The Chuck ToddCast

Chuck Todd begins by reacting to President Donald Trump’s decision to order airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. He explains that diplomacy was still on the table, that Israel backed him into a corner, and why he believes that Kamala Harris would have made the same decision if she was president. He highlights the potential ways Iran could strike back, and debates whether this move actually will make the world safer. He also examines the state of the New York mayoral primary and why the Democratic establishment is scared of one particular candidate.Then CNN's Jake Tapper joins Chuck for an in-depth discussion that spans politics, media, and personal insights. The duo discuss Tapper’s bestselling new book “Original Sin” and explore critical questions about journalism's role in vetting political candidates, particularly examining President Biden's age and cognitive health, the media's coverage of his decline, and whether there was a coordinated effort to shield him from scrutiny. They offer their perspectives on Biden's decision to run for re-election, the dynamics surrounding Kamala Harris's selection as VP, and how the political establishment rewards seniority over merit in Congress.Beyond the serious political analysis, the conversation takes a more personal turn as Tapper discusses his approach to social media detox, his upcoming book about Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie, and his thoughts on political satire from South Park to SNL. They also dive into lighter territory, covering everything from Philadelphia sports fandom and memorabilia collecting to streaming recommendations and the challenges of maintaining work-life balance as a high-profile journalist. This episode offers both sharp political commentary and genuine personal insights from two veteran journalists reflecting on their craft and the current media landscape.Finally, he answers questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment, and reflects on the life of his family dog Ruby after her passing. Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:00 Trump orders attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities02:00 Nobody wants a nuclear arms race in the middle east02:30 Bombing was a choice, there were other options03:45 The consequences will affect the entire globe05:15 Other countries could race toward nukes06:00 Israel cornered the US government into airstrikes07:45 Kamala Harris probably would have ordered the airstrikes*09:15 Israel would have forced the president’s hand either way10:15 Trump didn’t make the case for strikes in remarks to the nation12:00 Iran could strike back asymmetrically 12:45 Congress has been sidelined, this is Trump’s war14:45 Did this make the U.S. and the world safer?17:30 Trump violated the law by not notifying Democrats about the strike19:30 Eric Swalwell issues an alarming statement about 2028 election20:45 NYC mayoral primary will show where the energy in the party is23:00 Mamdani’s candidacy scares the Democratic establishment24:20 Jake Tapper joins the Chuck ToddCast! 25:20 How Jake and Chuck met 29:40 Covid set back younger generation's social development 31:35 Disengaging from social media 33:50 Negative feedback online vs. in-person 35:20 Are politicians constantly suspicious of journalists? 37:20 Give politicians the benefit of the doubt? 38:20 Congress won't pass the STOCK Act 39:05 Biden's decision to run was the "original sin" 40:35 Biden originally ran with his family under duress 42:35 There are myths in the legend of Joe Biden 43:50 Biden's resilience led him to the bad decision to run 44:35 The "blame the media" narrative around Biden 45:50 How should the media change its vetting process for candidates? 47:35 Presidential health reports should be subject to perjury 48:20 Biden never took a cognitive test 49:20 Age cap on politicians requires constitutional amendment 50:20 No evidence that autopen was used 51:35 There's a culture of coddling "too old" members in congress 53:50 The system rewards seniority over accomplishment 55:50 Kay Granger being in a dementia center was covered up 57:20 Loss of local urgency in political coverage 59:20 Older politicians are less invested in the future 1:00:50 In any other sphere, Biden's decline is disqualifying 1:02:20 Was the cover up a lack of faith in Harris? 1:03:35 Harris VP choice was for political reasons, not governing 1:05:20 VP pick was between Harris and Whitmer 1:07:05 The super original sin was Obama endorsing Clinton 1:10:35 Start of Biden's decline can be traced back to Beau's death 1:12:20 Obama has never spoken on Biden's decline 1:14:50 What style of book do you like to write the most? 1:18:05 Jake's next book is about Klaus Barbie 1:19:05 Best current political satire? 1:22:35 South Park is the best at capturing the culture 1:24:20 Trump bit on SNL is worn out 1:26:20 Jake's streaming recommendations 1:30:20 Does Jake ever stop working? 1:31:50 Staying off social media 1:33:20 Journalists shouldn't be celebrities 1:34:35 Which Philly sports team will you follow even if they suck? 1:36:50 Collecting sports memorabilia 1:39:05 The entire SEC cheated 1:40:20 The long form podcast format vs short TV interviews 1:43:20 The public's reaction to "Original Sin" 1:45:20 Trump has been backed into a corner with Iran1:48:00 Chuck's thoughts on the interview Jake Tapper 1:48:30 Ask Chuck - Who would you put on Mt. Rushmore of DC media figures? 1:51:30 What should happen with the Nats after getting swept by the Rockies? 1:53:45 Chuck remembers his family dog Ruby. Rest in peace. 

Chuck Todd is joined by former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of American politics and governance. McCrory, who describes himself as a Reagan conservative, discusses how modern politics has become trapped in rigid left/right binary thinking and reflects on his experience managing civil unrest during the 2016 Charlotte riots. The conversation explores the breakdown of civil discourse, the infiltration of legitimate protests by anarchists, and the failure of political leaders to work across party lines during crises like the recent LA fires.The discussion delves into pressing questions about federal disaster response, including whether states can manage without FEMA and how the two-party system is failing Americans. They argue that dark money has turned campaign finance into "legal corruption." He also weighs in on whether the Republican Party can be reformed or if America needs a viable third party, while addressing the political survival prospects of senators like Thom Tillis in an increasingly polarized landscape.Timeline00:00 Governor Pat McCrory joins the Chuck ToddCast!01:30 Everything in modern politics is framed in left/right binary terms03:15 What type of conservative is he?04:15 What attracted him to Reagan conservatism?06:00 Americans don’t always demand their leaders show empathy or grace07:15 We used to be able to have conversations with people we disagree with10:00 Mayors have less power than people realize11:00 Congress has given away too much power to the executive branch12:00 Handling the 2016 riots in Charlotte over a police shooting12:45 A handful of anarchists have infiltrated the LA protests15:00 Anarchists try to turn legitimate protests into riots16:00 Is there a playbook for managing protests and civil unrest?19:30 Trump, Newsom and Bass should be working together during protests20:15 The Trump administration views working with Democrats as weakness21:30 Newsom + Bass not holding joint press conferences during fires was a mistake23:00 Leaders have to go beyond politics during disasters24:00 Can states manage disaster relief on their own without FEMA?26:00 Does FEMA’s need for expediency make it ripe for waste and abuse?27:00 Disasters are a money making venture for contractors28:45 FEMA cuts will hurt Trump’s voters the most30:00 Bad communications after a disaster endanger the public30:45 Certain government roles shouldn’t be politically appointed32:30 FEMA needs to be reformed, not eliminated33:45 Would it be better to reform the GOP, or create a viable third party?35:15 The two party system is failing America36:15 The two parties are acting like the mafia37:15 There is political correctness on both sides of the aisle39:00 The protests end up being misrepresented on television41:15 Is the Republican party redeemable?42:30 Dark money has corrupted our politics44:15 Crypto has become the top spending lobbying group48:00 Is crypto really currency if you have to cash it out to spend it?50:30 Campaign finance has turned into legal corruption51:45 Can Tom Thillis survive a Republican primary challenge?55:00 Thillis holds strong convictions about the separation of powers

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 Introduction00:30 June 16th marks the 10th anniversary of Trump descending the escalator01:45 Trump’s staying power isn’t an accident02:30 Trump’s impact has been greater than any modern president04:00 Trump’s “fake it til you make it” strategy worked*05:45 Trump is comfortable being an outsider and disrespected07:00 Trump remade the Republican party in his image09:00 The poison he’s injected is division and politicization11:00 The culture Trump built will shape politics for decades13:00 June 17th the anniversary of Watergate break in13:45 The biased liberal media narrative was manufactured by Nixon15:15 Republicans mistake press neutrality with antagonism 16:30 Service journalism has become rare18:15 June 17th also anniversary of OJ Simpson chase19:30 OJ chase/trial massively changed media23:00 CNN saw CourTV’s ratings and changed strategy25:15 Before OJ, news networks didn’t chase ratings29:00 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 Newsom1:28:00 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 think34:15 Ask Chuck34:45 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(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

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.Timeline00:00 Introduction00:15 Nats swept by the Marlins01:00 The country and the world depend on Donald Trump’s leadership02:30 The only person who can end the Israel/Iran war is Trump03:30 Trump has infused the Republican Party with isolationism 05:30 Israel can’t end Iran’s nuclear program without direct US support07:15 Trump’s deportation policy is a major driver of instability08:30 Economic damage could cause Trump to back off deportations09:15 Minnesota shooter was radicalized online10:45 Most of the political violence in the country has come from the right12:15 Trump is not interested in lowering the temperature13:30 Trump won’t accept that he’s contributed to the tension14:30 Trump’s parade fell flat, but the No King’s protests were massive15:30 Chuck ended up on the hit list of a radical in 201816:50 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 insane21:15 When people don’t know what to believe, it makes democracy unstable23:00 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  Introduction01:05 The two types of ex-Repubicans03:40 The bleak future of the two-party system04:30 Trump's military birthday parade07:20 Longterm damage of politicizing the military08:55 Conservative's absurd renaming of Confederate bases11:30 The HUGE price of this military parade13:30 What the $45 million COULD have been used to fix15:10 Why politicizing the military would be end of the republic16:00 How this stunt is escalating tensions w/ ongoing protests17:15 Why this Trump scandal is particularly un-American19:45 Barbara Comstock joins the Chuck ToddCast!20:45 Efforts to reform the Republican party from within23:00 State and local level politics have been less infected by Trumpism25:15 Republicans are required to lie to their voters26:15 Reform will come from the bottom up27:00 Character is a bigger problem for Republicans than ideology28:30 Republicans have given up on character as a voting issue30:30 Winsome Earle-Sears has capitulated to the Trump movement33:15 Should Republicans embrace Trump’s ideology but with high character candidates?35:15 MAGA Republicans don’t care if government doesn’t work36:00 Loyalty is the only qualification Trump cares about39:00 Attrition and incentives are a better way of cutting government42:15 Emergency care for illegal immigrants is mandated by law43:00 Christian Republicans want to kick the samaritan to the curb44:00 Medicaid cuts will cause rural hospitals to close45:00 Medicaid sustains the long term care industry46:45 Congress has abdicated its responsibility to govern48:15 It takes one person of character to begin reforming the GOP49:15 There will be opportunity for reform during the succession fight50:45 When you make government work well, voters notice52:00 Could Republicans get wiped out like the Tories in the UK?53:30 Zelenskyy is the greatest leader on the world stage55:00 The Tucker Carlson wing has sided with Putin56:15 Can a non MAGA Republican win over MAGA voters in the future?58:45 Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon have looked clueless1:00:15 The Republican party has become an anti-intellectual party1:01:30 Has JD Vance always been a charlatan?1:03:30 JD Vance can’t be the future of the party1:04:45 Is Glenn Youngkin redeemable?1:07:00 Trump will want to anoint his successor1:07:30 Who are some current Republicans that could reclaim the GOP?1:10:15 The potential GOP reformer needs to be someone new1:13:15 Voters won’t be kind to incumbents of either party1:17:45 Analyzing the Musk-Trump breakup1:22:30 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 Introduction03:50 Steve Bannon's theory about Trump & the global populist movement06:10 Why Trump's character is a distraction for Democrats08:10 Democrats' advantage as an outsider party10:45 New Jersey gubernatorial race14:30 Democratic Senate candidates popping up in Iowa18:30 Minnesota Senate Democratic primary20:45 New candidate alert in Georgia!23:00 Louisiana getting rid of runoffs?24:10 Mark Green stepping down in Tennesee29:30 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 Introduction02:30 Trump is in a showdown with the state of California03:30 The “Newscum” nickname makes Trump look unserious05:30 The first amendment doesn’t only apply to citizens07:30 The Trump recession has begun08:30 The Big Beautiful Bill fight is going poorly for Republicans09:30 Trump wants to make California a political punching bag10:15 Trumpworld wants to make Gavin Newsom the face of the Democratic party11:30 If Trump arrests Newsom, Newsom could become a martyr12:00 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 trusts17:45 There’s not enough faith in the Democratic bench18:45 Obama has stayed above the fray19:20 Obama speaking out would raise the alarm amongst disengaged voters20:30 Biden failed to make the country turn the page on Trump 22:45 If Trump tries to seek a third term, so can Barack Obama24:00 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 AI1:06:15 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 Introduction01:15 Trump backs off when dealing with rich and powerful people02:15 Elon is a bridge between MAGA and the tech elite03:00 Steve Bannon says Musk’s money might have made the difference in election05:00 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 ends08:45 The fate of our country hinges on a pissing match between two powerful people10:15 Voters think all politicians are equally corrupt11:00 The Trump administration is trying to manufacture a crisis in Los Angeles12:30 What you’re reading and seeing online isn’t what’s happening on the ground13:30 Majority of voters want immigration enforced, but humanely and with due process15:00 Stephen Miller believes he’s setting up a political trap16:15 The administration wants to use California as a cultural punching bag18:00 DNC chair Ken Martin caught on recording saying he might not be up to the job20:00 Martin defined himself as a placeholder with doubts20:45 Democrats don’t know who’s in charge, or who they want to be in charge21:45 Ken Martin will be defined by this moment24:00 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?(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

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 media01:00 Trump threatens to terminate Elon’s government contracts01:20 Elon accuses Trump of being in the Epstein files02:30 Trump and Elon think they’ve bought each other's loyalty04:15 Trump and Elon are basically the same guy05:00 This was the most predictable split07:15 Elon doesn’t understand how politics work08:45 This feud will run into a reality check at some point09:45 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 Introduction02:30 There is tremendous dissatisfaction with both political parties04:00 What to make of the Elon Musk vs Donald Trump feud?05:00 One party governance breeds bad governance07:30 Trump vs Musk was always going to be a test of wills08:30 Trump isn’t as aggressive with people wealthier than him10:15 Democrats likely won’t forgive Elon if he turns on Trump11:30 Winner of the Democratic NYC mayoral primary will be the mayor12:45 Andrew Cuomo hasn’t lived in NYC in 35 years13:45 Cuomo shouldn’t have resigned because we never got closure on accusations15:45 If you resign in disgrace, there needs to be an electoral penalty16:30 Cuomo never faced an impeachment trial18:30 Multiple governors have resigned in order to dodge investigations21:00 We never got an accounting of Al Franken’s ethics committee report23:00 Cuomo shouldn’t be able to run again so soon24:00 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 & governors1:08:50 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 linked1:27:45 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 politicsThen, 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 Introduction02:00 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 one05:30 Democratic voters are still mad at Joe Biden07:30 Trump won’t have much to sell in 202609:45 Voters won’t feel any impact from Trump’s tax cut11:15 Democrats can’t sit back and expect to win in 202613:00 Trump is the bigger liability14:00 Should Republicans have won 2024 in a landslide?16:45 The rural vs. urban political divide is a worldwide phenomenon18:30 Mexico to make all judges elected positions, terrible for rule of law 21:00 Character doesn’t matter to voters, results do23:00 Joe Biden still believes he would have won the election24:15 Tim Walz suggests Democrats should be a little meaner27:15 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 weekend06:26 - Elon’s Exit from Trump Administration14:43 - Reaction to Trump’s pardons21:49 – Amanda Litman joins the Chuck Toddcast!22:19 – What is “Run For Something”?24:19 – Newt Gingrich started GoPAC to prep candidates on the right25:19 – The DNC dropped the ball on prepping candidates27:34 – Emily’s List was good for candidate training, but only for women29:04 – There are very few young elected Democrats30:04 – David Hogg’s DNC effort is a noble one, but messy for the DNC32:19 – The generational divide in the Democratic party33:49 – Democrats need younger leaders to speak to younger voters34:49 – The Republican party changed drastically in ten years35:49 – Voters under 35 have seen a lot of government failure37:49 – Voters receive their information so differently now39:04 – 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 progressives45:49 – 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 democracy53:19 – Legislators should be paid more55:19 – Lack of money and kids are a huge impediment to candidates under 4057:19 – 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 politicians65:19 – 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 Introduction01:30 Trump is putting the Republican party in a precarious position for midterms03:30 Trump’s only big win is the border04:00 Swing voters wanted lower prices and aren’t getting them04:30 Every election is now a “change” election06:30 Trump has become the party08:00 Republicans won’t have anything that’s easy to sell to the public09:30 New Texas poll shows Trump’s growing unpopularity12:00 Shrinking the size of government is popular with voters13:15 Bad economic approval is a warning for Republicans16:00 Incumbency may be a big problem for John Cornyn18:00 New Michigan poll released on senate race19:30 Michigan poll shows anti-incumbent bias in voters20:30 Lindsay Graham in a closer than expected race22:15 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 interview1:06:10 Ask Chuck1:06:55 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 Introduction00:30 The “third-rail” issues in American politics that are untouchable01:45 Medicaid is a lifeline for more than just poor people02:20 Dead rail issues are issues that you can ignore and voters don’t care03:10 Voters agree on need for campaign finance reform, but don’t vote on it05:00 Both parties only care about the national debt when they’re out of power07:00 Voters don’t care about campaign finance or the debt until it affects them09:00 The Republicans are more fiscally irresponsible than Democrats10:30 New campaign ad rolls out with purely AI generated people11:30 Senator Jeff Merkeley may step down12:30 Senator Ed Markey may face primary challenge13:00 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 character57:50 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 Introduction02:00 Have Democrats lost by enough to force them to change?04:30 Democrats seem intent on tinkering rather than an overhaul05:45 Trump hosts dinner for buyers of his memecoin06:45 Mike Johnson defends corruption if it’s “done in the open” * (14:30)08:30 Trump politicizes his West Point commencement speech10:30 “Whataboustism” is plaguing our politics12:00 Neither party has a monopoly on crazy or violence12:45 Trump has created a culture of fear which mutes criticism14:30 The public has become numb to Trump’s bad behavior15:45 Corruption will eat away the credibility of the MAGA movement*16:30 New poll released on AOC vs Schumer and Torres vs Hochul18:30 Being an incumbent will be a negative in 2026 and 202822:10 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 20281:16:00 Chuck’s thoughts on the interview with Ruy Texeira1:17:30 Senator John Cornyn has hired Trump’s campaign manager1:19:00 We’re about to see new level of negativity in a Republican primary1:20:45 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 Introduction00:30 Republicans struggling to pass the “Big Beautiful Bill”02:00 Partisan governance is bad governance03:30 The bill will pass, it’s just a matter of when05:45 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 culture11:45 If a president imposes on culture, they impose on speech14:45 The public will want a president who doesn’t impose on culture17:40 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 theater1:04:45 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 Introduction00:30 The importance of the California gubernatorial race01:15 Kloobeck intro02:30 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 Republicans08:15 Trends favor Democrats in non-presidential elections09:30 Democrats became the “rules” party11:15 Jared Golden not running for must-win Maine senate seat12:30 Republicans are already writing off Virginia13:30 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 Trump1:13:30 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 Introduction00:50 Joe Biden diagnosed with aggressive form of cancer02:00 Was Biden’s decline covered up, or just willful ignorance?03:00 Robert Hur recording has supercharged the Biden story06:45 Joe Biden couldn’t assure voters he was up to the job08:30 Chris Murphy says it’s the Democrats fault that Trump was re-elected11:45 Democrats need to do soul searching like they did with Bill Clinton13:30 Clinton had to run against the party and its prior leadership15:00 Democrats misread the 2020 election result18:00 Democrats will take some blame for problems Trump causes19:00 Democrats need to reinvent themselves21:00 Trump released the Hur tapes as a distraction 23:00 Democrats should be angrier about Biden than Republicans25:00 Mike Johnson needs Trump to pressure members of congress26:00 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 results1:19:15 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 Introduction00:30 Chuck’s personal connection to Vietnam was his dad02:30 Vietnam + Iraq still haunt American politics04:10 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 Vietnam23:00 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 vets37:40 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 Saigon1:02:35 Chuck’s thoughts on the interview