The Chuck ToddCast

D.C. representative Oye Owolewa and Executive Director for Puerto Rico 51st George Laws Garcia join Chuck Todd for a deep dive into one of America’s most overlooked democratic debates — the fight for statehood for Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. With over 3 million Americans lacking full representation in Congress, Chuck explores the political, constitutional, and cultural hurdles standing in the way. From Puerto Rico’s 58% support for statehood to the District’s struggle under federal oversight, the episode unpacks how history, partisanship, and outdated systems continue to stall progress. The conversation dives into whether D.C. and Puerto Rico would need to enter as a political “duo”, why half measures like expanded autonomy wouldn’t hold up, and how the economic and tax inequalities faced by both territories have real-world consequences. With bipartisan murmurs of support and the next generation of lawmakers pushing the issue, Chuck asks: is America finally ready to welcome its 51st — and maybe 52nd — states? Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. 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 Rep. Oye Owolewa and George Laws Garcia join the Chuck ToddCast 02:00 Over 3 million Americans don’t have representation 04:15 The status of Puerto Rico’s fight for statehood 06:30 Public split in Puerto Rico over its status 08:45 DC can pass local laws governing DC and Puerto Rico 09:30 Puerto Rico’s residents have 58% support for statehood 11:45 Should DC be holding more referendums on this issue? 12:45 The importance of lobbying people in other states 14:15 Muriel Bowser has been boxed in by the administration 15:30 DC and neighboring states don’t want to integrate 16:30 Should Virgin Islands join the fight for statehood? 19:30 DC would be solidly Democratic, Puerto Rico is more up in the air 20:15 Would DC & Puerto Rico have to both get statehood at the same time? 22:00 A new constitutional amendment may need to be passed 23:00 States are only added as duos due to political considerations 24:00 The GOP won’t add DC as a state without a Republican counterpart 26:15 Puerto Rico’s politics would be a huge question mark if admitted 27:45 How would the four congressional seats in PR split politically? 29:15 Is there a middle ground that would grant rights without statehood? 31:30 Why half measures wouldn’t work, Congress could claw things back 33:00 Statehood admission much easier to pass than an amendment 35:30 There is some bipartisan support for statehood 38:00 Could the PR statehood push get a boost from NY and FL? 39:00 DC lost out on huge amounts of Covid money by not being a state 41:30 Puerto Rico receives massively unequal funding relative to states 44:15 Puerto Rico pays more in federal taxes than at least 3 states 46:15 Tax base in DC would be stronger with statehood 47:00 Business are hesitant to operate in DC without statehood status 49:00 Puerto Rico had a huge manufacturing base that has diminished 51:00 Statehood wouldn’t harm people living in other states 53:00 States were added in 19th century where English wasn’t primary language See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck reacts to Democrats outperforming expectations across the board in Tuesday’s elections — from New Jersey to Georgia — signaling a sharp political rebuke of Donald Trump and his influence over the GOP. He breaks down why the results were more than just a good night for Democrats, how high electric bills and cost-of-living concerns shaped key races, and why even Republican strongholds are starting to shift. With Trump’s tariffs facing likely Supreme Court scrutiny and voters blaming Republicans for the government shutdown, this week’s results could reshape not just the midterm landscape but the future of both parties. D.C. representative Oye Owolewa and Executive Director for Puerto Rico 51st George Laws Garcia join Chuck Todd for a deep dive into one of America’s most overlooked democratic debates — the fight for statehood for Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. With over 3 million Americans lacking full representation in Congress, Chuck explores the political, constitutional, and cultural hurdles standing in the way. From Puerto Rico’s 58% support for statehood to the District’s struggle under federal oversight, the episode unpacks how history, partisanship, and outdated systems continue to stall progress. The conversation dives into whether D.C. and Puerto Rico would need to enter as a political “duo”, why half measures like expanded autonomy wouldn’t hold up, and how the economic and tax inequalities faced by both territories have real-world consequences. With bipartisan murmurs of support and the next generation of lawmakers pushing the issue, Chuck asks: is America finally ready to welcome its 51st — and maybe 52nd — states? Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. 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 Chuck Todd’s introduction 07:30 Tuesday’s elections went even better than expected for Democrats 09:00 Ciaterreli hit all his targets from 2021 and still got blown out 12:00 High electric bills could have resulted in Dem wins in Georgia 15:00 Election results were a repudiation of Donald Trump 16:45 Donald Trump creates the political weather, and voters don’t like it 17:15 Trump blamed the shutdown for the losses, giving Dems more leverage 19:00 Voters blame R’s over D’s for the shutdown by 10 point margin 21:45 We could see more Republican retirements from congress 23:15 Likely the Supreme Court rules against Trump’s tariffs 25:00 Election results could reshape the redistricting fight 26:00 When dust settles, redistricting may not swing advantage to either side 27:30 Cost of living is going to be the defining issue in the midterms 29:15 Democrats mistake with Latinos was appealing to identity, not class 30:00 It wasn’t a good night for Democrats, it was a GREAT night 31:30 Republican candidates will start to distance themselves from Trump 34:15 Democrats now have a reasonable shot at winning the senate 38:00 Rep. Oye Owolewa and George Laws Garcia join the Chuck ToddCast 40:00 Over 3 million Americans don't have representation 42:15 The status of Puerto Rico's fight for statehood 44:30 Public split in Puerto Rico over its status 46:45 DC can pass local laws governing DC and Puerto Rico 47:30 Puerto Rico's residents have 58% support for statehood 49:45 Should DC be holding more referendums on this issue? 50:45 The importance of lobbying people in other states 52:15 Muriel Bowser has been boxed in by the administration 53:30...

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck reacts to Democrats outperforming expectations across the board in Tuesday’s elections — from New Jersey to Georgia — signaling a sharp political rebuke of Donald Trump and his influence over the GOP. He breaks down why the results were more than just a good night for Democrats, how high electric bills and cost-of-living concerns shaped key races, and why even Republican strongholds are starting to shift. With Trump’s tariffs facing likely Supreme Court scrutiny and voters blaming Republicans for the government shutdown, this week’s results could reshape not just the midterm landscape but the future of both parties. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. 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 Chuck Todd’s introduction 03:30 Tuesday's elections went even better than expected for Democrats 05:00 Ciaterreli hit all his targets from 2021 and still got blown out 08:00 High electric bills could have resulted in Dem wins in Georgia 11:00 Election results were a repudiation of Donald Trump 12:45 Donald Trump creates the political weather, and voters don't like it 13:15 Trump blamed the shutdown for the losses, giving Dems more leverage 15:00 Voters blame R's over D's for the shutdown by 10 point margin 17:45 We could see more Republican retirements from congress 19:15 Likely the Supreme Court rules against Trump's tariffs 21:00 Election results could reshape the redistricting fight 22:00 When dust settles, redistricting may not swing advantage to either side 23:30 Cost of living is going to be the defining issue in the midterms 25:15 Democrats mistake with Latinos was appealing to identity, not class 26:00 It wasn't a good night for Democrats, it was a GREAT night 27:30 Republican candidates will start to distance themselves from Trump 30:15 Democrats now have a reasonable shot at winning the senate 33:30 Ask Chuck 34:00 Was Mamdani's political skill the difference vs other progressives who lost? 44:45 Thoughts on Elise Stefanik running for governor of New York? 49:45 How will Biden's presidency be viewed in 30-40 years? 55:30 What would Ronald Reagan think about Trump? 1:04:00 College football preview See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rich Thau, moderator of the Swing Voter Project joins Chuck Todd to dig into what America’s elusive swing voters are really thinking heading into 2028. Thau, known for his in-depth focus group research, explains how his team identifies true persuadable voters and what he’s hearing from them behind closed doors — from deep economic anxiety to their conflicted feelings about both Trump and Harris. He shares why many voters still give Trump credit for “doing something,” why Biden’s messaging never landed, and how gender and race remain stubborn barriers for Democratic candidates. Chuck and Rich also explore how social media has replaced traditional news, why most swing voters can’t name a single Biden accomplishment, and how reform ideas like limiting presidential pardons or setting age caps for candidates could reshape American politics. It’s an eye-opening look at how frustrated, distracted, and disillusioned voters might once again decide the direction of the country. 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 Rich Thau joins the Chuck ToddCast 02:00 The value of focus groups in understanding voter opinions 03:15 The pandemic made it easier to conduct focus groups remotely 04:30 The challenges of remote focus groups 05:30 How to prevent one loud person from hijacking a focus group 07:30 Can you be an effective moderator if people know who you are? 09:30 Do you check voter files to ensure people are swing voters? 10:30 The screening process for focus group participants 13:15 Voters express anti-Trump comments but wouldn’t change vote to Harris 17:30 Voters will twist themselves into pretzels for why they couldn’t vote Harris 18:00 Many voters wouldn’t vote Harris due to her race and gender 19:00 Gender was a disqualifier for Clinton & Harris 22:15 Voters are following tariff news very closely 22:45 Nearly half of voters couldn’t name a Biden achievement 23:15 Only Biden achievement voters were aware of was student debt relief 24:00 Voters think that Trump is at least doing something 26:00 Biden wasn’t built for the modern media, couldn’t message his wins 27:00 Trump has mastered the attention economy 27:45 Candidates can’t rely on the media to communicate for them 31:15 Voters thought Obama & Biden overreached as much as Trump 32:45 Trump’s consolidation of power doesn’t seem unusual to swing voters 34:15 Many voters are getting their news exclusively from social media 36:45 Swing voters completely miss the process part of government 38:15 If voters could ask Trump anything, Epstein question most common 40:15 Swing voters bake in the worst things about Trump and vote for him anyway 41:00 Biggest concern of swing voters is the economy and cost of living 43:15 Swing voters viewed both Harris and Trump as unpleasant choices 44:00 No Democrats are breaking through positively to swing voters 44:45 Swing voters didn’t like Gavin Newsom’s trolling social posts 47:15 Are swing voters skeptical of big tech and consolidated power 48:15 Swing voters are easily dissatisfied and looking for someone new 50:15 Most swing voters don’t know the people in Trump’s cabinet 51:30 Swing voters aren’t pining for a third party alternative 52:45 Setting age limits for presidents would be popular 48:30 Biden & Trump pardons have enraged swing voters 56:15 Voters could be looking for another major change in 2028 56:45 Voters could be open to several new constitutional amendments 58:45 Pardon power could be shifted from president to a board 59:45 Reform and corruption could be a powerful message 1:01:00 Candidates will need a good answer for AI 1:02:15 Regional trends in swing voters? 1:05:15 Where to find Rich’s work See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Chuck Todd breaks down the latest NBC News poll, which paints a grim picture for both parties — and especially for Donald Trump’s second term. With only 37% of Americans believing the country is on the right track and financial pessimism at record highs, the public seems to have made up its mind: Trump 2.0 isn’t winning new fans. Chuck examines how Republicans are holding stronger favorability than Trump himself, why immigration remains his only issue advantage, and what Democrats can learn from the midterm mood. As two-thirds of voters say they’re falling behind, Chuck argues that the path to victory this cycle may depend on who runs against Washington — not just who runs it. Then, Rich Thau, moderator of the Swing Voter Project joins Chuck Todd to dig into what America’s elusive swing voters are really thinking heading into 2028. Thau, known for his in-depth focus group research, explains how his team identifies true persuadable voters and what he’s hearing from them behind closed doors — from deep economic anxiety to their conflicted feelings about both Trump and Harris. He shares why many voters still give Trump credit for “doing something,” why Biden’s messaging never landed, and how gender and race remain stubborn barriers for Democratic candidates. Chuck and Rich also explore how social media has replaced traditional news, why most swing voters can’t name a single Biden accomplishment, and how reform ideas like limiting presidential pardons or setting age caps for candidates could reshape American politics. It’s an eye-opening look at how frustrated, distracted, and disillusioned voters might once again decide the direction of the country. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to examine America’s role in creating the country of Panama and why it’s left a lasting sense of suspicion of the United States in Latin America. He answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and unloads on his Miami Hurricanes after their loss to SMU. 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 Chuck Todd’s introduction 02:00 New NBC poll 03:15 The ToddCast will be live on election night! 07:00 First year report card for Donald Trump 07:30 Only 37% of the public believes country is headed in right direction 09:15 Wrong track polling nearly at an all-time high 10:15 The country has made up its mind about Donald Trump, low poll variance 13:00 40% of the country feels positively about Trump 15:30 Republican party has a higher positive rating than the Democrats 17:45 Some voters feel more favorably about the GOP than Trump 20:00 Voters thought they were getting Trump 1.0, Trump 2.0 is not popular 20:45 Top issues voters are worried about aren’t favorable to Trump 23:00 Border security/immigration is the only issue where Trump is above water 25:00 R’s know Trump’s Venezuela actions are unconstitutional and roll over 27:00 More than half of voters think Trump is undermining the constitution 27:45 2/3rds of the country says they are falling behind financially 29:00 Midterm atmosphere is ripe for the Democrats 31:00 Trump’s high floor is enough to protect him 33:15 Winning Democrats will need to run against Washington 36:30 Rich Thau joins the Chuck ToddCast 38:30 The value of focus groups in understanding voter opinions 39:45 The pandemic made it easier to conduct focus groups remotely 41:00 The challenges of remote focus groups 42:00 How to prevent one loud person from hijacking a focus group 44:00 Can you be an effective moderator if people know who you are? 46:00 Do you check voter files to ensure people are swing voters? 47:00 The screening process for focus group participants 49:45 Voters express anti-Trump comments but wouldn't...

Chuck Todd breaks down the latest NBC News poll, which paints a grim picture for both parties — and especially for Donald Trump’s second term. With only 37% of Americans believing the country is on the right track and financial pessimism at record highs, the public seems to have made up its mind: Trump 2.0 isn’t winning new fans. Chuck examines how Republicans are holding stronger favorability than Trump himself, why immigration remains his only issue advantage, and what Democrats can learn from the midterm mood. As two-thirds of voters say they’re falling behind, Chuck argues that the path to victory this cycle may depend on who runs against Washington — not just who runs it. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to examine America’s role in creating the country of Panama and why it’s left a lasting sense of suspicion of the United States in Latin America. He answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and unloads on his Miami Hurricanes after their loss to SMU. 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 Chuck Todd’s introduction 02:00 New NBC poll 03:15 The ToddCast will be live on election night! 07:00 First year report card for Donald Trump 07:30 Only 37% of the public believes country is headed in right direction 09:15 Wrong track polling nearly at an all-time high 10:15 The country has made up its mind about Donald Trump, low poll variance 13:00 40% of the country feels positively about Trump 15:30 Republican party has a higher positive rating than the Democrats 17:45 Some voters feel more favorably about the GOP than Trump 20:00 Voters thought they were getting Trump 1.0, Trump 2.0 is not popular 20:45 Top issues voters are worried about aren’t favorable to Trump 23:00 Border security/immigration is the only issue where Trump is above water 25:00 R’s know Trump’s Venezuela actions are unconstitutional and roll over 27:00 More than half of voters think Trump is undermining the constitution 27:45 2/3rds of the country says they are falling behind financially 29:00 Midterm atmosphere is ripe for the Democrats 31:00 Trump’s high floor is enough to protect him 33:15 Winning Democrats will need to run against Washington 34:30 ToddCast Time Machine 35:00 This week in 1903 - The US helped create the country of Panama 35:45 America built nations in Latin America to serve its own interests 36:30 Winning Spanish-American war turned the U.S. into an empire 38:00 Roosevelt didn't like Colombia's offer for the canal 38:45 US warships backed up Colombian separatists 40:00 Panama Canal opens in 1914 40:30 Origin of the term "banana republic" 41:15 Panama was built to serve American commerce 43:15 It's clear the Trump administration wants to remove Maduro 44:00 Latin America doesn't trust America's self serving behavior 46:15 Ask Chuck 46:45 Are some Republicans finally starting to find their spine? 52:45 Has anyone been polling independent voters? 54:15 Why don't Dems agree to open the government for a week or two? 59:15 Thoughts on Oversight committee members being selected by other party? 1:01:45 As a father, do you fear for the future and what gives you hope? 1:06:30 College football recap See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filmmaker Billy Corben joins Chuck Todd to talk about his new documentary Men of War—a wild true story that Corben calls “Florida Man with international implications.” The film follows a group of would-be mercenaries and ex-soldiers who tried to stage a coup in Venezuela, exposing how Miami’s shadowy underworld collides with global politics. Corben and Todd dive into the cocaine-fueled chaos of Miami in the ’80s and ’90s, the psychological toll of endless war, and how one ex-Green Beret accidentally stumbled into Trump’s orbit while plotting regime change. From Marco Rubio’s precarious foreign policy balancing act to the ongoing collapse of the Democratic Party in Florida, Chuck and Billy explore how Latin American politics, disinformation, and corruption all intertwine in the Sunshine State. Plus, they discuss Miami’s misunderstood identity, Trump’s rumored presidential library, and whether the city’s mayoral race signals what’s next for Florida’s political future. 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 Billy Corben joins the Chuck ToddCast 02:00 Men of War is basically “Bay of Pigs” for Venezuela 02:45 Men of War is perfectly timed for today’s news cycle 03:45 Cocaine boom was huge in Miami in the 80’s & 90’s 05:00 Men of War is “Florida Man w/ international implications” 07:00 The psychological damage of multiple tour deployments 09:00 The main character Jordan is a “post-modern” version of a soldier 13:15 Protagonist accidentally entered Trump’s high end orbit 17:30 Jordan needed to put together a trailer to find financiers for his coup 19:30 Shady international characters are common to find in Miami 20:15 Reception from the Venezuelan community for the doc? 22:15 Everybody in Miami wants to be president of a free Cuba 23:30 1950s cars are the only private possessions in Cuba 26:00 Chuck’s grandfather worked in Cuba, had to display photos of Castro 28:30 Miami is misunderstood as a melting pot when it isn’t 29:15 Miami has self segregated its neighborhoods 30:00 60% of Florida Venezuelans voted for Trump, now leaving the state 31:30 If ICE targets south Florida, there could be a massive political shift 32:45 Marco Rubio = Anakin Skywalker? Preventing the very worst of Trump 33:30 Rubio will be the fall guy for any major foreign policy failure 34:30 Administration is playing with fire in Venezuela 36:00 Congress has no idea what the administration is doing in Venezuela 37:30 The failed Venezuelan coup was memory holed because of Covid 39:30 Feels like we’re redoing Latin American policy of the 80’s 40:15 How has Jordan Goudreau not gotten a pardon from Trump? 42:30 American intervention in Latin America never goes well 44:00 End of USAID is creating vacuum in poor countries being filled by China 45:30 What does a “free Venezuela” look like in the Trump 2.0 era? 47:00 Jordan Goudreau feels betrayed by the American government 48:00 Algorithms have ruined social media 49:00 Is Miami-Dade red, blue, purple or something else politically? 52:30 Trump’s future presidential library slated for Miami 53:45 Miami is still a firm red county 56:00 Nothing is going well in Florida for the Democratic party 56:45 Trump is less popular in Florida than he was a year ago 58:00 Who wins the mayor’s race in Miami? 59:45 Mayor’s race will head to a December runoff 1:02:00 There’s historically been brazen corruption in Miami mayoral races 1:03:30 Trump thinks “asylum” means mental institution 1:06:00 Thoughts on Mario Cristobal 1:08:30 Miami can survive 1 loss and make the playoff, but not 2 1:12:00 Reuben Bain feels like a vintage Miami player See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down why Washington feels paralyzed — and how Trump’s gravitational pull still dictates everything from congressional gridlock to campaign strategy. From Mike Johnson’s dependence on Trump to Democrats’ internal tug-of-war between moderates and progressives, Chuck explores how both parties are struggling to govern in a fractured information ecosystem. He also looks at growing calls among policy thinkers for constitutional reform — from term limits and age caps to rethinking the incentives that drive political behavior. Despite the chaos, Chuck makes the case for cautious optimism: America’s democracy may be clogged, but it’s not beyond repair. Then, filmmaker Billy Corben joins Chuck Todd to talk about his new documentary Men of War—a wild true story that Corben calls “Florida Man with international implications.” The film follows a group of would-be mercenaries and ex-soldiers who tried to stage a coup in Venezuela, exposing how Miami’s shadowy underworld collides with global politics. Corben and Todd dive into the cocaine-fueled chaos of Miami in the ’80s and ’90s, the psychological toll of endless war, and how one ex-Green Beret accidentally stumbled into Trump’s orbit while plotting regime change. From Marco Rubio’s precarious foreign policy balancing act to the ongoing collapse of the Democratic Party in Florida, Chuck and Billy explore how Latin American politics, disinformation, and corruption all intertwine in the Sunshine State. Plus, they discuss Miami’s misunderstood identity, Trump’s rumored presidential library, and whether the city’s mayoral race signals what’s next for Florida’s political future. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and looks ahead to the 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: 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 02:15 When Trump is overseas, the news cycle feels slower & less urgent 03:15 The American government is clogged like a toilet 04:00 Mike Johnson can’t do anything without Trump 05:15 There are not enough empowered moderates in congress 07:00 Republicans haven’t created an ACA alternative for 10 years 08:30 Democrats could pay a price for SNAP benefit cut 10:00 Democrats can extend funding for 3 weeks, and keep their leverage 12:30 The political elite in DC has self segregated in Trump 2.0 13:45 There’s no security for companies holding government contracts 15:00 Grifters have flooded to DC 15:45 Some progressives feel they can take over the Democratic party 16:30 Moderate Dems trying to find a way to grow the coalition 17:15 Large group of policy analysts worried about information ecosystem 18:45 DC gatherings being held to discuss preventing another Trump 21:00 America desperately needs to update the constitution 22:30 We shouldn’t be afraid to ask voters to make big changes 23:15 Strong argument for a 75 year old age limit for office 25:00 Trump is too lazy to pursue the worst course of history 26:45 The case for optimism during a dark political moment 27:30 Reforming the constitution is an 80/20 issue 28:15 Case for reform needs to tied to voters day to day lives 30:30 A bull in the China shop personality cult can’t run a country 31:30 We need to update the blueprint of the democracy 33:15 We desperately need better incentive structures for leaders 35:15 A leader needs to make the case for reform that isn’t about themselves or Trump 40:30 Billy Corben joins the Chuck ToddCast 42:30 Men of War is basically "Bay of Pigs" for Venezuela 43:15 Men of War is perfectly timed for today's news cycle 44:15 Cocaine boom was huge in Miami in the 80's & 90's 45:30 Men of War is "Florida Man w/ international implications" 47:30 The...

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down why Washington feels paralyzed — and how Trump’s gravitational pull still dictates everything from congressional gridlock to campaign strategy. From Mike Johnson’s dependence on Trump to Democrats’ internal tug-of-war between moderates and progressives, Chuck explores how both parties are struggling to govern in a fractured information ecosystem. He also looks at growing calls among policy thinkers for constitutional reform — from term limits and age caps to rethinking the incentives that drive political behavior. Despite the chaos, Chuck makes the case for cautious optimism: America’s democracy may be clogged, but it’s not beyond repair. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and looks ahead to the 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 Chuck Todd’s introduction 02:15 When Trump is overseas, the news cycle feels slower & less urgent 03:15 The American government is clogged like a toilet 04:00 Mike Johnson can’t do anything without Trump 05:15 There are not enough empowered moderates in congress 07:00 Republicans haven’t created an ACA alternative for 10 years 08:30 Democrats could pay a price for SNAP benefit cut 10:00 Democrats can extend funding for 3 weeks, and keep their leverage 12:30 The political elite in DC has self segregated in Trump 2.0 13:45 There’s no security for companies holding government contracts 15:00 Grifters have flooded to DC 15:45 Some progressives feel they can take over the Democratic party 16:30 Moderate Dems trying to find a way to grow the coalition 17:15 Large group of policy analysts worried about information ecosystem 18:45 DC gatherings being held to discuss preventing another Trump 21:00 America desperately needs to update the constitution 22:30 We shouldn’t be afraid to ask voters to make big changes 23:15 Strong argument for a 75 year old age limit for office 25:00 Trump is too lazy to pursue the worst course of history 26:45 The case for optimism during a dark political moment 27:30 Reforming the constitution is an 80/20 issue 28:15 Case for reform needs to tied to voters day to day lives 30:30 A bull in the China shop personality cult can’t run a country 31:30 We need to update the blueprint of the democracy 33:15 We desperately need better incentive structures for leaders 35:15 A leader needs to make the case for reform that isn’t about themselves or Trump 37:45 Ask Chuck 38:30 Would Dems impeach with control of both houses of Congress in '27? 43:00 Should we be paying congress more to attract better candidates? 48:00 If possible, would you make the US a parliamentary system? 53:30 Is 60 Minutes devolving into a FOX style program that lobs softballs? 59:30 Violent and dangerous rhetoric not equal on both sides? 1:03:15 World series reaction See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Veteran Nevada journalist and author of the upcoming book “The Game Changer”, Jon Ralston joins Chuck Todd to break down how the Silver State became America’s ultimate political bellwether — and what that means heading into 2026. They explore how the state’s service-based economy, booming Hispanic population, and explosion of non-affiliated voters have reshaped Nevada politics, plus how “No Tax on Tips” gave Trump an unexpected foothold. Ralston explains why Vegas’ tourism slump could upend the next governor’s race and how corporatization has changed the city’s character. They also dig into the state of local journalism — from the challenges of nonprofit reporting to competing against hedge fund-owned outlets — and reflect on the late Harry Reid’s political legacy. From power-hungry governors to the fight for Nevada’s “first-in-the-nation” status, this episode reveals why what happens in Vegas won’t be staying there in 2026. 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: 00:00 Jon Ralston joins the Chuck ToddCast 02:00 Adapting to the breakneck speed of the news cycle 04:00 Nevada has become the preeminent swing state in America 06:45 The service industry & growing hispanic population define Vegas 07:30 Nevada is a bellwether for the Democratic party 09:15 Nevada continuing to lobby for first in the nation status 10:45 Las Vegas natives are a rarity, Vegas is a destination 12:30 Trump was able to connect with NV voters via “No Tax on Tips” 13:30 NV voters felt Democratic party took them for granted 14:30 Nevada’s governor has a lot of power 17:00 There’s been an explosion of non affiliated voters in Nevada 18:30 Is either major party making a strong case to non affiliated voters? 20:00 How competitive will the Nevada governor’s race be? 22:30 Does Joe Lombardo have ambition outside the state of Nevada? 23:30 Lombardo’s strategy could look similar to Glenn Youngkin’s 25:30 What’s behind the drop in tourism to Vegas? 26:30 Canada, immigration policy and lack of value proposition hurting Vegas 27:30 Corporatization of casinos & high prices have driven away tourists 28:30 Tourism drop could greatly impact the governor’s race 29:00 Any progress on diversifying the Nevada economy? 30:15 Making Vegas “Hollywood East” comes with huge challenges 31:45 Would energy be the best way to diversify the Vegas economy? 32:30 Warren Buffet has monopoly on NV utilities, preventing new investment 33:30 Nonprofit vs for profit journalism 35:00 Dealing with big moneyed interests as a nonprofit journalists 37:00 Local journalism in Nevada has mostly been hollowed out 37:45 Dealing with “donor fatigue” as a nonprofit journalist 39:15 Journalism skills translate well to uncomfortable fundraising asks 41:00 Challenges in the advertising space for journalism 43:00 Why have advertising dollars been harder to get for news orgs? 45:30 Hedge funds acquired newspapers for their real estate 47:30 Journalism has to be done in-person and in the field 48:15 What would Harry Reid’s advice be for the Dem party of today? 49:45 Reid died early on into the process of Jon writing “The Game Changer” 50:45 Reid wouldn’t be happy with what Chuck Schumer is doing 53:00 Reid and McConnell collectively delegitimized the judicial branch 55:00 How would Reid have handled confrontation with Trump? 59:15 How are you feeling about your Buffalo Bills? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd breaks down why this year’s elections may be local—but their impact will be national. From Virginia’s bellwether governor’s race to key contests in New Jersey and New York City, these results will offer a preview of the political mood heading into the 2026 midterms. Chuck dives into Abigail Spanberger’s cautious campaign strategy, Winsome Earle-Sears’ grievance-fueled messaging, and why Virginia voters rarely reward extremes. Plus, a look at how third-party candidates could shake up the New Jersey race and why Zohran Mamdani’s performance in NYC will signal the direction of the progressive movement. Veteran Nevada journalist and author of the upcoming book “The Game Changer”, Jon Ralston joins to break down how the Silver State became America’s ultimate political bellwether — and what that means heading into 2026. They explore how the state’s service-based economy, booming Hispanic population, and explosion of non-affiliated voters have reshaped Nevada politics, plus how “No Tax on Tips” gave Trump an unexpected foothold. Ralston explains why Vegas’ tourism slump could upend the next governor’s race and how corporatization has changed the city’s character. They also dig into the state of local journalism — from the challenges of nonprofit reporting to competing against hedge fund-owned outlets — and reflect on the late Harry Reid’s political legacy. From power-hungry governors to the fight for Nevada’s “first-in-the-nation” status, this episode reveals why what happens in Vegas won’t be staying there in 2026. Finally, Chuck reveals his ToddCast Top 5 list of American political scions running in upcoming election 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 Chuck Todd’s introduction 02:45 Chuck will be LIVE on Youtube & X on election night! 06:15 The 2025 elections are local, but will have national impact 07:00 Virginia is a fairly good bellwether state for national politics 07:45 Virginia is purple but is not MAGA 08:15 Party controlling White House almost always loses VA governor race 09:30 Spanberger has run a very cautious campaign 10:30 Winsome Earle-Sears has been throwing things at the wall 11:30 Virginia voters don’t reward grievance politics 13:00 Virginia hasn’t split ticket amongst big three races since 2005 15:00 Spanberger has kept Jay Jones at arms length 17:45 Virginia will give us preview of which way field is tilting for midterms 18:15 2018 class of Democrats has produced some high profile candidates 19:30 Mikie Sherill has run a more contested race than Spanberger 20:30 Ciaterreli outperformed polls in 2021, could happen again 22:30 Third party candidates could swing the NJ governor race 22:45 Mamdani will win in NYC, it’s a matter of whether he clears 50% 24:45 Mamdani needs a big margin in order to have a mandate 26:00 What the results will tell us about the 2026 midterm landscape 30:15 Jon Ralston joins the Chuck ToddCast 32:15 Adapting to the breakneck speed of the news cycle 34:15 Nevada has become the preeminent swing state in America 37:00 The service industry & growing hispanic population define Vegas 37:45 Nevada is a bellwether for the Democratic party 39:30 Nevada continuing to lobby for first in the nation status 41:00 Las Vegas natives are a rarity, Vegas is a destination 42:45 Trump was able to connect with NV voters via "No Tax on Tips" 43:45 NV voters felt Democratic party took them for granted 44:45 Nevada's governor has a lot of power 47:15 There's been an explosion of non affiliated voters in Nevada 48:45 Is either major party making a strong case to non affiliated voters? 50:15 How competitive will the Nevada governor's race...

Chuck Todd breaks down why this year’s elections may be local—but their impact will be national. From Virginia’s bellwether governor’s race to key contests in New Jersey and New York City, these results will offer a preview of the political mood heading into the 2026 midterms. Chuck dives into Abigail Spanberger’s cautious campaign strategy, Winsome Earle-Sears’ grievance-fueled messaging, and why Virginia voters rarely reward extremes. Plus, a look at how third-party candidates could shake up the New Jersey race and why Zohran Mamdani’s performance in NYC will signal the direction of the progressive movement. Finally, Chuck reveals his ToddCast Top 5 list of American political scions running in upcoming election 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 Chuck Todd’s introduction 02:00 Chuck will be LIVE on Youtube & X on election night! 05:30 The 2025 elections are local, but will have national impact 06:15 Virginia is a fairly good bellwether state for national politics 07:00 Virginia is purple but is not MAGA 07:30 Party controlling White House almost always loses VA governor race 08:45 Spanberger has run a very cautious campaign 09:45 Winsome Earle-Sears has been throwing things at the wall 10:45 Virginia voters don't reward grievance politics 12:15 Virginia hasn't split ticket amongst big three races since 2005 14:15 Spanberger has kept Jay Jones at arms length 17:00 Virginia will give us preview of which way field is tilting for midterms 17:30 2018 class of Democrats has produced some high profile candidates 18:45 Mikie Sherill has run a more contested race than Spanberger 19:45 Ciaterreli outperformed polls in 2021, could happen again 21:45 Third party candidates could swing the NJ governor race 22:00 Mamdani will win in NYC, it's a matter of whether he clears 50% 24:00 Mamdani needs a big margin in order to have a mandate 25:15 What the results will tell us about the 2026 midterm landscape 29:00 ToddCast Top 5 - Top 5 American Political Scions 30:45 It's been a bad run lately for run for political scions 31:30 #1 Maine governor race features 3 political scions 33:30 #2 Georgia governor race features 2 political scions 34:45 #3 Beau Bayh 36:00 #4 Jack Schlossberg 37:45 #5 Chip Keating 38:45 Honorable mention - Andrew White 39:45 Ask Chuck 40:00 What if we had public debates where only verified facts are allowed? 43:30 Would state level Democratic parties create a separate platform from DNC 47:00 How do you define "short term" and "long term" when describing politics? 50:30 Will markets dip in Trump's second year like it does historically? 56:15 Who are three modern political thinkers best suited to express our ideals? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, filmmaker Raoul Peck joins Chuck to discuss his powerful new documentary Orwell: 2+2=5 — an exploration of truth, propaganda, and power in the age of Trump. Peck, whose work often examines systems of control and colonialism, draws from Orwell’s life and letters to reveal how 1984 was never just a warning about the future — it was a reflection of the present. He and Chuck unpack how doublespeak, “alternative facts,” and the rewriting of history have crept into modern democracies, from the U.S. to Russia, and what Orwell’s insights reveal about the fragility of truth today. Peck also reflects on his own Haitian roots and how the legacy of colonialism still shapes global politics, from America’s interference in Haiti to its uneasy role as an arbiter of democracy abroad. The conversation turns to the media’s complicity in enabling authoritarian narratives, the dangers of AI-driven misinformation, and why reclaiming truth — and teaching future generations to defend it — may be the defining struggle of our time. 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 Raoul Peck joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:30 How did you end up directing Orwell 2+2=5? 03:30 Coming from Haiti, you have a real understanding of abuse of power 05:00 Working with legendary documentarian Alex Gibney on the project 06:30 Would the film have been released if Kamala Harris had one? 08:00 Americans are becoming familiar with “doublespeak” under Trump 09:00 The contradiction of leading democracies being colonial 09:45 Orwell grew up in India, saw colonialism firsthand 11:00 Orwell joined Imperial Police Force in Burma 12:15 Orwell’s letters revealed his inspiration and thought process 13:15 Orwell struggled to finish 1984 while very sick 14:15 Using historical media to create the documentary, no re-enactments 16:45 Why not tell this story in a movie? Does 1984 need to be re-made? 18:00 1984 was only a portion of the story 19:00 Orwell was writing about the present and warning about the future 20:45 US story starting with lies about the Iraq War using propaganda 22:15 Americans think authoritarianism only comes from “the other side” 23:00 Language sets the stage for the erosion of democracy 23:45 Authoritarians seek to remake and revise history 24:45 Russian citizens have basically given up on truth, don’t believe anything 25:30 Trump’s use of “alternative facts” is incredibly Orwellian 26:30 Trump accuses any negative coverage of being “fake news” 27:15 U.S. government purging certain words from their websites 29:15 Authoritarian takeovers can move very quickly 30:00 Journalism and discourse are controlled by a few tech companies 30:45 Trouble distributing the documentary in the current political climate? 32:15 Documentary breaking records…. But what does that say? 33:45 Too many people are tuning out during Trump’s second term 34:15 People take democracy and their freedoms for granted 35:30 Mike Pence saved democracy… temporarily 36:30 AI generated videos will make people questions everything 37:30 Most of the press is captive to a few billionaires 38:30 The technology isn’t the problem, lack of regulation is 40:00 Humans will want interpersonal contact in AI era 42:00 There is no such thing as neutrality in politics 43:30 Beating authoritarianism will take a generation in America 45:15 Why have Haiti and the Dominican Republic gone so differently? 47:00 The slave rebellion caused the U.S. to treat Haiti as a pariah 48:30 Haiti suffered from “cannon diplomacy” from colonial powers 49:15 The U.S. meddling in Haiti has always caused problems 51:30 U.S. has always asserted control in the western hemisphere 53:00 Next project is doc...

Chuck Todd breaks down the ongoing government shutdown and the deep dysfunction gripping Washington. With the shutdown dragging into late October, Trump is reportedly tapping private donors to pay the military, while Speaker Mike Johnson keeps the House out of session — a move Chuck calls a major political blunder. As Trump consolidates control over both the presidency and Congress, Republicans appear more focused on shielding him than exercising oversight. Meanwhile, the Oversight Committee under James Comer has devolved into partisan theater, investigating the Bidens while ignoring blatant corruption in Trump’s orbit. Chuck argues that without real congressional checks, America risks drifting toward the kind of pre-revolutionary rot the Founders warned about — where power, privilege, and impunity rule unchecked. Then, filmmaker Raoul Peck joins Chuck to discuss his powerful new documentary Orwell: 2+2=5 — an exploration of truth, propaganda, and power in the age of Trump. Peck, whose work often examines systems of control and colonialism, draws from Orwell’s life and letters to reveal how 1984 was never just a warning about the future — it was a reflection of the present. He and Chuck unpack how doublespeak, “alternative facts,” and the rewriting of history have crept into modern democracies, from the U.S. to Russia, and what Orwell’s insights reveal about the fragility of truth today. Peck also reflects on his own Haitian roots and how the legacy of colonialism still shapes global politics, from America’s interference in Haiti to its uneasy role as an arbiter of democracy abroad. The conversation turns to the media’s complicity in enabling authoritarian narratives, the dangers of AI-driven misinformation, and why reclaiming truth — and teaching future generations to defend it — may be the defining struggle of our time. Finally, he hops in the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the publication of the Federalist Papers and why their lessons are extremely pertinent in the Trump era, answers questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gives his college football recap. 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 Chuck Todd’s introduction 06:00 The government shutdown continues into the end of October 06:45 Trump tapping private donor to pay the military 07:45 Democrats have earned the leverage to reopen the government 08:15 Mike Johnson making a huge mistake by keeping House out of session 10:00 Voters want Congress to serve as a check on an unpopular president 11:45 House Republicans look like they’re out to lunch & on vacation 12:45 Trump says he’s both the speaker and the president 15:30 Sen. Lankford admits R’s would be furious if Biden was doing what Trump is 16:30 Everything now is viewed or ignored through a partisan lens 18:45 Without congressional oversight, we lose our founding framework 19:30 Qatari jet gift was the type of bribe our founders warned about 20:30 Republicans in charge of oversight ignoring plane bribe 21:30 Trump using coin scheme to build international bribery racket, R’s ignore it 23:00 The oversight committee under Comer has become a partisan weapon 23:45 Trump is ordering the DOJ to compensate his own business 25:15 Trump is using his power to direct money to his companies 26:00 The double standard from Republicans is insulting to the American people 28:45 Trump’s orbit is giving pre-revolutionary France vibes 29:30 Oversight is still investigating the Biden family 30:15 Democrats aren’t on moral high ground after Biden’s family pardons 31:15 If the Bidens were doing anything Trump was doing, R’s would impeach 32:00 Oversight has become partisan entertainment 32:45 Democrats weren’t interested in Epstein until it...

Chuck Todd breaks down the ongoing government shutdown and the deep dysfunction gripping Washington. With the shutdown dragging into late October, Trump is reportedly tapping private donors to pay the military, while Speaker Mike Johnson keeps the House out of session — a move Chuck calls a major political blunder. As Trump consolidates control over both the presidency and Congress, Republicans appear more focused on shielding him than exercising oversight. Meanwhile, the Oversight Committee under James Comer has devolved into partisan theater, investigating the Bidens while ignoring blatant corruption in Trump’s orbit. Chuck argues that without real congressional checks, America risks drifting toward the kind of pre-revolutionary rot the Founders warned about — where power, privilege, and impunity rule unchecked. Finally, he hops in the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the publication of the Federalist Papers and why their lessons are extremely pertinent in the Trump era, answers questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gives his college football recap. 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 Chuck Todd’s introduction 02:00 The government shutdown continues into the end of October 02:45 Trump tapping private donor to pay the military 03:45 Democrats have earned the leverage to reopen the government 04:15 Mike Johnson making a huge mistake by keeping House out of session 06:00 Voters want Congress to serve as a check on an unpopular president 07:45 House Republicans look like they're out to lunch & on vacation 08:45 Trump says he's both the speaker and the president 11:30 Sen. Lankford admits R's would be furious if Biden was doing what Trump is 12:30 Everything now is viewed or ignored through a partisan lens 14:45 Without congressional oversight, we lose our founding framework 15:30 Qatari jet gift was the type of bribe our founders warned about 16:30 Republicans in charge of oversight ignoring plane bribe 17:30 Trump using coin scheme to build international bribery racket, R's ignore it 19:00 The oversight committee under Comer has become a partisan weapon 19:45 Trump is ordering the DOJ to compensate his own business 21:15 Trump is using his power to direct money to his companies 22:00 The double standard from Republicans is insulting to the American people 24:45 Trump's orbit is giving pre-revolutionary France vibes 25:30 Oversight is still investigating the Biden family 26:15 Democrats aren't on moral high ground after Biden's family pardons 27:15 If the Bidens were doing anything Trump was doing, R's would impeach 28:00 Oversight has become partisan entertainment 28:45 Democrats weren't interested in Epstein until it entangled Trump 29:30 Trump's desperation to hold the house is to avoid oversight 30:15 Trump could stonewall oversight, but private companies can't 31:00 Private companies can't go to law enforcement when extorted 31:45 Mike Johnson is the weakest speaker in the modern era 34:00 ToddCast Time Machine 34:45 This week, in 1787 was the initial publication of the Federalist Papers 35:30 The papers were America's first political blog 36:30 Hamilton began by debating whether reason or rage would win out 37:45 Federalist #51 argued ambition must be made to counteract ambition 39:00 America's biggest problem now is an extraordinarily weak congress 39:45 Hamilton warned of political parties & can't limit it to one or two 40:45 Federalist #70 warned against an overly powerful executive 41:45 Federalist #65 worried that impeachment would become a partisan exercise 43:45 Federalist #78 argued that judges should never be elected 45:00 Madison argued in favor of slow deliberation 46:30 Founders warned that too few...

Sports journalist and professor J.A. Adande joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging conversation on how money, media, and power are reshaping the world of sports. From the Big Ten’s potential $2 billion private equity deal to the rise of The Athletic and the collapse of local sports coverage, Adande explains how financial literacy has become essential for sports reporters — and why sports journalism remains one of the few thriving corners of the media industry. They dig into how gambling, influencer culture, and social media are transforming how fans consume sports — and how shows like Around the Horn and PTI paved the way for today’s single-voice, personality-driven debate model. Adande also reflects on the increased diversity in sports media, the tension between advocacy and escapism, and why issues like Latino discrimination and trans inclusion in sports are becoming defining cultural flashpoints. He also explains why the sports world has gotten out of the social justice advocacy business… and likely won’t be coming back. It’s a candid look at how sports coverage mirrors — and sometimes predicts — the shifts happening across American journalism. 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: 00:00 J.A. Adande joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:00 Big Ten seeking $2 billion dollar private equity infusion 02:15 Money would keep current Big Ten setup for 2 decades 03:30 Knowledge of finance & business is a must for sports reporters 06:00 Sports journalism is one of the only growth areas in journalism 08:30 Why ESPN was a better option for J.A. than Sports Illustrated 09:15 The Athletic is the final destination for sportswriting 10:30 The role of sports journalism in rebuilding local news/media 12:00 The Athletic is evolving into a national sports outlet 13:30 Local sports reporting doesn’t scale 14:30 Where do sports fans go to now for localized coverage? 15:30 It’s more efficient for teams to leak stories to one national reporter 16:30 There is plenty of localized sports discussion, but not breaking news 18:30 There’s no FOIA in sports coverage, reporters aren’t entitled to access 20:00 Teams can shut out journalists and still get word out to the public 22:00 The impact of the pandemic on journalism and in-person access 23:00 Sports is one of the last places where people are debating the facts 24:00 Sports talk has become formulaic and like pro wrestling 25:15 The template for PTI was Siskel & Ebert 27:00 Around the Horn premised on winning a subjective argument 29:00 There’s a huge audience for fake, manufactured competition 30:00 Sports talk moving to the singular influencer model 30:45 Cutting production costs is reason for centering shows on one talent 32:00 News will likely move to the sports talk, licensing model 33:45 Streamers haven’t moved to pick up sports debate shows 34:30 Podcasts are a more intimate experience for the audience 36:15 The impact of the infusion of sports gambling into sports journalism 37:15 Journalists have to be more precise with gambling coverage 39:00 Newspapers would discourage gambling & still publish lines 41:00 Sports gambling journalism is a form of service journalism 42:15 Far more gender diversity now in sports journalism schools 44:15 There’s never been a better time to be a woman in sports media 46:45 There’s been a retreat from social commentary in sports media 48:15 Trans women in sports debate is dividing women 49:30 Baseball should be leading the fight against latino discrimination 51:30 Latino integration or expulsion will be a defining fight of our time 55:00 Sports will not be at the forefront of fighting for social justice 57:15 Sports as a source for escape vs a source of advocacy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck dives into the chaotic new reality of Trump’s second term — one defined by self-interest, spectacle, and staggering corruption. As the president literally tears down the East Wing of the White House to build a grander event space, Chuck explores how the optics reflect a leader consumed by vanity rather than governance. From meme coin millions and Gulf state real estate deals to the blatant abuse of the pardon power, the episode unpacks how Trump has turned the presidency into a personal profit machine. With billions made, laws bent, and supporters still loyal, the question looms: is there any line Trump can cross that will finally cost him his base? Then, sports journalist and professor J.A. Adande joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging conversation on how money, media, and power are reshaping the world of sports. From the Big Ten’s potential $2 billion private equity deal to the rise of The Athletic and the collapse of local sports coverage, Adande explains how financial literacy has become essential for sports reporters — and why sports journalism remains one of the few thriving corners of the media industry. They dig into how gambling, influencer culture, and social media are transforming how fans consume sports — and how shows like Around the Horn and PTI paved the way for today’s single-voice, personality-driven debate model. Adande also reflects on the increased diversity in sports media, the tension between advocacy and escapism, and why issues like Latino discrimination and trans inclusion in sports are becoming defining cultural flashpoints. He also explains why the sports world has gotten out of the social justice advocacy business… and likely won’t be coming back. It’s a candid look at how sports coverage mirrors — and sometimes predicts — the shifts happening across American journalism. Finally, he answers listener’s questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment, and gives his weekend college football preview. 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 Chuck Todd’s introduction 03:30 Trump is tearing down the entire east wing of the White House 04:15 Optics of the White House demolition are extremely jarring 05:30 Trump more consumed with himself and his image than voters 07:15 Over time, Trump always manages to wear out his welcome 08:30 Trump is not putting America first 09:45 Trump shaking down his own DOJ for over $200 million 11:30 WH needed a bigger event space, but not without permission 12:30 Trump has entered “Let them eat cake” territory 14:00 Trump family has made billions on meme coin 15:30 Meme coin purchases could be straight up bribery 17:00 Trump has made millions from settlements 18:15 Trump family has made multiple real estate deals with gulf states 19:30 Trump’s personal fortune is now between 5-6 billion dollars 20:00 Trump’s abuse of the pardon power has undone the rule of law 21:00 Pardoned J6’ers have gone on to commit crimes 22:30 Trump has pardoned scores of Republican politicians 24:15 Claiming “political persecution” earns you a pardon from Trump 25:45 Trump has traded America foreign policy for personal gain 27:45 Trump is testing the premise he can do anything and not lose support 31:30 J.A. Adande joins the Chuck ToddCast 32:30 Big Ten seeking $2 billion dollar private equity infusion 33:45 Money would keep current Big Ten setup for 2 decades 35:00 Knowledge of finance & business is a must for sports reporters 37:30 Sports journalism is one of the only growth areas in journalism 40:00 Why ESPN was a better option for J.A. than Sports Illustrated 40:45 The Athletic is the final destination for sportswriting 42:00 The role of sports journalism in rebuilding local...

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck dives into the chaotic new reality of Trump’s second term — one defined by self-interest, spectacle, and staggering corruption. As the president literally tears down the East Wing of the White House to build a grander event space, Chuck explores how the optics reflect a leader consumed by vanity rather than governance. From meme coin millions and Gulf state real estate deals to the blatant abuse of the pardon power, the episode unpacks how Trump has turned the presidency into a personal profit machine. With billions made, laws bent, and supporters still loyal, the question looms: is there any line Trump can cross that will finally cost him his base? Finally, he answers listener’s questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment, and gives his weekend college football preview. 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 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:00 Trump is tearing down the entire east wing of the White House 01:45 Optics of the White House demolition are extremely jarring 03:00 Trump more consumed with himself and his image than voters 04:45 Over time, Trump always manages to wear out his welcome 06:00 Trump is not putting America first 07:15 Trump shaking down his own DOJ for over $200 million 09:00 WH needed a bigger event space, but not without permission 10:00 Trump has entered "Let them eat cake" territory 11:30 Trump family has made billions on meme coin 13:00 Meme coin purchases could be straight up bribery 14:30 Trump has made millions from settlements 15:45 Trump family has made multiple real estate deals with gulf states 17:00 Trump's personal fortune is now between 5-6 billion dollars 17:30 Trump's abuse of the pardon power has undone the rule of law 18:30 Pardoned J6'ers have gone on to commit crimes 20:00 Trump has pardoned scores of Republican politicians 21:45 Claiming "political persecution" earns you a pardon from Trump 23:15 Trump has traded America foreign policy for personal gain 25:15 Trump is testing the premise he can do anything and not lose support 29:00 Ask Chuck 30:00 Why aren't we mandating watermarks on every piece of AI content? 34:00 Where was the No Kings energy on election day? 38:45 How can you have meaningful debate when you can't agree on facts? 45:30 Why have Hegseth, Bondi and RFK Jr. been able to cement their roles? 49:15 Why not do a "Where Chuck was right/wrong" segment similar to Cowherd? 53:30 How can Democrats uphold core values without sounding preachy? 58:00 College football preview See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd sits down with Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart to talk farming, politics, and the fight to keep Iowa relevant on the national stage. From corn and soybeans to caucuses and campaigns, Hart shares what it’s really like for farmers caught in the middle of tariffs, trade wars, and shrinking rural economies — and how Washington’s decisions have reshaped Iowa’s way of life. They discuss the state’s economic struggles, rural healthcare crisis, and the outsized impact of right-wing media, as well as the challenge of rebuilding trust in the Democratic brand across small towns that once went from Obama to Trump. Hart also dives into the future of Iowa’s political identity — why she thinks a rural state must remain among the first in the presidential primary calendar, how Democrats can connect urban and rural voters around shared values, and what success will look like for Iowa Democrats heading into 2026. It’s a candid, grounded look at where agriculture meets democracy, and how one state’s renewal could hold lessons for the entire country. 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 Rita Hart joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:00 Experience of working as farmers in Iowa 02:00 How much of your corn is for human consumption? 03:45 What can farmers do with soybeans if they can’t find a buyer? 04:45 Tariffs & trade war can have dire consequences for farmers 06:15 What did government intervention look like last time & how does it work? 07:15 The trade war allowed foreign markets to take US ag customers 09:00 Targeted tariffs work for manufacturing but not for agriculture 10:45 Iowa’s place in rebuilding the Democratic party in the midwest 11:40 The national brand has stained the Iowa brand 12:45 Iowa is nearly last in the nation for economic and income growth 13:30 Iowa’s healthcare & childcare are increasingly unaffordable 14:30 Rural healthcare access is extremely limited in rural Iowa 15:30 Iowa has the most Obama to Trump voting counties in America 16:45 Iowa’s local news has diminished, voters focused on national news 18:00 FOX News & right wing media have huge influence in Iowa 20:15 The national Democratic Party is in a state of transition 22:00 Iowa Democrats have been activated and engaged 23:00 Iowa has good primary candidates, DSCC should stay out of it 24:45 Rob Sand emphasized party credentials rather than go independent 26:45 What issues should Iowa Dems lean in, and lean out on? 29:00 Can’t divide issues that affect everyone into “us vs. them” 31:30 How should Democrats talk about immigration 33:30 Need a sensible way for hard-working immigrants to get citizenship 35:30 Why has the DNC moved away from Iowa as first in the nation status 36:45 Iowa is a great testing ground for Democratic campaigns 38:45 Balancing targeting the urban centers vs the rural vote in campaigns 39:30 Why rural Iowa matters to a future presidential candidate 41:00 A rural state needs to be in the first four primary states 42:30 Will Iowa GOP work with Iowa Dems to keep first in nation status? 43:45 Iowa Democrats should get to choose between a caucus or a primary 46:30 Improving the caucus process to increase participation 47:45 What does success look like for Iowa Democrats in 2026? 49:45 There’s a reason both Kim Reynolds and Joni Ernst dropped out 50:30 What is the job of a state party chair? 54:00 Avoiding burnout during the constant state of fundraising See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd breaks down how Donald Trump’s presidency has become more about global showmanship than governing at home. From pushing Argentinian beef over American ranchers to a fragile Israel-Hamas peace deal and secretive efforts at regime change in Venezuela, Todd argues the administration is setting a dangerous precedent—one where the president wields unchecked power. He exposes how the Department of Homeland Security has morphed into a political PR arm, spending millions on self-promotional ads and luxury jets for Kristi Noem, all while ignoring real crises. Then, the conversation shifts to the next major political flashpoint: artificial intelligence. As fear of AI grows, politicians like Florida’s Hector Mujica are making it a centerpiece issue. Todd explores how AI could fuel a new populist revolt, with both parties scrambling to offer answers to voters’ unease. From vanity projects to vanishing trust in technology, this Chuck paints a picture of a government distracted by power plays while the ground shifts beneath it. Then, he sits down with Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart to talk farming, politics, and the fight to keep Iowa relevant on the national stage. From corn and soybeans to caucuses and campaigns, Hart shares what it’s really like for farmers caught in the middle of tariffs, trade wars, and shrinking rural economies — and how Washington’s decisions have reshaped Iowa’s way of life. They discuss the state’s economic struggles, rural healthcare crisis, and the outsized impact of right-wing media, as well as the challenge of rebuilding trust in the Democratic brand across small towns that once went from Obama to Trump. Hart also dives into the future of Iowa’s political identity — why she thinks a rural state must remain among the first in the presidential primary calendar, how Democrats can connect urban and rural voters around shared values, and what success will look like for Iowa Democrats heading into 2026. It’s a candid, grounded look at where agriculture meets democracy, and how one state’s renewal could hold lessons for the entire country. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 political TV shows of the past decade 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 Chuck Todd’s introduction 03:00 Trump ignoring domestic issues in favor of international ones 04:15 Trump suggests buying Argentinian beef, hurting American ranchers 05:45 Trump’s peace deal between Israel & Hamas may fall apart 07:00 Administration wants regime change in Venezuela, lying about it 08:45 Ecuador released survivor of navy attack in Caribbean, not a criminal 10:15 The precedent being set is the president has all the power 12:00 Dems painted Bush as caring more about other nations, can do same w/Trump 13:30 Trump administration spending huge money on themselves, not the public 14:15 DHS has spent $51m on direct to camera ads featuring Kristi Noem 16:00 DHS bought two Gulfstream private jets for Kristi Noem’s use 18:00 When something goes wrong with DHS, Kristi Noem will get the blame 19:00 DHS has gotten lucky with an incredibly light hurricane season 20:15 Administration is using taxpayer dollars to promote a future presidential run 21:15 Republicans will be stuck defending Trump’s vanity projects 22:30 There’s a coming political & cultural war over AI 23:15 Companies already getting scrutiny for using AI avatars in ads 24:30 Florida Democrat Hector Mujica makes AI center of his campaign 25:30 Fear of AI could be strong political motivator for voters 26:30 Politicians will need a good answer to AI anxiety 27:30 The globalization “soft landing” never materialized, AI could be...