnson to the 2019 World Series Champion Nationals,” talks about the start of the abbreviated baseball season.
Chuck is joined by Washington Post staff writer Carol Leonnig to talk about the president's re-election prospects. Katherine Gehl and Michael Porter talk about their new book, The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy.
Wall Street Journal White House reporter Michael Bender and New York Times White House correspondent Annie Karni join Chuck to talk about fallout from President Trump's attempt to kickstart his campaign.
Marc Cuban, entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, joins the Meet the Press: College Roundtable to talk about race and economics with Ghael Fobes, rising junior at Syracuse University, Parker Jensen, a rising senior at The George Washington University, and Chan'cellore Makanjuola, a student at UC Berkley's graduate school of journalism.
Dave Weigel, Washington Post national political reporter, and Anna Palmer, Politico senior Washington correspondent and co-author of Politico Playbook join Chuck to talk about Senate Republicans unveil their police reform plan.
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto (D) joins the Meet the Press: College Roundtable to take questions from Sarah Beth Guevara, a graduate journalism student from the University of Oklahoma, Avalon Pernell, a rising sophomore at Washington and Lee University, and David Bender, a rising freshman at Indiana University.
Dante Chinni, the director of the American Communities project and Data Download is joined by Nell Henderson, Wall Street Journal Economics Editor. Plus, Carrie Dann goes inside the latest NBC News/WSJ Poll
On Meet the Press: College Roundtable, Anna Salvatore, an incoming freshman at Princeton University, Tamia Fowlkes, a rising junior at the University of Wisconsin - Madison and Camille Respess, a rising senior at the University of Florida, interview NAACP President Derrick Johnson as protests continue across the country following the death of George Floyd.
Eugene Scott, political reporter for The Washington Post, and MSNBC's Joshua Johnson join Chuck Todd to talk about the widespread protests against police abuse.
Chuck Todd moderates Meet the Press: College Roundtable as students from Florida A&M University, University of Texas-Austin and Georgetown interview University of Arizona President Dr. Robert Robbins and Howard University President Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick.
While Joe Biden may not be on the campaign trail, his team is busy vetting vice presidential candidates. Stephanie Schricok, president of EMILY's List, talks to Chuck Todd about what each of the potential running mates has to offer.
Legendary sportscaster and broadcaster Bob Costas talks to Chuck about what a modified sports season might look like. TMJ4's Charles Benson and the Texas Tribune's Alexa Ura share their latest reporting on vote-by-mail changes.
Ok, let's talk politics. Amy Walter, National Editor of the Cook Political Report, and Steve Kornacki, National Political correspondent for NBC News, join Chuck for a virus-free discussion of the 2020 political landscape. Plus, Howard University president Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick to discuss the future of college reopenings.
Politico's Marc Caputo and NPR's Juana Summers join Chuck Todd to talk about the impact of shifting COVID response plans, and Joe Biden's vice presidential options.
Molly Ball, TIME Magazine National Political correspondent and author of the new book "Pelosi" joins the ToddCast. Ron Fournier calls in from Michigan and Megan Messerly checks in from Nevada with scenes of a financial collapse in the early stages.
Washington Post Chief correspondent Dan Balz and New York Magazine Washington correspondent Olivia Nuzzi try to remember what happened in Washington before covid-19. Author and essayist Chuck Klosterman talks about the long-term impact of the pandemic on millennials' futures.
Chief political correspondent for Politico, Tim Alberta, and White House Reporter for the Washington Post, Ashley Parker, join Chuck to talk about the president's handling of the coronavirus. Plus, the NBC News Political Unit gets together to share their picks for best political (and non-political) movies.
Phil Rucker, Washington Post White House Bureau Chief, joins Shannon Pettypiece, Senior Reporter for NBC News join Chuck to talk about the White House coronavirus response. Plus, Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group, talks about the pandemic's impact across the world.
Jon Karl, ABC News Chief White House correspondent and author of the new book "Front Row at the Trump Show" talks to Chuck Todd about their experiences in the White House briefing room and covering President Trump.
Stephanie Cutter and Brad Todd join Chuck Todd for a "work from home" edition of the Chuck ToddCast.
Chuck Todd answers viewers' #PrimaryQuestions and shares his major predictions for how COVID-19 will change the future of America.
After another round of primary losses for Bernie Sanders, Carrie Dann is joined by Yamiche Alcindor and Alex Seitz-Wald to talk about the next steps for his campaign and what Joe Biden has to do in order to cinch the nomination.
Chuck Todd sits down with the First Read team for a late night recap (or is it early morning?) of everything we learned on Super Tuesday.
For some unknown number of candidates, Tuesday night — the tenth Democratic debate — was probably their last time on the stage. NBC's Kasie Hunt, Hotline Editor Leah Askarinam and Inside Elections' Stu Rothenberg join Chuck Todd to analyze Bernie Sanders' staying power at the top of the pile and how Super Tuesday will shake out for everyone else.
Chuck Todd goes backstage after NBC News hosted a heated Democratic debate with fellow moderator, Nevada Independent’s Editor Jon Ralston and 2020 reporter for the Nevada Independent, Megan Messerly
Betsy Woodruff Swan and Carl Cannon join Chuck Todd to discuss what the results from the New Hampshire primary and what they mean for the 2020 race overall. Plus, McKay Coppins talk all things Mitt Romney and the impact his impeachment vote has had on the Republican Party.
James Pindell, Political Reporter for the Boston Globe, and Dante Scala, Professor of Political Science at the University of New Hampshire, join Chuck for a special edition of the ToddCast to preview the New Hampshire primary.
Days after the Iowa caucuses, results are still ambiguous. But one thing is clear: the fallout will scramble the field of Democratic candidates as the New Hampshire primary approaches.
NBC News Political Reporter Carrie Dann and The Atlantic's Edward-Isaac Dovere discuss predictions, what to watch for and possible scenarios of the upcoming primaries.
Iowa Democratic strategist Jeff Link joins Chuck to talk about the state of the Iowa race. Plus Washington Post White House Bureau Chief Phil Rucker and National Investigative Reporter Carol Leonnig talk about their new book "A Very Stable Genius"
As the House sends articles of impeachment to the Senate, NBC News Correspondent Leigh Ann Caldwell and Washington Post Senior Correspondent Paul Kane. NPR's Steve Inskeep discusses his book "Imperfect Union," about the political power couple he argues helped contribute to the start of the Civil War.
NBC News' Courtney Kube gives the latest Iran update. Later, Republican ad-maker Brad Todd and Democratic strategist JB Poersch discuss how impeachment will affect the 2020 Senate map.
Mark Murray and Carrie Dann join Chuck Todd to discuss his theories on the only blue state President Trump has a chance of winning and a senator who faces the toughest race of his career.
"Alternative facts," "fake news," gaslighting," "conspiracy theory," are all terms that get thrown around a lot in our politics nowadays. How do we determine what's real versus what is really fake and how can the press and tech companies fix the problem?
Do moderate Republicans hold the key to Trump's impeachment and re-election? To gauge that, Meet The Press assembled a group of six conflicted Republicans in Kent County, Michigan.
House Democrats have announced their charges against President Trump, the inspector general report is out and Elizabeth Warren's front-runner status is questionable. Plus, Speaker Pelosi's daughter Christine Pelosi joins Chuck Todd to discuss her book on the leader.
As the House Judiciary holds its first impeachment hearing, partisanship takes center stage. Meanwhile, the 2020 Democrats have lost a few players. How will the latest billionaire wildcard shake up the race?
As America celebrates a holiday rooted in the relationships of its diverse people, Chuck Todd shares some of his favorite interviews with four experts to discuss the future of a nation with a rapidly changing political landscape.
NBC's Heidi Przybyla and Ben Kamisar join Chuck Todd to discuss Adam Schiff's closing arguments in Thursday's impeachment inquiry hearing and Wednesday's 2020 debate.
National Journal’s Political Editor Josh Kraushaar and The Washington Post’s National Reporter Chelsea Janes talk with Chuck about what the elections in Kentucky, Virginia and Mississippi mean for the 2020 landscape, and a little baseball talk at the end. Plus, María Teresa Kumar joins the pod to talk about her path into politics and how her organization, Voto Latino, is preparing for future elections.
Chuck talks with Jonah Goldberg and Stephen Hayes about their new conservative media company called "The Dispatch" and how they want to slow down the news cycle. Plus, NBC News Road Warrior Monica Alba talks about Pres. Trump being booed at Nationals Park on Sunday.
The Atlantic's McKay Coppins, Politico's Playbook Co-Author Jake Sherman and NBC News Correspondent Leigh Ann Caldwell discuss President Trump's speech on Syria and the latest developments in the impeachment saga with Chuck Todd, moderator of Meet the Press.
Katy Tur and Politico's Anita Kumar join Chuck Todd to talk about the fourth Democratic debate and the impeachment inquiry. Washington Post theater critic Peter Marks provides fresh perspective on the debate performance.
Reuters' Jeff Mason and NBC News producer Kailani Koenig join Chuck Todd, moderator of Meet the Press, to talk about the president's next moves in the impeachment challenge. And Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Christopher Wylie talks to Chuck about his new book, Mindf*ck.
NBC's Carol Lee and author of "American Carnage" Tim Alberta talks to Chuck Todd, moderator of "Meet the Press," about the latest in the Trump/Ukraine scandal and how it affects the 2020 race. Plus, Sen. Bernie Sanders cancels campaign events until further notice due to a heart issue. And finally, Chuck's full interview with Foreign Affairs Minister of Iran Javad Zarif.
It's been a busy 24 hours in Washington. Chuck Todd, moderator of Meet the Press, is joined by Anna Palmer, Evelyn Farkas, George Will and Carrie Dann to talk about the notes from President Trump's call with the Ukrainian president, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's call for a formal impeachment inquiry.
Ruth Marcus and Michael Steel join Chuck to talk about the latest NBC/WSJ poll; plus Garrett Graff talks about his new book "The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of September 11, 2001"
Washington Post's Jacqueline Alemany and National Journal's Kyle Trygstad talk races and give a Democratic debate preview, while author Malcolm Gladwell asks the question: Why are there so many failures of communication between strangers?
As protests pop up all over the world, Emily Ngo and Jonathan Lemire sit down to discuss what's next for the America and its voters. Plus, the two New York journalists discuss the Democratic Party in their state.
Mike Memoli and Shannon Pettypiece talk polls and Trump fatigue plus Guy Cecil swings by to discuss the latest Senate news.
In a week where the president cancelled a trip to Denmark because of a spat over Greenland, considered letting Russia off the hook for invading Crimea and sided with Israel in a fight with two American congresswomen, Chuck Todd asks what is wrong with Washington. This week's guests, author and columnist Matt Bai, Politico White House reporter Gabby Orr. Plus an interview with the Wall Street Journal's Chief Economics reporter, Nick Timiraos.
Chuck Todd, moderator of "Meet the Press," sits down with Shawna Thomas, bureau chief at Vice News, and Sahil Kapur, national politics reporter at Bloomberg News, talk about the winnowing 2020 Democratic field. Plus, founder of Cook Political Report and co-author of the 2019 Almanac of American Politics Charlie Cook talks the latest version of the Almanac.
NBC News Capitol Hill Correspondent Kasie Hunt and Republican Strategist Matt Gorman join Chuck to talk about the Republican reaction to mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton. Ben Collins scares Chuck with his latest reporting from the worst corners of the internet.
New York Times White House Correspondent Annie Karni and Democratic strategist Doug Thornell assess the battlefield with Chuck Todd after the Tuesday and Wednesday Democratic debates.
Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe talks to Chuck Todd to reflect on Robert Mueller's testimony in front of the House Intelligence and House Judiciary committees.
Manna from the political heavens, we have new fundraising numbers. Carrie Dann fills in for Chuck Todd in a conversation with NBC News Senior Political Editor Mark Murray and NBC News political reporter Ben Kamisar.
As Democratic candidates continue to enter the race, The Daily Beast's Betsy Woodruff and NBC News Political Reporter Alex Seitz-Wald joins the podcast to ask whether Joe Biden is a vulnerable frontrunner.
Plus, Josh Holmes, one of Sen. McConnell's longtime political advisers, talk about the Senate Majority Leader's 2020 race against Amy McGrath.
The first Democratic Debate is in the books and Chuck sits down with Mark Murray and Carrie Dann to discuss what we learned.
Chuck prepares for the first Democratic Debate by sitting down with Politico's Marc Caputo. Plus, a sit down with Republican strategists Al Cárdenas & Ana Navarro-Cárdenas.
Buzzfeed Editor in Chief Ben Smith and NBC News Senior Politics Editor Beth Fouhy join Chuck to talk about the president's re-election campaign, Elizabeth Warren's rise in the polls and claims by big fundraising predictions by Pete Buttigieg.
Bernie Sanders sticks to his playbook with a speech explaining what he means by "democratic socialism" and President Trump trades barbs with former Vice President Joe Biden. Chuck is in Chicago today to talk with Steve Cochran from WGN Radio and Kim Geiger from the Chicago Tribune.
Carl Hulse, New York Times Chief Washington Correspondent and author of the upcoming book "Confirmation Bias" joins Chuck Todd and Carrie Dann from the NBC News Political Unit to discuss allegations of plagiarizing in a Biden policy paper.
In a surprise public statement, Robert Mueller outlines the principal conclusions of the Special Counsel investigation. NBC News correspondent Carol Lee and Washington Post Senior Congressional Correspondent Paul Kane talk about the next steps for Congress. Plus, Chuck is joined by Retired Admiral WIlliam McRaven to talk about his career leading the Navy SEALS and his role in the raid to kill Osama bin Laden.
In a dramatic appearance at the White House Rose Garden, President Trump attacked Democrats over Congressional investigations. Plus, the cultural wars return, and Joe Biden sets the pace.
As cultural issues return to the top of the political conversation, Chuck Todd asks Peter Baker, Chief White House Correspondent for the New York Times, and Alexi McCammond, political reporter for Axios, what it means for President Trump's re-election strategy. Plus, is Biden's lead the "revenge of the center" in Democratic politics?
Eliana Johnson, Sahil Kapur lay down some reality checks about Trump's financial prowess, the 2020 field and the Senate Republicans. Plus, Robert Caro sits down with Chuck in front of a live audience to discuss political power and how he solved the crime of President Lyndon Johnson's stolen election.
Joe Biden is the Democratic front-runner, but how long will that last? NBC's Mark Murray and Carrie Dann join Chuck to discuss where the 2020 primary race stands. Also, why are top Democratic recruits for Senate seats turning down the chance to run? Caution: this episode contains "Game of Thrones" spoilers.
Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and former Speaker of the House John Boehner sit down with Chuck to talk about their time in Washington, President Trump's challenges and whether Democrats should pursue impeachment hearings. Plus, Steve Kornacki breaks down the numbers for former Vice President Joe Biden and looks back at the real costs of impeachment in the 1990s.
Why is Mayor Pete surging while female candidates are stuck in the middle of the pack? NBC's Kasie Hunt and the Washington Post's Phil Rucker discuss Buttigieg, Bernie and everyone else. Plus, Stuart Stevens, campaign adviser to Republican presidential candidate Bill Weld, joins Chuck to talk about launching a primary challenge.
Robert Costa and Abby Livingston join Chuck to talk about the Frontrunner in the Democratic field, who isn't a Democrat. Plus, is President Trump's border crisis good politics for 2020? And what else can we name after George Washington?
In the first episode of the Chuck ToddCast from Meet the Press, Chuck is joined by Shawna Thomas, Washington Bureau Chief for Vice News, and Mark Leibovich, Chief National Correspondent for the New York Times Magazine, to talk about the Democrats who haven't jumped into the race yet, including one former Vice President.
Chuck is back with the Chuck ToddCast, NBC News’ latest podcast tackling all things politics and 2020. The mid-week, in-the-know podcast is Chuck at his best – unscripted, informed and focused on what really matters in the 2020 presidential race. Join Chuck each Wednesday as he talks with by top reporters from the nation’s capital, plus exclusive sit-down interviews and on-the-ground dispatches from across the campaign trail.
It's after 2AM Eastern, but Chuck, Mark Murray, Carrie Dann and Ben Kamisar are still going strong with the first takeaways from the 2018 Midterms.
Matt Bai, author of "All the Truth Is Out: The Week Politics Went Tabloid" & Jason Reitman, director of "The Front Runner" sit down with Chuck to discuss the story of Gary Hart's embattled 1988 presidential campaign.
Chuck talks to NBC News national political correspondent Steve Kornacki about his new book, "The Red and the Blue: The 1990s and the Birth of Political Tribalism"
Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin talks to Chuck about her latest book "Leadership in Turbulent Times" and how the "family tree" of presidential history influenced Oval Office successors.
Former NBC Tel Aviv Bureau Chief Martin Fletcher joins to discuss his new novel "Promised Land," which tells the story of two brothers and a refugee during Israel's first years after World War II.
Chief national correspondent for The New York Times Magazine, Mark Leibovich sits down with Chuck to discuss his new book, 'Big Game: The NFL in Dangerous Times,' examining the era of Trump through the lens of the NFL.
Chuck sits down with former HUD Secretary Julian Castro to talk about his possible presidential run in 2020.
James Hohmann, author of the Washington Post's Daily 202 newsletter, joins Chuck to talk about how news coverage is changing, what to look for in the midterms, and why Minnesota hasn't gone red yet.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) joins Chuck Todd to talk about the state of the Republican party, Rep. Jim Jordan's bid for House Speaker, and why winning is all that matters in politics.
Celebrating 40 years at NBC News, Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell joins Chuck to look back on highlights from her career, including the time she called out Castro for skipping an interview.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) sits down with Chuck Todd to talk about the “Internet Bill of Rights” his trip to rural America, and why he sometimes has a kind word for President Trump.
When the South Fork Dam broke in 1889, the 20 million tons of water it released destroyed Johnstown, a bustling industrial town in Southwest Pennsylvania.
Filmmaker Kimberly Reed talks about her new documentary, "Dark Money," in which she shows how the Citizens United decision impacts Republicans in Montana.
From the SS St. Louis in World War II, to President Trump's detention policies, America has a messy history when it comes to granting asylum. Professor Carl Bon Tempo explains.
Pulitzer Prize-Winning investigative journalist Seymour Hersh talked about his career, lessons he’s learned, and his new memoir, “Reporter.”
Fmr. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper talked about the 2016 election, Michael Flynn, and his new book about life in intelligence.
Jake Tapper, host of CNN's "State of the Union" and "The Lead with Jake Tapper" joins Chuck to talk about his new thriller "The Hellfire Club" - a novel about Washington during the era of McCarthy, and why history might be repeating itself.
After four years, 31 cities and about 100,000 miles in a small private plane, Deborah and James Fallows are back home with a reassured outlook on America’s future.
In his new book, Final Strike, Former Defense Secretary William Cohen writes about what would happen if an asteroid threatened mankind.
Ian Bremmer, President and Founder of the Eurasia Group, talks about his new book "Us Vs. Them" and explains why populism is on the rise.
Corry Bliss, Executive Director of the Congressional Leadership Fund, joins Chuck to talk about how Republicans are fighting to hold the House.
Chuck Todd sits down with conservative columnist Jonah Goldberg to talk about the effect that the Trump Presidency will have on what it means to be a Conservative Republican.
The Supreme Court is about to hear arguments on President Trump's travel ban. Josh Geltzer, a former Senior Director on the National Security Council, sits down with Chuck to explain what's at stake.
Paul Vigna, Wall Street Journal reporter and co-author of "The Truth Machine" joins Chuck to talk about Blockchain, bitcoin, and the future of cryptocurrency.
Chris Whipple, author of "The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency" joins Chuck to talk about his interviews with 18 former Presidential Chiefs of Staff, and why John Kelly might be in trouble.
Andy Lack joins 1947 for a special discussion about a new documentary "Hope and Fury: MLK, The Movement and The Media" - a film that traces how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other leaders in the civil rights movement used the media to advance their message.
ESPN's Jay Bilas talks to Chuck about college basketball, the problem with the NCAA's student-athlete rules, and why the bracket ranking was so problematic in 2018.
Dan Sena, Executive Director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, joins Chuck to talk about Conor Lamb’s win in PA-18, and what Democrats have to do if they want to win back the House in the 2018 midterms.
Brad Meltzer is known for his conspiratorial political thrillers, but with a new series of historical profiles for kids, he's finding a rich new way to tell stories. Brad sits down to talk with Chuck about how he finds his stories, and what really scares him about Washington.
Cathy O'Neil, author of "Weapons of Math Destruction", talks to Chuck about the bias behind mathematical algorithms and asks whether it's time for a digital Bill of Rights.
Actors Jeff Daniels and Peter Sarsgaard join Chuck to talk about their roles in the new Hulu series "The Looming Tower." They also discuss how art and culture have changed, and how they can respond to crisis.
Maureen Orth’s 1999 book, Vulgar Favors: Andrew Cunanan, Gianni Versace, and the Largest Failed Manhunt in U.S. History, is now the backdrop of FX’s nine-part series, “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story”. But while the TV show may shine the spotlight on Versace, Orth’s book dug deeper into the complex mind of Cunanan -- why he killed, how he hid in plain sight and why he targeted Versace.
Dave Wasserman, House Editor for the Cook Political Report, joins Chuck Todd to handicap the biggest House races in the 2018 midterm, and to discuss the future of district reapportionment.
In a special, extended interview, Former Defense Secretary Bob Gates talks about his advice to President Trump, what Vladimir Putin really wants, and his reaction to the president's speech in front of the Boy Scouts.
Jordan Klepper, comedian and host of Comedy Central's "The Opposition," joins Chuck to talk about the blessing, and curse, of having a news cycle defined so clearly by President Trump.
In 2017, Democratic pollster Paul Maslin teamed up with Joe Trippi to work on the longshot Doug Jones campaign in Alabama - and they believe they had a shot to win the state even before reports of sexual assault allegations were made against Roy Moore.
Filmmaker Greg Barker was granted unprecedented access to President Obama's foreign policy and national security teams in 2016, a story captured in a new documentary "The Final Year." Chuck sits down with Barker and former UN Ambassador Samantha Power and former Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes.
Julia Angwin, senior reporter at ProPublica, tells Chuck about how she discovered flaws in Facebook's advertising tool, and why data leaks should have a cost.
Russian-American Journalist and winner of the National Book Award, Masha Gessen shares her perspective on Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump and the societies they lead, including the sexual harassment moment in the United States. She discusses her new book, The Future is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia, now a National Book Award Winner.
Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) has a resume that seems custom built for higher office. The young congressman sat down with Chuck and talked about what Moulton, a Marine Corps veteran, had learned about leadership while serving overseas.
The filmmakers behind the new Winston Churchill film "Darkest Hour" and two self-proclaimed Churchill aficionados - House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Democratic Caucus Chair Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) - join Chuck for a discussion about the impact of events depicted in the film.
Missed the Meet the Press Film Festival with AFI? Meet three of the filmmakers behind the inaugural event, and watch a special digital showcase at nbcnews.com/mtpfilm, download the NBC News app on Roku or Apple TV, or search the on-demand player in your set top cable box.
NBC News Senior Political Editor Mark Murray joins Chuck to talk about the aftermath of the 2017 election, and what to look out for in 2018.
In their new movie, LBJ, actor Woody Harrelson and director Rob Reiner focus on the period of time immediately after the assassination of President Kennedy.
Former Virginia Governor Doug Wilder (D) explains to Chuck Todd why he is withholding his endorsement in the tightening race for governor.
Award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns joins Chuck Todd to talk about "The Vietnam War," his latest film produced with Lynn Novick. He talks about shedding pre-conceived notions, and about the reverberations of the war today.
Chadwick Boseman plays Thurgood Marshall in "Marshall" - a new biopic directed by Reginald Hudlin that tells the story of an early chapter in the famous justice's career.
When it comes to Russia, Iran and North Korea, the world's hotspots do not lend themselves to easy solutions. Veterans of the Obama administration join Chuck Todd live on stage at the 92Y to discuss the prospects for the Trump White House. Featuring insights from Adm. James Stavridis (Ret.), Former Amb. Mike McFaul, Former Amb. Wendy Sherman & Jeremy Bash, this audio recording has been lightly edited for clarity and pacing.
New York Times Investigative Reporter Matt Apuzzo joins Chuck to talk about where the Mueller investigation is going, and what to expect in the coming months from the Special Counsel.
Katy Tur, NBC News Correspondent and author of a new book about "Unbelievable," joins Chuck on stage at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan to talk Donald Trump and the 2016 election. This podcast was part of the 92Y Talks program and has been edited for pacing.
Mike Rowe, the former host of "Dirty Jobs" joins Chuck to talk about the state of the American worker, and his new Facebook show, "Returning the Favor"
Bill King, former mayor of Kemah, Texas, and the head of a study that investigated the fallout from Hurricane Rita, joins Chuck Todd to talk about the decision to shelter in place in the face of heavy flooding from Hurricane Harvey.
MSNBC's Jacob Soboroff says that he didn't grasp the true scope of the opioid crisis until he began traveling across the nation and talking to people on the ground.
Emer Reynolds’ latest film project, The Farthest, tells the story of the Voyager spacecraft, the first man-made objects to leave the solar system.
When director Cullen Hoback began work on his latest documentary, "What Lies Upstream," he hoped to find out why it took months for local officials in West Virginia to investigate chemically contaminated tap water. But his initial investigation into chemically polluted drinking water in West Virginia soon expanded into a far-reaching analysis of local regulators’ inability, and in some cases unwillingness, to safeguard the people and resources they were entrusted to protect.
Bryan Fogel, the director and star of "Icarus," a new documentary about doping in sports, joins Chuck to explain how he stumbled onto Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, Russia's lead scientist for the country's doping program.
Ari Melber, MSNBC's Chief Legal Correspondent and the host of The Beat with Ari Melber, joins Chuck Todd to talk about why he became a lawyer, and what comes next for the president's legal team.
Former FBI Special Agent Clint Watts joins Chuck to walk through the timeline of events around June 2016, beginning with Donald Trump, Jr. meeting with a Russian lawyer and ending with then-candidate Donald Trump asking for Russia to release Hillary Clinton's emails.
With 48 hours left in office, then-Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) sat down with Chuck Todd to talk about his time in Congress, the cost that his family paid for his tenure in Washington, and why he was leaving when his party was in power.
Malcolm Gladwell, bestselling author and host of the "Revisionist History" podcast joins Chuck to talk about the differences between American and Canadian health care policies, and why good Samaritans sometimes act badly.
If mathematician Moon Duchin has her way, gerrymandered congressional districts could soon be a thing of the past.
It's Polling Day! Chuck Todd & Mark Murray take a deep dive inside the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll to discuss healthcare, the president and polarization among voters.
An architect of Obamacare, Ezekiel Emanuel, tells Chuck Todd how he would have changed the legislation if he had known that the Obama White House would be followed by the Trump White House.
Michael Daniel, President of the Cyber Threat Alliance and former Special Adviser to President Obama joins Chuck to talk about the state of cyber defense. Along the way he describes how internet security is like disaster response, and why your Amazon Echo might not be so bad after all.
John Farrell, author of "Richard Nixon: The Life" talks about what made the the 37th President so unique, and how his presidency parallels that of the Trump administration.
In an interview with Chuck Todd for 1947: The Meet the Press Podcast, Alan Alda explains how he built a second career for himself as a communications expert, and why MAS*H shouldn't be remade for the modern era.
Bob Ley, host of ESPN's "Outside the Lines" and "E:60" joins Chuck to talk about the differences between covering sports and politics, and why it can sometimes be easier to cover people inside of government than outside.
Garrett Graff, author of the new book "Raven Rock: The Story of the U.S. Government's Secret Plan to Save Itself While the Rest of Us Die" joins Chuck Todd on the latest edition of "1947."
He knows the history of Meet the Press perhaps better than anyone alive: Former moderator Marvin Kalb, who was 17 years old when the broadcast first launched in 1947, joins Chuck Todd to celebrate the show’s 70th anniversary.
Garry Kasparov, chess-champion, Putin-critic and author of the new book Deep Thinking, talks to Chuck about the future of artificial intelligence and what to expect from Putin's Russia.
John Heubusch, author of "The Shroud Conspiracy" and the Executive Director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute, talks to Chuck about his book, and about how Presidential Libraries and are evolving.
Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields, the creative duo behind the hit FX TV show "The Americans" discuss how their show came about, and why it's harder to tell a tale about Russian spying, now that the story is in the news.
The actor behind Homeland's Saul Berenson joins Chuck to talk about the inspiration behind the character, and his work advocating on behalf of Syrian refugees.
In this full, unedited interview from MTPDaily, Chuck spoke with Donald Trump adviser Roger Stone about allegations that he was involved in Russian meddling in the 2016 election, Steve Bannon's current standing in the White House, and why the president's latest shifts in policy positions aren't flip-flops.
Chris Hill, Former Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, joins Chuck to talk about the history behind North Korea nuclear program, and why pressuring China is the only way to solve the problem.
ESPN's Jayson Stark tells Chuck which teams could upset the National League elite, why the World Baseball Classic could be the future of baseball, and why politics remains outside of the MLB locker room.
Former White House and Congressional Correspondent Mike Viqueria's new book "You Didn't Get This From Me" tells a fictionalized story of how Congress works, and how ambition can lead to betrayel.
Former head coach of the University of Texas Longhorns, Mack Brown joins Chuck in Austin to talk about football's future, and how the college football playoff could be reformed.
Former Democratic candidate for Texas Governor, Wendy Davis joined Chuck at SXSW in Austin to talk about her party's future in the Lone Star State, and about her political future.
Helene Cooper, Pentagon Correspondent for the New York Times and author of a new book, "Madame President: The Extraordinary Journey of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf" joins Chuck Todd to talk about how Sirleaf became the first woman to lead an African country, and why Liberia has been left behind by the United States despite a deep history connecting the countries.
In November 2016, Mayor Michael Tubbs was elected to lead Stockton, Califronia by a 70% margin. The mayoral wunderkind joined Chuck Todd to talk about his ambitions for the city, and what he'd like to see from the state's governor.
Tom Brokaw, NBC News Special Correspondent and former moderator of Meet the Press, joins Chuck to talk about a little-known story from his past in which President Nixon tried to hire Brokaw to work as the White House Press Secretary.
Brody Mullins, Investigative Reporter at the Wall Street Journal, tells Chuck the story of Evan Morris, a high-flying pharmaceutical lobbyist in Washington who offers a dark lesson for D.C. power-brokers.
Chuck talks with Mike Pesca, host of Slate's The Gist podcast, to discuss politics, the future of major league sports, and why warm weather cities will never be home to a winning football team.
GOP Consultant Mike Murphy joins Chuck to talk about the lessons of the 2016 election, why obstruction may not be a winning strategy for Democrats, and how data analysis hurts political consensus-building.
NFL Network's Rich Eisen joins Chuck to talk about how covering the Super Bowl has changed, how pre-game commentary can be fun, and why talking about football history is the best way to get Patriots General Manager Bill Belichick to talk.
President George W. Bush's former Press Secretary Ari Fleischer talks with Chuck Todd responds to a recent statement from Presidential Counselor Steve Bannon in which Bannon called the media, "the opposition." Fleischer also talks about why he believes the media is biased, and what it means for the new White House.
Tom Barrack, President Trump's friend, confidante, and chairman of his inaugural committee, joins Chuck Todd to talk about what the new president is like behind the scenes.
Susan Glasser, former editor of Politico, joins Chuck to talk about how relations with Russia got to where they are, what Putin hopes to get from the United States, and whether Russia is primed for a revolution. Glasser also discusses Buzzfeed's decision to release an unverified memo about the President-elect.
Joy-Ann Reid and E.J. Dionne, co-editors of "We Are the Change We Seek: The Speeches of Barack Obama" sat down with Chuck Todd to talk about the impact of Barack Obama's speeches. With a week to go before Obama's farewell address, they look back on Obama's speeches on race, his eulogies, and what to expect from Donald Trump's speeches.
Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin talks with Chuck Todd about Trump's election, and looks back at Hillary Clinton's legacy to imagine how she will be viewed by history.
NBC News Space Correspondent Jay Barbree talks with Chuck about the future of NASA and What "The Right Stuff" got wrong.
The co-hosts of The Ringer's hit podcast, "Keepin' It 1600" join Chuck for a special co-pod to talk about the continuing aftershocks of the 2016 election and what it means for Democrats in the future.
ESPN Sportscaster Chris Fowler talks with Chuck Todd about the BCS and the College Football National Championship, and considers what would happen if the Bowls began moving to the pre-season.
Jackie Nespral has been covering Miami for NBC6 since the early '90s, but when news broke that Fidel Castro had died - a story that the city had been anticipating for decades - it almost felt "anti-climactic."
Walt Mossberg, Executive Editor and Columnist at the Verge and Recode, talks to Chuck Todd about how he switched from covering foreign affairs during the end of the Cold War, to consumer technology at the start of the tech boom.
Chris Clayton, Agriculture Policy Reporter for DTN, tells Chuck Todd that many voters felt threatened by change during the Obama Administration.
Dante Chinni, Director of the American Communities Project, sits down with Chuck Todd to wade through voter data from the election. Going county by county, they try to understand what happened, why the polls got it wrong, and what 2016 means for future data models.
Documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney has been called the "most important documentarian of our time." After his Oscar winning 2007 movie "Taxi to the Dark Side" Gibney has tackled topics from cyber warfare to Scientology.
James Fallows, National Correspondent for the Atlantic, talks with Chuck Todd about the 2016 election, how the parties might realign, and why the non-coastal United States is as interesting to him as emerging economies like China.
From 'Rigged Elections' to Wikileaks, the final presidential debate is over. In a special crossover episode of 1947 and First Read, Meet the Press Moderator Chuck Todd joins with NBC News Senior Editor Mark Murray and Politics Reporter Leigh Ann Caldwell to discuss the third debate.
Known as a data-guru, former Ted Cruz Campaign Manager Jeff Roe does a deep-dive over downballot races, Trump's effect on the party, and discusses how Missouri could become a swing state.
New York Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet joins Chuck Todd to talk about how difficult it can be covering politicians like Donald Trump, and why the biggest threat facing journalism is on the local level.
Before he was a Contributing Editor at New York Magazine, Andrew Sullivan was one of the most prolific and well-known voices among the early bloggers. Andrew talks with Chuck Todd about how he now tries to limit his digital consumption, and why a renewed emphasis on religion might be the solution.
Kate Rubins is an astronaut and biologist on board the International Space Station. During her time on the ISS, Rubins became the first person to sequence DNA microgravity - but she's also had to help maintain the space station, and even repair the toilet plumbing. She talks with Chuck about how NASA helps her cast her ballot if she doesn't make it back to Earth before the election.
In the first episode of 1947: The Meet the Press Podcast, Chuck Todd sits down with Maureen Dowd, New York Times columnist and author of the new book, The Year of Voting Dangerously.