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The Chuck ToddCast is back! If you're looking for smart, no-nonsense political conversation, you've come to the right place. The Chuck ToddCast goes beyond the headlines, featuring conversations with top reporters, insiders, and newsmakers from D.C. to the heartland. No scripts, no spin—just real discussions about what’s shaping our politics and why it matters.

The Chuck ToddCast

Moody’s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi joins Chuck Todd to break down what the numbers actually say about the U.S. economy—and why the headline optimism may be masking deeper problems. Zandi explains how upcoming tax refunds and delayed tax cuts will temporarily juice growth, even as that stimulus is entirely deficit-financed. Interest rate cuts are likely coming, but cautiously, and while AI stocks are soaring, the broader market is barely treading water. Beneath the surface, job creation has stalled, manufacturing jobs are shrinking under tariffs, and deportations aren’t translating into more employment for native-born workers as many expected.
 
The conversation widens to a fragile global outlook, with Trump-era protectionism accelerating deglobalization and reshaping trade, housing, and labor markets. Zandi details why college-educated workers are now seeing the sharpest rise in unemployment, how AI skills will define the next generation of jobs, and why renting often makes more sense than buying right now. Looking ahead to 2026, he warns of elevated geopolitical and financial-system risks, an AI-driven stock market that could be vulnerable to a correction, GDP growth likely under 3%, and a job market that may struggle to grow at all.
 
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
 
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 Mark Zandi joins the Chuck ToddCast
 
01:15 What do the numbers say about the state of the economy?
 
02:00 Big Beautiful Bill tax cuts about to start showing up
 
02:45 Tax refunds will add juice to the economy
 
03:30 All the “juice” is deficit financed and will only be temporary
 
04:30 Interest rates cuts likely to be cautious but will continue
 
05:45 AI stocks on fire, rest of the stocks are just up slightly
 
07:30 The economy isn’t creating any jobs despite investment
 
08:15 Job creation flatlined after “Liberation Day”
 
09:30 Manufacturing has been losing jobs due to tariffs
 
10:45 Are deportations creating more jobs for native born workers?
 
11:30 Jobs normally taken by foreign born workers aren’t being filled
 
12:45 Companies aren’t laying off, they’re just not hiring new employees
 
14:00 Trade deficit reportedly down, but is that actually a good thing?
 
14:45 Imports of pharmaceuticals have collapsed due to tariffs
 
15:30 Tariffs haven’t actually addressed the trade deficit
 
17:00 Tariff revenue shows the stated tariff rates aren’t holding true
 
18:15 Will the K-shaped economy continue through 2026?
 
19:45 Economy is affecting different income groups wildly different
 
21:00 Partisans believe economy is better depending on who is president
 
22:15 How do you price in Trump taking Greenland & ending NATO?
 
23:00 Economies around the world are in a similar, fragile place like the U.S.
 
24:00 The U.S. is rapidly pulling away from the rest of the world
 
25:00 Trump’s protectionism has been contagious to other countries
 
26:15 The world is preparing for a deglobalization
 
28:15 China hasn’t really taken advantage of U.S. global retreat
 
29:00 Countries that embrace immigration are the most successful
 
30:00 No country benefited more from globalization than China
 
31:45 USMCA has to be renegotiated, will probably remain status quo
 
34:00 Job market for new college graduates is very tough
 
34:45 Rise in unemployment is almost exclusively college educated
 
35:45 Proficiency in AI will be critical in future jobs
 
36:45 Classical higher education could make a comeback
 
38:45 Home ownership is unaffordable for many Americans
 
39:30 It’s better to rent than to buy in this market
 
40:30 There’s not a lot of buyers for prospective home sellers
 
41:15 Raising the capital gains exclusion could generate more sellers
 
43:45 There’s a chance the GOP could lose house majority before November
 
44:15 What risks that could upend the economy that concern you the most?
 
45:00 Geopolitical risk is very elevated
 
45:30 Stock market being buoyed by AI, could be ripe for correction
 
47:00 If there’s a major problem it will be in the financial system
 
47:30 If an AI company defaults, it could change the psychology of lenders
 
49:45 GDP growth will be under 3% in 2026
 
50:45 Will be tough to imagine positive job growth in 2026

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interview Only w/ Mark Zandi Boom, Bust, or Meh? What To Expect From Trump’s Economy In 2026

In this episode of The Chuck ToddCast, Chuck Todd digs into a growing sense of unease shared across the political spectrum, as 2026 looms as a “year of living dangerously” at home and abroad. From mass migration, rising nationalism, and AI-driven economic fear to flashpoints in Venezuela, Iran, and beyond, the conversation explores why so many global and domestic headlines feel like potential tipping points. Chuck argues the world is less stable—and America more divided—under Donald Trump, whose administration he says views chaos and division as sources of power rather than problems to solve. The episode draws stark parallels between the Minneapolis ICE shooting and the Ruby Ridge standoff, examining how the rush to control narratives, the politicization of law enforcement, and the erosion of civil liberties can fracture public trust. The warning is sobering: America may ultimately be okay, but right now it’s a tinderbox—and a country that fails to protect the rights of its own citizens risks losing its moral authority everywhere else.
 
Moody’s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi joins Chuck Todd to break down what the numbers actually say about the U.S. economy—and why the headline optimism may be masking deeper problems. Zandi explains how upcoming tax refunds and delayed tax cuts will temporarily juice growth, even as that stimulus is entirely deficit-financed. Interest rate cuts are likely coming, but cautiously, and while AI stocks are soaring, the broader market is barely treading water. Beneath the surface, job creation has stalled, manufacturing jobs are shrinking under tariffs, and deportations aren’t translating into more employment for native-born workers as many expected.
 
The conversation widens to a fragile global outlook, with Trump-era protectionism accelerating deglobalization and reshaping trade, housing, and labor markets. Zandi details why college-educated workers are now seeing the sharpest rise in unemployment, how AI skills will define the next generation of jobs, and why renting often makes more sense than buying right now. Looking ahead to 2026, he warns of elevated geopolitical and financial-system risks, an AI-driven stock market that could be vulnerable to a correction, GDP growth likely under 3%, and a job market that may struggle to grow at all.
 
Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit Woodrow Wilson’s “Fourteen Points” speech that laid out the vision for the 20th century world order & warns that retreating from it could be devastating for both the United State & the world. He also answers listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment & previews the national championship between Indiana & Miami.
 
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
 
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
 
05:30 People on both sides of the aisle worried if we’ll be ok
 
07:00 2026 will be the “year of living dangerously”
 
07:45 We are in uncharted waters and don’t know where it’s headed
 
09:30 Mass migration has led to rising nationalism in USA & Europe
 
10:00 Globalization caused a sense of displacement
 
11:00 AI will create even more fear than globalization
 
12:15 The political response to economic anxiety has failed
 
14:00 We still don’t know what will happen with Venezuela
 
14:30 Iranian regime likely will fall in 2026
 
15:45 It’s clear Trump has no plan for Venezuela
 
17:30 Latin America is deeply skeptical of American power
 
19:00 Every headline feels like a tipping point
 
20:00 Trump could take military action against many countries
 
20:30 The world is less safe because Donald Trump is president
 
21:45 Trump admin believes division bolsters their power
 
23:00 On social media, it feels like America is on the brink of civil war
 
24:00 America feels like a tinderbox
 
25:45 ICE is being trained to treat citizens as threats, not constituents
 
27:30 Law enforcement is supposed to be a deescalator 
 
30:15 We’ve been living through a “vote against” political roller coaster
 
32:00 Voters don’t like chaos, & Trump is neither calm or stable
 
33:00 Elements of the American right have given up on democracy
 
34:15 America will eventually be ok, but is not ok in this moment
 
34:45 The sparks of military clash are burning around the world
 
37:00 Parallels between Ruby Ridge standoff & Minneapolis ICE shooting
 
39:15 A confrontation occurred between Weaver’s son & law enforcement
 
40:00 FBI sniper shot Weaver’s wife while holding her baby
 
40:30 Unlike Minneapolis, government held investigations after Ruby Ridge
 
41:30 Ruby Ridge led to militia formations & deep state conspiracies
 
42:15 Administration tried to solidify narrative before facts in Minneapolis
 
44:00 The left sees Renee Good as a victim, the right sees justification
 
45:00 The Trump administration has politicized the rule of law
 
46:00 If U.S. doesn’t respect rights of its citizens, it can’t take moral high ground
 
53:15 Mark Zandi joins the Chuck ToddCast
 
54:30 What do the numbers say about the state of the economy?
 
55:15 Big Beautiful Bill tax cuts about to start showing up
 
56:00 Tax refunds will add juice to the economy
 
56:45 All the “juice” is deficit financed and will only be temporary
 
57:45 Interest rates cuts likely to be cautious but will continue
 
59:00 AI stocks on fire, rest of the stocks are just up slightly
 
1:00:45 The economy isn’t creating any jobs despite investment
 
1:01:30 Job creation flatlined after “Liberation Day”
 
1:02:45 Manufacturing has been losing jobs due to tariffs
 
1:04:00 Are deportations creating more jobs for native born workers?
 
1:04:45 Jobs normally taken by foreign born workers aren’t being filled
 
1:06:00 Companies aren’t laying off, they’re just not hiring new employees
 
1:07:15 Trade deficit reportedly down, but is that actually a good thing?
 
1:08:00 Imports of pharmaceuticals have collapsed due to tariffs
 
1:08:45 Tariffs haven’t actually addressed the trade deficit
 
1:10:15 Tariff revenue shows the stated tariff rates aren’t holding true
 
1:11:30 Will the K-shaped economy continue through 2026?
 
1:13:00 Economy is affecting different income groups wildly different
 
1:14:15 Partisans believe economy is better depending on who is president
 
1:15:30 How do you price in Trump taking Greenland & ending NATO?
 
1:16:15 Economies around the world are in a similar, fragile place like the U.S.
 
1:17:15 The U.S. is rapidly pulling away from the rest of the world
 
1:18:15 Trump’s protectionism has been contagious to other countries
 
1:19:30 The world is preparing for a deglobalization
 
1:21:30 China hasn’t really taken advantage of U.S. global retreat
 
1:22:15 Countries that embrace immigration are the most successful
 
1:23:15 No country benefited more from globalization than China
 
1:25:00 USMCA has to be renegotiated, will probably remain status quo
 
1:27:15 Job market for new college graduates is very tough
 
1:28:00 Rise in unemployment is almost exclusively college educated
 
1:29:00 Proficiency in AI will be critical in future jobs
 
1:30:00 Classical higher education could make a comeback
 
1:32:00 Home ownership is unaffordable for many Americans
 
1:32:45 It’s better to rent than to buy in this market
 
1:33:45 There’s not a lot of buyers for prospective home sellers
 
1:34:30 Raising the capital gains exclusion could generate more sellers
 
1:37:00 There’s a chance the GOP could lose house majority before November
 
1:37:30 What risks that could upend the economy that concern you the most?
 
1:38:15 Geopolitical risk is very elevated
 
1:38:45 Stock market being buoyed by AI, could be ripe for correction
 
1:40:15 If there’s a major problem it will be in the financial system
 
1:40:45 If an AI company defaults, it could change the psychology of lenders
 
1:43:00 GDP growth will be under 3% in 2026
 
1:44:00 Will be tough to imagine positive job growth in 2026
 
1:46:15 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Mark Zandi
 
1:47:00 ToddCast Time Machine – January 8th, 1918
 
1:47:45 Woodrow Wilson lays out blueprint for 20th century world order
 
1:48:30 America tried to shape the world with ideas, not empire
 
1:49:45 Wilson’s Fourteen Points speech rejected premise that caused WW1
 
1:51:15 Wilson advances transparency, diplomacy & idealistic foreign policy
 
1:52:15 Wilson calls for economic interdependence & free trade
 
1:53:15 Wilson proposes self-determination over empires
 
1:54:30 Some American conservatives have rejected Wilsonianism for 100 years
 
1:56:00 Wilson wanted America’s role to be an arbiter, not a conqueror
 
1:57:00 In 1919, Wilson’s vision was confronted by power politics
 
1:57:45 The U.S. proposes the League of Nations but doesn’t join it
 
1:58:30 Every global geopolitical debate traces back to Wilson’s speech
 
1:59:45 The post-WW2 world order benefitted America, & it’s falling apart
 
2:01:15 Ask Chuck
 
2:02:00 Reaction to the ICE shooting in Minneapolis?
 
2:03:30 Why hasn’t the US taken action to remove the leader of Haiti?
 
2:08:00 Could Rahm Emanuel beat Gavin Newsom for Dem nomination?
 
2:11:15 Would an attack on Colombia be a mistake for the Trump administration?
 
2:17:15 Miami vs Indiana national championship preview

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Episode - 2026 Will Be A Year Of “Living Dangerously” + Boom, Bust, or Meh? What To Expect From Trump’s Economy In 2026

In this episode of The Chuck ToddCast, Chuck Todd digs into a growing sense of unease shared across the political spectrum, as 2026 looms as a “year of living dangerously” at home and abroad. From mass migration, rising nationalism, and AI-driven economic fear to flashpoints in Venezuela, Iran, and beyond, the conversation explores why so many global and domestic headlines feel like potential tipping points. Chuck argues the world is less stable—and America more divided—under Donald Trump, whose administration he says views chaos and division as sources of power rather than problems to solve. The episode draws stark parallels between the Minneapolis ICE shooting and the Ruby Ridge standoff, examining how the rush to control narratives, the politicization of law enforcement, and the erosion of civil liberties can fracture public trust. The warning is sobering: America may ultimately be okay, but right now it’s a tinderbox—and a country that fails to protect the rights of its own citizens risks losing its moral authority everywhere else.
 
Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit Woodrow Wilson’s “Fourteen Points” speech that laid out the vision for the 20th century world order & warns that retreating from it could be devastating for both the United State & the world. He also answers listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment & previews the national championship between Indiana & Miami.
 
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
 
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
 
05:30 People on both sides of the aisle worried if we’ll be ok
 
07:00 2026 will be the “year of living dangerously”
 
07:45 We are in uncharted waters and don’t know where it’s headed
 
09:30 Mass migration has led to rising nationalism in USA & Europe
 
10:00 Globalization caused a sense of displacement
 
11:00 AI will create even more fear than globalization
 
12:15 The political response to economic anxiety has failed
 
14:00 We still don’t know what will happen with Venezuela
 
14:30 Iranian regime likely will fall in 2026
 
15:45 It’s clear Trump has no plan for Venezuela
 
17:30 Latin America is deeply skeptical of American power
 
19:00 Every headline feels like a tipping point
 
20:00 Trump could take military action against many countries
 
20:30 The world is less safe because Donald Trump is president
 
21:45 Trump admin believes division bolsters their power
 
23:00 On social media, it feels like America is on the brink of civil war
 
24:00 America feels like a tinderbox
 
25:45 ICE is being trained to treat citizens as threats, not constituents
 
27:30 Law enforcement is supposed to be a deescalator 
 
30:15 We’ve been living through a “vote against” political roller coaster
 
32:00 Voters don’t like chaos, & Trump is neither calm or stable
 
33:00 Elements of the American right have given up on democracy
 
34:15 America will eventually be ok, but is not ok in this moment
 
34:45 The sparks of military clash are burning around the world
 
37:00 Parallels between Ruby Ridge standoff & Minneapolis ICE shooting
 
39:15 A confrontation occurred between Weaver’s son & law enforcement
 
40:00 FBI sniper shot Weaver’s wife while holding her baby
 
40:30 Unlike Minneapolis, government held investigations after Ruby Ridge
 
41:30 Ruby Ridge led to militia formations & deep state conspiracies
 
42:15 Administration tried to solidify narrative before facts in Minneapolis
 
44:00 The left sees Renee Good as a victim, the right sees justification
 
45:00 The Trump administration has politicized the rule of law
 
46:00 If U.S. doesn’t respect rights of its citizens, it can’t take moral high ground
 
52:45 ToddCast Time Machine – January 8th, 1918
 
53:30 Woodrow Wilson lays out blueprint for 20th century world order
 
54:15 America tried to shape the world with ideas, not empire
 
55:30 Wilson’s Fourteen Points speech rejected premise that caused WW1
 
57:00 Wilson advances transparency, diplomacy & idealistic foreign policy
 
58:00 Wilson calls for economic interdependence & free trade
 
59:00 Wilson proposes self-determination over empires
 
1:00:15 Some American conservatives have rejected Wilsonianism for 100 years
 
1:01:45 Wilson wanted America’s role to be an arbiter, not a conqueror
 
1:02:45 In 1919, Wilson’s vision was confronted by power politics
 
1:03:30 The U.S. proposes the League of Nations but doesn’t join it
 
1:04:15 Every global geopolitical debate traces back to Wilson’s speech
 
1:05:30 The post WW2 world order benefitted America, & it’s falling apart
 
1:07:00 Ask Chuck
 
1:07:45 Reaction to the ICE shooting in Minneapolis?
 
1:09:15 Why hasn’t the US taken action to remove the leader of Haiti?
 
1:13:45 Could Rahm Emmanuel beat Gavin Newsom for Dem nomination?
 
1:17:00 Would an attack on Colombia be a mistake for the Trump administration?
 
1:23:00 Miami vs Indiana national championship preview

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck’s Commentary - 2026 Will Be A Year Of “Living Dangerously” + Echoes Of Ruby Ridge In Minneapolis

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck examines the deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis and the political, moral, and institutional failures surrounding it. As the administration rushes to rationalize the killing rather than investigate it—despite video evidence and eyewitness accounts that contradict its narrative—Chuck unpacks how DHS rhetoric, recruitment tactics, and targeted ICE deployments appear designed to provoke confrontation and fuel fear. The conversation moves beyond partisan lines to ask what accountability should look like when federal power is used this way, why affected communities are unlikely to trust the investigation, and how the tragedy is being exploited as propaganda. Ultimately, Chuck argues this moment reveals both the fragility and resilience of American democracy, the political danger facing Republicans, and why “whataboutism” has become one of the most corrosive forces in our national discourse.
 
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!
 
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
 
Timeline:
 
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
 
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction on ICE shooting in Minneapolis
 
01:00 Nobody in administration wants to investigate ICE shooting
 
02:15 J.D. Vance just idly speculated that ICE was in the right
 
04:15 DHS recruiting has a militaristic undertone
 
06:00 DHS has used propaganda to fuel rage in ICE recruits
 
07:15 Administration is rationalizing the death rather than lamenting it
 
08:30 There’s an intentionality to which cities are targeted by ICE
 
09:45 Administration is trying to create confrontation in order to crack down
 
10:30 This isn’t about left vs. right, it’s about right vs. wrong
 
11:30 Video contradicts Kristi Noem’s version of events, Tom Homan backtracks
 
12:15 Police forces don’t normally jump to conclusions
 
14:15 Campaign to demonize Somalis in Minneapolis led to ICE deployment
 
15:30 Deployments are meant to maximize, not minimize exposure for raids
 
16:30 Feds taking control of investigation, community won’t believe outcome
 
18:00 Administration is using woman’s death as a piece of propaganda
 
19:00 Trump is acting like his time is running out & he can do what he wants
 
20:15 No eyewitness accounts match story admin is telling
 
22:15 Republicans are in huge trouble politically
 
23:15 American democracy is both fragile and strong
 
25:00 Admin doesn’t have credibility to provide trustworthy investigation
 
27:30 ICE needs new leadership and a better code of conduct
 
29:15 Government is looking to exploit the difficulty in trying to find truth
 
30:30 Public is supportive of some of Trump’s goals, but appalled by tactics
 
32:30 Trump doesn’t tolerate any disagreement from within the GOP
 
35:00 The worst virus in American politics is “Whataboutism”

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Special Episode - ICE, Intimidation & Trump’s Politics of Fear EXPLODE In Minneapolis

Chuck Todd is on vacation but the fresh content keeps coming! Chuck empties the 2025 mailbag and answers a variety of listeners’ questions regarding media, politics, history and sports.
 
 
 
If you’d like to ask Chuck a question, shoot us an email at AskChuck@thechucktoddcast.com
 
 
 
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!
 
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
 
 
 
Timeline:
 
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
 
01:45 As a network on public airwaves, shouldn’t CBS News be neutral?
 
09:00 How should public figures react to being the targets of satire?
 
15:00 Why is there a mass exodus of staff from the Heritage Foundation?
 
18:30 Thoughts on the infusion of prediction markets with political coverage?
 
23:15 How long does it take for a presidential term to become irrelevant?
 
30:30 What if Biden stuck with 1 term promise and reformed the presidency?
 
35:15 What if Russia never sold Alaska to the United States?
 
38:00 Was the country really united in grief over Garfield’s passing?
 
42:30 Thoughts on LeBron episode? Magic Johnson should be in GOAT debate
 
45:15 What one word would you use to describe the year ahead?
 
49:15 Why don’t we see monopoly concerns over the trading card market?
 
53:30 Any book recommendations to help understand Roy Cohn?
 
57:00 Miami’s connection to the cold war portrayed in “Covert City”?
 
58:30 How does it feel to be an independent journalist after years with NBC?
 
59:30 Are more people “seeing the light” as MAGA’s coalition cracks?
 
1:00:45 What are your takeaways from interviewing Andy Beshear?
 
1:06:00 How did you become a Packers fan after growing up in Miami?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Special Mailbag Episode: CBS News, Political Satire, Heritage Foundation Shakeup & More

Chuck Todd is on vacation but the fresh content keeps coming! Chuck empties the 2025 mailbag and answers a variety of listeners’ questions focused on politics & policy, the future of Trump & MAGA, and naturally… one on his beloved Green Bay Packers.
 
 
 
If you’d like to ask Chuck a question, shoot us an email at AskChuck@thechucktoddcast.com
 
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!
 
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
 
Timeline:
 
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
 
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
 
01:30 The need for real fiscal reform to try to tackle the national debt?
 
06:15 Anyone in MAGA that could reunite the two wings of the GOP?
 
13:30 Would the ACA receive the same blowback if Romney was president?
 
18:00 Sources to track the Talarico vs. Crockett race in Texas?
 
22:30 Will Republicans make trans rights a central issue in 2026?
 
26:30 Will flawed AI content moderation become a bigger issue?
 
32:15 How could the Trump administration try to rig the 2026 election?
 
36:30 Thoughts on proposed constitutional amendments?
 
44:00 Is it a zero-sum game between legacy & independent media?
 
52:30 Concerns with the Packers?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Special Mailbag Episode: Reuniting The GOP, Legacy vs. Independent Media, AI Content Moderation & More

Jonathan Martin, the politics bureau chief and senior political columnist at POLITICO joins the Chuck ToddCast to walk through his bold predictions for the political landscape heading into 2026, starting with the idea that Donald Trump’s second term is less about governing and more about validation, legacy, and self-mythmaking. The conversation explores Trump as a pop-culture figure obsessed with monuments, family dynasty, and loyalty—rather than policy—along with why the country proved vulnerable to a political huckster in the first place. Martin breaks down why a Supreme Court vacancy could reshape the cycle, why GOP turnout may sag without Trump on the ballot, and which Senate races—from Nebraska to Florida to Ohio—could unexpectedly come into play.
 
The episode also looks ahead to the fault lines inside both parties: potential Trump family bids, early jockeying for the post-Trump GOP, and Democratic candidates who may help—or hurt—their own chances. Martin weighs in on foreign policy flashpoints that could define the next two years, from Iran to Venezuela to Trump’s transactional approach with China, as well as internal administration instability and cabinet shakeups. Plus, sharp takes on approval ratings, California’s unsettled political bench, why political dynasties still matter, and—because it wouldn’t be a Chuck Todd conversation without it—a few college football predictions to close things out.
 
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! 
 
Timeline:
 
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
 
00:00 Jonathan Martin joins the Chuck ToddCast
 
02:15 Of his 16 predictions for 2026, which ones stood out the most?
 
03:00 Trump’s second term is a victory lap, more about validation
 
04:00 Trump is obsessed with building monuments to himself
 
05:30 Trump doesn’t take the job seriously
 
07:30 Trump will likely slap his name on the memorial bridge
 
08:00 Trump is most like Teddy Roosevelt
 
09:15 Trump is more a pop culture archetype than a political one
 
10:00 The country turned out to be vulnerable to a huckster
 
10:30 Prediction of a Supreme Court seat coming open in 2026
 
11:30 Alito more likely to retire than Thomas
 
12:45 By October, it will be clear that senate is in play
 
14:00 Nebraska Dems cleared field for Dan Osborne
 
15:00 Trump not being on ballot could really suppress GOP turnout
 
16:30 Rumors that Don Jr. could run in Wyoming?
 
18:30 Folks in Jackson Hole with money always exploring political runs
 
19:15 Potential SCOTUS nominees if there’s a retirement?
 
20:45 The senate appointees from FL & OH get no traction
 
22:00 Paxton vs. Crockett would be a fascinating race in TX
 
22:45 Dems have a much better shot of winning in OH than TX
 
25:00 Biden could have cut deals with McConnell if government was split
 
26:15 Predictions on next country Trump hits with air strikes?
 
26:45 Regime in Iran could collapse in 2026
 
28:30 Netanyahu could be seen as most unstable force in middle east
 
29:30 Venezuela could become a huge political problem for Trump
 
31:30 In 1st term, leaks were about Trump, now they’re about cabinet
 
32:15 Kash Patel, Kristi Noem most likely to get booted from administration
 
34:30 GOP has political liabilities in Florida, senate race could be interesting
 
36:45 Could Jared Moskowitz be the wild card in the FL senate race?
 
37:30 Trump could be at 30% approval by Labor Day
 
38:15 Dem candidates that could hurt their chances by writing a book?
 
39:00 Without Covid, Buttigieg is likely the nominee in 2020
 
40:30 Newsom is easy to create a caricature of
 
41:30 Buttigieg is too smart to win in electoral politics
 
42:30 CA governor’s race field still doesn’t feel set
 
45:15 Swalwell can raise money, has backing from Pelosi
 
47:15 "Former mayor of SF” is a title that will sink you nationally
 
48:45 Ro Khanna avoids being associated with California
 
49:30 Which Republicans most likely to challenge Vance?
 
50:45 A Trump will be a candidate, Donald obsessed with family name in politics
 
52:00 Trump won’t just hand off his coalition to Vance
 
53:15 Trump wants to create a political dynasty
 
55:30 Trump will get cozy with China, then claim he averted WW3
 
56:30 College football predictions

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interview Only w/ Jonathan Martin - Predictions For Trump & American Politics In 2026

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck tackles one of the most consequential counterfactuals in modern history: what if 9/11 never happened? He explores how the attacks fundamentally altered the American psyche, shattered a post–Cold War sense of security, and transformed how Americans consume news, driving the demand for instant information and accelerating the technologies that now dominate our lives. The conversation examines how U.S. politics, foreign policy, and polarization might have evolved without the War on Terror—no Patriot Act, no Department of Homeland Security, no Iraq War—and whether the political forces that produced figures like Trump and Obama would have emerged at all. From global relationships with Russia and China to the delayed reckoning over economic inequality and partisan division, this episode traces the ripple effects of an event that reshaped everything, and asks what might have filled the vacuum if it had never occurred.
 
Then, Jonathan Martin, the politics bureau chief and senior political columnist at POLITICO joins the Chuck ToddCast to walk through his bold predictions for the political landscape heading into 2026, starting with the idea that Donald Trump’s second term is less about governing and more about validation, legacy, and self-mythmaking. The conversation explores Trump as a pop-culture figure obsessed with monuments, family dynasty, and loyalty—rather than policy—along with why the country proved vulnerable to a political huckster in the first place. Martin breaks down why a Supreme Court vacancy could reshape the cycle, why GOP turnout may sag without Trump on the ballot, and which Senate races—from Nebraska to Florida to Ohio—could unexpectedly come into play.
 
The episode also looks ahead to the fault lines inside both parties: potential Trump family bids, early jockeying for the post-Trump GOP, and Democratic candidates who may help—or hurt—their own chances. Martin weighs in on foreign policy flashpoints that could define the next two years, from Iran to Venezuela to Trump’s transactional approach with China, as well as internal administration instability and cabinet shakeups. Plus, sharp takes on approval ratings, California’s unsettled political bench, why political dynasties still matter, and—because it wouldn’t be a Chuck Todd conversation without it—a few college football predictions to close things out.
 
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! 
 
Timeline:
 
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
 
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
 
03:00 “What if” 9/11 never happened?
 
03:45 9/11 changed how Americans consumed information
 
04:30 9/11 was the first true “hit” on the homeland
 
05:30 9/11 create a new sense of vulnerability in America
 
06:45 The trauma from 9/11 changed the American psyche
 
08:45 Prior to 9/11, America was living in a post cold-war calm
 
09:30 In 2000, the west was trying to court Russia into joining them
 
10:15 Both parties will bullish on integrating China into the world
 
11:45 Bush would have been more western hemisphere focused
 
12:45 Without 9/11, Washington would have been more polarized
 
13:45 The Bush presidency essentially began on 9/11
 
15:30 9/11 triggered a “need” for immediate information
 
16:30 Social media is created to provide immediate info
 
17:15 There’s no Patriot Act, Iraq war, War on Terror without 9/11
 
18:30 There would be no Department of Homeland Security
 
19:45 Homeland Security eventually became an immigration agency
 
21:45 The isolationist strain of MAGA may not materialize
 
23:15 Some of the responses to 9/11 led to rise of MAGA politics
 
25:00 9/11 created a new sense of urgency for following the news
 
26:15 9/11 sped up the adoption of new information technologies
 
28:15 Do we not have Trump or Obama without hyper-engaged politics?
 
29:00 John Kerry probably isn’t the nominee in 2004 without 9/11
 
30:30 What replaces 9/11 if it never happened?
 
30:45 Financial crisis still happens anyways
 
31:45 9/11 delayed the “uniparty reckoning”
 
32:45 Occupy Wall Street would supplant Tea Party as driving force in 2010
 
34:00 Without Iraq War, there’s less distinction between Clinton & Obama
 
35:30 9/11 delayed polarization, economic issues by a few years
 
37:30 “If 9/11 never happened” final conclusions
 
40:30 “What Ifs” left on the cutting room floor
 
49:00 Jonathan Martin joins the Chuck ToddCast
 
51:15 Of his 16 predictions for 2026, which ones stood out the most?
 
52:00 Trump’s second term is a victory lap, more about validation
 
53:00 Trump is obsessed with building monuments to himself
 
54:30 Trump doesn’t take the job seriously
 
56:30 Trump will likely slap his name on the memorial bridge
 
57:00 Trump is most like Teddy Roosevelt
 
58:15 Trump is more a pop culture archetype than a political one
 
59:00 The country turned out to be vulnerable to a huckster
 
59:30 Prediction of a Supreme Court seat coming open in 2026
 
1:00:30 Alito more likely to retire than Thomas
 
1:01:45 By October, it will be clear that senate is in play
 
1:03:00 Nebraska Dems cleared field for Dan Osborne
 
1:04:00 Trump not being on ballot could really suppress GOP turnout
 
1:05:30 Rumors that Don Jr. could run in Wyoming?
 
1:07:30 Folks in Jackson Hole with money always exploring political runs
 
1:08:15 Potential SCOTUS nominees if there’s a retirement?
 
1:09:45 The senate appointees from FL & OH get no traction
 
1:11:00 Paxton vs. Crockett would be a fascinating race in TX
 
1:11:45 Dems have a much better shot of winning in OH than TX
 
1:14:00 Biden could have cut deals with McConnell if government was split
 
1:15:15 Predictions on next country Trump hits with air strikes?
 
1:15:45 Regime in Iran could collapse in 2026
 
1:17:30 Netanyahu could be seen as most unstable force in middle east
 
1:18:30 Venezuela could become a huge political problem for Trump
 
1:20:30 In 1st term, leaks were about Trump, now they’re about cabinet
 
1:21:15 Kash Patel, Kristi Noem most likely to get booted from administration
 
1:23:30 GOP has political liabilities in Florida, senate race could be interesting
 
1:25:45 Could Jared Moskowitz be the wild card in the FL senate race?
 
1:26:30 Trump could be at 30% approval by Labor Day
 
1:27:15 Dem candidates that could hurt their chances by writing a book?
 
1:28:00 Without Covid, Buttigieg is likely the nominee in 2020
 
1:29:30 Newsom is easy to create a caricature of
 
1:30:30 Buttigieg is too smart to win in electoral politics
 
1:31:30 CA governor’s race field still doesn’t feel set
 
1:34:15 Swalwell can raise money, has backing from Pelosi
 
1:36:15 "Former mayor of SF” is a title that will sink you nationally
 
1:37:45 Ro Khanna avoids being associated with California
 
1:38:30 Which Republicans are most likely to challenge Vance?
 
1:39:45 A Trump will be a candidate, Donald obsessed with family name in politics
 
1:41:00 Trump won’t just hand off his coalition to Vance
 
1:42:15 Trump wants to create a political dynasty
 
1:44:30 Trump will get cozy with China, then claim he averted WW3
 
1:45:30 College football predictions
 
1:59:00 Chuck’s college football playoff reaction

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Episode - What If 9/11 Never Happened? + Predictions For Trump & American Politics In 2026

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck tackles one of the most consequential counterfactuals in modern history: what if 9/11 never happened? He explores how the attacks fundamentally altered the American psyche, shattered a post–Cold War sense of security, and transformed how Americans consume news, driving the demand for instant information and accelerating the technologies that now dominate our lives. The conversation examines how U.S. politics, foreign policy, and polarization might have evolved without the War on Terror—no Patriot Act, no Department of Homeland Security, no Iraq War—and whether the political forces that produced figures like Trump and Obama would have emerged at all. From global relationships with Russia and China to the delayed reckoning over economic inequality and partisan division, this episode traces the ripple effects of an event that reshaped everything, and asks what might have filled the vacuum if it had never occurred.
 
Finally, Chuck reacts to his Miami Hurricanes upsetting Ohio State in the college football playoff and makes his predictions for the upcoming games.
 
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! 
 
Timeline:
 
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
 
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
 
03:00 “What if” 9/11 never happened?
 
03:45 9/11 changed how Americans consumed information
 
04:30 9/11 was the first true “hit” on the homeland
 
05:30 9/11 create a new sense of vulnerability in America
 
06:45 The trauma from 9/11 changed the American psyche
 
08:45 Prior to 9/11, America was living in a post cold-war calm
 
09:30 In 2000, the west was trying to court Russia into joining them
 
10:15 Both parties will bullish on integrating China into the world
 
11:45 Bush would have been more western hemisphere focused
 
12:45 Without 9/11, Washington would have been more polarized
 
13:45 The Bush presidency essentially began on 9/11
 
15:30 9/11 triggered a “need” for immediate information
 
16:30 Social media is created to provide immediate info
 
17:15 There’s no Patriot Act, Iraq war, War on Terror without 9/11
 
18:30 There would be no Department of Homeland Security
 
19:45 Homeland Security eventually became an immigration agency
 
21:45 The isolationist strain of MAGA may not materialize
 
23:15 Some of the responses to 9/11 led to rise of MAGA politics
 
25:00 9/11 created a new sense of urgency for following the news
 
26:15 9/11 sped up the adoption of new information technologies
 
28:15 Do we not have Trump or Obama without hyper-engaged politics?
 
29:00 John Kerry probably isn’t the nominee in 2004 without 9/11
 
30:30 What replaces 9/11 if it never happened?
 
30:45 Financial crisis still happens anyways
 
31:45 9/11 delayed the “uniparty reckoning”
 
32:45 Occupy Wall Street would supplant Tea Party as driving force in 2010
 
34:00 Without Iraq War, there’s less distinction between Clinton & Obama
 
35:30 9/11 delayed polarization, economic issues by a few years
 
37:30 “If 9/11 never happened” final conclusions
 
40:30 “What Ifs” left on the cutting room floor
 
49:15 Chuck’s college football playoff reaction

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck’s Commentary - What If 9/11 Never Happened? + College Football Playoff Reaction

Chuck Todd is on vacation, but the news never sleeps! Chuck gives his initial thoughts to the Trump administration's military operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolas Maduro, the motivations behind it, and why the success of the operation may emboldened Trump to take even riskier actions.
 
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!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus Episode - Reaction To Trump's Actions In Venezuela

Chuck Todd unpacks the political storm brewing around redistricting and its ripple effects on both voter and donor enthusiasm, as Democrats struggle to spark a surge of energy despite making gains in candidate recruitment. He digs into why the New Jersey governor’s race could be unexpectedly tight, with Mamdani looming as a potential wildcard, and how an anti-incumbent mood paired with shaky economic signals could reshape the midterms. From voters increasingly motivated by who they’re against rather than who they’re for, to the larger question of whether this cycle is about personalities or policies, it’s a sharp look at the forces defining the next election.

Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.

Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Redistricting fight fallout will be intense 

01:15 What will redistricting fight do for voter/donor enthusiasm? 

03:15 No surge in Democratic enthusiasm yet 

06:15 Democrats are doing better on candidate recruitment 

07:45 NJ governor's race could be close

 09:00 Mamdani could loom over the NJ governor's race 

11:30 We're in an anti-incumbent environment 

13:00 State of the economy could determine midterms 

14:00 Public is voting AGAINST candidates rather than for them

15:15 Ask Chuck 

15:30 Why do wealthy democracies let Putin get away with so much? 

22:00 What can small market MLB teams replicate the Brewers success? 

27:30 Why can't Democrats win statewide in Florida? 

33:15 How to reverse the damage from cutting research grants? 

38:30 What amendments would you like to see at a constitutional convention?

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Chuck's Commentary - Incumbents Will STRUGGLE In Upcoming Elections + Ask Chuck

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