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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

Geopolitical expert and president of The Eurasia Group, Ian Bremmer joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging, clear-eyed look at a world entering genuinely uncharted territory—where old rules no longer apply and the United States itself has become a central source of global instability. From Venezuela and Mexico to Europe and Greenland, Bremmer explains how Trump’s transactional, coercive approach is reshaping alliances, undermining collective security, and forcing other countries to adapt fast. The conversation explores why regime change remains elusive in places like Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti; how Latin American elections are increasingly driven by domestic security; and why Europe, shaken by Trump’s unpredictability, is funding Ukraine and rethinking its own defense posture.
 
The discussion then turns to the Middle East and beyond: the durability of the Iranian regime, the limits of U.S. military power, Saudi Arabia’s rapid modernization, and what comes next for Israel once Netanyahu exits the stage. Bremmer also assesses Trump’s surprising effectiveness in Middle East dealmaking, the long-term damage to Israel’s global standing, Russia’s tightening economic squeeze amid continued political repression, and rising far-right momentum in Europe. The episode closes with a sobering look at China, Taiwan, and whether the next few years bring deterrence—or a historic rupture.
 
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!
 
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.
 
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the cod
 
Timeline:
 
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
 
00:00 Ian Bremmer joins the Chuck ToddCast
 
01:15 Where we’re going… there are no roads
 
02:15 The middle east could be heading towards a better place
 
03:00 Trump gave a wake up call to Europe & others
 
03:45 America is the top risk to the world & center of instability
 
05:00 There hasn’t been regime change in Venezuela
 
06:15 The Venezuelan regime will behave while threatened
 
07:15 The Venezuelan regime has no interest in sharing power
 
08:45 National elections could be held in Venezuela in a year
 
10:15 How much will anti-Americanism affect Latin American elections?
 
11:30 Domestic security is the #1 voting issue in Latin America
 
15:00 Brazil’s election will be very close
 
16:30 Claudia Scheinbaum has been deft in dealing with Trump
 
17:30 Mexico has been cooperating effectively, negating potential strikes
 
18:30 Talk of strikes in Mexico has ramped up post-Venezuela
 
20:15 There’s been a huge number of political assassinations in Mexico
 
21:00 Trade relations would take a huge hit if America strikes militarily
 
22:00 There’s less urgency from Trump admin for regime change in Cuba
 
22:45 Venezuela and Mexico have been propping up the Cuban regime
 
25:15 Why haven’t we pushed harder for changes in Haiti?
 
26:30 Almost zero chance there are elections in Haiti this year
 
27:15 Chance of military invasion of Greenland is extremely low
 
28:00 A coercion campaign towards Greenland is much more likely
 
29:15 Denmark very open to negotiations addressing American concerns
 
30:30 It’d be very easy to ramp up military operation in Greenland
 
31:15 Trump is undermining the concept of collective security
 
32:00 Greenland is a legacy play for Trump
 
32:30 Trump is causing permanent damage to relationship with Europe
 
34:00 Will the Iranian regime survive the calendar year?
 
35:15 Iranian regime has large capacity to repress the population
 
36:00 Looks like the US military will target Iranian police & paramilitary
 
36:45 Nobody has ever targeted the Iranian judges that send people to die
 
37:30 Collapse of regime doesn’t feel imminent, but likely within a few years
 
39:00 Is the US military stretched thin right now?
 
39:30 What collapse of Iranian regime would mean for the region
 
41:00 Saudi Arabia is speed running a modernization & reform process
 
42:00 Any chance Bibi Netanyahu is out in Israel soon?
 
43:00 Normalization with Saudi Arabia is on the table once Bibi is out
 
44:00 The Israel/Gaza ceasefire was improbable win for Trump
 
44:30 Trump’s transactional negotiating works well in the middle east
 
46:30 Settlements expanding in west bank, that won’t be unwound
 
48:15 Nobody has done more damage to Israel’s reputation than Bibi
 
49:00 Russians giving Trump nothing in negotiations over Ukraine
 
49:30 Europeans are funding Ukraine after Trump cut them off
 
50:30 Europeans bought a veto over Trump selling out Ukraine
 
51:45 Still very little meaningful dissent inside Russia over the war
 
52:45 Russian economy is starting to take more of a hit
 
53:45 Giorgia Meloni is probably most secure leader in western Europe
 
55:00 Far right in Germany will do well in elections
 
55:30 Does China take Taiwan in 2027 & does Trump stand in the way?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interview Only w/ Ian Bremmer - Trump Is Driving Instability & Chaos Around The Globe

Chuck Todd unpacks a moment of foreign-policy whiplash as Donald Trump appears to ease off threats against Iran while simultaneously escalating his pressure campaign on Greenland—doubling down after meetings with Danish officials and even floating the idea of holding NATO hostage to get his way. The episode examines why Trump is unlikely to move militarily against Greenland, why Greenlanders are growing more defiant, and how this approach risks a serious rupture with Europe. From there, the conversation widens to a bigger question: what is America’s role in the world now that consensus has collapsed? With China as a peer competitor, alliances under strain, free trade weaponized at home, and isolationism creating dangerous vacuums, the U.S. is operating without a coherent grand strategy even as allies quietly hedge their bets.
 
The second half turns inward, focusing on immigration and the politics of ICE. Drawing lessons from past messaging failures like “defund the police,” Chuck argues Democrats shouldn’t fall into the “abolish ICE” trap but instead run on reform—rethinking leadership, recruiting, and training that’s been slashed from months to weeks. The takeaway is blunt: ICE isn’t going away, the agency will remain a political wedge, and the real question for both parties is who’s in charge of it—and what kind of power they’re willing to wield at home and abroad.
 
Then, geopolitical expert and president of The Eurasia Group, Ian Bremmer joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging, clear-eyed look at a world entering genuinely uncharted territory—where old rules no longer apply and the United States itself has become a central source of global instability. From Venezuela and Mexico to Europe and Greenland, Bremmer explains how Trump’s transactional, coercive approach is reshaping alliances, undermining collective security, and forcing other countries to adapt fast. The conversation explores why regime change remains elusive in places like Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti; how Latin American elections are increasingly driven by domestic security; and why Europe, shaken by Trump’s unpredictability, is funding Ukraine and rethinking its own defense posture.
 
The discussion then turns to the Middle East and beyond: the durability of the Iranian regime, the limits of U.S. military power, Saudi Arabia’s rapid modernization, and what comes next for Israel once Netanyahu exits the stage. Bremmer also assesses Trump’s surprising effectiveness in Middle East dealmaking, the long-term damage to Israel’s global standing, Russia’s tightening economic squeeze amid continued political repression, and rising far-right momentum in Europe. The episode closes with a sobering look at China, Taiwan, and whether the next few years bring deterrence—or a historic rupture.
 
Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gets a few sports rants off his chest. 
 
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!
 
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.
 
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the cod
 
Timeline:
 
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
 
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
 
01:00 Trump seemingly backing off threats to strike Iran
 
02:00 Trump meets with Danish & Greenland officials, then doubles down
 
03:30 Trump threatens to hold NATO hostage in exchange for Greenland
 
05:00 Greenlanders are more defiant in the face of Trump’s threats
 
05:30 Trump’s threats could risk severing U.S. ties with Europe
 
06:15 Unlikely Trump will take Greenland militarily
 
06:45 Everything Trump is doing now is bad politics
 
08:15 Latin American exiles in south Florida create a feedback loop for Trump
 
09:00 What should be America’s role in the world?
 
10:45 Trump is not and has never been a multilateralist
 
11:30 Trump doesn’t care about NATO or see Russia as a threat
 
12:15 Consensus on America’s role in the world has collapsed
 
13:15 Free trade has been weaponized domestically in America
 
14:15 Domestic exhaustion in America with leadership rule
 
15:30 America is operating without a grand foreign policy strategy
 
16:30 The “primacy” strategy doesn’t apply now that China is a peer competitor
 
17:30 The rules based order hasn’t tamed China, Russia or Iran
 
18:15 Isolationism creates security vacuums that rarely stay empty
 
19:00 Nationalism assumes you can separate from the rest of the world
 
19:15 Trumpism is a mix of all of the above, but up to Trump’s whims
 
21:15 China is a competitor & nothing the U.S. does can change that
 
22:15 Trump wants to remake Venezuelan, Iranian and Cuban society
 
23:15 U.S. still most powerful country and China couldn’t create global alliance
 
25:45 Free trade, security & innovation trump protectionism
 
27:45 The Indo-Pacific will be the theatre of great power competition
 
28:30 America doesn’t get to choose whether it shapes the world
 
29:15 U.S. allies are hedging
 
30:00 Presidential candidates need to lay out strategy for US role in the world
 
33:00 Memo argues Democrats shouldn't fall for the “Abolish ICE” messaging
 
34:30 ICE training has been reduced from 5 months to 6 weeks
 
35:15 Dems should run on plan to reform and retrain ICE
 
36:30 Democrats need to learn from the “defund the police” mistake
 
38:30 The issue isn’t ICE, it’s who’s in charge of it & their recruiting
 
40:00 If you get rid of ICE you’ll need a similar agency to replace it
 
40:45 ICE will become a wedge issue in primary elections
 
47:45 Ian Bremmer joins the Chuck ToddCast
 
49:00 Where we’re going… there are no roads
 
50:00 The middle east could be heading towards a better place
 
50:45 Trump gave a wake up call to Europe & others
 
51:30 America is the top risk to the world & center of instability
 
52:45 There hasn’t been regime change in Venezuela
 
54:00 The Venezuelan regime will behave while threatened
 
55:00 The Venezuelan regime has no interest in sharing power
 
56:30 National elections could be held in Venezuela in a year
 
58:00 How much will anti-Americanism affect Latin American elections?
 
59:15 Domestic security is the #1 voting issue in Latin America
 
1:02:45 Brazil’s election will be very close
 
1:04:15 Claudia Scheinbaum has been deft in dealing with Trump
 
1:05:15 Mexico has been cooperating effectively, negating potential strikes
 
1:06:15 Talk of strikes in Mexico has ramped up post-Venezuela
 
1:08:00 There’s been a huge number of political assassinations in Mexico
 
1:08:45 Trade relations would take a huge hit if America strikes militarily
 
1:09:45 There’s less urgency from Trump admin for regime change in Cuba
 
01:10:30 Venezuela and Mexico have been propping up the Cuban regime
 
1:13:00 Why haven’t we pushed harder for changes in Haiti?
 
1:14:15 Almost zero chance there are elections in Haiti this year
 
1:15:00 Chance of military invasion of Greenland is extremely low
 
1:15:45 A coercion campaign towards Greenland is much more likely
 
1:17:00 Denmark very open to negotiations addressing American concerns
 
1:18:15 It’d be very easy to ramp up military operation in Greenland
 
1:19:00 Trump is undermining the concept of collective security
 
1:19:45 Greenland is a legacy play for Trump
 
1:20:15 Trump is causing permanent damage to relationship with Europe
 
1:21:45 Will the Iranian regime survive the calendar year?
 
1:23:00 Iranian regime has large capacity to repress the population
 
1:23:45 Looks like the US military will target Iranian police & paramilitary
 
1:24:30 Nobody has ever targeted the Iranian judges that send people to die
 
1:25:15 Collapse of regime doesn’t feel imminent, but likely within a few years
 
1:26:45 Is the US military stretched thin right now?
 
1:27:15 What collapse of Iranian regime would mean for the region
 
1:28:45 Saudi Arabia is speed running a modernization & reform process
 
1:29:45 Any chance Bibi Netanyahu is out in Israel soon?
 
1:30:45 Normalization with Saudi Arabia is on the table once Bibi is out
 
1:31:45 The Israel/Gaza ceasefire was improbable win for Trump
 
1:32:15 Trump’s transactional negotiating works well in the middle east
 
1:34:15 Settlements expanding in west bank, that won’t be unwound
 
1:36:00 Nobody has done more damage to Israel’s reputation than Bibi
 
1:36:45 Russians giving Trump nothing in negotiations over Ukraine
 
1:37:15 Europeans are funding Ukraine after Trump cut them off
 
1:38:15 Europeans bought a veto over Trump selling out Ukraine
 
1:39:30 Still very little meaningful dissent inside Russia over the war
 
1:40:30 Russian economy is starting to take more of a hit
 
1:41:30 Giorgia Meloni is probably most secure leader in western Europe
 
1:42:45 Far right in Germany will do well in elections
 
1:43:15 Does China take Taiwan in 2027 & does Trump stand in the way?
 
1:46:15 Iran clears airspace, U.S. attack imminent?
 
1:47:45 Ask Chuck
 
1:48:00 Why do you think Mississippi could become politically competitive?
 
1:51:00 ICE’s actions in Minnesota don’t feel like training issues?
 
1:54:00 If Dems win both chambers what are the chances of martial law?
 
2:01:00 If Europe put a blockade around Greenland, would we still attack?
 
2:05:15 Why do Americans find the far-left more repugnant than the far-right?
 
2:09:45 Concerned the market shrugged at threats to Fed independence?
 
2:14:45 Sports update

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Episode - What Is America’s Role In The World? + Trump Is Driving Instability & Chaos Around The Globe

Chuck Todd unpacks a moment of foreign-policy whiplash as Donald Trump appears to ease off threats against Iran while simultaneously escalating his pressure campaign on Greenland—doubling down after meetings with Danish officials and even floating the idea of holding NATO hostage to get his way. The episode examines why Trump is unlikely to move militarily against Greenland, why Greenlanders are growing more defiant, and how this approach risks a serious rupture with Europe. From there, the conversation widens to a bigger question: what is America’s role in the world now that consensus has collapsed? With China as a peer competitor, alliances under strain, free trade weaponized at home, and isolationism creating dangerous vacuums, the U.S. is operating without a coherent grand strategy even as allies quietly hedge their bets.
 
The second half turns inward, focusing on immigration and the politics of ICE. Drawing lessons from past messaging failures like “defund the police,” Chuck argues Democrats shouldn’t fall into the “abolish ICE” trap but instead run on reform—rethinking leadership, recruiting, and training that’s been slashed from months to weeks. The takeaway is blunt: ICE isn’t going away, the agency will remain a political wedge, and the real question for both parties is who’s in charge of it—and what kind of power they’re willing to wield at home and abroad.
 
Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gets a few sports rants off his chest. 
 
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!
 
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.
 
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the cod
 
 
 
Timeline:
 
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
 
01:00 Trump seemingly backing off threats to strike Iran
 
02:00 Trump meets with Danish & Greenland officials, then doubles down
 
03:30 Trump threatens to hold NATO hostage in exchange for Greenland
 
05:00 Greenlanders are more defiant in the face of Trump’s threats
 
05:30 Trump’s threats could risk severing U.S. ties with Europe
 
06:15 Unlikely Trump will take Greenland militarily
 
06:45 Everything Trump is doing now is bad politics
 
08:15 Latin American exiles in south Florida create a feedback loop for Trump
 
09:00 What should be America’s role in the world?
 
10:45 Trump is not and has never been a multilateralist
 
11:30 Trump doesn’t care about NATO or see Russia as a threat
 
12:15 Consensus on America’s role in the world has collapsed
 
13:15 Free trade has been weaponized domestically in America
 
14:15 Domestic exhaustion in America with leadership rule
 
15:30 America is operating without a grand foreign policy strategy
 
16:30 The “primacy” strategy doesn’t apply now that China is a peer competitor
 
17:30 The rules based order hasn’t tamed China, Russia or Iran
 
18:15 Isolationism creates security vacuums that rarely stay empty
 
19:00 Nationalism assumes you can separate from the rest of the world
 
19:15 Trumpism is a mix of all of the above, but up to Trump’s whims
 
21:15 China is a competitor & nothing the U.S. does can change that
 
22:15 Trump wants to remake Venezuelan, Iranian and Cuban society
 
23:15 U.S. still most powerful country and China couldn’t create global alliance
 
25:45 Free trade, security & innovation trump protectionism
 
27:45 The Indo-Pacific will be the theatre of great power competition
 
28:30 America doesn’t get to choose whether it shapes the world
 
29:15 U.S. allies are hedging
 
30:00 Presidential candidates need to lay out strategy for US role in the world
 
33:00 Memo argues Democrats shouldn't fall for the “Abolish ICE” messaging
 
34:30 ICE training has been reduced from 5 months to 6 weeks
 
35:15 Dems should run on plan to reform and retrain ICE
 
36:30 Democrats need to learn from the “defund the police” mistake
 
38:30 The issue isn’t ICE, it’s who’s in charge of it & their recruiting
 
40:00 If you get rid of ICE you’ll need a similar agency to replace it
 
40:45 ICE will become a wedge issue in primary elections
 
46:30 Iran clears airspace, U.S. attack imminent?
 
48:00 Ask Chuck
 
48:15 Why do you think Mississippi could become politically competitive?
 
51:45 ICE’s actions in Minnesota don’t feel like training issues?
 
54:15 If Dems win both chambers what are the chances of martial law?
 
1:01:15 If Europe put a blockade around Greenland, would we still attack?
 
1:05:30 Why do Americans find the far-left more repugnant than the far-right?
 
1:10:00 Concerned the market shrugged at threats to Fed independence?
 
1:15:00 Sports update

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck’s Commentary - What Is America’s Role In The World? + Democrats Shouldn’t Fall Into The “Abolish ICE” Trap

Jon Slavet, a tech entrepreneur and Republican candidate for California governor, joins the Chuck ToddCast to discuss why he's entering one of the nation's most challenging political races. Slavet argues that while national politics dominates headlines, state and local governance has far more impact on people's daily lives—yet California's local politics receives inadequate attention despite intense interest from outsiders. He advocates for radical transparency in government, criticizing the use of NDAs in taxpayer-funded projects and calling out the influence of union spending. Addressing his controversial pursuit of Trump's endorsement despite never voting for him, Slavet positions himself as someone who sees Trump as an effective disrupter but not a builder, and he aligns with the administration on housing policy, particularly prioritizing temporary shelter over California's $1 million-per-unit permanent housing approach.
 
Running as a Republican in deep-blue California, Slavet believes the state's pleasant weather has masked serious problems affecting middle and lower-income residents while the wealthy thrive. He proposes declaring an "affordability emergency" on day one, scrapping the high-speed rail project, and using AI to root out the billions lost to waste and fraud in California's healthcare system. Slavet defends his decision to run as a Republican rather than an independent, arguing that party identification remains essential for effectiveness despite his moderate positions on social issues like same-sex marriage and abortion. He contends that polls show half of Californians would support the "right kind" of Republican, and he's betting his business success and willingness to challenge both parties' orthodoxies will resonate with voters frustrated by the state's affordability crisis and regulatory burdens on small businesses.
 
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!
 
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.
 
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 Jon Slavet joins the Chuck ToddCast
 
01:45 Why enter politics and run for governor of California?
 
03:30 It’s fraught & dangerous to run for office in this political climate
 
04:15 National politics get attention, state & local more impactful
 
05:45 Serious lack of attention to local politics in California
 
07:00 There’s a ton of interest in California from people outside it
 
08:15 NDA’s should not be allowed in taxpayer funded projects
 
09:45 Major government discussions need more transparency in CA
 
10:15 Unions raise $1B in CA and spend $300 on political donations
 
11:00 Why seek Trump’s endorsement after not voting for him 3x?
 
12:15 Trump is good as a disrupter but not as a builder
 
13:00 Where do you agree with Trump on policy?
 
13:30 HUD’s new policy prioritizes temporary, not permanent housing
 
14:30 Permanent housing for homeless costs $1M per unit in CA
 
16:00 The priority should be getting homeless into temp housing ASAP
 
17:00 Could you have been as successful in a state other than CA?
 
18:15 California’s great weather masks many of its problems 
 
19:30 Tech doesn’t suffer from regulatory issues like other industries
 
20:15 Middle & lower income California’s are suffering, rich doing great
 
22:30 Half of California’s work for small businesses that are overtaxed
 
25:00 Where will you find the money to fund your proposals?
 
25:30 California should scrap the high speed rail to nowhere
 
26:30 Jon would declare an affordability emergency on day 1
 
28:00 California’s healthcare costs $160B, Medicare fraud is 10-15%
 
29:30 AI can be used to root out waste, fraud and abuse in state budget
 
31:00 Californians pay huge taxes on fuel & energy
 
32:30 Why run as a Republican and not an independent?
 
34:00 We should be way beyond the same-sex marriage debate
 
35:00 Abortion is settled law in California 
 
36:30 Why Jon was against Prop 50 in California
 
37:30 Gerrymandering is terrible for democracy
 
39:15 Running as independent isn’t effective, people identify w/parties
 
40:45 The race will be a Trump referendum, how does a Republican win?
 
42:30 Polls show half of CA will vote for the “right kind” of Republican
 
43:45 CA has had plenty of billionaires run & fail to win elections
 
46:00 Has Silicon Valley been regulated enough?
 
47:15 AI boom has been critical for San Francisco’s comeback
 
48:45 Would you ban social media for kids under 16?
 
50:30 Would you ban phones in schools?
 
51:15 How do you convince CA voters the wealth tax is a bad idea?
 
53:15 How would you work in a bipartisan manner with Dem state house?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interview Only w/ Jon Slavet - Can A Moderate Republican Win California’s Governor Race

As the country hurtles toward the 2026 midterms, Chuck Todd breaks down why winning in this moment may be more about margins than movements—and why messaging is about to get brutally hard. With a fragmented, exhausted electorate and a president acting emboldened despite weak political standing, Democrats face a defining choice: run as resistance to Donald Trump or position themselves as problem-solvers ready to turn the page. History suggests forward-looking messages work best, especially with independents who vote in self-interest and are tired of constant political warfare, even as Trump continues to dominate GOP primaries and sideline Congress.
 
The conversation also looks at why Republicans’ razor-thin majority leaves them unable to govern, how Trump’s grip on the party could backfire in a general election, and why Democrats are increasingly optimistic about putting the Senate in play—with strong recruiting wins and favorable midterm math. New polling on the Renee Good shooting and ICE shows Trump-aligned tactics playing poorly outside the MAGA base, particularly with independents and women, underscoring just how volatile—and opportunity-rich—the political landscape could be heading into 2026.
 
Then, Jon Slavet, a tech entrepreneur and Republican candidate for California governor, joins the Chuck ToddCast to discuss why he's entering one of the nation's most challenging political races. Slavet argues that while national politics dominates headlines, state and local governance has far more impact on people's daily lives—yet California's local politics receives inadequate attention despite intense interest from outsiders. He advocates for radical transparency in government, criticizing the use of NDAs in taxpayer-funded projects and calling out the influence of union spending. Addressing his controversial pursuit of Trump's endorsement despite never voting for him, Slavet positions himself as someone who sees Trump as an effective disrupter but not a builder, and he aligns with the administration on housing policy, particularly prioritizing temporary shelter over California's $1 million-per-unit permanent housing approach.
 
Running as a Republican in deep-blue California, Slavet believes the state's pleasant weather has masked serious problems affecting middle and lower-income residents while the wealthy thrive. He proposes declaring an "affordability emergency" on day one, scrapping the high-speed rail project, and using AI to root out the billions lost to waste and fraud in California's healthcare system. Slavet defends his decision to run as a Republican rather than an independent, arguing that party identification remains essential for effectiveness despite his moderate positions on social issues like same-sex marriage and abortion. He contends that polls show half of Californians would support the "right kind" of Republican, and he's betting his business success and willingness to challenge both parties' orthodoxies will resonate with voters frustrated by the state's affordability crisis and regulatory burdens on small businesses.
 
Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 championship winning Miami Hurricanes football teams & answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. 
 
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!
 
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.
 
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
 
03:45 Messaging will be incredibly difficult in this political environment
 
04:15 If Dems only win house, it will be considered a partial rebuke of Trump
 
05:15 Trump is weak politically but acting like he has a ton of capital
 
06:00 Trump feels emboldened to play “Risk” with the world
 
06:45 Administration will likely back off investigation into Jay Powell
 
08:00 Talking to a fragmented and exhausted electorate will be tough
 
09:15 Elections are always won on the margins, not just by the base
 
10:30 Analysts project their preferences onto the electorate & swing voters
 
11:30 What is the most effective way to win elections in 2026?
 
12:30 Democrats will have to balance accountability vs. forward facing
 
14:15 “Would you work with Donald Trump?” a defining question for Dems
 
16:15 Dems have to decide whether they are resistance or problem solvers
 
18:00 History suggests forward looking messages are more effective
 
19:00 Most voters vote in self-interest, not for the greater good
 
19:45 After 10 years of Trump, the public is exhausted by politics
 
20:45 "Turn the page” messaging may appeal to independents
 
22:30 GOP primaries will be all about Trump, but cause problem in general
 
24:00 Trump can break ideological rules other Republicans can’t
 
25:00 GOP majority is so narrow they can’t really govern
 
25:45 Trump is increasingly uninterested in working with congress
 
27:15 “Vote GOP to stop impeachment” isn’t enough to woo swing voters
 
28:00 Growing number of R’s uncomfortable with Trump’s actions
 
28:45 Dems got a huge recruiting victory in Alaska with Mary Peltola
 
30:30 Peltola puts Alaska in play, making senate control more possible
 
31:45 Sherrod Brown has won in midterm years in Ohio
 
33:15 Democrats much further along in putting senate in play
 
34:30 Historically the party out of power picks up 4 seats, Dems need 4
 
36:30 Majority of Americans say Renee Good shooting not justified
 
37:15 Majority of independents & women say it was unjustified
 
38:15 82% of respondents were aware of the Renee Good shooting
 
39:15 57% disapprove of ICE
 
40:30 ICE + Minneapolis not playing well outside MAGA base
 
41:30 Kristi Noem is an easy scapegoat, could get dumped
 
49:00 Jon Slavet joins the Chuck ToddCast
 
50:45 Why enter politics and run for governor of California?
 
52:30 It’s fraught & dangerous to run for office in this political climate
 
53:15 National politics get attention, state & local more impactful
 
54:45 Serious lack of attention to local politics in California
 
56:00 There’s a ton of interest in California from people outside it
 
57:15 NDA’s should not be allowed in taxpayer funded projects
 
58:45 Major government discussions need more transparency in CA
 
59:15 Unions raise $1B in CA and spend $300 on political donations
 
1:00:00 Why seek Trump’s endorsement after not voting for him 3x?
 
1:01:15 Trump is good as a disrupter but not as a builder
 
1:02:00 Where do you agree with Trump on policy?
 
1:02:30 HUD’s new policy prioritizes temporary, not permanent housing
 
1:03:30 Permanent housing for homeless costs $1M per unit in CA
 
1:05:00 The priority should be getting homeless into temp housing ASAP
 
1:06:00 Could you have been as successful in a state other than CA?
 
1:07:15 California’s great weather masks many of its problems
 
1:08:30 Tech doesn’t suffer from regulatory issues like other industries
 
1:09:15 Middle & lower income Californians are suffering, rich doing great
 
1:11:30 Half of California’s work for small businesses that are overtaxed
 
1:14:00 Where will you find the money to fund your proposals?
 
1:14:30 California should scrap the high speed rail to nowhere
 
1:15:30 Jon would declare an affordability emergency on day 1
 
1:17:00 California’s healthcare costs $160B, Medicare fraud is 10–15%
 
1:18:30 AI can be used to root out waste, fraud and abuse in state budget
 
1:20:00 Californians pay huge taxes on fuel & energy
 
1:21:30 Why run as a Republican and not an independent?
 
1:23:00 We should be way beyond the same-sex marriage debate
 
1:24:00 Abortion is settled law in California
 
1:25:30 Why Jon was against Prop 50 in California
 
1:26:30 Gerrymandering is terrible for democracy
 
1:28:15 Running as independent isn’t effective, people identify w/ parties
 
1:29:45 The race will be a Trump referendum, how does a Republican win?
 
1:31:30 Polls show half of CA will vote for the “right kind” of Republican
 
1:32:45 CA has had plenty of billionaires run & fail to win elections
 
1:35:00 Has Silicon Valley been regulated enough?
 
1:36:15 AI boom has been critical for San Francisco’s comeback
 
1:37:45 Would you ban social media for kids under 16?
 
1:39:30 Would you ban phones in schools?
 
1:40:15 How do you convince CA voters the wealth tax is a bad idea?
 
1:42:15 How would you work in a bipartisan manner with Dem state house?
 
1:45:00 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Jon Slavet
 
1:45:30 There’s a lack of star power in CA governor race
 
1:46:15 ToddCast Top 5 Miami Hurricanes football teams if ’25 team wins title
 
1:49:00 #1 2001
 
1:51:00 #2 1987
 
1:52:30 #3 1993
 
1:54:00 #4 1983
 
1:55:00 #5 2025
 
1:58:30 Ask Chuck
 
1:58:45 In today’s climate would it benefit a candidate to avoid negative ads?
 
2:02:15 Are traditional Republicans missing a chance to push back on Trump?
 
2:09:15 Did Biden cater too much to the far left & hurt appeal with swing voters?
 
2:11:15 How is public media likely to continue on?
 
2:13:45 Can Democrats make Mississippi competitive?
 
2:19:30 Are we still capable of recognizing normalization of democratic collapse?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Episode - The Challenge Of Messaging The 2026 Midterms + Can A Moderate Republican Win California’s Governor Race

As the country hurtles toward the 2026 midterms, Chuck Todd breaks down why winning in this moment may be more about margins than movements—and why messaging is about to get brutally hard. With a fragmented, exhausted electorate and a president acting emboldened despite weak political standing, Democrats face a defining choice: run as resistance to Donald Trump or position themselves as problem-solvers ready to turn the page. History suggests forward-looking messages work best, especially with independents who vote in self-interest and are tired of constant political warfare, even as Trump continues to dominate GOP primaries and sideline Congress.
 
The conversation also looks at why Republicans’ razor-thin majority leaves them unable to govern, how Trump’s grip on the party could backfire in a general election, and why Democrats are increasingly optimistic about putting the Senate in play—with strong recruiting wins and favorable midterm math. New polling on the Renee Good shooting and ICE shows Trump-aligned tactics playing poorly outside the MAGA base, particularly with independents and women, underscoring just how volatile—and opportunity-rich—the political landscape could be heading into 2026.
 
Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 championship winning Miami Hurricanes football teams & answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. 
 
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!
 
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.
 
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
 
1:30 Messaging will be incredibly difficult in this political environment
 
2:00 If Dems only win house, it will be considered a partial rebuke of Trump
 
3:00 Trump is weak politically but acting like he has a ton of capital
 
3:45 Trump feels emboldened to play “Risk” with the world
 
4:30 Administration will likely back off investigation into Jay Powell
 
5:45 Talking to a fragmented and exhausted electorate will be tough
 
7:00 Elections are always won on the margins, not just by the base
 
8:15 Analysts project their preferences onto the electorate & swing voters
 
9:15 What is the most effective way to win elections in 2026?
 
10:15 Democrats will have to balance accountability vs. forward facing
 
12:00 “Would you work with Donald Trump?” a defining question for Dems
 
14:00 Dems have to decide whether they are resistance or problem solvers
 
15:45 History suggests forward looking messages are more effective
 
16:45 Most voters vote in self-interest, not for the greater good
 
17:30 After 10 years of Trump, the public is exhausted by politics
 
18:30 “Turn the page” messaging may appeal to independents
 
20:15 GOP primaries will be all about Trump, but cause problem in general
 
21:45 Trump can break ideological rules other Republicans can’t
 
22:45 GOP majority is so narrow they can’t really govern
 
23:30 Trump is increasingly uninterested in working with congress
 
25:00 “Vote GOP to stop impeachment” isn’t enough to woo swing voters
 
25:45 Growing number of R’s uncomfortable with Trump’s actions
 
26:30 Dems got a huge recruiting victory in Alaska with Mary Peltola
 
28:15 Peltola puts Alaska in play, making senate control more possible
 
29:30 Sherrod Brown has won in midterm years in Ohio
 
31:00 Democrats much further along in putting senate in play
 
32:15 Historically the party out of power picks up 4 seats, Dems need 4
 
34:15 Majority of Americans say Renee Good shooting not justified
 
35:00 Majority of independents & women say it was unjustified
 
36:00 82% of respondents were aware of the Renee Good shooting
 
37:00 57% disapprove of ICE
 
38:15 ICE + Minneapolis not playing well outside MAGA base
 
39:15 Kristi Noem is an easy scapegoat, could get dumped
 
47:00 ToddCast Top 5 Miami Hurricanes football teams if 25’ team wins title
 
49:45 #1 2001
 
51:45 #2 1987
 
53:15 #3 1993
 
54:45 #4 1983
 
55:45 #5 2025
 
59:15 Ask Chuck
 
59:30 In today’s climate would it benefit a candidate to avoid negative ads?
 
1:03:00 Are traditional Republicans missing a chance to push back on Trump?
 
1:10:00 Did Biden cater too much to the far left & hurt appeal with swing voters?
 
1:12:00 How is public media likely to continue on?
 
1:14:30 Can Democrats make Mississippi competitive?
 
1:20:15 Are we still capable of recognizing normalization of democratic collapse?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck’s Commentary - The Challenge Of Messaging The 2026 Midterms + Americans Do NOT Approve Of ICE

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

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck delves into the recent developments surrounding Donald Trump, beginning with his confrontational rhetoric against adversaries and the implications of his actions over the past week, which some argue could have driven impeachment efforts. He explores notable incidents such as Tom Homan’s controversial cash exchange and highlights the fundamental challenges to our constitutional principles. The discussion also covers Trump’s use of legal charges like mortgage fraud to target enemies, as well as his aggressive, and possibly legally unfounded, attacks on Venezuelan drug boats. He analyzes how such actions may have numbed the public to attacks and assess whether Trump's political standing is now eroding amidst these controversies

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

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

03:00 Trump targets his adversaries

12:00 Trump's actions in the past week would have driven impeachments 

14:30 Tom Homan took a bag of cash 

16:00 We have basic challenges to our constitution 

17:30 Trump target enemies with mortgage fraud charges 

22:00 Trump attacks Venezuelan drug boats without legal basis

25:00 Unclear that there’s legal basis for attacks

30:30 Trump has numbed public to attacks

36:00 Trump’s political standing is eroding

37:30 Ask Chuck

37:45 Could Mamdani’s style of politics help independents?

46:45 What do local news organizations need to be successful?

54:30 College football update

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck's Commentary - Trump's Actions Are Impeachable + Ask Chuck

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