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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

Mike Pesca, host of “The Gist” joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of media, technology, and trust at the end of 2025—and where things may be headed next. They dig into how legacy media is being reshaped by new owners, shrinking business models, and audience capture, with a close look at CBS, the Ellisons, and whether disruption is a threat or a lifeline for traditional news brands. Pesca also reflects on the rise of nonprofit journalism, the limits of AI in reporting, and why Congress has largely abdicated its role in regulating both media and tech.
 
The discussion then turns to the growing unease around AI, gambling, and prediction markets, from bipartisan support for getting smartphones out of schools to fears that unregulated betting is distorting journalism, sports, and public life. Pesca and Todd explore why optimism around AI is collapsing, how insider information can be exploited in everything from sports gambling to political markets, and why many of today’s “innovations” feel eerily similar to past technological panics. The throughline: institutions are lagging behind rapid change, and the cost of that delay is showing up everywhere—from newsrooms to classrooms to democracy itself.
 
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!
 
Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
 
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 Mike Pesca joins the Chuck ToddCast
 
01:30 Rundown of Mike’s many “hustles”
 
03:15 Is the information ecosystem better or worse at the end of 2025?
 
04:30 CBS News under Bari Weiss is now selling a different product
 
06:00 Legacy media could benefit from some disruption
 
06:45 Weiss gave up working for the Salzbergers to work for the Ellisons
 
07:30 There’s no money in producing network news
 
09:45 There was audience capture at the New York Times
 
11:00 A boring president will make the Ellisons care less about CBS
 
13:00 David Ellison isn’t ideologically MAGA or even a Republican
 
14:00 Silicon Valley is less ideological, just want less regulation
 
14:45 Ellisons are treating CBS as part of their lobbying budget
 
15:45 A huge part of 60 Minutes popularity is that it airs after football
 
16:30 CBS has brands that will survive even if the network doesn’t
 
17:45 We’re a few years away from local TV affiliates going a-la-carte
 
19:00 Channel numbers are meaningless to younger audiences
 
19:30 Non profits like ProPublica are doing some of the best journalism
 
20:45 AI can’t replace people in the journalism space
 
21:45 NOTUS is the only organization covering DC locally
 
23:15 Historically, American media has been partisan
 
24:00 Big newspapers should have two editorial sections
 
26:30 Imagine if Bezos built an “everything” newspaper like he did Amazon
 
28:00 AI transition will be painful, fear of AI displacement will dominate
 
28:45 New polling shows huge drop in optimism surrounding AI
 
30:15 Sam Altman shocked the world by saying “Please regulate me”
 
31:15 We need more visibility into how AI actually works
 
32:00 The regulators are always too old & removed from new tech
 
32:45 Congress has willingly abdicated their regulatory role
 
34:30 Employees at AI companies express worry it could go very wrong
 
35:30 Getting tech/smartphones out of schools has bipartisan agreement
 
37:15 There have always been panics about major tech change
 
38:15 Sports gambling without regulation has been a disaster
 
40:45 Athletes can easily fix a player prop to make money
 
42:15 Online casinos should have never been allowed to exist
 
44:15 Insider info can easily been cashed in on prediction markets
 
46:15 Will insider trading laws now affect copy editors at publications?
 
47:30 Betting has drastically affected coverage at ESPN
 
49:00 College football playoff selection is totally subjective
 
51:30 Potential fixes to college football playoff selection
 
55:00 Will prediction markets remain legal?
 
56:45 Pandemics make society do crazy things
 
57:45 Online casinos will likely become illegal in the coming years
 
1:00:00 The states didn’t roll out marijuana legalization the right way

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interview Only w/ Mike Pesca - The Media Meltdown: AI, Billionaires, and the Collapse of Trust

Chuck Todd digs into the growing crisis of trust in American media and politics, sparked by CBS News pulling a 60 Minutes episode amid controversy and perceptions of corporate and political pressure. He examines how Bari Weiss’s handling of the situation exposed a lack of understanding of television news culture, why 60 Minutes has become the ultimate measure of CBS’s credibility, and how ownership, mergers, and appeasing power have once again put business interests ahead of journalism. The episode also explores troubling signals from the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein-related releases and what they reveal about political favoritism and eroding institutional independence.
 
Chuck then widens the lens to the political fallout, arguing that Donald Trump squandered his political capital and failed to build a durable coalition, and lays out how cracks in Trump’s coalition are becoming chasms.
 
Then, Mike Pesca, host of “The Gist” joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of media, technology, and trust at the end of 2025—and where things may be headed next. They dig into how legacy media is being reshaped by new owners, shrinking business models, and audience capture, with a close look at CBS, the Ellisons, and whether disruption is a threat or a lifeline for traditional news brands. Pesca also reflects on the rise of nonprofit journalism, the limits of AI in reporting, and why Congress has largely abdicated its role in regulating both media and tech.
 
The discussion then turns to the growing unease around AI, gambling, and prediction markets, from bipartisan support for getting smartphones out of schools to fears that unregulated betting is distorting journalism, sports, and public life. Pesca and Todd explore why optimism around AI is collapsing, how insider information can be exploited in everything from sports gambling to political markets, and why many of today’s “innovations” feel eerily similar to past technological panics. The throughline: institutions are lagging behind rapid change, and the cost of that delay is showing up everywhere—from newsrooms to classrooms to democracy itself.
 
Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and breaks down the biggest stories in the world of sports. 
 
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!
 
Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
 
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
 
04:00 CBS News embroiled with controversy after pulling 60 Minutes episode
 
04:30 Bari Weiss’s inexperience in TV news is on full display
 
05:30 Weiss’s made incorrect assumption that everyone saw NYT story
 
06:45 The perception is the administration leaned on Weiss to kill story
 
08:00 Too many news executives don’t understand the process
 
09:30 Trump has complained publicly about 60 Minutes
 
10:15 Ellison willing to appease Trump in order to get merger approval
 
11:00 CBS News will be judged entirely on 60 Minutes
 
12:30 Weiss has lost the trust of the journalists at CBS
 
13:15 Corporate owned media has once again let the public down
 
14:00 WaPo’s editorial board completely changed after Bezos bought it
 
15:00 This event will further erode the public trust in media
 
16:15 Journalism that’s tethered to popularity will be compromised
 
17:15 Trust is more important than popularity for journalists
 
18:45 Corporations won’t let their news divisions interfere with business 
 
19:30 DOJ frontloaded Clinton/Epstein releases & Trump releases later
 
20:45 DOJ releases statement that sounds like they’re Trump’s defense attorney
 
22:45 It’s notable that DOJ only singled out Trump for a defensive statement
 
24:45 Trump blew his “honeymoon” period in less than a year
 
25:30 Both Biden & Trump burned their political capitol early
 
28:15 Trump blew the chance to build a GOP that outlasts him
 
29:30 Trump didn’t win the 2024 election - Biden/Harris lost it
 
31:15 Voters don’t like party in power, 2008 was last “Vote for” election
 
33:00 Biden misinterpreted 2022 results, lots of bad GOP candidates
 
34:00 Liberation Day destroyed Trump’s goodwill with the public
 
36:15 The cracks in Trump’s coalition are turning into chasms
 
38:00 The GOP has been too concerned with appeasing the online right
 
39:15 Democrats could be having their own “Tea Party” moment
 
46:45 Mike Pesca joins the Chuck ToddCast
 
48:15 Rundown of Mike’s many “hustles”
 
50:00 Is the information ecosystem better or worse at the end of 2025?
 
51:15 CBS News under Bari Weiss is now selling a different product
 
52:45 Legacy media could benefit from some disruption
 
53:30 Weiss gave up working for the Salzbergers to work for the Ellisons
 
54:15 There’s no money in producing network news
 
56:30 There was audience capture at the New York Times
 
57:45 A boring president will make the Ellisons care less about CBS
 
59:45 David Ellison isn’t ideologically MAGA or even a Republican
 
1:00:45 Silicon Valley is less ideological, just want less regulation
 
1:01:30 Ellisons are treating CBS as part of their lobbying budget
 
1:02:30 A huge part of 60 Minutes popularity is that it airs after football
 
1:03:15 CBS has brands that will survive even if the network doesn’t
 
1:04:30 We’re a few years away from local TV affiliates going a-la-carte
 
1:05:45 Channel numbers are meaningless to younger audiences
 
1:06:15 Non profits like ProPublica are doing some of the best journalism
 
1:07:30 AI can’t replace people in the journalism space
 
1:08:30 NOTUS is the only organization covering DC locally
 
1:09:00 Historically, American media has been partisan
 
1:09:45 Big newspapers should have two editorial sections
 
1:13:15 Imagine if Bezos built an “everything” newspaper like he did Amazon
 
1:14:45 AI transition will be painful, fear of AI displacement will dominate
 
1:15:30 New polling shows huge drop in optimism surrounding AI
 
1:17:00 Sam Altman shocked the world by saying “Please regulate me”
 
1:18:00 We need more visibility into how AI actually works
 
1:18:45 The regulators are always too old & removed from new tech
 
1:19:30 Congress has willingly abdicated their regulatory role
 
1:21:15 Employees at AI companies express worry it could go very wrong
 
1:22:15 Getting tech/smartphones out of schools has bipartisan agreement
 
1:24:00 There have always been panics about major tech change
 
1:25:00 Sports gambling without regulation has been a disaster
 
1:27:30 Athletes can easily fix a player prop to make money
 
1:29:00 Online casinos should have never been allowed to exist
 
1:31:00 Insider info can easily been cashed in on prediction markets
 
1:33:00 Will insider trading laws now affect copy editors at publications?
 
1:34:15 Betting has drastically affected coverage at ESPN
 
1:35:45 College football playoff selection is totally subjective
 
1:38:15 Potential fixes to college football playoff selection
 
1:41:45 Will prediction markets remain legal?
 
1:43:30 Pandemics make society do crazy things
 
1:44:30 Online casinos will likely become illegal in the coming years
 
1:46:45 The states didn’t roll out marijuana legalization the right way
 
1:54:00 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Mike Pesca
 
1:54:45 Trump floats leaving the presidency for “hosting” in social post
 
1:55:45 Is Trump soft launching stepping down from the presidency?
 
1:57:00 Ask Chuck
 
1:57:45 What wing of the party will the GOP lean towards in 2028?
 
2:04:00 What are the classes you teach like?
 
2:11:15 How would things be different if H.W. Bush won a second term?
 
2:16:00 How do we address the erosion of historical education?
 
2:20:45 Was the country really that united over Garfield’s death?
 
2:26:15 Sports roundup

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Episode - Bari Weiss Burns The Credibility Of CBS News + The Media Meltdown: AI, Billionaires, and the Collapse of Trust

Chuck Todd digs into the growing crisis of trust in American media and politics, sparked by CBS News pulling a 60 Minutes episode amid controversy and perceptions of corporate and political pressure. He examines how Bari Weiss’s handling of the situation exposed a lack of understanding of television news culture, why 60 Minutes has become the ultimate measure of CBS’s credibility, and how ownership, mergers, and appeasing power have once again put business interests ahead of journalism. The episode also explores troubling signals from the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein-related releases and what they reveal about political favoritism and eroding institutional independence.
 
Chuck then widens the lens to the political fallout, arguing that Donald Trump squandered his political capital and failed to build a durable coalition, and lays out how cracks in Trump’s coalition are becoming chasms.
 
Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and breaks down the biggest stories in the world of sports. 
 
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!
 
Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
 
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:
 
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
 
02:30 CBS News embroiled with controversy after pulling 60 Minutes episode
 
03:00 Bari Weiss’s inexperience in TV news is on full display
 
04:00 Weiss’s made incorrect assumption that everyone saw NYT story
 
05:15 The perception is the administration leaned on Weiss to kill story
 
06:30 Too many news executives don’t understand the process
 
08:00 Trump has complained publicly about 60 Minutes
 
08:45 Ellison willing to appease Trump in order to get merger approval
 
09:30 CBS News will be judged entirely on 60 Minutes
 
11:00 Weiss has lost the trust of the journalists at CBS
 
11:45 Corporate owned media has once again let the public down
 
12:30 WaPo’s editorial board completely changed after Bezos bought it
 
13:30 This event will further erode the public trust in media
 
14:45 Journalism that’s tethered to popularity will be compromised
 
15:45 Trust is more important than popularity for journalists
 
17:15 Corporations won’t let their news divisions interfere with business
 
18:00 DOJ frontloaded Clinton/Epstein releases & Trump releases later
 
19:15 DOJ releases statement that sounds like they’re Trump’s defense attorney
 
21:15 It’s notable that DOJ only singled out Trump for a defensive statement
 
23:15 Trump blew his “honeymoon” period in less than a year
 
24:00 Both Biden & Trump burned their political capitol early
 
26:45 Trump blew the chance to build a GOP that outlasts him
 
28:00 Trump didn’t win the 2024 election - Biden/Harris lost it
 
29:45 Voters don’t like party in power, 2008 was last “Vote for” election
 
31:30 Biden misinterpreted 2022 results, lots of bad GOP candidates
 
32:30 Liberation Day destroyed Trump’s goodwill with the public
 
34:45 The cracks in Trump’s coalition are turning into chasms
 
36:30 The GOP has been too concerned with appeasing the online right
 
37:45 Democrats could be having their own “Tea Party” moment
 
45:15 Trump floats leaving the presidency for “hosting” in social post
 
46:15 Is Trump soft launching stepping down from the presidency?
 
47:30 Ask Chuck
 
48:15 What wing of the party will the GOP lean towards in 2028?
 
54:30 What are the classes you teach like?
 
1:01:45 How would things be different if H.W. Bush won a second term?
 
1:06:30 How do we address the erosion of historical education?
 
1:11:15 Was the country really that united over Garfield’s death?
 
1:16:45 Sports roundup

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck’s Commentary - Bari Weiss Burns The Credibility Of CBS News + Trump Wasted The "Honeymoon" Phase Of His Presidency

Chief Washington correspondent for Puck News, Leigh Ann Caldwell joins the Chuck ToddCast to unpack how Washington looks different when covered from outside the constraints of legacy media—and why independent journalism may be better suited to capture the dysfunction of Trump’s second term. Caldwell reflects on the groupthink and reaction-driven coverage that defined Trump’s first presidency, the erosion of Congress’s authority in Trump 2.0, and the deep personal animus now defining relationships on Capitol Hill. Together, she and Chuck examine how social media has shaped a younger generation of staffers, why Speaker Mike Johnson may be remembered as one of the weakest in history, and how Congress has willingly made itself irrelevant in the face of executive power.
 
The conversation also digs into healthcare politics, looming shutdown risks, and why Republicans remain unable to act without Trump’s approval—even as he digs in against ACA subsidies out of lingering grievance toward Obama. Caldwell and Todd explore the brewing chaos inside the GOP, from mass retirements and redistricting fights to the staggering cost of House races and the nonstop fundraising grind. The episode closes with a candid assessment of party leadership heading into 2026, why a third Trump impeachment would be a mistake, and why covering Congress—rather than the White House—may now offer the clearest window into where American politics is headed.
 
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!
 
Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
 
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 Leigh Ann Caldwell joins the Chuck ToddCast
 
01:30 Covering politics as independent media vs legacy media
 
04:45 There was little ability for original thought doing network news
 
05:45 Legacy media gets stuck in groupthink
 
07:30 People blame the Gingrich years for our current political dysfunction
 
09:00 Covering Trump’s 1st term was asking for reactions to Trump
 
09:30 Congress has handed away their authority in Trump 2.0
 
10:15 The personal animus between the two parties is very real
 
11:30 Young staffers had their politics formed by social media
 
13:30 Mike Johnson will go down as one of the weakest speakers ever
 
14:30 Johnson has willingly made congress irrelevant
 
16:15 Are we underplaying the chances of a January shutdown?
 
17:30 With premiums set to rise, why couldn’t Dems corner the GOP?
 
18:15 Dems know healthcare is good politics for them
 
19:15 Trump is digging in rather than caving on ACA subsidies
 
21:00 Trump doesn’t want to prop up the ACA because Obama passed it
 
22:00 Lots of Republicans have “Obama Derangement Syndrome”
 
23:30 The framework of the ACA came from the Heritage Foundation
 
24:00 Trump comes close to advocating for single payer healthcare
 
26:15 Republicans can’t do anything on healthcare without Trump
 
27:15 Trump is done with congress, thinks he can do everything via EO
 
29:15 Trump lied and claimed military bonuses came from tariff revenue
 
30:15 If SCOTUS takes tariff power from Trump, will he go to congress?
 
31:15 Congress unlikely to hand tariff authority to Trump
 
32:15 Republican bracing for another 20 retirement announcements
 
33:45 Texas & California members are mad about redistricting
 
35:30 House races will likely cost $60 million in 2026
 
37:00 Members of congress spend 50% of their time fundraising
 
39:30 Democrats would be stupid to try to impeach Trump a third time
 
41:00 Which congressional leaders will still be in place in 2027?
 
42:30 Johnson won’t be speaker in a new congress
 
43:30 Jim Jordan is the quiet favorite to be the house GOP leader
 
45:00 It’d be shocking if Chuck Schumer ran again
 
46:30 DSCC botched their oppo release on Graham Platner
 
48:45 There are doubts about Jeffries, but unlikely to be challenged
 
50:30 Schumer & Jeffries botched the NYC mayors race
 
52:15 Does John Thune have support in the senate?
 
55:00 Covering the hill is a better beat than the White House

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interview Only w/ Leigh Ann Caldwell - Trump 2.0 Has Made Capitol Hill Irrelevant

Chuck Todd examines the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files, the uneven political fallout, and why some stories break through while others—often more consequential—don’t. The discussion then turns to public health, RFK Jr.’s corrosive influence on vaccine trust, and how misinformation is putting kids at risk just as measles cases surge. Todd closes by unpacking the growing civil war within MAGA world, where influencers—not elected officials—are driving the GOP agenda, competing for clicks with ever more extreme claims, and exposing deep cracks in Trump’s coalition.
 
Then, chief Washington correspondent for Puck News, Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Chuck to unpack how Washington looks different when covered from outside the constraints of legacy media—and why independent journalism may be better suited to capture the dysfunction of Trump’s second term. Caldwell reflects on the groupthink and reaction-driven coverage that defined Trump’s first presidency, the erosion of Congress’s authority in Trump 2.0, and the deep personal animus now defining relationships on Capitol Hill. Together, she and Chuck examine how social media has shaped a younger generation of staffers, why Speaker Mike Johnson may be remembered as one of the weakest in history, and how Congress has willingly made itself irrelevant in the face of executive power.
 
The conversation also digs into healthcare politics, looming shutdown risks, and why Republicans remain unable to act without Trump’s approval—even as he digs in against ACA subsidies out of lingering grievance toward Obama. Caldwell and Todd explore the brewing chaos inside the GOP, from mass retirements and redistricting fights to the staggering cost of House races and the nonstop fundraising grind. The episode closes with a candid assessment of party leadership heading into 2026, why a third Trump impeachment would be a mistake, and why covering Congress—rather than the White House—may now offer the clearest window into where American politics is headed.
 
Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to review the fallout from the dissolution of the Soviet Union and why that story’s ending hasn’t been written yet. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gives his college football roundup.
 
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!
 
Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
 
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
 
04:45 We all know the broad strokes of the Epstein story
 
05:30 With enough money you can buy your way out of bad character
 
07:00 Justice department is slow walking the release of the Epstein files
 
07:30 Releases have a lot of Bill Clinton, very little Trump
 
08:15 DOJ will frontload releases that embarrass Democrats
 
09:30 People were willing to look the other way on Epstein
 
10:15 Character should matter & Epstein ties should be a demerit
 
12:00 Many people don’t know about or believe many of Trump’s outrages
 
12:45 The Epstein story breaks through, many consequential stories don’t
 
14:00 HHS touts accomplishments, but has done tremendous damage 
 
15:15 2000 confirmed cases of measles, about to lose measles-free status
 
16:45 RFK Jr. is an incredibly low character individual
 
17:30 Removing food dyes is the only good work MAHA is doing
 
19:00 No scientific study links vaccines to autism 
 
19:45 Covid vaccine was touted as a shield
 
20:45 People exploited poor Covid vaccine communication
 
21:15 MRNA vaccines are a technological marvel
 
21:45 Cutting funding for MRNA research is a terrible own goal
 
23:00 RFK Jr is causing less people to take vaccines, putting kids at risk
 
24:15 Massive infighting has begun amongst the MAGA influencers
 
25:45 GOP is captured by influencers the ways Dems were captured by “groups”
 
27:45 Some MAGA influencers have crazy beliefs and conspiracy theories
 
28:45 Republicans forced to entertain the crazy beliefs of their influencers
 
30:45 GOP politicians are taking their cues from their influencer base
 
31:45 Dems are starting to break free from influence of the groups
 
32:30 Biden’s poor handling of the border was to satiate the groups
 
33:00 MAGA influencers are conducting a circular firing squad
 
34:00 MAGA influencers try to out-crazy each other for clicks
 
36:30 The MAGA coalition is cracking 
 
42:30 Leigh Ann Caldwell joins the Chuck ToddCast
 
44:00 Covering politics as independent media vs legacy media
 
47:15 There was little ability for original thought doing network news
 
48:15 Legacy media gets stuck in groupthink
 
50:00 People blame the Gingrich years for our current political dysfunction
 
51:30 Covering Trump’s 1st term was asking for reactions to Trump
 
52:00 Congress has handed away their authority in Trump 2.0
 
52:45 The personal animus between the two parties is very real
 
54:00 Young staffers had their politics formed by social media
 
56:00 Mike Johnson will go down as one of the weakest speakers ever
 
57:00 Johnson has willingly made congress irrelevant
 
58:45 Are we underplaying the chances of a January shutdown?
 
1:00:00 With premiums set to rise, why couldn’t Dems corner the GOP?
 
1:00:45 Dems know healthcare is good politics for them
 
1:01:45 Trump is digging in rather than caving on ACA subsidies
 
1:03:30 Trump doesn’t want to prop up the ACA because Obama passed it
 
1:04:30 Lots of Republicans have “Obama Derangement Syndrome”
 
1:06:00 The framework of the ACA came from the Heritage Foundation
 
1:06:30 Trump comes close to advocating for single payer healthcare
 
1:08:45 Republicans can’t do anything on healthcare without Trump
 
1:09:45 Trump is done with congress, thinks he can do everything via EO
 
1:11:45 Trump lied and claimed military bonuses came from tariff revenue
 
1:12:45 If SCOTUS takes tariff power from Trump, will he go to congress?
 
1:13:45 Congress unlikely to hand tariff authority to Trump
 
1:14:45 Republican bracing for another 20 retirement announcements
 
1:16:15 Texas & California members are mad about redistricting
 
1:18:00 House races will likely cost $60 million in 2026
 
1:19:30 Members of congress spend 50% of their time fundraising
 
1:22:00 Democrats would be stupid to try to impeach Trump a third time
 
1:23:30 Which congressional leaders will still be in place in 2027?
 
1:25:00 Johnson won’t be speaker in a new congress
 
1:26:00 Jim Jordan is the quiet favorite to be the house GOP leader
 
1:27:30 It’d be shocking if Chuck Schumer ran again
 
1:29:00 DSCC botched their oppo release on Graham Platner
 
1:31:15 There are doubts about Jeffries, but unlikely to be challenged
 
1:33:00 Schumer & Jeffries botched the NYC mayors race
 
1:34:45 Does John Thune have support in the senate?
 
1:37:30 Covering the hill is a better beat than the White House
 
1:42:00 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Leigh Ann Caldwell
 
1:42:30 ToddCast Time Machine - December 26, 1991
 
1:43:00 Soviet Union officially dissolves, ending the Cold War
 
1:43:45 Collapse of the Soviet Union is still unresolved
 
1:45:00 It felt like history had chosen a winner, but it was just the first act
 
1:45:30 The west felt like the liberal democrats had won
 
1:46:45 The US treated the Soviet Union like a failed state, not a fallen empire
 
1:48:00 Democracy hasn’t taken hold in many former Soviet states
 
1:49:15 Democracy has never landed in Russia due to structural reasons
 
1:50:15 Fall of the USSR created oligarchs, but not a middle class
 
1:51:15 The Russian people equated oligarchy with democracy
 
1:53:00 Russians lost a sense of identity, made them vulnerable to a dictator
 
1:53:45 Eastern Europe fears Russia & wanted in on NATO
 
1:55:15 Ukraine had the world’s third largest nuclear arsenal, gave it up
 
1:56:15 Ukraine should have received NATO membership for giving up nukes
 
1:57:00 We’re repeating the 1920’s & 30’s in the U.S. & in Europe
 
1:58:45 Russia becoming a democracy seems fanciful, but in time it’s possible
 
2:00:15 This period feels unstable, but could be bumps in the road
 
2:00:45 Ask Chuck
 
2:01:00 Why has the U.S. and Europe had a bond, & thoughts on losing it?
 
2:05:30 Do you think congress will try to limit the pardon power post-Trump?
 
2:11:30 What does the GOP look like if it loses in 2028?
 
2:15:00 What was it like working with Topps for your trading card?
 
2:26:00 College football roundup

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Episode - Epstein Gets The Headlines… The Destruction At HHS SHOULD + Trump 2.0 Has Made Capitol Hill Irrelevant

Chuck Todd examines the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files, the uneven political fallout, and why some stories break through while others—often more consequential—don’t. The discussion then turns to public health, RFK Jr.’s corrosive influence on vaccine trust, and how misinformation is putting kids at risk just as measles cases surge. Todd closes by unpacking the growing civil war within MAGA world, where influencers—not elected officials—are driving the GOP agenda, competing for clicks with ever more extreme claims, and exposing deep cracks in Trump’s coalition.
 
Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to review the fallout from the dissolution of the Soviet Union and why that story’s ending hasn’t been written yet. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gives his college football roundup.
 
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!
 
Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
 
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
 
3:15 We all know the broad strokes of the Epstein story
 
4:00 With enough money you can buy your way out of bad character
 
5:30 Justice department is slow walking the release of the Epstein files
 
6:00 Releases have a lot of Bill Clinton, very little Trump
 
6:45 DOJ will frontload releases that embarrass Democrats
 
8:00 People were willing to look the other way on Epstein
 
8:45 Character should matter & Epstein ties should be a demerit
 
10:30 Many people don’t know about or believe many of Trump’s outrages
 
11:15 The Epstein story breaks through, many consequential stories don’t
 
12:30 HHS touts accomplishments, but has done tremendous damage
 
13:45 2000 confirmed cases of measles, about to lose measles-free status
 
15:15 RFK Jr. is an incredibly low character individual
 
16:00 Removing food dyes is the only good work MAHA is doing
 
17:30 No scientific study links vaccines to autism
 
18:15 Covid vaccine was touted as a shield
 
19:15 People exploited poor Covid vaccine communication
 
19:45 MRNA vaccines are a technological marvel
 
20:15 Cutting funding for MRNA research is a terrible own goal
 
21:30 RFK Jr is causing less people to take vaccines, putting kids at risk
 
22:45 Massive infighting has begun amongst the MAGA influencers
 
24:15 GOP is captured by influencers the ways Dems were captured by “groups”
 
26:15 Some MAGA influencers have crazy beliefs and conspiracy theories
 
27:15 Republicans forced to entertain the crazy beliefs of their influencers
 
29:15 GOP politicians are taking their cues from their influencer base
 
30:15 Dems are starting to break free from influence of the groups
 
31:00 Biden’s poor handling of the border was to satiate the groups
 
31:30 MAGA influencers are conducting a circular firing squad
 
32:30 MAGA influencers try to out-crazy each other for clicks
 
35:00 The MAGA coalition is cracking
 
41:00 ToddCast Time Machine – December 26, 1991
 
41:30 Soviet Union officially dissolves, ending the Cold War
 
42:15 Collapse of the Soviet Union is still unresolved
 
43:30 It felt like history had chosen a winner, but it was just the first act
 
44:00 The west felt like the liberal democrats had won
 
45:15 The US treated the Soviet Union like a failed state, not a fallen empire
 
46:30 Democracy hasn’t taken hold in many former Soviet states
 
47:45 Democracy has never landed in Russia due to structural reasons
 
48:45 Fall of the USSR created oligarchs, but not a middle class
 
49:45 The Russian people equated oligarchy with democracy
 
51:30 Russians lost a sense of identity, made them vulnerable to a dictator
 
52:15 Eastern Europe fears Russia & wanted in on NATO
 
53:45 Ukraine had the world’s third largest nuclear arsenal, gave it up
 
54:45 Ukraine should have received NATO membership for giving up nukes
 
55:30 We’re repeating the 1920’s & 30’s in the U.S. & in Europe
 
57:15 Russia becoming a democracy seems fanciful, but in time it’s possible
 
58:45 This period feels unstable, but could be bumps in the road
 
59:15 Ask Chuck
 
59:30 Why has the U.S. and Europe had a bond, & thoughts on losing it?
 
1:04:00 Do you think congress will try to limit the pardon power post-Trump?
 
1:10:00 What does the GOP look like if it loses in 2028?
 
1:13:30 What was it like working with Topps for your trading card?
 
1:24:30 College football roundup

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck’s Commentary - MAGA Influencers Go To War With Each Other + Epstein Gets The Headlines… The Destruction At HHS SHOULD

Businessman, venture capitalist and political strategist Bradley Tusk joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership fatigue, the erosion of America’s rule of law, and the long-term consequences of the Trump era. Tusk argues that many of today’s institutional crises—from weakened economic pillars to America’s retreat from global leadership—are inseparable from Trump’s choices, and that “pay-to-play” politics may linger even after he’s gone. The discussion also explores capitalism’s successes and excesses, the growing public unease around AI, and why uneven, state-by-state regulation is both inefficient and, at times, a necessary laboratory for innovation.
 
The conversation then turns to the future: how AI-driven inequality could spark massive political upheaval, why crypto only works with regulation, and whether mobile voting could dramatically reshape democracy by boosting participation and accountability. Tusk weighs the risks of low-information turnout, the challenges of selling reform in rural America, and why JD Vance may be the biggest wildcard in restoring the rule of law. The episode closes with reflections on missed turning points in presidential history, the changing nature of political communication, and what it will take for candidates in 2028 to be truly battle-tested for the moment ahead.
 
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!
 
Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
 
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 Bradley Tusk joins the Chuck ToddCast
 
02:00 Third terms don’t make sense, people wear out after several years
 
03:15 America’s rule of law issues will end when Trump ends
 
04:00 Trump has undermined the pillars of America’s economic strength
 
04:45 Trump has chosen to end America’s role as leader of the free world
 
05:45 Trump selling chips to China undermines security argument
 
07:00 Will business expect the Trump treatment from future presidents?
 
08:15 State by state regulation is wildly inefficient compared to federal
 
09:00 There is only state level regulation of autonomous vehicles
 
10:30 State level regulation allows for experimentation & learning
 
11:15 Americans have lower approval of AI compared to other nations
 
12:00 The political tsunami hasn’t hit yet, will by 2028
 
13:15 If AI makes trillionaires & 18% unemployment, it’ll cause revolution
 
15:00 Crypto only works due to having a level of regulation
 
16:15 Regulation is neither inherently good or bad
 
18:15 We haven’t found the politician to meet the current political moment
 
19:00 Capitalism has lifted 3 billion people out of poverty since WW2
 
19:30 Capitalism now has been taken to the extreme, leading to unhappiness
 
21:00 With less immigration, America would have better safety nets
 
23:00 The debate would surround when immigrants qualify for the safety net
 
24:00 Eric Adams decision to house & feed immigrants hurt other services
 
25:30 Someone willing to risk life to immigrate is willing to work hard
 
27:00 Will pay to play politics outlast Trump in the business community?
 
28:00 Different industries will support the party that’s best for their interests
 
29:30 The case for allowing voting on a mobile device
 
31:45 Online banking is incredibly secure, voting could be made that way
 
33:30 Mobile voting should start at the local level, then work its way up
 
34:00 How security would work for mobile elections
 
36:45 High turnout will create better incentive structures for politicians
 
39:15 Is a rise in low information voter turnout actually a good thing?
 
40:15 Unique challenges selling rural states on mobile voting?
 
42:00 JD Vance is the biggest variable on the potential return to rule of law
 
43:15 Vance will struggle to distance himself from Trump
 
45:00 How different would the world have looked if Gore beat Bush?
 
46:45 If Gore wins, Iraq never happens
 
47:45 The two most qualified of the last seven presidents only got 1 term
 
49:00 The Iowa caucuses force presidential candidates to meet the people
 
50:30 The DNC made a huge mistake removing Iowa as first in nation status
 
52:30 Communication is so much more important to success now
 
53:30 In business, narrative is more important than fundamentals
 
55:30 Is it better to be a public company or private company in 2026?
 
57:00 Tech companies stay private for too long
 
59:30 Any candidates that excite you for 2028?
 
1:02:30 Candidates need to be battle tested by the primary calendar
 
1:04:00 First mobile votes will happen in Anchorage

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interview Only w/ Bradley Tusk - Voting On Your Phone Could Be The Future Of Democracy

Chuck Todd breaks down Donald Trump’s prime-time address to the nation, arguing that it functioned less as a governing update and more as a rapid-fire campaign rally designed to rehab Trump’s political image. Todd explains how the speech sidestepped real policy challenges, leaned heavily into grievance, and once again spoke almost exclusively to Trump’s base—underscoring what he sees as the former president’s biggest weakness: a profound lack of self-awareness. From healthcare and energy costs to AI and economic anxiety, the episode examines how Trump’s fixation on personal slights and image management continues to shape his priorities, even as frustration grows among Republicans and voters alike who are still waiting for results instead of rhetoric.
 
Then, businessman, venture capitalist and political strategist Bradley Tusk joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership fatigue, the erosion of America’s rule of law, and the long-term consequences of the Trump era. Tusk argues that many of today’s institutional crises—from weakened economic pillars to America’s retreat from global leadership—are inseparable from Trump’s choices, and that “pay-to-play” politics may linger even after he’s gone. The discussion also explores capitalism’s successes and excesses, the growing public unease around AI, and why uneven, state-by-state regulation is both inefficient and, at times, a necessary laboratory for innovation.
 
The conversation then turns to the future: how AI-driven inequality could spark massive political upheaval, why crypto only works with regulation, and whether mobile voting could dramatically reshape democracy by boosting participation and accountability. Tusk weighs the risks of low-information turnout, the challenges of selling reform in rural America, and why JD Vance may be the biggest wildcard in restoring the rule of law. The episode closes with reflections on missed turning points in presidential history, the changing nature of political communication, and what it will take for candidates in 2028 to be truly battle-tested for the moment ahead.
 
Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football. 
 
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!
 
Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
 
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
 
04:30 Democrats will struggle to win business community over GOP
 
08:00 Trump addresses the nation in primetime speech
 
09:00 Trump doesn’t mention Venezuela in the speech
 
10:00 Purpose of speech was to fix his political image
 
10:45 It felt like a Trump rally speech on speed
 
12:45 Trump asked voters for more time, can’t admit things aren’t working yet
 
13:30 Trump only knows how to speak in the language of his base
 
14:15 Trump’s lack of self awareness is his achilles heel
 
15:30 Trump clearly has “Obama Derangement Syndrome”
 
17:30 Republicans had 16 years for ACA replacement, couldn’t do it
 
19:45 The option to buy into Medicare is incredibly popular
 
21:00 Trump is consumed with grievance, can’t get out of his own way
 
22:15 Trump will punish the public on healthcare over his grievance
 
24:15 Republicans at least acknowledged problem of high energy bills
 
25:15 Trump relationship with AI companies will be tethered to energy bills
 
26:45 Even Trump’s supporters weren’t happy with the speech
 
29:00 Trumpworld rallied around Susie Wiles after Vanity Fair piece
 
29:45 Susie Wiles was the first person to agree to work for him after J6
 
31:30 Marco Rubio has an ally in Wiles, does JD Vance have one?
 
32:00 Trump’s presidential walk of fame is a monument to his narcissism
 
33:00 We should demand better from our leaders
 
35:45 Trump is using taxpayer dollars on vanity projects
 
37:45 Trump is appealing to his own interests and not the voters’ 
 
45:00 Bradley Tusk joins the Chuck ToddCast
 
47:00 Third terms don’t make sense, people wear out after several years
 
48:15 America’s rule of law issues will end when Trump ends
 
49:00 Trump has undermined the pillars of America’s economic strength
 
49:45 Trump has chosen to end America’s role as leader of the free world
 
50:45 Trump selling chips to China undermines security argument
 
52:00 Will business expect the Trump treatment from future presidents?
 
53:15 State by state regulation is wildly inefficient compared to federal
 
54:00 There is only state level regulation of autonomous vehicles
 
55:30 State level regulation allows for experimentation & learning
 
56:15 Americans have lower approval of AI compared to other nations
 
57:00 The political tsunami hasn’t hit yet, will by 2028
 
58:15 If AI makes trillionaires & 18% unemployment, it’ll cause revolution
 
1:00:00 Crypto only works due to having a level of regulation
 
1:01:15 Regulation is neither inherently good or bad
 
1:03:15 We haven’t found the politician to meet the current political moment
 
1:04:00 Capitalism has lifted 3 billion people out of poverty since WW2
 
1:04:30 Capitalism now has been taken to the extreme, leading to unhappiness
 
1:06:00 With less immigration, America would have better safety nets
 
1:08:00 The debate would surround when immigrants qualify for the safety net
 
1:09:00 Eric Adams decision to house & feed immigrants hurt other services
 
1:10:30 Someone willing to risk life to immigrate is willing to work hard
 
1:12:00 Will pay to play politics outlast Trump in the business community?
 
1:13:00 Different industries will support the party that’s best for their interests
 
1:14:30 The case for allowing voting on a mobile device
 
1:16:45 Online banking is incredibly secure, voting could be made that way
 
1:18:30 Mobile voting should start at the local level, then work its way up
 
1:19:00 How security would work for mobile elections
 
1:21:45 High turnout will create better incentive structures for politicians
 
1:24:15 Is a rise in low information voter turnout actually a good thing?
 
1:25:15 Unique challenges selling rural states on mobile voting?
 
1:27:00 JD Vance is the biggest variable on the potential return to rule of law
 
1:28:15 Vance will struggle to distance himself from Trump
 
1:30:00 How different would the world have looked if Gore beat Bush?
 
1:31:45 If Gore wins, Iraq never happens
 
1:32:45 The two most qualified of the last seven presidents only got 1 term
 
1:34:00 The Iowa caucuses force presidential candidates to meet the people
 
1:35:30 The DNC made a huge mistake removing Iowa as first in nation status
 
1:37:30 Communication is so much more important to success now
 
1:38:30 In business, narrative is more important than fundamentals
 
1:40:30 Is it better to be a public company or private company in 2026?
 
1:42:00 Tech companies stay private for too long
 
1:44:30 Any candidates that excite you for 2028?
 
1:47:30 Candidates need to be battle tested by the primary calendar
 
1:49:00 First mobile votes will happen in Anchorage
 
1:51:30 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Bradley Tusk
 
1:52:00 It’s hard to speculate what Epstein revelation would change the discourse
 
1:52:45 The looming question is why is Trump soft on Ghislaine Maxwell
 
1:54:00 Ask Chuck
 
1:54:15 Concerns with political outcomes in prediction markets
 
1:57:45 Worries that prediction markets turn young people into gambling addicts?
 
2:02:15 Worries that prediction markets are replacing traditional investing
 
2:04:15 Civil rights is always a struggle, how can we trust the public?
 
2:08:00 College football update

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Episode - Trump Suffers From “Obama Derangement Syndrome” + Voting On Your Phone Could Be The Future Of Democracy

Jeff Clements,CEO of American Promise joins Chuck Todd for a deep dive into one of the most consequential—and misunderstood—threats to American democracy: money in politics. Clements argues that today’s campaign finance dysfunction isn’t a failure of legislation but a court-created crisis, tracing how Supreme Court rulings turned money into speech, opened massive loopholes, and shifted lawmaking power from Congress to the judiciary. From McCain-Feingold to super PACs, the conversation unpacks why courts have repeatedly blocked reform efforts and why the problem isn’t free speech itself, but the unchecked amplification that allows wealth to drown out everyone else.
 
The discussion turns to whether a constitutional amendment is the only viable path forward, how such an amendment could reclaim authority from the courts, and what it would take to build support across 38 states. Drawing parallels to the Gilded Age and the founders’ obsession with corruption, Clements explains why Americans broadly understand the system is broken—even if it’s hard to make campaign finance a voting issue. In a moment of democratic crisis, he makes the case that meaningful reform is still possible, and that restoring political equality could become a rare point of unity in a deeply polarized era.
 
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!
 
Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
 
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 Jeff Clements joins the Chuck ToddCast
 
01:15 Constitutional amendment the only way to get money out of politics?
 
02:30 Campaign finance problems are a “court created crisis”
 
04:00 The Supreme Court created all the campaign finance loopholes
 
04:45 If money wasn’t speech, is McCain-Feingold good legislation?
 
05:30 Money will always “find a way” in politics
 
08:45 Courts have stood in the way of campaign finance reform
 
09:15 How to word an amendment to take this power away from judiciary
 
13:00 Is there a first amendment argument against amplification?
 
14:00 Money in politics isn’t a free speech issue, it’s an amplification issue
 
18:30 Maine had a $5000 limit on PACs, was knocked down by courts
 
19:15 Courts ruled that money can’t corrupt when it’s clear they can
 
20:45 Court could rule that limits apply to PACs & campaigns, or rule no limits
 
21:45 The court has created many contradictions in campaign finance
 
22:45 A court ruling won’t fix the problem, an amendment would
 
23:15 Most campaign finance law has been written by judiciary
 
25:00 It’s difficult to make campaign finance a voting issue
 
27:15 The American people understand that the system is corrupted
 
31:15 There are many similarities between the Gilded Age & now
 
32:45 We’ll should see see several amendments in the next decade
 
34:15 Need 38 states for amendment, what’s the biggest hurdle?
 
35:30 A states rights argument would be very persuasive to legislatures
 
37:00 Free speech doesn’t mean you get to drown out everyone else
 
40:00 Money equaling speech has made money equal power
 
43:00 The founders were obsessed with corruption, led to the revolution
 
44:00 Limiting campaign finance is perceived to help the left over the right
 
47:15 Could a presidential candidate galvanize the debate?
 
47:45 The president & governors have no constitutional role in the process
 
50:00 The goal is to leave a well-informed electorate & building support
 
51:15 Are there any super wealthy donors who support these reforms?
 
53:15 This is a crisis for our democracy but could create an opportunity

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interview Only w/ Jeff Clements - How To Get Money Out Of Politics For Good

Full Episode - Trump Is Exhibiting 25th Amendment Behavior + How To Get Money Out Of Politics For Good
 
Chuck Todd takes a hard look at Donald Trump’s increasingly egregious behavior and the growing questions surrounding his cognitive fitness for the presidency, sparked by a recent post that crossed a line even for many on the right. He asks what would happen if any other public figure behaved this way, why similar concerns about Biden’s decline were openly discussed while Trump’s are often brushed aside, and whether the country is getting a straight story about the former president’s health. With no clear guardrails, no apparent filters, and staff either unable or unwilling to intervene, the episode raises uncomfortable but urgent questions about judgment, accountability, and risk.
 
Then, Jeff Clements, CEO of American Promise joins Chuck for a deep dive into one of the most consequential—and misunderstood—threats to American democracy: money in politics. Clements argues that today’s campaign finance dysfunction isn’t a failure of legislation but a court-created crisis, tracing how Supreme Court rulings turned money into speech, opened massive loopholes, and shifted lawmaking power from Congress to the judiciary. From McCain-Feingold to super PACs, the conversation unpacks why courts have repeatedly blocked reform efforts and why the problem isn’t free speech itself, but the unchecked amplification that allows wealth to drown out everyone else.
 
The discussion turns to whether a constitutional amendment is the only viable path forward, how such an amendment could reclaim authority from the courts, and what it would take to build support across 38 states. Drawing parallels to the Gilded Age and the founders’ obsession with corruption, Clements explains why Americans broadly understand the system is broken—even if it’s hard to make campaign finance a voting issue. In a moment of democratic crisis, he makes the case that meaningful reform is still possible, and that restoring political equality could become a rare point of unity in a deeply polarized era.
 
Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 book recommendations for political junkies and 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!
 
Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
 
Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!
 
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
 
Timeline:
 
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
 
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
 
02:45 Money in politics has gotten out of control
 
03:45 North Carolina senate race will likely cost a billion dollars
 
04:30 One outside group can spend more than both campaigns combined
 
05:00 An amendment is the only way get campaign finance past judiciary
 
05:45 The judiciary has legislated campaign finance from the bench
 
07:30 Does the latest outrage over Trump’s Reiner tweet mean anything?
 
08:30 Trump’s post was a bridge too far for even some on the right
 
09:00 If any of us posted that, it would cost us jobs, relationships & more
 
10:30 At what point is Trump’s behavior 25th amendment type alarming?
 
11:15 Either his staff said something & he ignored it, or nobody said anything
 
12:15 Biden’s mental decline was apparent
 
14:00 Judging Trump’s mental decline is harder due to erratic behavior
 
17:15 It’s possible Trump feared one of his supporters murdered Reiner
 
18:00 Having a president with no filter should concern every American
 
19:15 You have to wonder if Trump is all there, all the time
 
21:00 We aren’t getting a straight story about Trump’s health
 
22:30 Concerns people on the right had about Biden, are happening w/Trump
 
23:45 Trump’s behavior is bad for the country & the Republican party
 
25:00 Voters will punish the GOP if they feel Trump’s decline was covered up
 
26:45 This story is only going to get worse as time goes on
 
28:30 New polling out on voters opinions & thoughts on corruption
 
29:15 What voters think corruption actually means
 
32:15 The voters are more sophisticated on corruption than politicians are
 
33:30 Large majorities thought government serves the rich & businesses
 
35:00 There’s an appetite for government & democracy reform
 
36:15 Majority of independents saw corruption in both Trump & Biden admins
 
37:30 Framing issues through lens of corruption could resonate
 
38:45 Connecting affordability to corruption could be very effective
 
46:00 Jeff Clements joins the Chuck ToddCast
 
47:15 Constitutional amendment the only way to get money out of politics?
 
48:30 Campaign finance problems are a “court created crisis”
 
50:00 The Supreme Court created all the campaign finance loopholes
 
50:45 If money wasn’t speech, is McCain-Feingold good legislation?
 
51:30 Money will always “find a way” in politics
 
54:45 Courts have stood in the way of campaign finance reform
 
55:15 How to word an amendment to take this power away from judiciary
 
59:00 Is there a first amendment argument against amplification?
 
1:00:00 Money in politics isn’t a free speech issue, it’s an amplification issue
 
1:04:30 Maine had a $5000 limit on PACs, was knocked down by courts
 
1:05:15 Courts ruled that money can’t corrupt when it’s clear they can
 
1:06:45 Court could rule that limits apply to PACs & campaigns, or rule no limits
 
1:07:45 The court has created many contradictions in campaign finance
 
1:08:45 A court ruling won’t fix the problem, an amendment would
 
1:09:15 Most campaign finance law has been written by judiciary
 
1:11:00 It’s difficult to make campaign finance a voting issue
 
1:13:15 The American people understand that the system is corrupted
 
1:17:15 There are many similarities between the Gilded Age & now
 
1:18:45 We’ll should see see several amendments in the next decade
 
1:20:15 Need 38 states for amendment, what’s the biggest hurdle?
 
1:21:30 A states rights argument would be very persuasive to legislatures
 
1:23:00 Free speech doesn’t mean you get to drown out everyone else
 
1:26:00 Money equaling speech has made money equal power
 
1:29:00 The founders were obsessed with corruption, led to the revolution
 
1:30:00 Limiting campaign finance is perceived to help the left over the right
 
1:33:15 Could a presidential candidate galvanize the debate?
 
1:33:45 The president & governors have no constitutional role in the process
 
1:36:00 The goal is to leave a well-informed electorate & building support
 
1:37:15 Are there any super wealthy donors who support these reforms?
 
1:39:15 This is a crisis for our democracy but could create an opportunity
 
1:41:00 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Jeff Clements
 
1:42:30 ToddCast Top 5 books for your reading list
 
1:43:00 #5 The Drift by Kevin Hassett
 
1:46:30 #4 Mark Twain by Ron Chernow
 
1:48:30 #3 The Barn by Wright Thompson
 
1:50:00 #2 107 Days by Kamala Harris
 
1:52:30 #1 Fateful Hours by Volker Ullrich
 
1:55:00 Ask Chuck
 
1:55:15 Appreciation for the quick reaction videos/pods
 
1:58:15 Omission of “Citizen Kang” from Simpsons time machine segment
 
2:00:00 Could a Democrat win the Florida senate race? 
 
2:04:00 Why don’t reporters challenge Trump to his face about his behavior?
 
2:10:45 Why haven’t Democrats leaned into breaking up big monopolies?
 
2:15:45 How has interview prep changed from MTP to now?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Episode - Trump Is Exhibiting 25th Amendment Behavior + How To Get Money Out Of Politics For Good

The Chuck Toddcast is back! If you’re looking for smart, no-nonsense political conversations, you’ve come to the right place. The Chuck Toddcast goes beyond the headlines—talking with top reporters, insiders, and newsmakers from D.C. to the heartland. No scripts, no spin—just real conversations about what’s shaping our politics and why it matters.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trailer

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