The Chuck ToddCast

On this special episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck reacts with alarm to ABC’s decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel off the air after FCC Chair Brendan Carr issued unconstitutional, mob boss–style threats. Though Kimmel’s comments weren’t in violation of FCC rules, Carr’s pressure—amplified by Trump’s threats and Nexstar’s influence—sparked a firestorm over government coercion, corporate capitulation, and the chilling effect on free speech. From the Nexstar/Tegna merger and Disney’s vulnerability to the broader shift of “cancel culture” from the left to the right, Chuck examines how Trump and his allies are using state power to silence dissent in violation of the 1st amendment—and what it means for media credibility, democracy, and the rule of law. Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 ABC pulls Kimmel off air after threats from FCC chair Brendan Carr02:30 Kimmel’s comments were pretty benign, not against FCC regulations03:15 Each side is finger pointing over whose ideology causes violence04:30 Brendan Carr issued unconstitutional, mob boss like threats 05:45 Carr didn’t like that MAGA was criticized06:45 Nexstar’s cancellation put pressure on Disney07:15 Disney opened the door to coercion by settling court case08:45 Nexstar/Tegna merger needs FCC approval10:00 If Carr didn’t go public, public backlash could have been avoided11:15 JD Vance has encouraged doxxing people for their free speech12:15 Trump threatened Kimmel would “be next” after Colbert13:00 Trump is using the power of the state to silence dissent15:15 Media corporations that won’t stand up to Trump should sell17:15 News organizations bowing to Trump have lost credibility19:00 Republicans used to push back on unconstitutional actions by Trump22:00 Trump didn’t get 50% of the popular vote, but governs like he got 100%23:30 “Cancel culture” has moved from the left to the right24:30 Deplatforming Trump after J6 was a massive mistake25:45 Stephen Miller and Brendan Carr are drunk with power26:30 This is an extraordinarily unconstitutional act Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chuck Todd unpacks the fallout from Charlie Kirk’s assassination and what it means for public displays of democracy, as lawmakers debate whether fear should keep them from showing up for their constituents. He also dives into explosive Senate testimony from former CDC director Dr. Monarez, who detailed political interference in vaccine policy under the Trump administration. The conversation shifts to the economic strain of tariffs and subsidy cuts—driving up everything from prescription drugs to coffee prices—alongside predictions of mass white-collar job losses fueled by AI. From Trump’s push to end quarterly earnings reports to the unresolved fight over TikTok, he highlights how politics, economics, and technology are colliding in ways that test both government accountability and public trust.Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Introduction02:00 Will we have public displays of democracy after Kirk’s death?02:30 Lawmakers are reconsidering public events04:00 If public servants are afraid of the public, they need to leave public service05:30 Lawmakers should take precautions, but they have to show up06:30 Social media platforms suppress content criticizing them08:30 Former CDC director Dr. Monarez testified before senate committee09:30 Trump nominated Dr. Monarez in March 202511:00 Dr. Monarez was fired less than a month after swearing12:45 Kennedy instructed Monarez not to interact with members of congress14:00 Monarez testifies Kennedy had no science backing change in vaccine schedule15:30 Chief of staff at HHS says there would be political review of scientific data17:30 Monarez says the no evidence support change to under 2 vaccine schedule18:45 Republican senators seemed troubled by the testimony19:45 You have to be skeptical of any info that comes from the Trump admin21:00 Prescription drug prices skyrocketing due to tariffs & subsidy cuts23:00 Coffee prices will become the new gas prices as bellwether for economy25:00 Tariff impacts are really starting to show up in the economy26:00 Anthropic predicting massive job losses in the white collar sector26:45 Mark Kelly proposes AI companies set up special fund to offset job losses28:30 Trump comes out against quarterly earnings reports29:30 Quarterly reports make companies focus on short term profits31:15 Investors punish long term focus from companies and it’s unhealthy32:00 Trump’s motives are always questionable, but this isn’t a bad policy34:00 A functional congress, wouldn't let the Chinese run TikTok’s algorithm post-sale36:00 Why bother with TikTok ban at all37:15 Major corporations view fines as the cost of doing business39:30 Ask Chuck 39:45 If state senates duplicate their districts, why have the districts at all? 45:00 Why doesn't Minnesota get swing state attention like other midwest states? 53:15 Should we stop treating real debate the same as clickbait debate? 57:15 Is there any benefit to parties besides the rich being able to push their agenda? 1:02:45 College football preview - Miami vs. Florida 1:09:00 The Iron Skillet SMU vs TCU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chuck Todd unpacks the fallout from Charlie Kirk’s assassination and what it means for public displays of democracy, as lawmakers debate whether fear should keep them from showing up for their constituents. He also dives into explosive Senate testimony from former CDC director Dr. Monarez, who detailed political interference in vaccine policy under the Trump administration. The conversation shifts to the economic strain of tariffs and subsidy cuts—driving up everything from prescription drugs to coffee prices—alongside predictions of mass white-collar job losses fueled by AI. From Trump’s push to end quarterly earnings reports to the unresolved fight over TikTok, he highlights how politics, economics, and technology are colliding in ways that test both government accountability and public trust.Then, he’s joined by former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Rohit Chopra for a deep dive into the role of the agency and the broader fight to regulate powerful financial institutions. Chopra explains why the agency has struggled to gain footing in Washington, the skepticism the public feels toward banks, and how past regulatory failures contributed to the 2008 financial crisis. They discuss how the CFPB uncovered systemic abuses, the resistance it faces from well-funded interests, and the ongoing debate over who should regulate emerging sectors like cryptocurrency and consumer data.The conversation also tackles the independence of the Federal Reserve, the risks of politicizing monetary policy, and how unchecked corporate power—from Wall Street to Silicon Valley—continues to shape the economy. Chopra pulls back the curtain on algorithmic lending practices, the dangers of personalized pricing, and why fines alone aren’t enough to hold companies accountable. From junk fees to crypto, from AI abuse to executive impunity, this episode explores why Americans are increasingly demanding regulators who stand up to entrenched financial interests—and why another populist economic revolt may be closer than we think.Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction02:00 Will we have public displays of democracy after Kirk’s death?02:30 Lawmakers are reconsidering public events04:00 If public servants are afraid of the public, they need to leave public service05:30 Lawmakers should take precautions, but they have to show up06:30 Social media platforms suppress content criticizing them08:30 Former CDC director Dr. Monarez testified before senate committee09:30 Trump nominated Dr. Monarez in March 202511:00 Dr. Monarez was fired less than a month after swearing12:45 Kennedy instructed Monarez not to interact with members of congress14:00 Monarez testifies Kennedy had no science backing change in vaccine schedule15:30 Chief of staff at HHS says there would be political review of scientific data17:30 Monarez says the no evidence support change to under 2 vaccine schedule18:45 Republican senators seemed troubled by the testimony19:45 You have to be skeptical of any info that comes from the Trump admin21:00 Prescription drug prices skyrocketing due to tariffs & subsidy cuts23:00 Coffee prices will become the new gas prices as bellwether for economy25:00 Tariff impacts are really starting to show up in the economy26:00 Anthropic predicting massive job losses in the white collar sector26:45 Mark Kelly proposes AI companies set up special fund to offset job losses28:30 Trump comes out against quarterly earnings reports29:30 Quarterly reports make companies focus on short term profits31:15 Investors punish long term focus from companies and it’s unhealthy32:00 Trump’s motives are always questionable, but this isn’t a bad policy34:00 A functional congress, wouldn't let the Chinese run TikTok’s algorithm post-sale36:00 Why bother with TikTok ban at all37:15 Major corporations view fines as the cost of doing business40:15 Rohit Chopra joins the Chuck ToddCast 42:00 Why has it been so difficult for the CFPB to take root in DC? 42:45 The public is skeptical of financial institutions 43:30 What exactly is the CFPB and what is it supposed to do? 45:00 The fed board wasn't regulating leading up to financial crisis 46:15 Why were prior regulators ineffective? 47:00 The CFPB has discovered multiple systemic abuses 47:45 Multiple companies settled, and new head of CFPB is ripping them up 48:45 Russ Vought is currently running the CFPB 50:00 What's the difference between the FTC and the CFPB? 51:00 CFPB is responsible for regulating all financial institutions/lenders 52:45 Voters from both parties benefit from the CFPB protecting them 53:30 Deep pocketed interests want to defang the regulators 54:00 Who should be regulating crypto? 54:45 Is crypto a stock or a commodity? 56:15 Data from stablecoins can be used for targeting consumers 57:15 Which agency should protect Americans from abuse of their data? 59:00 Trump attempting to make more direct control of the Fed 59:45 The founders were against the president controlling the money supply 1:02:00 Federal Reserve hasn't been independent under Trump 1:03:30 The fed has saved the economy twice, but may not if corrupted 1:04:30 Inflation is just one piece of the equation if the fed loses independence 1:06:30 Libertarians argue against having a fed, what's the counter argument? 1:08:30 The fed should be focused on the entire economy and not just Wall St 1:10:15 Big moneyed interests wield huge power to avoid regulation 1:11:15 Did you ever look under the hood of a lending company's algorithm? 1:14:15 We need to outlaw AI being used for personal pricing 1:15:15 What is the legal justification for personalizing pricing? 1:17:45 The administration is destroying financial law enforcement 1:19:00 No consequences for bad behavior by banks & corporations 1:20:15 Fines aren't a deterrent, criminal charges are 1:22:30 Tech companies are never held accountable 1:24:00 How did you become a financial regulator? 1:27:00 Prior generations had an easier path to financial stability 1:28:15 Who deserved to be brought up on criminal charges for the financial crisis? 1:29:15 So many investigations were never even started after crisis 1:31:15 Potential market disruptions dissuaded DOJ from prosecuting executives 1:33:15 Federal agencies give white glove treatment to big firms 1:34:15 We are close to another populist economic revolt 1:36:00 Americans want the government to stand up to private interests 1:38:30 The CFPB helped billions of dollars in junk fees1:40:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Rohit Chopra 1:42:30 Ask Chuck 1:42:45 If state senates duplicate their districts, why have the districts at all? 1:48:00 Why doesn't Minnesota get swing state attention like other midwest states? 1:56:15 Should we stop treating real debate the same as clickbait debate? 2:00:15 Is there any benefit to parties besides the rich being able to push their agenda? 2:05:45 College football preview - Miami vs. Florida 2:12:00 The Iron Skillet SMU vs TCU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck is joined by former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Rohit Chopra for a deep dive into the role of the agency and the broader fight to regulate powerful financial institutions. Chopra explains why the agency has struggled to gain footing in Washington, the skepticism the public feels toward banks, and how past regulatory failures contributed to the 2008 financial crisis. They discuss how the CFPB uncovered systemic abuses, the resistance it faces from well-funded interests, and the ongoing debate over who should regulate emerging sectors like cryptocurrency and consumer data.The conversation also tackles the independence of the Federal Reserve, the risks of politicizing monetary policy, and how unchecked corporate power—from Wall Street to Silicon Valley—continues to shape the economy. Chopra pulls back the curtain on algorithmic lending practices, the dangers of personalized pricing, and why fines alone aren’t enough to hold companies accountable. From junk fees to crypto, from AI abuse to executive impunity, this episode explores why Americans are increasingly demanding regulators who stand up to entrenched financial interests—and why another populist economic revolt may be closer than we think.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Rohit Chopra joins the Chuck ToddCast01:45 Why has it been so difficult for the CFPB to take root in DC?02:30 The public is skeptical of financial institutions03:15 What exactly is the CFPB and what is it supposed to do?04:45 The fed board wasn’t regulating leading up to financial crisis06:00 Why were prior regulators ineffective?06:45 The CFPB has discovered multiple systemic abuses07:30 Multiple companies settled, and new head of CFPB is ripping them up08:30 Russ Vought is currently running the CFPB09:45 What’s the difference between the FTC and the CFPB?10:45 CFPB is responsible for regulating all financial institutions/lenders12:30 Voters from both parties benefit from the CFPB protecting them13:15 Deep pocketed interests want to defang the regulators13:45 Who should be regulating crypto?14:30 Is crypto a stock or a commodity?16:00 Data from stablecoins can be used for targeting consumers17:00 Which agency should protect Americans from abuse of their data?18:45 Trump attempting to make more direct control of the Fed19:30 The founders were against the president controlling the money supply21:45 Federal Reserve hasn’t been independent under Trump23:15 The fed has saved the economy twice, but may not if corrupted24:15 Inflation is just one piece of the equation if the fed loses independence26:15 Libertarians argue against having a fed, what’s the counter argument?28:15 The fed should be focused on the entire economy and not just Wall St30:00 Big moneyed interests wield huge power to avoid regulation31:00 Did you ever look under the hood of a lending company's algorithm?34:00 We need to outlaw AI being used for personal pricing35:00 What is the legal justification for personalizing pricing?37:30 The administration is destroying financial law enforcement38:45 No consequences for bad behavior by banks & corporations40:00 Fines aren’t a deterrent, criminal charges are42:15 Tech companies are never held accountable43:45 How did you become a financial regulator?46:45 Prior generations had an easier path to financial stability48:00 Who deserved to be brought up on criminal charges for the financial crisis?49:00 So many investigations were never even started after crisis51:00 Potential market disruptions dissuaded DOJ from prosecuting executives53:00 Federal agencies give white glove treatment to big firms54:00 We are close to another populist economic revolt55:45 Americans want the government to stand up to private interests58:15 The CFPB helped eliminate billions of dollars in junk fees Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck sits down with Brian Bengs, who challenged John Thune in South Dakota and is running for senate as an independent, and Todd Achilles, an independent from Idaho, to explore what it really means to run outside the two-party system. They open up about why they chose independence, the challenges of campaigning in red states where the word “Democrat” is a nonstarter, and the dysfunction they see as the product of both parties. From tariffs hurting farmers to the growing cost of attention in politics, the conversation highlights how America’s political and economic systems reward division and extremism over pragmatism and compromise.The discussion also tackles the bigger picture: whether the Republican Party could split between MAGA and traditional conservatives, why democracy no longer serves as a pressure release valve, and how corporate power and money in politics further erode trust. Bengs and Achilles share lessons from Ross Perot’s run, their views on immigration reform, and the importance of building bipartisan relationships in an age where the middle is punished. For them, independence isn’t just about rejecting partisanship—it’s about offering voters an alternative path forward in a system that too often feels broken.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Brian Bengs & Todd Achilles join the Chuck ToddCast01:30 Why are you running and why as an independent?02:45 Someone needed to challenge John Thune in SD03:45 Voters in red states hear “Democrat” and tune out despite agreement05:00 We have huge levels of debt, division and dysfunction06:00 70% of Idahoans identify as independent06:45 Democrats haven’t provided a counter message in red states09:00 Will the MAGA and traditional wings of the Republican party split?10:45 Trump’s tariffs hurting farmers, can they be won over?12:15 Republican leaders get in trouble for “not being MAGA enough”13:30 Tariffs and market concentration are squeezing farmers15:30 What does “caucusing on your own” look like?17:30 Deny both parties a majority and independents are swing votes18:15 Is Thune’s leadership an impediment to your candidacy? 19:15 The status quo dysfunction is a product of both parties20:30 The information ecosystem punishes the middle & incrementalism22:15 Attention is incredibly expensive for candidates23:45 The attentional incentive structures reward extremism 25:30 The importance of meeting voters in person26:30 How did we get to the point where political violence isn’t shocking? 27:30 Democracy is supposed to be a pressure release valve, but it isn’t working28:30 Talking to the voter who prioritizes economics over democracy29:45 We need to fix democracy to fix other issues30:45 There’s a “race to blame” in wake of Kirk shooting32:00 Corporations are pushing their operation costs onto taxpayers33:30 Guardrails on the private sector have been chipped away at35:00 The Big Beautiful Bill will shutter rural hospitals37:15 How can we make money in politics a salient voting issue?39:00 Lessons that can be learned from Ross Perot’s run?41:30 Pragmatic immigration requires border security and path to citizenship43:45 Congress more worried about their own security than deescalation44:45 The importance of building bipartisan relationships46:45 What 2 senators would you most look forward to working with if elected48:00 Favorite Democratic and Republican president?49:45 Eisenhower was the closest to an independent of any modern president50:30 Military service doesn’t lend itself to partisanship Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck explores the frustrations of the “mainstream middle” in red states and why Democrats can’t seem to reach them, even as discontent with the country grows. From the poisonous information ecosystem that radicalizes voters to the outsized influence of social media and big tech money in Washington, the conversation digs into how extremism thrives while moderation is punished. Chuck also examines the rise of independents, the possibility of a third-party shake-up, and how redistricting battles in California, Missouri, and Georgia could reshape the political map. With major races in New Jersey and Virginia looming, and Democrats struggling to find the right message, the episode highlights both the dangers and the opportunities in an increasingly unsettled political landscape.Then, Chuck sits down with Brian Bengs, who challenged John Thune in South Dakota and is running for senate as an independent, and Todd Achilles, an independent from Idaho, to explore what it really means to run outside the two-party system. They open up about why they chose independence, the challenges of campaigning in red states where the word “Democrat” is a nonstarter, and the dysfunction they see as the product of both parties. From tariffs hurting farmers to the growing cost of attention in politics, the conversation highlights how America’s political and economic systems reward division and extremism over pragmatism and compromise.The discussion also tackles the bigger picture: whether the Republican Party could split between MAGA and traditional conservatives, why democracy no longer serves as a pressure release valve, and how corporate power and money in politics further erode trust. Bengs and Achilles share lessons from Ross Perot’s run, their views on immigration reform, and the importance of building bipartisan relationships in an age where the middle is punished. For them, independence isn’t just about rejecting partisanship—it’s about offering voters an alternative path forward in a system that too often feels broken.Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 states that could elect an independent candidate to the U.S. Senate and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction02:00 There is a mainstream middle in red states, but Dems can’t reach them03:00 Feeling terrible about the state of the country, don’t see a path out04:30 We have a poisonous information ecosystem that radicalizes people05:15 Social media is poisoning the well, but big tech doesn’t shoulder blame06:30 When algorithms curate content, it makes the platform a publisher 08:00 Public schools finally starting to ban phones in classrooms09:00 The phones are toxic for adults too, not just kids11:00 Big tech companies have saturated D.C. with money to avoid regulation13:00 The administration is speaking in the language of the red scare13:45 Bipartisanship hasn’t been good for Donald Trump14:30 The fastest growing political party is “no party”15:45 The two major parties need a time out in order to course correct16:45 Spencer Cox can’t succeed in MAGA, but would be a great leader18:00 A third party scare could sober up the two major parties19:45 The one commonality between the parties is internet radicalization21:30 We need a moderate temperament to lead the country22:45 Our information ecosystem punishes moderation25:00 It could be a tough year for incumbents26:45 The big redistricting fight brewing in California28:00 There are 3 big money entities trying to get CA voters to vote no28:45 California voters are educated and want the redraw to be temporary30:00 Missouri redistricting law could go before voters and be repealed31:30 California Democrats have been very organized33:00 Democrats’ messaging problem over redistricting35:00 The Georgia Democratic primary for governor is fascinating37:15 GA governor primary could be bellwether for progressive vs moderate38:00 Big money pouring into NJ and Virginia races39:30 Virginia AG race will show whether law & order politics will be effective41:45 Trump conceding the NYC mayor’s race to Mamdani42:45 Jeffries in a tough spot, can’t be seen embracing a socialist 45:45 Brian Bengs & Todd Achilles join the Chuck ToddCast 47:15 Why are you running and why as an independent? 48:30 Someone needed to challenge John Thune in SD 49:30 Voters in red states hear "Democrat" and tune out despite agreement 50:45 We have huge levels of debt, division and dysfunction 51:45 70% of Idahoans identify as independent 52:30 Democrats haven't provided a counter message in red states 54:45 Will the MAGA and traditional wings of the Republican party split? 56:30 Trump's tariffs hurting farmers, can they be won over? 58:00 Republican leaders get in trouble for "not being MAGA enough" 59:15 Tariffs and market concentration are squeezing farmers 1:01:15 What does "caucusing on your own" look like? 1:03:15 Deny both parties a majority and independents are swing votes 1:04:00 Is Thune's leadership an impediment to your candidacy? 1:05:00 The status quo dysfunction is a product of both parties 1:06:15 The information ecosystem punishes the middle & incrementalism 1:08:00 Attention is incredibly expensive for candidates 1:09:30 The attentional incentive structures reward extremism 1:11:15 The importance of meeting voters in person 1:12:15 How did we get to the point where political violence isn't shocking? 1:13:15 Democracy is supposed to be a pressure release valve, but it isn't working 1:14:15 Talking to the voter who prioritizes economics over democracy 1:15:30 We need to fix democracy to fix other issues 1:16:30 There's a "race to blame" in wake of Kirk shooting 1:17:45 Corporations are pushing their operation costs onto taxpayers 1:19:15 Guardrails on the private sector have been chipped away at 1:20:45 The Big Beautiful Bill will shutter rural hospitals 1:23:00 How can we make money in politics a salient voting issue? 1:24:45 Lessons that can be learned from Ross Perot's run? 1:27:15 Pragmatic immigration requires border security and path to citizenship 1:29:30 Congress more worried about their own security than deescalation 1:30:30 The importance of building bipartisan relationships 1:32:30 What 2 senators would you most look forward to working with if elected 1:33:45 Favorite Democratic and Republican president? 1:35:30 Eisenhower was the closest to an independent of any modern president 1:36:15 Military service doesn't lend itself to partisanship1:39:00 ToddCast Top 5 states most likely to elect an independent to the senate 1:40:15 #1 & #2 - Vermont & Alaska 1:41:15 #3 Minnesota 1:42:45 #4 Arizona 1:43:30 #5 Florida 1:45:00 Runner ups 1:46:15 Ask Chuck 1:46:30 Is it possible for a candidate to run as a uniter in the current climate? 1:51:30 At congressional hearings, are the subjects provided questions in advance? 1:54:15 The importance of presenting multiple viewpoints in a fractured ecosystem 1:57:45 Instances of a political death being used to attack other side so soon? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck explores the frustrations of the “mainstream middle” in red states and why Democrats can’t seem to reach them, even as discontent with the country grows. From the poisonous information ecosystem that radicalizes voters to the outsized influence of social media and big tech money in Washington, the conversation digs into how extremism thrives while moderation is punished. Chuck also examines the rise of independents, the possibility of a third-party shake-up, and how redistricting battles in California, Missouri, and Georgia could reshape the political map. With major races in New Jersey and Virginia looming, and Democrats struggling to find the right message, the episode highlights both the dangers and the opportunities in an increasingly unsettled political landscape.Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 states that could elect an independent candidate to the U.S. Senate and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction00:30 Feeling terrible about the state of the country, don't see a path out 02:00 We have a poisonous information ecosystem that radicalizes people 02:45 Social media is poisoning the well, but big tech doesn't shoulder blame 04:00 When algorithms curate content, it makes the platform a publisher 05:30 Public schools finally starting to ban phones in classrooms 06:30 The phones are toxic for adults too, not just kids 08:30 Big tech companies have saturated D.C. with money to avoid regulation 10:30 The administration is speaking in the language of the red scare 11:15 Bipartisanship hasn't been good for Donald Trump 12:00 The fastest growing political party is "no party" 13:15 The two major parties need a time out in order to course correct 14:15 Spencer Cox can't succeed in MAGA, but would be a great leader 15:30 A third party scare could sober up the two major parties 17:15 The one commonality between the parties is internet radicalization 19:00 We need a moderate temperament to lead the country 20:15 Our information ecosystem punishes moderation22:00 The big redistricting fight brewing in California 23:15 There are 3 big money entities trying to get CA voters to vote no 24:00 California voters are educated and want the redraw to be temporary 25:15 Missouri redistricting law could go before voters and be repealed 26:45 California Democrats have been very organized 28:15 Democrats' messaging problem over redistricting 30:15 The Georgia Democratic primary for governor is fascinating 32:30 GA governor primary could be bellwether for progressive vs moderate 33:15 Big money pouring into NJ and Virginia races 34:45 Virginia AG race will show whether law & order politics will be effective 37:00 Trump conceding the NYC mayor's race to Mamdani 38:00 Jeffries in a tough spot, can't be seen embracing a socialist39:45 ToddCast Top 5 states most likely to elect an independent to the senate 41:00 #1 & #2 - Vermont & Alaska 42:00 #3 Minnesota 43:30 #4 Arizona 44:15 #5 Florida 45:45 Runner ups 47:00 Ask Chuck 47:15 Is it possible for a candidate to run as a uniter in the current climate? 52:15 At congressional hearings, are the subjects provided questions in advance? 55:00 The importance of presenting multiple viewpoints in a fractured ecosystem 58:30 Instances of a political death being used to attack other side so soon? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chuck Todd reflects on the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and what it reveals about America’s dangerously fractured politics. He explores how social media algorithms, outrage media, and polarized incentive structures are fueling political violence, with 150 politically motivated attacks already in 2025. From the dangers of cancel culture to the unwillingness of both parties to police their own extremes, Chuck argues that disagreements must stop being treated as existential threats if democracy is to function. He also considers the role of leaders like Spencer Cox, the failures of Biden and Trump to unify, and why regulating big tech and breaking out of ideological silos may be the clearest path back to a healthier, more honest political discourse.Finally, on “This week in history” Chuck remembers Washington’s farewell address and why it perfectly meets the current moment in U.S. politics, answer questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gives his week 3 college football roundup.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction0015: It’s been a tough past five days since Kirk assassination01:00 The system is rigged for division and against unity05:45 There are ways to mitigate the risk of political violence, but it takes will06:45 We’re most unified when there’s an external, existential threat07:45 Threats from the inside only divide us08:15 America has experienced 150 politically motivated attacks in 202509:30 College should be about exposure to new ideas, both good and bad10:45 Social media playing a huge role in every political assassination attempt12:00 Each side is convinced that violence is only coming from the other side13:30 Politics is supposed to be about meeting somewhere in the middle14:45 People on the left should now have a better sense of cancel culture17:00 Policy disagreements can’t be seen as existential threats18:00 Online discourse is so much more toxic than in-person19:30 Social media platforms are the problem with their rage drive algorithms21:00 Trump views this as a political moment to exploit21:45 Trump doesn’t view that he’s been a contributor to this political climate22:45 Politics of division has been good politics for Trump, bad for country24:00 Incentive structures are what matter most for a healthy politics26:00 Both parties aren’t comfortable policing their own side27:30 Neither side is incentivized to do the right thing28:45 On the right, the agitators are in charge30:15 Spencer Cox might be exactly the type of leader America needs30:45 Biden didn’t bring the country together, legislated for his base32:30 Our political discourse radicalized the gunman34:00 The biggest, most obvious fix is regulating big tech35:30 We need a media that accommodates multiple ideologies38:30 Our information silos create a lack of shared reality40:45 Outrage media creates a loyal audience but isn’t always honest42:45 Trying to make the ToddCast a truthful, neutral arbiter44:00 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Frank Lavin 45:15 This week in history - George Washington's farewell address 45:45 Washington warned against political parties and factionalism 47:00 Washington preached unity above all else 49:30 Washington warned against dominating factions/partisanship 51:00 He argued to follow the Constitution and fiscal responsibility 52:00 He preached morality 53:30 He argued for peace and alliances 55:30 Ask Chuck 55:45 Thoughts on a James Talarico/Jeff Jackson ticket in 2028? 1:03:30 How can media interviewers produce better interviews? 1:08:00 How does Arkansas have such an outsized role in national politics? 1:11:00 College football needs to collectively negotiate their TV contracts 1:13:00 Week 3 college football roundup Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, former U.S. Ambassador and Reagan White House veteran Frank Lavin joins to reflect on the state of American politics and what lessons might be drawn from Ronald Reagan’s presidency. From Reagan’s approach to bipartisanship and his handling of foreign policy, to Trump’s transactional style and fixation on deference, Lavin weighs in on how today’s leaders measure up against the conservative legacy of the past. He explores what governing responsibly looks like in a narrowly divided nation and why Reagan’s emphasis on free trade and coalition-building still matters.The conversation stretches from historical “what ifs”—like whether Reagan would have risen without Ford’s pardon of Nixon—to the present-day challenges of Ukraine, China, and the role of U.S. alliances in Asia. Lavin also tackles questions of Trump’s political lineage, whether there’s an heir to Trumpism, and how both parties are struggling with trade, borders, and identity. With insights from inside the Reagan administration and a sharp eye on today’s divisions, Lavin offers a wide-angle view on conservatism, leadership, and what the future of American politics might hold.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Frank Lavin joins the Chuck ToddCast03:15 Where are we as a country and how would Reagan have handled it?04:30 Social media rewards audacity and “nutpicking”05:45 We haven’t hit bottom yet08:45 What would Reagan have done with full control of congress?10:00 What is the responsibility of a 51-49 winner to the 49?11:00 The problem with only governing for your base12:15 Leaders should actively pursue their agenda despite opposition13:30 Clinton and Reagan had to accommodate the other side14:15 People like the idea of Trump more than him actually being president15:30 If Ford doesn’t pardon Nixon, does Reagan win the primary?18:30 Is a political/DC outsider best positioned to win in 2028?20:15 Reagan would be pushing back on Putin in Ukraine21:15 Our weakness on Ukraine will motivate China on Taiwan22:00 Obama’s lack of action on Crimea green lit Putin on Ukraine23:00 How do our Asian allies change their behavior without US security?24:00 Asian countries will have to accommodate China 25:00 Hosting US military base didn’t prevent strike on Qatar26:45 Is Trump an heir to the Reagan lineage?27:45 Reagan was for free trade, Trump is not29:00 Trump’s premise that free trade hurts us is faulty30:15 How often did you get time with Reagan as a staffer?32:30 Reagan was dedicated to getting George Bush elected34:30 Trump isn’t foreign policy oriented, he’s transactional35:30 Trump has a 19th century style of foreign policy37:45 Trump cares more about deference than achieving policy goals38:30 Is Trump’s Republican party similar to the 1920’s GOP?40:15 Democrats have been mixed messengers on free trade41:00 Sherrod Brown is an “old” politician, been in politics forever42:15 Should Democrats embrace Trump’s border policy43:30 Obama likely benefitted from the “deporter in-chief” protests45:45 What is the definition of traditional conservatism?46:45 What could Romney/Ryan done better to prevent Trumpism?47:45 Nobody permanently shifts US politics49:00 Trump won on culture and by not going after entitlements50:45 Cutting postal service is a place to cut spending51:45 There’s little political reward for incrementalism52:15 Trump isn’t a conservative, but rejects the left54:00 Trump’s anti-crime policies are deliberately offensive55:00 George H.W. Bush didn’t have communications skills like Reagan56:00 Is there an heir to Trump?59:00 The joy of teaching at USC Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chuck Todd reflects on the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and what it reveals about America’s dangerously fractured politics. He explores how social media algorithms, outrage media, and polarized incentive structures are fueling political violence, with 150 politically motivated attacks already in 2025. From the dangers of cancel culture to the unwillingness of both parties to police their own extremes, Chuck argues that disagreements must stop being treated as existential threats if democracy is to function. He also considers the role of leaders like Spencer Cox, the failures of Biden and Trump to unify, and why regulating big tech and breaking out of ideological silos may be the clearest path back to a healthier, more honest political discourse.Then, former U.S. Ambassador and Reagan White House veteran Frank Lavin joins to reflect on the state of American politics and what lessons might be drawn from Ronald Reagan’s presidency. From Reagan’s approach to bipartisanship and his handling of foreign policy, to Trump’s transactional style and fixation on deference, Lavin weighs in on how today’s leaders measure up against the conservative legacy of the past. He explores what governing responsibly looks like in a narrowly divided nation and why Reagan’s emphasis on free trade and coalition-building still matters.The conversation stretches from historical “what ifs”—like whether Reagan would have risen without Ford’s pardon of Nixon—to the present-day challenges of Ukraine, China, and the role of U.S. alliances in Asia. Lavin also tackles questions of Trump’s political lineage, whether there’s an heir to Trumpism, and how both parties are struggling with trade, borders, and identity. With insights from inside the Reagan administration and a sharp eye on today’s divisions, Lavin offers a wide-angle view on conservatism, leadership, and what the future of American politics might hold.Finally, on “This week in history” Chuck remembers Washington’s farewell address and why it perfectly meets the current moment in U.S. politics, answer questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gives his week 3 college football roundup.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction0015: It’s been a tough past five days since Kirk assassination01:00 The system is rigged for division and against unity05:45 There are ways to mitigate the risk of political violence, but it takes will06:45 We’re most unified when there’s an external, existential threat07:45 Threats from the inside only divide us08:15 America has experienced 150 politically motivated attacks in 202509:30 College should be about exposure to new ideas, both good and bad10:45 Social media playing a huge role in every political assassination attempt12:00 Each side is convinced that violence is only coming from the other side13:30 Politics is supposed to be about meeting somewhere in the middle14:45 People on the left should now have a better sense of cancel culture17:00 Policy disagreements can’t be seen as existential threats18:00 Online discourse is so much more toxic than in-person19:30 Social media platforms are the problem with their rage drive algorithms21:00 Trump views this as a political moment to exploit21:45 Trump doesn’t view that he’s been a contributor to this political climate22:45 Politics of division has been good politics for Trump, bad for country24:00 Incentive structures are what matter most for a healthy politics26:00 Both parties aren’t comfortable policing their own side27:30 Neither side is incentivized to do the right thing28:45 On the right, the agitators are in charge30:15 Spencer Cox might be exactly the type of leader America needs30:45 Biden didn’t bring the country together, legislated for his base32:30 Our political discourse radicalized the gunman34:00 The biggest, most obvious fix is regulating big tech35:30 We need a media that accommodates multiple ideologies38:30 Our information silos create a lack of shared reality40:45 Outrage media creates a loyal audience but isn’t always honest42:45 Trying to make the ToddCast a truthful, neutral arbiter45:15 Frank Lavin joins the Chuck ToddCast 48:30 Where are we as a country and how would Reagan have handled it? 49:45 Social media rewards audacity and "nutpicking" 51:00 We haven't hit bottom yet 54:00 What would Reagan have done with full control of congress? 55:15 What is the responsibility of a 51-49 winner to the 49? 56:15 The problem with only governing for your base 57:30 Leaders should actively pursue their agenda despite opposition 58:45 Clinton and Reagan had to accommodate the other side 59:30 People like the idea of Trump more than him actually being president 1:00:45 If Ford doesn't pardon Nixon, does Reagan win the primary? 1:03:45 Is a political/DC outsider best positioned to win in 2028? 1:05:30 Reagan would be pushing back on Putin in Ukraine 1:06:30 Our weakness on Ukraine will motivate China on Taiwan 1:07:15 Obama's lack of action on Crimea green lit Putin on Ukraine 1:08:15 How do our Asian allies change their behavior without US security? 1:09:15 Asian countries will have to accommodate China 1:10:15 Hosting US military base didn't prevent strike on Qatar 1:12:00 Is Trump an heir to the Reagan lineage? 1:13:00 Reagan was for free trade, Trump is not 1:14:15 Trump's premise that free trade hurts us is faulty 1:15:30 How often did you get time with Reagan as a staffer? 1:17:45 Reagan was dedicated to getting George Bush elected 1:19:45 Trump isn't foreign policy oriented, he's transactional 1:20:45 Trump has a 19th century style of foreign policy 1:23:00 Trump cares more about deference than achieving policy goals 1:23:45 Is Trump's Republican party similar to the 1920's GOP? 1:25:30 Democrats have been mixed messengers on free trade 1:26:15 Sherrod Brown is an "old" politician, been in politics forever 1:27:30 Should Democrats embrace Trump's border policy 1:28:45 Obama likely benefitted from the "deporter in-chief" protests 1:31:00 What is the definition of traditional conservatism? 1:32:00 What could Romney/Ryan done better to prevent Trumpism? 1:33:00 Nobody permanently shifts US politics 1:34:15 Trump won on culture and by not going after entitlements 1:36:00 Cutting postal service is a place to cut spending 1:37:00 There's little political reward for incrementalism 1:37:30 Trump isn't a conservative, but rejects the left 1:39:15 Trump's anti-crime policies are deliberately offensive 1:40:15 George H.W. Bush didn't have communications skills like Reagan 1:41:15 Is there an heir to Trump? 1:44:15 The joy of teaching at USC1:49:30 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Frank Lavin 1:50:45 This week in history - George Washington's farewell address 1:51:15 Washington warned against political parties and factionalism 1:52:30 Washington preached unity above all else 1:55:00 Washington warned against dominating factions/partisanship 1:56:30 He argued to follow the Constitution and fiscal responsibility 1:57:30 He preached morality 1:59:00 He argued for peace and alliances 2:01:00 Ask Chuck 2:01:15 Thoughts on a James Talarico/Jeff Jackson ticket in 2028? 2:09:00 How can media interviewers produce better interviews? 2:13:30 How does Arkansas have such an outsized role in national politics? 2:16:30 College football needs to collectively negotiate their TV contracts 2:18:30 Week 3 college football roundup Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of The Chuck Toddcast, Congressman Greg Landsman joins Chuck for a wide-ranging conversation that begins with the shocking shooting of Charlie Kirk at an event on the Utah Valley University campus. The two dig into how political rhetoric has spiraled out of control, the role of social media algorithms in fueling polarization, and why platforms shouldn’t be shielded from accountability. Landsman argues that leaders who cross the line with their rhetoric must be called out and stresses the urgent need to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people before the U.S. slips further into a dangerous cycle of political violence.From there, the discussion shifts to governing—what Landsman learned on Cincinnati’s city council, why Congress has become dysfunctional since 9/11, and the frustrating reality that most bills are more about messaging than legislating. They also tackle foreign policy, including the stakes of defending Taiwan, the risks of Trump’s trade war with China, and whether an “Asian NATO” could prevent a wider conflict. Plus, Landsman reflects on Kamala Harris’s book, the pressures from party leadership, and the uncertainty of his own political future as redistricting looms.(This conversation was recorded prior to the news of Charlie Kirk’s death)Timeline:00:00 Congressman Greg Landsman joins the Chuck Toddcast00:15 Charlie Kirk shot at event on UVU campus03:00 We need to turn down the temperature on political rhetoric04:15 Social media algorithms have accelerated polarization06:45 Being super online warps your brain08:00 Political leadership that crosses the line needs to be called out08:30 Social media companies shouldn’t be shielded from litigation09:30 Algorithms turn social media platforms into publishers11:00 Need to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people12:30 We’re likely to slide into a “which side is more violent” debate14:15 Why no committee investigation into Trump assassination attempt?16:30 The country is a tinderbox, the president needs to calm the waters19:15 Democrats have been chasing Trump for 10 years20:15 Democrats need to offer solutions and not just opposition to Trump22:15 What did Greg do before entering politics?23:15 What was the experience like on the city council?27:00 Local government teaches you the basics of governing31:00 After 9/11, congressional leaders ruined congress32:15 700 bills made it out of committee, 50 made it to the floor33:15 Most bills on the floor are messaging bills34:30 America is only united when we have a common external enemy35:30 We could be in World War 3 within a couple years36:30 U.S. needs to make clear that it will defend allies37:45 How do you sell defending Taiwan to the American people?38:45 Should we have an Asian NATO?40:00 We have to increase the cost to China for messing with Taiwan41:15 Trump’s trade war increases the likelihood of a hot war43:35 Thoughts on the excerpts from Kamala Harris’s book?45:00 Were you pressured by the administration into not saying anything?47:30 Will your seat be redistricted? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Chuck Toddcast, Chuck reflects on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it reveals about the tinderbox state of American politics. He explores how escalating rhetoric, dehumanization, and the amplification of fringe anger online have fueled a culture where violence replaces politics—and where children are left grieving the consequences. From the role of algorithms in supercharging extremism to the failure of leaders and tech companies to meet the moment, Chuck asks whether this tragedy can finally serve as the wake-up call for Americans to step back, recommit to the democratic process, and demand a safer political climate.Finally, he reacts to the newly released excerpts from Kamala Harris’s book and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction - Charlie Kirk assassinated01:30 We’re in a tinderbox of our own making02:30 Political rhetoric has escalated out of control03:00 Young kids lost their father over a political dispute03:45 When you resort to violence, you are no longer practicing politics05:00 Dehumanizing rhetoric leads to violence07:15 We collectively need to step back in this movement09:00 The way politics has been conducted won’t lead us to a better place10:15 We have underreacted to political violence in recent years11:30 Unity doesn’t mean agreeing, it means agreeing to the process12:45 The super online angry fringe whips people up13:45 Hopefully this is the “enough is enough” moment15:45 Algorithms incentive and feed into the extremist rhetoric16:45 Hoping our leaders can rise up and meet the moment19:15 The tech companies have created this environment20:00 Excerpts from Kamala Harris's book released, are very direct 20:45 Harris was set up for failure as the "border czar" 21:45 Surprising that Biden staff treated Harris like Obama's treated him 23:45 Harris is cautious by nature 26:00 Harris likely to run again out of Biden's shadow 27:30 Dean Phillips is owed an apology, party needed an open debate 28:45 Ask Chuck29:00 Importance of Michigan politics? 32:30 Could the energy Detroit sports teams provide could impact politics? 35:30 How should Democrats call out corruption & unfavorables on their side? 40:15 Should Democrats invite the national guard, then highlight crime in red states? 43:45 If the media hounded Trump about Kennedy, would he be more reactive? 46:15 College football games to keep an eye on 51:15 Find your way to do your part to de-escalate Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Chuck Toddcast, Chuck reflects on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it reveals about the tinderbox state of American politics. He explores how escalating rhetoric, dehumanization, and the amplification of fringe anger online have fueled a culture where violence replaces politics—and where children are left grieving the consequences. From the role of algorithms in supercharging extremism to the failure of leaders and tech companies to meet the moment, Chuck asks whether this tragedy can finally serve as the wake-up call for Americans to step back, recommit to the democratic process, and demand a safer political climate.Then, Congressman Greg Landsman joins Chuck for a wide-ranging conversation that begins with the shocking shooting of Charlie Kirk at an event on the Utah Valley University campus. (This conversation was recorded prior to the news of Charlie Kirk’s death) The two dig into how political rhetoric has spiraled out of control, the role of social media algorithms in fueling polarization, and why platforms shouldn’t be shielded from accountability. Landsman argues that leaders who cross the line with their rhetoric must be called out and stresses the urgent need to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people before the U.S. slips further into a dangerous cycle of political violence.From there, the discussion shifts to governing—what Landsman learned on Cincinnati’s city council, why Congress has become dysfunctional since 9/11, and the frustrating reality that most bills are more about messaging than legislating. They also tackle foreign policy, including the stakes of defending Taiwan, the risks of Trump’s trade war with China, and whether an “Asian NATO” could prevent a wider conflict. Plus, Landsman reflects on Kamala Harris’s book, the pressures from party leadership, and the uncertainty of his own political future as redistricting looms.Finally, he reacts to the newly released excerpts from Kamala Harris’s book and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Chuck Todd’s Introduction - Charlie Kirk assassinated01:30 We’re in a tinderbox of our own making02:30 Political rhetoric has escalated out of control03:00 Young kids lost their father over a political dispute03:45 When you resort to violence, you are no longer practicing politics05:00 Dehumanizing rhetoric leads to violence07:15 We collectively need to step back in this movement09:00 The way politics has been conducted won’t lead us to a better place10:15 We have underreacted to political violence in recent years11:30 Unity doesn’t mean agreeing, it means agreeing to the process12:45 The super online angry fringe whips people up13:45 Hopefully this is the “enough is enough” moment15:45 Algorithms incentive and feed into the extremist rhetoric16:45 Hoping our leaders can rise up and meet the moment19:15 The tech companies have created this environment21:15 Congressman Greg Landsman joins the Chuck Toddcast 21:30 Charlie Kirk shot at event on UVU campus 24:15 We need to turn down the temperature on political rhetoric 25:30 Social media algorithms have accelerated polarization 28:00 Being super online warps your brain 29:15 Political leadership that crosses the line needs to be called out 29:45 Social media companies shouldn't be shielded from litigation 30:45 Algorithms turn social media platforms into publishers 32:15 Need to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people 33:45 We're likely to slide into a "which side is more violent" debate 35:30 Why no committee investigation into Trump assassination attempt?37:45 The country is a tinderbox, the president needs to calm the waters 40:30 Democrats have been chasing Trump for 10 years 41:30 Democrats need to offer solutions and not just opposition to Trump 43:30 What did Greg do before entering politics? 44:30 What was the experience like on the city council? 48:15 Local government teaches you the basics of governing 52:15 After 9/11, congressional leaders ruined congress 53:30 700 bills made it out of committee, 50 made it to the floor 54:30 Most bills on the floor are messaging bills 55:45 America is only united when we have a common external enemy 56:45 We could be in World War 3 within a couple years 57:45 U.S. needs to make clear that it will defend allies 59:00 How do you sell defending Taiwan to the American people? 1:00:00 Should we have an Asian NATO? 1:01:15 We have to increase the cost to China for messing with Taiwan 1:02:30 Trump's trade war increases the likelihood of a hot war 1:04:50 Thoughts on the excerpts from Kamala Harris's book? 1:06:15 Were you pressured by the administration into not saying anything? 1:08:45 Will your seat be redistricted?1:09:15 Thoughts on interview with Greg Landsman 1:10:00 Excerpts from Kamala Harris's book released, are very direct 1:10:45 Harris was set up for failure as the "border czar" 1:11:45 Surprising that Biden staff treated Harris like Obama's treated him 1:13:45 Harris is cautious by nature 1:16:00 Harris likely to run again out of Biden's shadow 1:17:30 Dean Phillips is owed an apology, party needed an open debate 1:18:45 Ask Chuck 1:19:00 Importance of Michigan politics? 1:22:30 Could the energy Detroit sports teams provide could impact politics? 1:25:30 How should Democrats call out corruption & unfavorables on their side? 1:30:15 Should Democrats invite the national guard, then highlight crime in red states? 1:33:45 If the media hounded Trump about Kennedy, would he be more reactive? 1:36:15 College football games to keep an eye on 1:41:15 Find your way to do your part to de-escalate Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck unpacks a whirlwind of economic, geopolitical, and political developments shaping America’s future. From Trump’s tariffs likely surviving a fast-tracked Supreme Court review to rising fears of stagflation fueled by deportations and trade headwinds, the economic outlook is looking grim. Abroad, Russia escalates the war by sending drones into Polish airspace, while Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar risks leaving it more isolated on the world stage. Back home, Trump once again rewrites reality, denying ties to Jeffrey Epstein as his allies echo the talking points — raising fresh parallels to Orwell’s 1984.He also looks ahead to the Democratic Party’s long-term challenges: how can they remain competitive nationally by 2032, when the current path to 270 electoral votes is likely gone? With Georgia and North Carolina emerging as decisive swing states, Democrats will need to expand their map and rethink their message — particularly as the “socialism” label remains toxic to southern voters.Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 states each party should target in order to make them battlegrounds by 2032, and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:00 Trump’s tariffs likely to stay in place despite expedited court ruling02:15 Trump’s team pushed SCOTUS to rule quickly04:00 John Roberts is always hesitant to upset those in power06:00 The bad vibes surrounding the economy look to be right07:15 Economy was facing headwinds, tariffs & deportations make it worse09:30 The conditions for stagflation are forming11:30 Incursion of Russian attack drones into Polish airspace12:15 Putin has escalated the war since Alaska summit with Trump13:45 Israel makes brazen strike on Hamas political wing in Qatar15:45 There’s no chance Trump would have approved strike in advance16:45 Strike could further isolate Israel18:00 Israel is a wedge issue amongst the American electorate20:45 Trump goes full George Orwell, denies letter to Epstein 22:00 Trump staffers have been willing to double down on behalf of Trump 23:15 We're living through Orwell's 1984 25:15 Democrats can weaponize Epstein to highlight Trump's dishonesty 27:15 How can Democrats become a competitive national party in 2032? 28:15 By 2032, the current path to 270 won't be there for Democrats 30:00 Georgia and North Carolina will become the most important swing states 31:15 Democrats need to figure out how to expand their path to 270 33:15 The word socialism is toxic to voters in the south 35:15 Democrats will have to rebrand and back off the socialism label38:45 The Toddcast Top 5 - States each party should target as battlegrounds 40:00 Top 5 states Democrats should target 46:30 Top 5 states Republicans should target 51:00 Ask Chuck 51:15 Why be in congress if you have no interest in exercising power? 57:45 Potential democracy reforms that the U.S. could pass? 1:02:00 Was the eugenics movement similar to the current anti-vax movement? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Political strategist and K-Street veteran Bruce Mehlman joins Chuck Todd to unpack how politics, media, and business have collided in the Trump era and beyond. From the days when three television networks shaped a shared national narrative to today’s fractured landscape of Substack newsletters, podcasts, and hyper-partisan social feeds, Mehlman and Chuck explore how the internet broke traditional politics.  They dive into how Washington has become a magnet for American business titans, the sky-high costs of lobbying access to President Trump, and whether bipartisan firms can even survive in the current climate.The conversation then widens to the global stage, connecting the 2008 financial crisis to the populist revolts of Brexit and Trump, and questioning whether the public underestimates just how much globalization has improved daily life. From Trump’s reliance on tariffs to the reality-versus-perception debate over crime, immigration, and the economy, Mehlman outlines the policy flashpoints that will shape 2024 and beyond. Plus: what the redistricting wars could mean for democracy, and why some argue the House of Representatives needs to grow in size to reflect America’s population.Timeline:00:00 Bruce Mehlman joins the Chuck ToddCast02:30 Traditional media is forced to “sand the edges”due to political climate03:15 The internet broke politics and media04:15 When there were 3 networks, news catered to the entire country05:45 The energy in media is in the podcast/substack space06:45 The importance of a varied media diet08:00 Twitter/X has become incredibly right-wing09:00 Washington D.C. has become a tent-pole for business titans10:15 Can bipartisan firms succeed in DC these days?13:30 How is the “Trump purge” affecting K-Street?15:15 Lobbying firms with access are charging astronomical rates16:15 Congress isn’t passing legislation, it’s all executive orders17:30 Does Mike Johnson have a go-to shop on K-Street?19:00 Was Brexit the event that caused this era of global instability?19:45 Brexit and Trump were downstream of the 2008 financial crisis21:15 The populist revolt was inevitable after the financial crisis23:30 The public takes for granted the benefits of globalization26:15 Successful western countries haven’t compensated for globalization28:15 The public suffers from recency bias, things are better now30:00 The perception of the economy is the economic reality32:15 People who predict doom are perceived as right and smarter33:45 If SCOTUS takes away Trump’s tariff power, will congress restore it?34:45 Trump views tariffs as the solution to every problem37:00 If Trump loses in court on tariffs, he’ll just use another law38:15 There’s no incentive for Dems to cut a deal due to recissions40:00 If Republicans agree to no recissions, they could find a deal41:15 If legislation passes one chamber, it should force a vote in the other42:15 Fallout from the raid on South Korean workers at the Hyundai plant?44:30 There’s support for the “why” of Trump’s immigration policy, not the “how”48:15 What pushback to Trump’s deployment of troops to cities is most effective?50:30 The perception of crime in cities vs the reality51:45 Downplaying crime is a political loser52:30 Democrats’ support for capitalism is falling and socialism is rising54:15 The most important electoral states will be GA, NC and AZ57:15 Socialism is least popular in the states Democrats need in the south59:00 Higher embrace of socialism in cities and amongst younger voters1:00:45 Thoughts on the redistricting wars?1:03:00 The size of the house needs to grow with the population Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck unpacks a whirlwind of economic, geopolitical, and political developments shaping America’s future. From Trump’s tariffs likely surviving a fast-tracked Supreme Court review to rising fears of stagflation fueled by deportations and trade headwinds, the economic outlook is looking grim. Abroad, Russia escalates the war by sending drones into Polish airspace, while Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar risks leaving it more isolated on the world stage. Back home, Trump once again rewrites reality, denying ties to Jeffrey Epstein as his allies echo the talking points — raising fresh parallels to Orwell’s 1984.Chuck also looks ahead to the Democratic Party’s long-term challenges: how can they remain competitive nationally by 2032, when the current path to 270 electoral votes is likely gone? With Georgia and North Carolina emerging as decisive swing states, Democrats will need to expand their map and rethink their message — particularly as the “socialism” label remains toxic to southern voters.Then, political strategist and K-Street veteran Bruce Mehlman joins Chuck to unpack how politics, media, and business have collided in the Trump era and beyond. From the days when three television networks shaped a shared national narrative to today’s fractured landscape of Substack newsletters, podcasts, and hyper-partisan social feeds, Mehlman and Chuck explore how the internet broke traditional politics.  They dive into how Washington has become a magnet for American business titans, the sky-high costs of lobbying access to President Trump, and whether bipartisan firms can even survive in the current climate.The conversation then widens to the global stage, connecting the 2008 financial crisis to the populist revolts of Brexit and Trump, and questioning whether the public underestimates just how much globalization has improved daily life. From Trump’s reliance on tariffs to the reality-versus-perception debate over crime, immigration, and the economy, Mehlman outlines the policy flashpoints that will shape 2024 and beyond. Plus: what the redistricting wars could mean for democracy, and why some argue the House of Representatives needs to grow in size to reflect America’s population.Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 states each party should target in order to make them battlegrounds by 2032, and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:00 Trump’s tariffs likely to stay in place despite expedited court ruling02:15 Trump’s team pushed SCOTUS to rule quickly04:00 John Roberts is always hesitant to upset those in power06:00 The bad vibes surrounding the economy look to be right07:15 Economy was facing headwinds, tariffs & deportations make it worse09:30 The conditions for stagflation are forming11:30 Incursion of Russian attack drones into Polish airspace12:15 Putin has escalated the war since Alaska summit with Trump13:45 Israel makes brazen strike on Hamas political wing in Qatar15:45 There’s no chance Trump would have approved strike in advance16:45 Strike could further isolate Israel18:00 Israel is a wedge issue amongst the American electorate20:00 Trump goes full George Orwell, denies letter to Epstein21:15 Trump staffers have been willing to double down on behalf of Trump22:30 We’re living through Orwell’s 198424:30 Democrats can weaponize Epstein to highlight Trump’s dishonesty26:30 How can Democrats become a competitive national party in 2032?27:30 By 2032, the current path to 270 won’t be there for Democrats29:15 Georgia and North Carolina will become the most important swing states30:30 Democrats need to figure out how to expand their path to 27032:30 The word socialism is toxic to voters in the south34:30 Democrats will have to rebrand and back off the socialism label39:00 Bruce Mehlman joins the Chuck ToddCast 41:30 Traditional media is forced to "sand the edges"due to political climate 42:15 The internet broke politics and media 43:15 When there were 3 networks, news catered to the entire country 44:45 The energy in media is in the podcast/substack space 45:45 The importance of a varied media diet 47:00 Twitter/X has become incredibly right-wing 48:00 Washington D.C. has become a tent-pole for business titans 49:15 Can bipartisan firms succeed in DC these days? 52:30 How is the "Trump purge" affecting K-Street? 54:15 Lobbying firms with access are charging astronomical rates 55:15 Congress isn't passing legislation, it's all executive orders 56:30 Does Mike Johnson have a go-to shop on K-Street? 58:00 Was Brexit the event that caused this era of global instability? 58:45 Brexit and Trump were downstream of the 2008 financial crisis 1:00:15 The populist revolt was inevitable after the financial crisis 1:02:30 The public takes for granted the benefits of globalisation 1:05:15 Successful western countries haven't compensated for globalisation 1:07:15 The public suffers from recency bias, things are better now 1:09:00 The perception of the economy is the economic reality 1:11:15 People who predict doom are perceived as right and smarter 1:12:45 If SCOTUS takes away Trump's tariff power, will congress restore it? 1:13:45 Trump views tariffs as the solution to every problem 1:16:00 If Trump loses in court on tariffs, he'll just use another law 1:17:15 There's no incentive for Dems to cut a deal due to recissions 1:19:00 If Republicans agree to no recissions, they could find a deal 1:20:15 If legislation passes one chamber, it should force a vote in the other 1:21:15 Fallout from the raid on South Korean workers at the Hyundai plant? 1:23:30 There's support for the "why" of Trump's immigration policy, not the "how" 1:27:15 What pushback to Trump's deployment of troops to cities is most effective? 1:29:30 The perception of crime in cities vs the reality 1:30:45 Downplaying crime is a political loser 1:31:30 Democrats' support for capitalism is falling and socialism is rising 1:33:15 The most important electoral states will be GA, NC and AZ 1:36:15 Socialism is least popular in the states Democrats need in the south 1:38:00 Higher embrace of socialism in cities and amongst younger voters 1:39:45 Thoughts on the redistricting wars? 1:42:00 The size of the house needs to grow with the population1:44:30 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Bruce Mehlman 1:45:15 The Toddcast Top 5 - States each party should target as battlegrounds 1:46:30 Top 5 states Democrats should target 1:53:00 Top 5 states Republicans should target 1:57:30 Ask Chuck 1:57:45 Why be in congress if you have no interest in exercising power? 2:04:15 Potential democracy reforms that the U.S. could pass? 2:08:30 Was the eugenics movement similar to the current anti-vax movement? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Physician-turned-politician Abdul El-Sayed joins Chuck Todd to discuss why he left medicine for the rough-and-tumble of politics. From the challenges of running for office with a foreign name to centering his campaign on improving life for children, El-Sayed argues that healthcare isn’t just about access—it’s about fairness. He pulls back the curtain on a system where insurers and hospital CEOs collude to inflate prices, pharmaceutical companies raise costs simply because they can, and Americans are tricked into thinking “choice” in healthcare actually benefits them.The conversation doesn’t stop at healthcare—it spans the crisis of trust in public health, the lessons El-Sayed learned from his 2018 gubernatorial run, and the corrosive role of money in politics. He weighs in on Gretchen Whitmer’s record, Trump’s overreach beyond Article II, and what sets him apart in Michigan’s Senate race. And in a moment of global reflection, El-Sayed takes on the politics of genocide—from Israel and Gaza to China’s treatment of the Uighurs—arguing that calling atrocities by their name is a test of values, even when nuance is hard to find in today’s polarized climate.Timeline:00:00 Abdul El-Sayed joins the Chuck ToddCast01:45 What made you choose politics when your background is medicine?03:30 The challenge of running for office with a foreign name04:30 Centering politics around improving the world for children05:30 Disparities in access to health care based on money and connections07:00 Health insurance is getting worse despite rising cost08:15 Insurers and hospital CEOs collude to raise prices10:15 What should be the cost expectation for pharmaceuticals?11:45 Pharma companies raise prices because they can12:45 RFK Jr. shouldn’t be anywhere near healthcare13:45 The impact of the internet on  public health15:45 The crisis Kennedy is creating at HHS and CDC16:30 How can we restore trust in public health authorities?18:45 MAHA’s appeal is the idea you can control your health future20:00 Parallels between public health and education21:45 Health relies on both the individual and public health22:45 Healthcare industry has tricked the public using concept of “choice”24:30 Would you keep a semi-privatized system under medicare for all?27:00 Health networks curtail choice and raise prices28:30 What did you learn from your 2018 run for governor?31:00 The disease of our political system is money buying politicians and policy32:15 Trump spoke to economic pain and was able to reach voters33:45 Assessment of Gretchen Whitmer’s governorship35:45 Whitmer tried to work with Trump at times, will you?37:45 Trump is exercising far more power than Article 2 permits39:30 Differences between you and your opponents for MI senate?40:15 Taking corporate money is a major philosophical difference42:45 Reforming public health will require healthcare pros in D.C.44:30 The trend of public health officials running for office46:45 How much will Israel/Gaza factor into the election?48:00 Calling something a genocide when you see it is a values test49:15 Was Israel justified in going after Hamas? How much was justifiable?50:15 The extremes on both sides of the war strengthen each other51:15 We aim, arm and abet Israeli leaders who don’t want two states52:15 Tax dollars should benefit taxpayers, not foreign militaries53:15 It’s difficult to find nuance in our current politics55:30 Money in politics make it difficult to have an honest conversation56:15 Having a nuanced conversation around the world genocide58:30 The holocaust can’t set the bar for use of the term “genocide”1:00:00 Is China committing genocide of the Uighurs?1:01:15 Using the word genocide can just “switch off” voters1:03:30 People assume having an Arab name means tribal loyalty to Arabs Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, the conversation turns to the political battles shaping 2025. From the issues Democrats should lean into—and the ones they should avoid—to Trump’s trolling of Chicago and his administration’s push for a showdown over crime and “terrorism,” the stakes are high. Chuck dives into how the White House is setting the stage for possible military action against cartels and even Venezuela, with flimsy constitutional justifications that have sparked pushback from voices like Rand Paul. Meanwhile, Democrats face their own identity struggles, from the risks of being tied to “socialism” with Latino voters to Bernie Sanders’ refusal to formally join the party. Plus, a look ahead to the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, where three strong contenders could reshape the party’s futureThen, physician-turned-politician Abdul El-Sayed joins Chuck to discuss why he left medicine for the rough-and-tumble of politics. From the challenges of running for office with a foreign name to centering his campaign on improving life for children, El-Sayed argues that healthcare isn’t just about access—it’s about fairness. He pulls back the curtain on a system where insurers and hospital CEOs collude to inflate prices, pharmaceutical companies raise costs simply because they can, and Americans are tricked into thinking “choice” in healthcare actually benefits them.The conversation doesn’t stop at healthcare—it spans the crisis of trust in public health, the lessons El-Sayed learned from his 2018 gubernatorial run, and the corrosive role of money in politics. He weighs in on Gretchen Whitmer’s record, Trump’s overreach beyond Article II, and what sets him apart in Michigan’s Senate race. And in a moment of global reflection, El-Sayed takes on the politics of genocide—from Israel and Gaza to China’s treatment of the Uighurs—arguing that calling atrocities by their name is a test of values, even when nuance is hard to find in today’s polarized climate.Finally, Chuck gives a history lesson on Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon and its impact on modern politics, recaps the weekend in college football, and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction04:00 The issues Democrats should run on, and issues they should avoid05:15 Trump’s trolling of Chicago got the reaction he wanted06:30 The administration wants a showdown over Chicago08:30 The administration’s aggressive application of the term “terrorism”10:15 The Democratic base wants fight, government shutdown likely12:15 Trump administration setting the stage for war with Venezuela13:30 Administration needs to justify designating cartels terrorists16:45 Trump's justification to congress for military action against cartels 19:00 Trump's justification was lacking, and didn't mention Venezuela 20:15 Trump ignoring the constitution in rationalizing action against cartels 21:45 Vance says fighting cartels is best use of military 23:15 JD gets into back and forth with Rand Paul on X 24:45 Venezuela story should be consuming Washington 26:15 Rand Paul has been willing to be combative with administration 29:00 The progressive left won't succeed if they're associated with socialism 30:45 "Socialism" isn't rebrandable with Latino voters 31:45 Bernie Sanders still hasn't joined the Democratic party 33:15 Michigan Democratic senate primary has 3 great candidates33:45 Abdul El-Sayed joins the Chuck ToddCast 35:30 What made you choose politics when your background is medicine? 37:15 The challenge of running for office with a foreign name 38:15 Centering politics around improving the world for children 39:15 Disparities in access to health care based on money and connections 40:45 Health insurance is getting worse despite rising cost 42:00 Insurers and hospital CEOs collude to raise prices 44:00 What should be the cost expectation for pharmaceuticals? 45:30 Pharma companies raise prices because they can 46:30 RFK Jr. shouldn't be anywhere near healthcare 47:30 The impact of the internet on public health 49:30 The crisis Kennedy is creating at HHS and CDC 50:15 How can we restore trust in public health authorities? 52:30 MAHA's appeal is the idea you can control your health future 53:45 Parallels between public health and education 55:30 Health relies on both the individual and public health 56:30 Healthcare industry has tricked the public using concept of "choice" 58:15 Would you keep a semi-privatized system under medicare for all? 1:00:45 Health networks curtail choice and raise prices 1:02:15 What did you learn from your 2018 run for governor? 1:04:45 The disease of our political system is money buying politicians and policy 1:06:00 Trump spoke to economic pain and was able to reach voters 1:07:30 Assessment of Gretchen Whitmer's governorship 1:09:30 Whitmer tried to work with Trump at times, will you? 1:11:30 Trump is exercising far more power than Article 2 permits 1:13:15 Differences between you and your opponents for MI senate? 1:14:00 Taking corporate money is a major philosophical difference 1:16:30 Reforming public health will require healthcare pros in D.C. 1:18:15 The trend of public health officials running for office 1:20:30 How much will Israel/Gaza factor into the election? 1:21:45 Calling something a genocide when you see it is a values test 1:23:00 Was Israel justified in going after Hamas? How much was justifiable? 1:24:00 The extremes on both sides of the war strengthen each other 1:25:00 We aim, arm and abet Israeli leaders who don't want two states 1:26:00 Tax dollars should benefit taxpayers, not foreign militaries 1:27:00 It's difficult to find nuance in our current politics 1:29:15 Money in politics make it difficult to have an honest conversation 1:30:00 Having a nuanced conversation around the world genocide 1:32:15 The holocaust can't set the bar for use of the term "genocide" 1:33:45 Is China committing genocide of the Uighurs? 1:35:00 Using the word genocide can just "switch off" voters1:42:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Abdul El-Sayed 1:44:15 This week in history - Chuck's history lesson 1:45:15 Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon on September 8th, 1974 1:47:00 The case for pardoning Nixon 1:49:15 The case against pardoning Nixon 1:52:00 Ford's decision implied the country couldn't handle a trial 1:53:15 A majority of the country thought the pardon was wrong 1:55:00 Nixon never got his due process 1:56:15 Pardon was a stain on presidential decision making 1:56:45 College football update 2:00:45 Ask Chuck 2:01:15 Why Putin won't grant Trump a ceasefire 2:04:15 Why do Epstein victims face dehumanization when Trump doesn't? 2:08:00 Thoughts on the political salience of this season of South Park? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck unpacks the growing unease in the GOP over RFK Jr.’s influence and Florida’s decision to drop school vaccine mandates, raising the question of how the once-fringe anti-vax movement went mainstream. Drawing historical parallels to the prohibition era, he examines how framing the issue as “personal freedom” and missteps like the COVID mandate fueled a cultural backlash that could take decades to undo, threatening long-term public health. The conversation then shifts to politics, with Trump maneuvering to dominate the NYC mayoral race—pressuring rivals, exploiting ranked-choice voting debates, and turning contests in New York and California into referendums on his influence, just as Democrats look to tie special elections back to Trump himself.Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:00:00 Introduction02:30 Alarm over RFK growing in GOP congress, but don’t expect action03:15 Florida dropping the vaccine mandate for kids in schools06:30 How did the kooky anti-vax movement go mainstream?07:00 Anti-vaxx movement has historical parallel in prohibition movement08:30 Anti-alcohol movement seized on a particular moment in time09:15 Anti-vaxx movement has been framed as a personal freedom issue10:15 Biggest mistake by public health officials was the Covid vaccine mandate11:30 Prohibition created crime & deaths from bootlegged alcohol14:00 Officials know potential harm, and made the decision anyway15:30 Older generation has memories of deaths from these diseases16:45 It could take decades to reverse the damage to public health18:30 Pro vaccine messaging needs to not be political20:00 Trump trying to clear field in NYC mayoral to beat Mamdani21:00 NYC voters should get ranked choice voting in general election22:45 If Trump gets Adams to drop out, race will become all about Trump24:00 NYC mayoral and CA redistricting could become Trump referendums26:00 Democrats are making special elections all about Trump27:15 Ask Chuck 27:45 Are Dems just living in "the world as it is" when it comes to redistricting? 33:30 Are Trump's attacks on mail-in voting an effort to contest 2026 results? 38:00 Is there a line where Democrats fighting will be the "wrong" move? 44:00 Why is Lisa Cook being targeted for mortgage fraud when Trump did it? 49:45 How long would it take the DNC to find viable candidates in light red districts? 53:15 Could Texas/CA gerrymander backfire and put more safe seats in play Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.