The Chuck ToddCast

Entrepreneur, investor, and former “Shark Tank” star Matt Higgins joins the Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation on ambition, politics, media, and the rapidly accelerating drone arms race. Higgins reflects on his rise from humble beginnings to serial entrepreneurship, why highlighting adversity can sometimes unintentionally promote victimhood, and how government should focus on leveling the playing field with empathy—not bureaucracy. He also explains why America is undergoing a political realignment and how leaving politics reshaped his view of its inherent narcissism. From the personalization of media to the implicit bias baked into journalism, Higgins warns about how online life can warp our sense of reality and why LinkedIn has succeeded by avoiding the toxicity of other platforms. The discussion then turns to the future of warfare, where drones have transformed the battlefield and triggered the most significant arms race since the nuclear age. Higgins breaks down how the Ukraine war changed everything, why the U.S. is dangerously dependent on Chinese drone technology, and how difficult it will be to build a domestic drone industry without key components like magnets. He also outlines what a modern 9/11-style attack might look like, why America still isn’t prepared to defend public spaces from drone terrorism, and the urgent lessons policymakers should take from past failures. The episode wraps with a detour into the NFL: what makes a great owner, why inherited wealth doesn’t equal success, and why both New York football teams continue to puzzle fans and analysts alike. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! 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! 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. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Matt Higgins joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:00 Matt’s journey to becoming a “serial entrepreneur” 02:15 There are hurdles, but any American can climb the ladder 03:30 Coming from nothing to finding great success in business 05:00 Do we encourage victimhood by highlighting challenging upbringings 06:15 Some ambitious, successful people need to “chase something” 08:00 Where should government have been more/less involved in your businesses? 09:45 Government’s role should be leveling the playing field with empathy 12:00 America is in the middle of a political realignment 12:45 America needs a “next north star” after winning cold war 13:45 How Matt got started working for Rudy Giuliani 14:45 How did leaving politics change your view of politics? 15:45 There’s a degree of narcissism when you’re in government 16:30 The personalization of the media has politicized it 18:00 Humans are born with original bias, journalists will have it 20:15 There will be implicit bias infused in journalism, but it’s gone too far 22:00 If you spend too much time online it warps your view of reality 23:30 LinkedIn has become a trusted space by not being like Twitter or IG 25:45 Press & comms shops matter more than ever in politics & business 28:30 Drones have completely changed the complexion of modern warfare 29:15 How Matt got into the military drone business 31:00 Everything changed in the drone space after the Ukraine war 32:00 Does automating warfare make killing easier when it looks like a video game? 33:00 The U.S. needs an arsenal of drones it doesn’t currently have 34:15 You can’t make drone motors without...

In this episode, Chuck Todd breaks down the surprising Democratic overperformance in Tennessee’s TN-07 special election and what it signals about a rapidly shifting political landscape. From early cracks in Trump’s coalition to the GOP narrowly avoiding a full-scale collapse in a district they should have won easily, Chuck explains why this political environment is inching toward a Democratic “wave.” He digs into why Aftyn Behn’s imperfections didn’t stop her from overperforming, why Republicans can’t replicate this win in dozens of upcoming races, and how establishment ties have become toxic for candidates in Trump’s GOP. With ACA subsidies, tariffs, and Venezuela emerging as major vulnerabilities—and Trump issuing weekly, indefensible pardons—Chuck argues we may be witnessing the end stages of the Trump era. Plus, he makes the case that Democrats’ Senate prospects are stronger than people realize, especially in an environment defined by high Democratic enthusiasm and a struggling economy. Then, entrepreneur, investor, and former “Shark Tank” star Matt Higgins joins the Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation on ambition, politics, media, and the rapidly accelerating drone arms race. Higgins reflects on his rise from humble beginnings to serial entrepreneurship, why highlighting adversity can sometimes unintentionally promote victimhood, and how government should focus on leveling the playing field with empathy—not bureaucracy. He also explains why America is undergoing a political realignment and how leaving politics reshaped his view of its inherent narcissism. From the personalization of media to the implicit bias baked into journalism, Higgins warns about how online life can warp our sense of reality and why LinkedIn has succeeded by avoiding the toxicity of other platforms. The discussion then turns to the future of warfare, where drones have transformed the battlefield and triggered the most significant arms race since the nuclear age. Higgins breaks down how the Ukraine war changed everything, why the U.S. is dangerously dependent on Chinese drone technology, and how difficult it will be to build a domestic drone industry without key components like magnets. He also outlines what a modern 9/11-style attack might look like, why America still isn’t prepared to defend public spaces from drone terrorism, and the urgent lessons policymakers should take from past failures. The episode wraps with a detour into the NFL: what makes a great owner, why inherited wealth doesn’t equal success, and why both New York football teams continue to puzzle fans and analysts alike. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 at-risk Senate seats in a “blue wave” election and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! 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! 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. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:00 Takeaways from the TN-07 special election 02:15 Trend of Democrat overperformance continued in Tennessee 03:00 Is this political environment turning into a “wave” scenario for Democrats? 04:00 We’ve already started seeing cracks in Trump’s coalition 05:00 A loss in TN-07 would have led to the bottom falling out for the GOP 07:00 Aftyn Behn was not the perfect candidate for Dems in TN-07 08:45 Republicans will struggle to replicate...

In this episode, Chuck Todd breaks down the surprising Democratic overperformance in Tennessee’s TN-07 special election and what it signals about a rapidly shifting political landscape. From early cracks in Trump’s coalition to the GOP narrowly avoiding a full-scale collapse in a district they should have won easily, Chuck explains why this political environment is inching toward a Democratic “wave.” He digs into why Aftyn Behn’s imperfections didn’t stop her from overperforming, why Republicans can’t replicate this win in dozens of upcoming races, and how establishment ties have become toxic for candidates in Trump’s GOP. With ACA subsidies, tariffs, and Venezuela emerging as major vulnerabilities—and Trump issuing weekly, indefensible pardons—Chuck argues we may be witnessing the end stages of the Trump era. Plus, he makes the case that Democrats’ Senate prospects are stronger than people realize, especially in an environment defined by high Democratic enthusiasm and a struggling economy. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 at-risk Senate seats in a “blue wave” election and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! 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! 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. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:00 Takeaways from the TN-07 special election 02:15 Trend of Democrat overperformance continued in Tennessee 03:00 Is this political environment turning into a “wave” scenario for Democrats? 04:00 We’ve already started seeing cracks in Trump’s coalition 05:00 A loss in TN-07 would have led to the bottom falling out for the GOP 07:00 Aftyn Behn was not the perfect candidate for Dems in TN-07 08:45 Republicans will struggle to replicate this win in 35-40 races 11:00 Being associated with the establishment can be the kiss of death 11:30 Democrats are in a great political environment, Trump’s grip is slipping 12:15 GOP will likely extend ACA subsidies to mitigate the political damage 13:30 Tariffs and Venezuela are two big political liabilities for GOP 16:00 There was no mention of Trump from Matt Van Epps during campaign 16:30 There aren’t any positive future headlines coming for Republicans 18:15 We’re at the end stages of the Trump era 19:15 Environment will be high Democrat enthusiasm, with a bad economy 20:30 Trump’s granting indefensible pardons on a weekly basis 22:00 People are underrating Democrats chances of winning senate 24:00 If history is a guide, the likelihood of Dems winning 4 senate seats is high 30:30 ToddCast Top 5 Senate seats on “blue wave watch” 31:15 Historical precedents for massive upsets during wave years 34:15 #5 Florida 36:30 #4 Kentucky 38:45 #3 South Carolina 43:15 #2 Mississippi 44:45 #1 Montana 46:45 Ask Chuck 47:00 Thanks for having Clay Travis on to push us outside our bubbles 49:15 What to make of all the censures in congress? 53:30 How do the U.S. & Europe get responsible leaders into power? 1:01:15 Why is Biden facing challenges fundraising for his library? 1:05:00 Could Trump’s legacy become that of Benedict Arnold? 1:08:45 Could we see a mixed party presidential ticket in the future? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s Chuck ToddCast, editor of The Dispatch Sarah Isgur joins Chuck for a sweeping conversation about the Supreme Court, constitutional design, and the modern dysfunction of Congress. Sarah argues that SCOTUS is the only institution still operating as the founders intended—and with two major cases on the docket, the Court could soon reshape the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. She and Chuck examine how the activist class has abandoned Congress, why long-term challenges like climate change require legislation rather than court battles, and how a dramatically expanded House—potentially 1,200 members or more—could restore true representation. They dig into how the collapse of traditional parties, the rise of communications-focused lawmakers, and the outsize influence of small states have all warped American governance. The conversation then widens into history, culture, and political “what-ifs”—from Ken Burns’ Revolutionary War documentary to the chaotic post-Lincoln era, to the tantalizing possibility that a surviving President Garfield might have accelerated civil rights by a century. Chuck and Sarah compare Obama to Chester Arthur, debate whether Democrats learned the wrong lessons from Trump, and revisit the alternate timelines of Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina, and the Tea Party. They close with a provocative question: Should the DOJ be structurally separated from the executive branch? And, more fundamentally, should it be far easier to amend the Constitution for a modern nation of 300 million people? Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! 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! 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. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Sarah Isgur joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:30 SCOTUS is the only institution functioning as founders intended 02:00 SCOTUS has 2 cases that could rebalance other two branches 03:15 SCOTUS may strengthen executive while empowering congress 05:30 What if SCOTUS gives Trump everything he wants? 07:00 Activist class has given up or ignored congressional authority 08:00 You need legislation to address long term problems like climate change 09:30 The house needs to be expanded to make it more representative 11:45 The house should have 1200+ members 13:15 We replaced political parties with high dollar special interests 14:00 Members aren’t attending town halls, they’re posting on social media 16:30 The two leaders of each chamber run congress, not committee chairs 17:15 Legislators are frustrated with the broken nature of congress 18:30 Members aren’t hiring legislating staff, they hire comms staff 20:00 Boebert, AOC, MTG would be backbenchers without comms 21:30 Small states are getting far too much influence electorally 24:30 The constitution is a good ballast if we follow it and regularly amend it 25:30 Ken Burns was gutsy to make a doc on the American revolution 27:00 If you want 300 million people to follow a law, it should take time to pass 29:00 Death By Lightning was too short to tell the whole story 31:00 “Manhunt” really painted a picture of Andrew Johnson 32:00 Lincoln assassination was meant to Lincoln's administration 32:45 Holiday reading list 34:00 End of 19th century was a weird time for the U.S. presidency 36:00 Rehnquist’s book comments on Bush v Gore through 19th century lens 37:45 Thomas Jefferson impeached justices in...

This week’s episode of The Chuck ToddCast dives into the full spectrum of Donald Trump’s political chaos — from a deadly Venezuela boat strike that jolted Congress awake to an explosive shooting in Washington, D.C., where Trump delivered the most divisive response imaginable. Chuck breaks down how the shooter’s surprising CIA ties, Trump’s immediate “blame game,” and his increasingly politicized rhetoric toward the military risk putting service members in harm’s way. He examines Trump’s contradictory foreign policy moves, including pardoning a cocaine-trafficking former Honduran president and a billionaire fraudster, all while saber-rattling toward Venezuela and relying on Roger Stone as his unofficial “pardon broker.” With Republicans bracing for a wave of resignations and watchdog committees gearing up for investigations, Chuck argues that the founders never intended the pardon power to be used this way — and that a constitutional fix may now be essential. Then, editor of The Dispatch, Sarah Isgur joins Chuck for a sweeping conversation about the Supreme Court, constitutional design, and the modern dysfunction of Congress. Sarah argues that SCOTUS is the only institution still operating as the founders intended—and with two major cases on the docket, the Court could soon reshape the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. She and Chuck examine how the activist class has abandoned Congress, why long-term challenges like climate change require legislation rather than court battles, and how a dramatically expanded House—potentially 1,200 members or more—could restore true representation. They dig into how the collapse of traditional parties, the rise of communications-focused lawmakers, and the outsize influence of small states have all warped American governance. The conversation then widens into history, culture, and political “what-ifs”—from Ken Burns’ Revolutionary War documentary to the chaotic post-Lincoln era, to the tantalizing possibility that a surviving President Garfield might have accelerated civil rights by a century. Chuck and Sarah compare Obama to Chester Arthur, debate whether Democrats learned the wrong lessons from Trump, and revisit the alternate timelines of Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina, and the Tea Party. They close with a provocative question: Should the DOJ be structurally separated from the executive branch? And, more fundamentally, should it be far easier to amend the Constitution for a modern nation of 300 million people? Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to December 7th, 1941 when FDR addressed the nation via radio after Pearl Harbor, and traces the history of media fragmentation throughout the decades. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gives his college football update. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! 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! 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. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 02:00 We got the full spectrum of Trump this week 02:45 Venezuela boat strike has awoken congress from its slumber 03:15 Pete Hegseth could take the fall for war crime strike 04:00 Resignation of head of SouthCom was a flashing red light 05:45 Two national guardsmen shot in Washington D.C. 06:45 Trump’s response to shooting was most divisive possible 07:30 Surprising that shooter was...

This week’s episode of The Chuck ToddCast dives into the full spectrum of Donald Trump’s political chaos — from a deadly Venezuela boat strike that jolted Congress awake to an explosive shooting in Washington, D.C., where Trump delivered the most divisive response imaginable. Chuck breaks down how the shooter’s surprising CIA ties, Trump’s immediate “blame game,” and his increasingly politicized rhetoric toward the military risk putting service members in harm’s way. He examines Trump’s contradictory foreign policy moves, including pardoning a cocaine-trafficking former Honduran president and a billionaire fraudster, all while saber-rattling toward Venezuela and relying on Roger Stone as his unofficial “pardon broker.” With Republicans bracing for a wave of resignations and watchdog committees gearing up for investigations, Chuck argues that the founders never intended the pardon power to be used this way — and that a constitutional fix may now be essential. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to December 7th, 1941 when FDR addressed the nation via radio after Pearl Harbor, and traces the history of media fragmentation throughout the decades. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gives his college football update. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! 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! 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. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 02:00 We got the full spectrum of Trump this week 02:45 Venezuela boat strike has awoken congress from its slumber 03:15 Pete Hegseth could take the fall for war crime strike 04:00 Resignation of head of SouthCom was a flashing red light 05:45 Two national guardsmen shot in Washington D.C. 06:45 Trump’s response to shooting was most divisive possible 07:30 Surprising that shooter was Afghan employee of CIA 08:45 It’s likely shooter was mentally unstable & something triggered him 09:30 Trump immediately went into “blame game” mode after shooting 10:15 Trump’s entire political currency is division 11:00 Trump’s politicization of military risks putting target on their back 12:00 Trump blames Biden’s vetting, but administration rarely vets anything 12:45 Trump gave away everything U.S. won in Afghanistan to Taliban 14:30 Every president in the 21st century has screwed up Afghanistan 15:45 Trump tried to weaponize the shooting for political gain 17:30 Pay attention to what Trump does, not what he says 18:15 Trump pardons cocaine trafficking ex president of Honduras 19:00 Trump threatens war with Venezuela over drugs, then gives this pardon?? 20:00 Trump threatens voters of Honduras over their election 20:45 Roger Stone has become Trump’s pardon merchant 21:45 Pardon was direct result of Roger Stone’s lobbying 22:15 Trump has normalized pardoning of convicted felons 24:15 Trump pardons executive guilty of 1.6B fraud scheme 25:15 Trump’s pardons are far more corrupt than prior president’s pardons 26:30 We need a constitutional amendment to change the pardon power 29:30 Founder imagined congress would prevent abuse of pardon power 28:15 We’ll likely see 2-4 retirements per week in congress through December 29:45 Senate Armed Services committee will do thorough investigation of strike 31:15 Trump is likely to give an illegal order w/ military action in Venezuela 32:45 Trump’s coalition...

At the Texas Tribune Festival, Maryland Governor Wes Moore joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership in the Trump era, the future of Democratic politics, and the policy challenges shaping the next decade. Moore reflects on governing a state uniquely positioned at the crossroads of America’s north and south — and uniquely impacted by Donald Trump’s presidency. He and Chuck dig into the shutdown’s political fallout, why the legal theory behind shutdowns has always been flimsy, and how Maryland worked to blunt its effects. Moore also lays out why kicking people off healthcare is an indefensible shutdown tactic, what Democrats got right and wrong in their approach, and how states can tackle crime without relying on the myths surrounding the National Guard. The conversation turns toward the issues that will define 2026 and beyond, including skyrocketing electric bills, the urgent need to rapidly diversify energy production, and the responsibility tech companies bear as AI and data centers reshape local communities. Moore challenges Democrats to rethink their discomfort with Wall Street, argues that poverty is the result of deliberate policy design, and explains how racial wealth theft — from redlining to inequitable lending — continues to hold the economy back. Chuck also presses him on 2028 rumors, his vision for restoring bipartisanship in a polarized country, and why national service might help rebuild trust in American institutions. Packed with policy, perspective, and political strategy, it’s a candid look at how one of the party’s rising stars sees the road ahead. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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) 02:00 Introduction 02:45 Chuck Todd is joined by Maryland Governor Wes Moore 05:00 Balancing optimism in pessimism in the current political climate 06:30 No state has felt the impact of Trump more than Maryland 08:30 Maryland is where America’s north and south blend & clash 09:15 Confronting Trump vs. preparing for a post-Trump world 13:00 Did the Democrats take the right approach to the shutdown? 13:45 Shutdowns are predicated on a legal theory, not the constitution 15:30 Maryland took steps to mitigate damage from the shutdown 16:45 Kicking people off healthcare is an indefensible position for shutdown 18:00 Does Donald Trump have a point about crime in major cities? 19:30 How Maryland was able to significantly lower crime rate 21:15 Trump uses the military like they’re childish toy soldiers 22:15 There’s no data to support claim that national guard lowers crime 25:15 Advice Wes Moore gave to Zohran Mamdani for dealing with Trump 27:45 What does Trump do well that got him elected twice? 29:00 Donald Trump doesn’t wait to act 30:45 The electric bill will be the “price of eggs” issue in 2026 32:00 What can government do to alleviate high electricity prices? 34:15 We need to diversify energy projects and bring online faster 36:15 What is the responsibility of tech companies building data centers 37:45 AI & tech advancement must be done in partnership with communities 38:30 Why should Democrats not be overly skeptical of Wall Street? 39:30 Poverty exists due to deliberate policy choices 44:15 Why do Democrats have a net negative view of capitalism? 47:15 Does the socialist label create a branding problem? 48:15 The racial wealth gap has cost the economy $16T over two decades 48:45 Why haven’t reparations happened? 50:15 Redlining was one of the greatest...

On this episode of The Chuck ToddCast, Chuck previews the Democratic prospects for the 2028 presidential election, highlighting why Gavin Newsom has shot to the top of the field and debates which candidate is most likely to win the “centrist” lane. Then, at the Texas Tribune Festival, Maryland Governor Wes Moore joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership in the Trump era, the future of Democratic politics, and the policy challenges shaping the next decade. Moore reflects on governing a state uniquely positioned at the crossroads of America’s north and south — and uniquely impacted by Donald Trump’s presidency. He and Chuck dig into the shutdown’s political fallout, why the legal theory behind shutdowns has always been flimsy, and how Maryland worked to blunt its effects. Moore also lays out why kicking people off healthcare is an indefensible shutdown tactic, what Democrats got right and wrong in their approach, and how states can tackle crime without relying on the myths surrounding the National Guard. The conversation turns toward the issues that will define 2026 and beyond, including skyrocketing electric bills, the urgent need to rapidly diversify energy production, and the responsibility tech companies bear as AI and data centers reshape local communities. Moore challenges Democrats to rethink their discomfort with Wall Street, argues that poverty is the result of deliberate policy design, and explains how racial wealth theft — from redlining to inequitable lending — continues to hold the economy back. Chuck also presses him on 2028 rumors, his vision for restoring bipartisanship in a polarized country, and why national service might help rebuild trust in American institutions. Packed with policy, perspective, and political strategy, it’s a candid look at how one of the party’s rising stars sees the road ahead. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. 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 01:00 Big takeaways from interview with Wes Moore 03:15 Gavin Newsom has shot to the top of Dem presidential candidates 04:15 Gavin Newsom won 2025 on Dem side, Vance on GOP side 06:00 Dems need to win governor races in red states to have good midterm 07:15 Will Shapiro, Moore or Beshear win the centrist lane? 10:30 If Dems are successful in ‘26 they may not want a partisan warrior 14:45 Texas Tribune introduction 15:30 Chuck Todd is joined by Maryland Governor Wes Moore 17:45 Balancing optimism in pessimism in the current political climate 19:15 No state has felt the impact of Trump more than Maryland 21:15 Maryland is where America’s north and south blend & clash 22:00 Confronting Trump vs. preparing for a post-Trump world 25:45 Did the Democrats take the right approach to the shutdown? 26:30 Shutdowns are predicated on a legal theory, not the constitution 28:15 Maryland took steps to mitigate damage from the shutdown 29:30 Kicking people off healthcare is an indefensible position for shutdown 31:15 Does Donald Trump have a point about crime in major cities? 32:45 How Maryland was able to significantly lower crime rate 34:00 Trump uses the military like they’re childish toy soldiers 35:00 There’s no data to support claim that national guard lowers crime 38:00 Advice Wes Moore gave to Zohran Mamdani for dealing with Trump 40:30 What does Trump do well that got him elected twice? 41:45 Donald Trump doesn’t wait...

Sports & political commentator Clay Travis joins Chuck Todd for a candid conversation that spans the worlds of politics, sports, and media. They explore the shifting boundaries between culture and athletics, the pressure of serving a politically-charged audience, and what Clay learned from stepping into Rush Limbaugh’s former timeslot. Clay discusses the importance of distinguishing fact from opinion, the challenges of modern political incentives, and how law school shaped his worldview. The two also talk about the realities of online hostility, audience expectations, and Clay’s belief that influence in media can outweigh influence in elected office. The episode also digs deep into college football: conference realignment, the CFP committee’s biases, southern schools’ growing appeal, and how cultural and political trends—from Gaza protests to regional identity—shape the sport’s landscape. Clay and Chuck debate how to fix the playoff system, what makes college football uniquely personal for fans, and which major sports league Nashville could attract next. Clay closes by sharing the presidential contenders he wishes would run in 2028 and why treating political opponents like rival sports fans could be a healthier way forward. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! 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 Clay Travis joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:30 GW’s near win over the Fab Five 03:30 Thoughts on McAfee interviewing Trump on ESPN? 04:15 If the president wants to do your show, you do it 05:30 Are you a sports guy that does politics or a politics guy that does sports 06:15 Taking over Rush Limbaugh’s timeslot for Premiere Radio 07:30 Balancing sports content vs. politics content 09:00 Sports used to be separate from culture, now they’re intertwined 10:45 Having the audience you want vs. the one that you have 11:30 Clay’s audience is people who voted Trump, love football, hated Covid masks 12:30 Not letting your audience be your editor 15:00 Learning not to care too much what people think about you 16:15 Everybody is mean on the internet, you have to have thick skin 18:00 Going to law school was the best decision Clay ever made 20:30 We need better distinction between fact & opinion in politics 21:15 Politics doesn’t attract the best & brightest due to low pay 22:00 Too many people in politics just want to be famous 23:15 Nick Saban could have been great at anything, including politics 25:30 Non SEC & Big Ten schools get no notice from the CFP committee 28:00 It’ll be interesting to see which big conference ACC programs try to join 29:30 Southern schools have become a huge draw for northern students 30:30 Gaza protests have affected student recruitment at some schools 32:00 Lane Kiffin will be the hottest name in the college coaching market 33:15 CFP committee cherry picking results, not acknowledging ACC 34:15 College football is the sport we’re always arguing about 35:00 Playoff selections need to be non subjective, needs a new system 36:15 Dems focus on what America did wrong, R’s focus on what went right 38:00 Quality wins should matter more than quality losses 38:45 People feel a closer personal connection to college football compared to NFL 39:30 Best way to reconfigure the college football playoff? 41:15 College football should start in August prior to NFL kicking off 43:00 What’s the next major sport coming to Nashville? MLB 44:00 There are more NHL, NBA and NFL teams in SEC footprint than MLB 45:30 Sports is...

On today’s Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down why Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation is less an isolated drama and more a warning sign that Trump’s once-tight MAGA coalition is splintering. From Speaker Mike Johnson taking cues directly from Trump to a wave of looming GOP retirements, Chuck explains why Republicans may face a bleak 2026. He also digs into Trump’s mixed economic record, his unexpected openness to extending ACA subsidies, and the widening rift between Republicans over Ukraine, where a new peace proposal appears to reflect more of Kyiv’s asks than Moscow’s. With Europe carrying most of the burden and Trump seen abroad as a lame duck, Chuck argues that MAGA may be reaching the end of its political shelf life as fractures emerge across every major wing of the coalition. Sports & political commentator Clay Travis joins Chuck Todd for a candid conversation that spans the worlds of politics, sports, and media. They explore the shifting boundaries between culture and athletics, the pressure of serving a politically-charged audience, and what Clay learned from stepping into Rush Limbaugh’s former timeslot. Clay discusses the importance of distinguishing fact from opinion, the challenges of modern political incentives, and how law school shaped his worldview. The two also talk about the realities of online hostility, audience expectations, and Clay’s belief that influence in media can outweigh influence in elected office. The episode also digs deep into college football: conference realignment, the CFP committee’s biases, southern schools’ growing appeal, and how cultural and political trends—from Gaza protests to regional identity—shape the sport’s landscape. Clay and Chuck debate how to fix the playoff system, what makes college football uniquely personal for fans, and which major sports league Nashville could attract next. Clay closes by sharing the presidential contenders he wishes would run in 2028 and why treating political opponents like rival sports fans could be a healthier way forward. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 Thanksgiving Dishes, previews a pivotal weekend in college football and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! 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! 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. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 03:30 MTG’s resignation a sign of Trump’s coalition fracturing 04:15 MAGA is more likely to continue fracturing rather than galvanize 05:00 Republicans probably hoping for impeachment if Dems take house 06:15 Johnson keeping the house out of session was a huge mistake 07:45 Mike Johnson isn’t operating on his own, Trump dictates to him 09:15 Trump’s agenda has made the economy worse 11:00 Other Republican lawmakers signaling they may resign early 12:15 Holidays are the season of early retirement decisions 13:00 Likely we see 10 or more Republican retirements by end of January 14:45 Donald Trump signals willingness to extend ACA subsidies 17:00 Lame duck president and Dem majority will discourage GOP reelect bids 18:30 Congress has been cut out of governing, makes the job suck 20:00 Ukraine peace plan details have been all over the map 20:45 New peace deal contains more of Ukraine’s considerations 21:15 Trump just wants a deal, doesn’t care about the details 22:30 To his credit,...

On today’s Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down why Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation is less an isolated drama and more a warning sign that Trump’s once-tight MAGA coalition is splintering. From Speaker Mike Johnson taking cues directly from Trump to a wave of looming GOP retirements, Chuck explains why Republicans may face a bleak 2026. He also digs into Trump’s mixed economic record, his unexpected openness to extending ACA subsidies, and the widening rift between Republicans over Ukraine, where a new peace proposal appears to reflect more of Kyiv’s asks than Moscow’s. With Europe carrying most of the burden and Trump seen abroad as a lame duck, Chuck argues that MAGA may be reaching the end of its political shelf life as fractures emerge across every major wing of the coalition. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 Thanksgiving Dishes, previews a pivotal weekend in college football and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! 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! 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. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:15 MTG’s resignation a sign of Trump’s coalition fracturing 02:00 MAGA is more likely to continue fracturing rather than galvanize 02:45 Republicans probably hoping for impeachment if Dems take house 04:00 Johnson keeping the house out of session was a huge mistake 05:30 Mike Johnson isn’t operating on his own, Trump dictates to him 07:00 Trump’s agenda has made the economy worse 08:45 Other Republican lawmakers signaling they may resign early 10:00 Holidays are the season of early retirement decisions 10:45 Likely we see 10 or more Republican retirements by end of January 12:30 Donald Trump signals willingness to extend ACA subsidies 14:45 Lame duck president and Dem majority will discourage GOP reelect bids 16:15 Congress has been cut out of governing, makes the job suck 17:45 Ukraine peace plan details have been all over the map 18:30 New peace deal contains more of Ukraine’s considerations 19:00 Trump just wants a deal, doesn’t care about the details 20:15 To his credit, Trump has people on his team supporting Ukraine 22:45 Skeptical that new deal will be well received by the Russians 23:45 Putin knows Trump is a lame duck and will play the long game 25:15 Europe provides most support to Ukraine, Trump has less leverage 27:00 Split between Rubio & Vance wings over Russia and Ukraine 28:15 We are seeing fractures throughout Trump’s coalition 29:15 MAGA may be approaching the end of its shelf life 33:45 Thanksgiving is where we try to be the best version of ourselves 34:45 ToddCast Top 5 Dishes For Thanksgiving Dinner 35:00 #1 A meat that is an alternative to roasted turkey 35:45 #2 Macaroni and cheese casserole, not out of the box 36:30 #3 Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows 37:30 #4 Green bean mushroom casserole 38:30 #5 Leftover pumpkin pie w/coffee the next morning 40:00 College football preview 52:15 Ask Chuck 52:30 Will AI take CEO jobs? Does it present a threat to capitalism? 56:30 Has Trump given license to racists & misogynists to be more overt? 1:00:00 Is it possible that teams will play down against Notre Dame? 1:03:30 Thoughts on Qatari air force facility being built in Idaho 1:05:00 Paradox between presidential immunity vs “take care” clause? See...

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, author Wright Thompson joins Chuck Todd to discuss his new book The Barn and the enduring struggle to tell the stories of civil rights in America. Wright delves into the history of Emmett Till, the ongoing battle over how Black history is taught in the South, and the limitations of projects like 1619 in capturing the full scope of systemic racism. He reflects on how the South’s “lost cause” imagery and historical amnesia continue to shape politics, culture, and education, and why remembering Till’s story is essential for understanding the roots of American dysfunction. Along the way, Wright also explores how sports have historically led society in moral leadership, from civil rights breakthroughs to the integrity of figures like LeBron James. Thompson also tackles broader questions about American governance and society, from the failures of individual politicians to the structural incentives that keep the country in political spirals, the challenges of the modern presidency, and the looming threats of drone warfare and algorithm-driven polarization. He offers insights from his journey as a sportswriter, illustrating how cultural narratives—from the 1940s to today—shape our national conversation. This episode is a deep dive into history, morality, and the complexities of chronicling America’s past while grappling with its present and future. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! 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 Wright Thompson joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:00 Why Wright wanted to write “The Barn” 02:15 The MAGA project wants to go back to pre civil rights era 03:30 How Emmit Till and civil rights are taught in the south 05:00 The war on black history has been embodied in textbooks 06:15 The biggest flaw of the 1619 Project is it didn’t go far enough 08:00 The barn where Emmit Till was killed isn’t a national landmark 10:15 The south still drapes itself in the “lost cause” civil war imagery 12:30 So many bomb throwing politicians aren’t built for governing 13:30 There was huge overseas money propping up the south in 1860’s 15:00 America required catastrophes to pull out of political death spirals 16:00 The battle against powerful forces just to tell civil rights stories 17:45 Emmit Til is a symbol, but he was also just a boy 19:00 It’s incumbent on Americans to remember Til’s name 20:15 The seeds of our dysfunction were planted between Vietnam & NAFTA 21:15 You have to understand Mississippi to understand America 23:30 If Garfield had lived we may have passed civil rights 80 years sooner 24:30 Separating your own politics from the era you are writing about? 25:30 There were many political fence sitters in World War 2 France 27:15 People are willing to ignore/participate in atrocities during civil war 27:45 How Wright got into sportswriting 29:15 Sports leaned into civil rights before society as a whole did 30:30 Michael Jordan wouldn’t be able to fence sit in modern America 32:45 From the 1940’s-60’s, sports heroes were rooted in morality 35:00 Greatest written sports profiles 36:45 The hubris of wanting to be president should disqualify you for it 38:45 The American tribe has been under relentless assault for 30 years 40:00 The American experiment is an incredibly difficult endeavor 40:45 Individual politicians are less important than incentive structures 42:30 America hasn’t had a recent galvanizing event requiring collective sacrifice 44:15 The coming drone wars are...

Chuck Todd unpacks a seismic moment in Republican politics: Marjorie Taylor-Greene’s break from Donald Trump and her abrupt resignation from Congress. He traces how the split—months in the making—reveals deep fractures inside the “America First” movement, with MTG positioning herself as the true-believer successor to the Bannon wing while accusing both parties of fueling a self-serving “political industrial complex.” Chuck explains why her departure signals growing disillusionment among Trump’s base, how job displacement and economic anxiety are reshaping the electorate, and why MTG’s political instincts make her far more formidable than her critics admit. Then he turns to new confusion surrounding the administration’s Ukraine peace proposal—where even Republicans like Marco Rubio appear uneasy—and how Trump’s handling of Venezuela risks alienating Latin American partners and setting U.S. diplomacy back decades. Then, author Wright Thompson joins Chuck Todd to discuss his new book The Barn and the enduring struggle to tell the stories of civil rights in America. Wright delves into the history of Emmett Till, the ongoing battle over how Black history is taught in the South, and the limitations of projects like 1619 in capturing the full scope of systemic racism. He reflects on how the South’s “lost cause” imagery and historical amnesia continue to shape politics, culture, and education, and why remembering Till’s story is essential for understanding the roots of American dysfunction. Along the way, Wright also explores how sports have historically led society in moral leadership, from civil rights breakthroughs to the integrity of figures like LeBron James. Thompson also tackles broader questions about American governance and society, from the failures of individual politicians to the structural incentives that keep the country in political spirals, the challenges of the modern presidency, and the looming threats of drone warfare and algorithm-driven polarization. He offers insights from his journey as a sportswriter, illustrating how cultural narratives—from the 1940s to today—shape our national conversation. This episode is a deep dive into history, morality, and the complexities of chronicling America’s past while grappling with its present and future. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the year America had TWO Thanksgivings, answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and recaps the weekend in college football. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! 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 04:15 Marjorie Taylor-Greene splits w/Trump and resigns from congress 06:15 MTG’s break with Trump has been months in the making 07:30 MTG is an “America First” true believer 08:30 Trump isn’t as America First as his coalition 10:15 Trump isn’t governing based on the coalition he built 11:00 MTG could be a presidential candidate repping the Bannon wing 12:15 MTG calls out the “political industrial complex” in her statement 13:45 There is truth to the political industrial complex accusation 15:30 For 20 years every election just flips back and forth between parties 17:00 Job displacement is going to be a massive electoral issue 18:00 MTG is a spurned true believer 21:30 Whatever you think of her, MTG understands how congress works 22:15 MTG wants to send the message that she’s the true believer 24:00 MTG wanted to blow up the system & establishment, Trump didn’t 26:00 Trump is...

Chuck Todd unpacks a seismic moment in Republican politics: Marjorie Taylor-Greene’s break from Donald Trump and her abrupt resignation from Congress. He traces how the split—months in the making—reveals deep fractures inside the “America First” movement, with MTG positioning herself as the true-believer successor to the Bannon wing while accusing both parties of fueling a self-serving “political industrial complex.” Chuck explains why her departure signals growing disillusionment among Trump’s base, how job displacement and economic anxiety are reshaping the electorate, and why MTG’s political instincts make her far more formidable than her critics admit. Then he turns to new confusion surrounding the administration’s Ukraine peace proposal—where even Republicans like Marco Rubio appear uneasy—and how Trump’s handling of Venezuela risks alienating Latin American partners and setting U.S. diplomacy back decades. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the year America had TWO Thanksgivings, answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and recaps the weekend in college football. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! 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 00:45 Marjorie Taylor-Greene splits w/Trump and resigns from congress 02:45 MTG’s break with Trump has been months in the making 04:00 MTG is an “America First” true believer 05:00 Trump isn’t as America First as his coalition 06:45 Trump isn’t governing based on the coalition he built 07:30 MTG could be a presidential candidate repping the Bannon wing 08:45 MTG calls out the “political industrial complex” in her statement 10:15 There is truth to the political industrial complex accusation 12:00 For 20 years every election just flips back and forth between parties 13:30 Job displacement is going to be a massive electoral issue 14:30 MTG is a spurned true believer 18:00 Whatever you think of her, MTG understands how congress works 18:45 MTG wants to send the message that she’s the true believer 20:30 MTG wanted to blow up the system & establishment, Trump didn’t 22:30 Trump is always bullshitting, some of his followers are finding it out 24:45 MTG didn’t want to face a Trump-backed primary challenger 28:00 Trump will be at the center of the midterms, that’s bad for the GOP 29:30 If MTG ran for senate in Georgia, she’d probably win 31:00 The MAGA coalition is cracking, Trump won’t be able to fix it 32:45 Confusion between administration and congress over Ukraine peace deal 34:15 Rubio argued the peace proposal was written by the U.S. 35:45 Rubio is clearly uncomfortable with the terms of the deal 36:15 Steve Witkoff just plays stenographer for the Kremlin 37:30 The majority of congress supports Ukraine far more than Trump 39:30 The administration has not made the Venezuela case to congress 41:00 Trump could set us back decades with Latin America w/missteps in Venezuela 46:45 Toddcast Time Machine - 1939 47:15 America had two Thanksgivings after FDR moved it 49:15 FDR changed the date for Thanksgiving to help retailers 50:00 Presidents used to choose the date for Thanksgiving 52:15 Thanksgiving date was always changed for logistical reasons 53:30 FDR moved Thanksgiving up one week & started a culture war 54:45 23 states celebrated “Franksgiving” 55:15 3 states celebrated two Thanksgivings 56:15 In 1941, Congress stepped to make official date for Thanksgiving 58:45 Ask Chuck 59:15 Thoughts on Trump...

Chuck Todd breaks down why Donald Trump’s sudden push for a Ukraine “peace deal” may be more about political retreat than diplomacy, especially as Europe now shoulders most of the war’s cost—leaving Trump with diminished leverage abroad and a base deeply skeptical of foreign interventions. Chuck digs into new polling that shows a steady and significant shift toward Democrats, with a widening generic ballot advantage and Trump’s approval continuing to fall, suggesting the midterms—and even the Senate—are unexpectedly in play. He explores how Trump’s attempts to manipulate the economy could backfire, how a potential “AI bubble” could further weaken him, and why GOP divisions are poised to intensify. Plus, an update on the California governor’s race, where a field of lackluster Democratic contenders has allowed Republicans to overperform, raising questions about whether bigger names—or Rick Caruso—will jump into a race long dominated by the shadows of Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom. Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! 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 05:00 Trump’s “peace deal” may be his attempt to walk away from Ukraine 06:00 Europe is funding bulk of the war, Trump has less leverage 07:15 Trump’s plan to make Europe foot bill is working, but diminishes influence 09:15 If Trump gave rationale for removing Maduro, he’d have more credibility 11:00 Trump’s base doesn’t want foreign military interventions 12:30 Polling shows Democrats with large generic ballot advantage 15:30 Every poll has moved in the Democrats direction, and lower Trump approval 17:30 Donald Trump will try to pull levers to fix economy, could make it worse 19:00 Democrats have a huge advantage going into the midterms 19:45 Democrats need a 6-7 point generic advantage to win house 20:15 If current polling holds, the senate is in play 23:00 Applying election and polling trends nationwide, Dems could blowout midterms 24:30 Democrats unpopularity turned out to be meaningless in 2025 elections 26:00 Bad is going to get worse for Trump, GOP will be further divided 27:45 “AI Bubble” could sink Trump if it pops 29:00 Update on the California governor’s race 29:45 Democratic voters crave optimism, Tom Steyer doesn’t offer it 31:30 Candidates for CA governor feel like their all “Tier 2” candidates 34:00 Jerry Brown & Gavin Newsom have hovered over CA politics for decades 36:00 There are only two prominent Republican candidates in CA 37:00 Dem candidates are so weak, GOP candidates performing well 38:00 Will Rick Caruso run for mayor of LA or governor of CA? 40:30 There should be some bigger names jumping into the race 00:46:15 Ask Chuck 00:46:45 Any book recommendations on the fall of the Ottoman Empire? 00:50:45 Thoughts on voter approval for constitutional amendments? 00:56:00 Way to reform the primary system to produce moderates? 01:00:30 Dem voters still motivated to vote despite lower approval of party 01:08:00 College football preview See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck is joined by Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Anne Applebaum for a sweeping, unsparing look at the state of the Russia–Ukraine war and the global democratic landscape it threatens. Applebaum breaks down whether a ceasefire is even plausible this year, given Vladimir Putin’s unwavering war aims, the murky negotiators involved in back-channel talks, and Trump’s unusually warm posture toward the Kremlin. She details why Ukrainians refuse to accept a “kick the can” peace deal, how corruption scandals are playing out domestically, and the way drones, energy strikes, and a collapsing Russian economy are reshaping the battlefield. From mysterious elite deaths to China’s strategic support, Applebaum outlines the brittle yet dangerous architecture sustaining Putin’s regime. The conversation widens into a broader examination of the worldwide struggle between democracy and autocracy—from Trump’s Venezuela maneuverings to Saudi Arabia’s complicated role, from Silicon Valley’s unchecked power to Europe’s scramble to recalibrate its alliances. Applebaum warns that the U.S. walking away from Ukraine would reverberate far beyond Eastern Europe, and she explains why the speed and scale of Trump’s attacks on democratic norms have raised historic alarm. It’s a candid, far-reaching assessment of the forces shaping global stability—and the stakes ahead. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! 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 Anne Applebaum joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:45 Will we get a ceasefire this year between Russia & Ukraine? 02:15 Putin has never said he’ll give up original war aims 03:30 Serious concerns about negotiators involved in secret peace deal 04:15 Talks have mostly concerned trade deals between U.S. & Russia 05:00 Putin knows he’ll never have a more supportive U.S. president 06:15 Putin holds a special status with Trump 07:00 Ukraine is more reliant on Europe than U.S. for the war 07:45 Is the corruption scandal involving ministers imperiling Zelensky? 08:45 Zelensky hasn’t gotten in the way of corruption investigation 10:15 Ukrainians have no interest in cease fire to kick can down road 11:30 Ukrainians won’t be strongarmed into accepting a bad deal 12:15 Drones have completely changed complexion of the war 14:00 Russians are targeting civilians, Ukraine hitting energy targets 14:45 Russians don’t care about human losses, just financial losses 16:00 At what point will a bad economy put pressure on Putin? 16:45 Russian elite mysteriously committing suicide or dying 17:30 Prigozhin was the only person who could challenge Putin 19:00 The Russian regime seems inevitable until the day it falls 20:00 Putin is completely dependent on China 20:45 China will stick with Russia & support war to weaken U.S. 21:45 Putin still has allies in Iran & North Korea 22:15 What does Russia think they’re accomplishing with Poland incursions? 23:30 Russia trying to create divisions between Ukraine and Europeans 24:15 Russia’s actions are only stiffening the European’s spine 25:00 Status of U.S. aid into Ukraine 26:15 What does it look like if the U.S. walks away from Ukraine? 27:30 Russia is still demanding land they haven’t conquered 29:15 Trump wants the optics of a big peace deal where “he wins” 30:30 Trump’s actions with Venezuela look like Putin’s in Ukraine 32:45 Trump’s Venezuela actions undermining international system 33:45 Is Saudi Arabia a dictatorship and what is our relationship...

Chuck Todd breaks down why Donald Trump’s sudden push for a Ukraine “peace deal” may be more about political retreat than diplomacy, especially as Europe now shoulders most of the war’s cost—leaving Trump with diminished leverage abroad and a base deeply skeptical of foreign interventions. Chuck digs into new polling that shows a steady and significant shift toward Democrats, with a widening generic ballot advantage and Trump’s approval continuing to fall, suggesting the midterms—and even the Senate—are unexpectedly in play. He explores how Trump’s attempts to manipulate the economy could backfire, how a potential “AI bubble” could further weaken him, and why GOP divisions are poised to intensify. Plus, an update on the California governor’s race, where a field of lackluster Democratic contenders has allowed Republicans to overperform, raising questions about whether bigger names—or Rick Caruso—will jump into a race long dominated by the shadows of Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom. Then, Chuck is joined by Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Anne Applebaum for a sweeping, unsparing look at the state of the Russia–Ukraine war and the global democratic landscape it threatens. Applebaum breaks down whether a ceasefire is even plausible this year, given Vladimir Putin’s unwavering war aims, the murky negotiators involved in back-channel talks, and Trump’s unusually warm posture toward the Kremlin. She details why Ukrainians refuse to accept a “kick the can” peace deal, how corruption scandals are playing out domestically, and the way drones, energy strikes, and a collapsing Russian economy are reshaping the battlefield. From mysterious elite deaths to China’s strategic support, Applebaum outlines the brittle yet dangerous architecture sustaining Putin’s regime. The conversation widens into a broader examination of the worldwide struggle between democracy and autocracy—from Trump’s Venezuela maneuverings to Saudi Arabia’s complicated role, from Silicon Valley’s unchecked power to Europe’s scramble to recalibrate its alliances. Applebaum warns that the U.S. walking away from Ukraine would reverberate far beyond Eastern Europe, and she explains why the speed and scale of Trump’s attacks on democratic norms have raised historic alarm. It’s a candid, far-reaching assessment of the forces shaping global stability—and the stakes ahead. Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! 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 05:00 Trump’s “peace deal” may be his attempt to walk away from Ukraine 06:00 Europe is funding bulk of the war, Trump has less leverage 07:15 Trump’s plan to make Europe foot bill is working, but diminishes influence 09:15 If Trump gave rationale for removing Maduro, he’d have more credibility 11:00 Trump’s base doesn’t want foreign military interventions 12:30 Polling shows Democrats with large generic ballot advantage 15:30 Every poll has moved in the Democrats direction, and lower Trump approval 17:30 Donald Trump will try to pull levers to fix economy, could make it worse 19:00 Democrats have a huge advantage going into the midterms 19:45 Democrats need a 6-7 point generic advantage to win house 20:15 If current polling holds, the senate is in play 23:00 Applying election and polling trends nationwide, Dems could blowout midterms 24:30 Democrats unpopularity turned out to be meaningless...

Interview Only w/ Josh Turek - Why Democrats Struggle…And Can Still Win In Iowa In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck sits down with Iowa Democratic senate candidate and four-time Paralympian and gold medalist Josh Turek for a deeply personal and politically sharp conversation. Josh shares his remarkable journey—from being born with spina bifida caused by his father’s exposure to Agent Orange, to discovering wheelchair basketball as a pathway to college, to becoming one of the winningest athletes in Paralympic history. He opens up about the emotional challenge of leaving the sport he loved and what ultimately pushed him toward public service. Together, Chuck and Josh explore how the ADA reshaped life for disabled Americans, why adaptive and women’s sports remain undervalued, and how equal access—not guaranteed equal outcomes—remains the core civil rights debate for the disability community. The conversation widens into an unvarnished look at rural politics, Iowa’s sharp rightward turn, and the policies reshaping life in small towns. Josh breaks down why Medicaid denials have exploded, how school choice is quietly devastating rural school districts, and why tariffs—when used chaotically—are crushing family farms. He tackles complex cultural issues such as religion’s decline, the trans sports debate, and why Democrats shouldn’t cede Christianity or populism to the right. They also cover climate messaging, the stakes for U.S. policy in Israel and Ukraine, and whether Congress should step in to regulate collegiate athletics. With insights on Iowa’s political future, the 2026 Democratic opportunity, and even some NBA talk (yes—Jokić and Jordan both make an appearance), Josh Turek offers one of the most candid, wide-ranging conversations you’ll hear about the Midwest, disability rights, and the future of American politics. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! 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 Josh Turek joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:30 Josh’s journey as a gold medal winning Paralympian 02:45 Josh’s fathers exposure to agent orange caused his spina bifida 04:30 Wheelchair basketball was his pathway to college 05:45 What do we not value adaptive & female sports in America? 08:00 How hard was it to walk away from basketball? 09:45 What inspired the decision to go into politics? 11:00 There was a 1000% increase in Medicaid denials in Iowa 12:30 The ADA made things better, still a long ways to go 13:45 The ADA gave disabled Americans an onramp to society 16:30 The debate over equal access vs. equal outcome 17:15 Who is the Turek/Trump voter? 19:45 The difficulty of breaking through as a Democrat in rural America 21:45 Iowa has shifted rightward, but could shift back to swing state status 25:00 The right candidate with the right message can win red Iowa counties 27:15 School choice sounds great, but is a huge problem for rural America 28:45 Rural schools are struggling and closing under school choice policies 30:15 There are no standards for private schools spending tax dollars 33:00 Not all tariffs are bad, but Trump’s tariff regime is chaotic 34:00 Tariffs are crushing family farms 35:00 What’s the plan to keep people in Iowa and reverse brain drain? 37:45 How has the decline in religious participation affected Iowa? 39:00 Pushing back against the narrative that Democrats can’t be Christian 39:30 What’s fair to the trans community when it comes to organized sports? 40:45 Politicians shouldn’t be involved in the trans...

In this episode, Chuck Todd breaks down an extraordinary week in politics marked by a near-unanimous House vote to release the Epstein files and growing signs that Donald Trump’s decade-long grip on American politics may finally be loosening. He examines the cracks emerging in Trump’s coalition, the administration’s tariff pullbacks amid rising food costs, and the mounting Trump fatigue driving Republicans to quietly distance themselves. Chuck also tackles Trump’s escalating attacks on female reporters, his contradictory dealings with Gulf states, and the likelihood that the DOJ may cite an “open investigation” to keep the Epstein files sealed. Beyond the Trump saga, Chuck dissects the troubling implications of the Olivia Nuzzi scandal, the shameful rhetoric surrounding Epstein’s victims, and the broader damage to journalism. He wraps with a preview of the TN-07 special election, the legal upheaval over Texas’s redistricting maps, and why today’s partisan map fights echo battles not seen since the 1840s. Then, Chuck sits down with Iowa Democratic senate candidate and four-time Paralympian and gold medalist Josh Turek for a deeply personal and politically sharp conversation. Josh shares his remarkable journey—from being born with spina bifida caused by his father’s exposure to Agent Orange, to discovering wheelchair basketball as a pathway to college, to becoming one of the winningest athletes in Paralympic history. He opens up about the emotional challenge of leaving the sport he loved and what ultimately pushed him toward public service. Together, Chuck and Josh explore how the ADA reshaped life for disabled Americans, why adaptive and women’s sports remain undervalued, and how equal access—not guaranteed equal outcomes—remains the core civil rights debate for the disability community. The conversation widens into an unvarnished look at rural politics, Iowa’s sharp rightward turn, and the policies reshaping life in small towns. Josh breaks down why Medicaid denials have exploded, how school choice is quietly devastating rural school districts, and why tariffs—when used chaotically—are crushing family farms. He tackles complex cultural issues such as religion’s decline, the trans sports debate, and why Democrats shouldn’t cede Christianity or populism to the right. They also cover climate messaging, the stakes for U.S. policy in Israel and Ukraine, and whether Congress should step in to regulate collegiate athletics. With insights on Iowa’s political future, the 2026 Democratic opportunity, and even some NBA talk (yes—Jokić and Jordan both make an appearance), Josh Turek offers one of the most candid, wide-ranging conversations you’ll hear about the Midwest, disability rights, and the future of American politics. Finally, Chuck gives his updated ToddCast Top 5 governor’s seats most likely to flip in 2026 and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! 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 00:30 Near unanimous decision in the house vote to release Epstein files 01:15 It feels like Trump’s lame duck period has begun, but impossible to know 02:15 Trump’s coalition is starting to crack 04:00 Trump’s ten year run of dominating politics is starting to end 05:00 Administration is pulling back tariffs to lower costs of food 06:45 Republicans will distance themselves as Trump fatigue sets in 07:45 Trump’s attacks on female reporters are shameful 09:15 Trump’s deals...

In this episode, Chuck Todd breaks down an extraordinary week in politics marked by a near-unanimous House vote to release the Epstein files and growing signs that Donald Trump’s decade-long grip on American politics may finally be loosening. He examines the cracks emerging in Trump’s coalition, the administration’s tariff pullbacks amid rising food costs, and the mounting Trump fatigue driving Republicans to quietly distance themselves. Chuck also tackles Trump’s escalating attacks on female reporters, his contradictory dealings with Gulf states, and the likelihood that the DOJ may cite an “open investigation” to keep the Epstein files sealed. Beyond the Trump saga, Chuck dissects the troubling implications of the Olivia Nuzzi scandal, the shameful rhetoric surrounding Epstein’s victims, and the broader damage to journalism. He wraps with a preview of the TN-07 special election, the legal upheaval over Texas’s redistricting maps, and why today’s partisan map fights echo battles not seen since the 1840s. Finally, Chuck gives his updated ToddCast Top 5 governor’s seats most likely to flip in 2026 and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! 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 00:30 Near unanimous decision in the house vote to release Epstein files 01:15 It feels like Trump’s lame duck period has begun, but impossible to know 02:15 Trump’s coalition is starting to crack 04:00 Trump’s ten year run of dominating politics is starting to end 05:00 Administration is pulling back tariffs to lower costs of food 06:45 Republicans will distance themselves as Trump fatigue sets in 07:45 Trump’s attacks on female reporters are shameful 09:15 Trump’s deals with gulf states undermines his America First agenda 11:00 DOJ might withhold files under guise of “open investigation” 12:30 Neither Biden or Trump leaned on Saudis over Khashoggi’s murder 13:30 Middle east monarchies are dictatorships with different titles 15:00 We’re past the point of holding Saudis accountable for Khashoggi 16:30 Presidents have to deal with less than ideal allies 17:30 Trump’s attacks on the press are abhorrent & dictatorlike 19:00 Olivia Nuzzi sleeping with a source compromises her journalism 21:15 The Nuzzi scandal feels like watching a car wreck 22:00 The scandal brings shame upon the journalism world 23:30 Megyn Kelly trying to differentiate Epstein’s victims is shameful 25:00 Hiring a reporter that sleeps with sources is beyond the pale 25:30 Preview of special election in TN-07 26:45 If TN-07 is within 5 points, it’s a very favorable environment for Dems 28:00 Texas’s new redistricting maps have been thrown out in court 28:45 If CA maps stay but TX is thrown out, it’s a karma moment for Trump 30:45 Last time partisan redistricting happened like this… was the 1840’s 36:00 Toddcast Top 5 - Governor seats most likely to flip parties 37:45 Katie Hobbs is the most vulnerable incumbent governor 39:00 #1 Kansas 40:30 #2 Michigan 42:15 #3 Georgia 44:30 #4 Wisconsin 45:30 #5 Iowa 47:30 Honorable mentions 48:30 Ask Chuck 49:30 Can we trust the Epstein files will be complete if they’re released? 51:15 Are you aware of the Montana vs Montana State football rivalry? 54:15 Has your view on CA redistricting changed after the election result? 56:30 How can you reach people stuck in the Fox News bubble? 01:00:30 Does Amy Acton or Tim Ryan have a better shot at winning OH...