Episodes

  • Introducing Kamala: Next in Line

    Introducing Kamala: Next in Line
    Oct 5 2020

    As a bonus for Chuck ToddCast listeners, we’re sharing a special preview of Kamala: Next in Line, a six-part podcast from MSNBC and Wondery that goes inside the cross-cultural journey that led Senator Kamala Harris from her humble roots to become the first African-American woman to be the Vice Presidential nominee for a major party. From Oakland to Howard University, and California to Washington DC, experience her story as it has never been told before. Hosted by MSNBC's Joy Reid, the show features exclusive interviews with those who know her best, painting a picture of a woman who has fought her way to the top at every turn. Listen to the first episode, and subscribe to the series now: https://link.chtbl.com/description-kamala
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    6 mins
  • Wondery presents Bunga Bunga

    Wondery presents Bunga Bunga
    Sep 8 2020

    Silvio Berlusconi was a charismatic multi-millionaire real-estate mogul who upended the Italian political order and hypnotized an entire nation. He was the longest-serving prime minister of one of the world’s wealthiest countries, until he was brought down by three powerful women - and two words: “Bunga Bunga.” From Wondery, the makers of Dirty John and The Shrink Next Door, and hosted by comedian Whitney Cummings, “Bunga Bunga” is an eight part series on the incredible true story of the rise and fall of Silvio Berlusconi, told with Whitney’s signature wit and style. 

    Subscribe today: Wondery.fm/BungaBunga_NBCTC
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    6 mins
  • Shame On Paramount + Is Trump Selling Out Ukraine? + Can Democrats TAKE BACK Florida From Republicans?

    Shame On Paramount + Is Trump Selling Out Ukraine? + Can Democrats TAKE BACK Florida From Republicans?
    Jul 3 2025
    Chuck Todd begins by reacting to Paramount agreeing to settle Trump’s bogus 60 Minutes lawsuit and explains why it’s demoralizing for journalists and delegitimizing for corporate owned media. He also dives into the news that Trump has cut off weapons shipments to Ukraine despite a large majority of Americans supporting Ukraine and why it makes strategic sense to do so.Then, Chuck is joined by Florida gubernatorial candidate David Jolly for an in-depth conversation about Florida's evolving political landscape and his own remarkable transformation from GOP loyalist to Democratic candidate. Jolly shares his Florida origin story and analyzes how the state's politics have shifted, exploring whether Miami's political evolution offers hope for broader American reconciliation. The discussion delves into immigration dynamics, examining why some immigrant communities have gravitated toward Republicans and the potential backlash from deportation policies, while also addressing whether Democratic socialism remains politically toxic in South Florida.Jolly recounts his political evolution, emphasizing that while his policy positions have changed, his core values remain constant. He reflects on pivotal moments including the Pulse nightclub shooting that served as a reckoning for his views on gun ownership, his departure from the NRA after rejecting their "quid pro quo" offer for an A rating, and his decision to run as a Democrat rather than an Independent. Throughout, Jolly offers candid insights into Florida's systemic challenges—from the unaffordable "Florida dream" and housing crisis exacerbated by hurricane risks, to 27 years of Republican trifecta rule that he argues has led to corruption, gutted public schools through voucher programs, and political interference with state universities. The discussion also touches on everything from NIL regulations in college sports to public financing for professional stadiums, painting a comprehensive picture of Florida's political and social complexities.Finally, in homage to Independence Day, Chuck examines the state of “independents” and third-parties and explains why the appetite for candidates outside the two party system is higher than ever.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction 01:45 Paramount agrees to pay off Trump’s CBS lawsuit to secure merger03:00 The pay off stains all corporate media and news04:15 It is a gut punch for practicing journalists06:00 Corporate owned media are losing their legitimacy08:15 There’s no good explanation for capitulation10:30 For media to have credibility, they have to be ethical11:30 Trump cuts off military aid to Ukraine13:00 A majority of the American public supports Ukraine15:45 Supporting Ukraine makes strategic sense for the U.S.17:30 The Russians helped Trump in 20016, even if there wasn’t collusion19:00 American news doesn’t prioritize covering the war20:30 David Jolly joins the Chuck ToddCast! 21:15 David's Florida origin story 23:00 The current state of Florida's politics 24:45 The "Florida dream" is becoming out of reach 27:30 Is Miami's political evolution a sign of hope for the rest of America? 28:45 Backlash to deportations from Florida's immigrant communities? 29:45 What caused immigrants to gravitate towards Republicans? 31:15 Cruelty and broken promises are the two themes of deportations 32:30 Is Democratic socialism politically toxic in south Florida? 34:15 Balancing housing affordability with hurricane safety 36:30 Private insurers can't keep up with risk 37:45 Remove hurricane damage from private insurance policies 38:45 David's political evolution from Republican to Democrat 42:15 His policy positions have changed, his values have not 43:30 What do responsible gun ownership laws look like? 44:15 Differences between a Bush 41 and Bush 43 Republican? 45:15 The NRA's "quid pro quo" offer for A rating 46:30 Pulse nightclub shooting was a reckoning for him 48:30 Running as a Democrats vs an Independent 53:00 Too many Floridians are living paycheck to paycheck 54:15 Republicans have had a trifecta in Florida for 27 years 55:15 Corruption in Florida politics 57:15 Florida's public school system has been gutted due to voucher program 59:15 Vouchers have just subsidized the private schools 1:01:00 There's no vetting process for charter/private schools 1:03:30 Republican meddling with Florida's universities 1:05:45 De-politicizing government job appointments 1:08:45 Should the state play a role in regulating NIL in college sports? 1:11:45 Public financing for professional sport stadiums? 1:13:15 Would the Rays be more successful in Tampa or Orlando? 1:14:30 Favorite governors you'd lean on if elected?1:16:00 What's happening in third party and independent politics 1:17:00 Ballot access is a huge deterrent for third party candidates 1:18:45 Update on independent candidates around the country 1:21:00 Huge appetite for independent & third party ...
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    1 hr and 36 mins
  • Can Democrats Flip The Senate In 2026? + The SHOCKING Voter Data That Explains Trump's 2024 Victory

    Can Democrats Flip The Senate In 2026? + The SHOCKING Voter Data That Explains Trump's 2024 Victory
    Jun 30 2025
    Chuck Todd reacts to the news that North Carolina senator Thom Thillis won’t seek reelection, why harassment from the Trump team led to his decision, and why his decision gives Democrats another opportunity to pick up a senate seat in the 2026 midterm elections. He also highlights the path for Democrats to win the senate in 26’ and cautions Republicans about the potential of a Democratic president abusing their power in a similar way to Trump.Then, Chuck sits down with renowned pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson to dissect the seismic shifts in American politics following the 2024 election. They dive deep into the surprising demographic realignments that defined Trump's victory, including his unprecedented gains with young and Latino voters, while exploring whether traditional demographic-based political messaging has become obsolete. Anderson shares insights from Pew Research's unique voter validation methodology and explains why the biggest story of 2024 wasn't who showed up to vote, but rather the millions of Biden 2020 supporters who stayed home.The conversation spans from foreign policy contradictions—where only 8% support attacking Iran but majorities back preventing Iranian nuclear weapons—to the evolving nature of political coalitions and whether we're witnessing a return to pre-Obama era electoral patterns. Anderson and Todd examine the psychological profile of different generations, particularly Gen Z's political malleability and loss of societal trust shaped by COVID, while discussing the future challenges facing pollsters as AI technology threatens traditional survey methodology. They conclude by analyzing whether 2024 represented a "vote for" or "vote against" election, and how both parties must adapt to meet an increasingly anti-establishment electorate.Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment about baseball, the media, and the prospects of Republican congressman Mike Lawler running for governor in New York.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:00 Senator Thom Thillis won’t seek reelection02:00 Thillis struggled to fully embrace Trumpism/MAGA03:00 Thillis felt harassed by the Trump team05:30 Rep. Don Bacon also not seeking reelection08:00 Thillis retirement makes Roy Cooper senate run more likely09:15 Lara Trump may run for Thillis’s seat11:00 Trump has caused multiple senate seats to flip blue12:15 How Democrats can pick up the seats to flip the senate13:15 North Carolina, Texas, Maine could all be in play for Democrats15:30 Susan Collin managed to make both sides mad17:00 Louisiana probably out of reach for Democrats18:30 Other states Democrats can target22:00 Budget cuts to rural states could create openings for Democrats24:15 It’s an uphill battle for Democrats, but they’re in the game28:00 It’s been a tumultuous week in politics28:30 Trump has pushed the limits of his powers29:30 Trump has created a blueprint for successors to follow31:00 We’ve grown numb to power being used for personal gain32:00 Politics was becoming less corrupt until Trump34:00 After Nixon, the country wanted a high character president35:15 The constitutional guardrails are being weakened37:00 Is the ability to get attention the most important skill in politics?37:45 Kristen Soltis Anderson joins the Chuck ToddCast! 39:15 How Pew Research's voter validation poll works 41:15 Why Pew's poll is the best survey of both voters and non-voters 42:30 Voters have an Iraq hangover when viewing the Iran strikes 43:30 Public opinion on foreign policy is complicated and contradictory 44:15 Only 8% of the public supports attacking Iran 45:00 The public supports intervention to prevent Iran nuclear weapon 46:45 Are Republican voters party first, or Trump supporters? 48:30 Polling on Iran hinges on what we actually achieved with strikes 50:00 Huge jump in Hispanic support for Trump in 2024 52:15 Trump gained most with young and latino voters 53:45 Has the electorate reverted to the pre-Obama era? 55:30 Are demographics overrated in messaging? 57:15 Urban/rural divide shrank in 2024 1:00:15 Biggest story of 24' was Biden 20' voters that didn't show up1:02:15 The parties need to meet voters where they are 1:03:15 Takeaways from Mamdani's victory in NYC? 1:04:30 Bullish on media savvy populists 1:06:15 AOC is a 5 star political athlete 1:08:45 Was 2024 a "vote for" or "vote against" election? 1:10:15 Voters continue to vote against the status quo 1:11:30 Where is the electorate stable/unstable? 1:14:00 Has Trump changed the perception of what government should do? 1:16:00 Republicans want state intervention in "woke" business over illegality 1:17:15 What is the best methodology for conducting polls? 1:20:30 Best way to contact people for polls? 1:22:30 Generative AI will cause major problems for pollsters 1:25:15 Can averaging polls be helpful? 1:27:45 Averaging national polls vs. state polls 1:29:15 Impact of ...
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    1 hr and 55 mins
  • Zohran Mamdani’s Win Is A Political Earthquake + How Will America Regulate Artificial Intelligence?

    Zohran Mamdani’s Win Is A Political Earthquake + How Will America Regulate Artificial Intelligence?
    Jun 26 2025
    Chuck Todd examines Zohran Mamdani's stunning primary victory as a seismic shift for the Democratic Party, analyzing how the young progressive candidate's win represents a broader rejection of establishment politics and legacy candidates. The discussion explores the Democratic establishment's lukewarm response to Mamdani's victory, their history of imposing flawed candidates on voters, and the growing disconnect between party leaders and their base. The conversation delves into whether the Democratic Party is ripe for a progressive takeover, the uncomfortable alliance between progressives and wealthy Democrats, and how Mamdani's success could inspire primary challenges against older politicians like Chuck Schumer, while also touching on the challenges of governing New York City and the unpopularity of recent legislative packages that fail to energize the Democratic base.Then, Reid Wilson, founder and editor of Pluribus News joins Chuck for a comprehensive discussion that spans from sports stadium financing to the future of artificial intelligence regulation. The conversation begins with lighter topics like public funding for entertainment complexes and the Seattle Mariners' playoff prospects, but quickly dives into substantive policy discussions about AI regulation at both federal and state levels. Wilson provides insights into how different industries are responding to AI oversight, the infrastructure challenges posed by data centers, and why state-level politics often achieves more bipartisan cooperation than federal governance.The discussion shifts to examine critical domestic policy issues, particularly the ongoing privatization of public education through school voucher programs that Wilson argues are draining state budgets while transferring wealth from poor to rich families. They also analyze upcoming gubernatorial races across multiple states, exploring how local issues like housing policy, education reform, and infrastructure development could influence political outcomes in Virginia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Alabama, and Tennessee. The episode concludes with speculation about whether abortion rights will remain a driving force in state legislative sessions, offering listeners a thorough examination of how local and state politics are shaping America's political landscape.Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding politics in Louisiana, journalism, and bridging the gap between progressives and moderates!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction00:30 Zohran Mamdani is a political earthquake for the Democratic party01:30 The Democratic party’s lukewarm reaction to Mamdani’s victory03:30 The Democratic establishment has imposed flawed candidates on their voters06:30 The establishment doesn’t understand how unpopular their candidates are07:45 Voters never got due process for Cuomo08:30 Republicans are trying to weaponize Mamdani10:30 Democrats need to stop supporting legacy names/candidates12:00 If the wealthy are upset, Mamdani is winning13:00 Democrats want to embrace Mamdani without adopting his positions15:00 Is the Democratic party ripe to be overtaken by progressive candidates?16:30 The uncomfortable alliance between progressives and wealthy Democrats20:45 Cuomo felt out of touch to the voters22:30 Chuck Schumer has becoming the establishment punching bag24:15 Who can replace Chuck Schumer in leadership?26:30 Gerry Nadler endorses Mamdani28:00 Governing New York City is incredibly difficult29:30 Mamdani’s victory could inspire primaries against older politicians31:30 The “Big Beautiful Bill” is incredibly unpopular33:30 There’s nothing positive in the bill to sell to their base34:30 Polling shows voters want the government to do MORE36:15 Almost every pick in the NBA draft had been traded38:15 Reid Wilson joins the Chuck ToddCast! 40:15 As a Seattle native, do you care about the OKC Thunder? 42:00 Public financing for sports stadiums 43:45 Teams aren’t just building stadiums, they build entertainment complexes 45:45 Adding housing to complexes makes them easier to pass politically 47:00 Members of Congress didn't read the "Big Beautiful Bill" 47:45 Will a ban on AI regulation make it into the final bill? 50:15 Is any other industry trying to push back against AI? 52:15 There's more bipartisanship in state level politics 54:15 State lawmakers make the best legislators in Congress 55:15 What AI regulation has been easiest to pass? 56:45 Who will enforce AI regulation? 58:30 Urgency to get AI in place to compensate for boomers retiring 59:15 Meeting power requirements for data centers 01:01:30 Public pushback against data centers 01:03:15 NIMBY's fighting against ADUs as solution for housing crisis 01:05:15 Housing policy fights take a LONG time 01:06:45 The privatization of the public school system 01:08:15 Red state legislatures are all pushing school vouchers 01:09:45 Voucher ...
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    1 hr and 52 mins
  • Zohran Mamdani STUNS With Victory Over Andrew Cuomo + The NIGHTMARE Of Living Undocumented In Trump’s America

    Zohran Mamdani STUNS With Victory Over Andrew Cuomo + The NIGHTMARE Of Living Undocumented In Trump’s America
    Jun 25 2025
    Chuck Todd begins with Zohran Mamdani’s stunning victory over Andrew Cuomo in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary. He points to Mamdani’s cost of living messaging and youth as major factors in the victory, but cautions the party against embracing the “socialist” label, and wonders whether the party establishment will embrace or shun Mamdani.Then, Chuck is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, who shares his deeply personal journey of living as an undocumented immigrant in America and how it shaped his perspective on one of the nation's most divisive issues. Vargas, who publicly revealed his undocumented status over a decade ago, discusses the atmospheric shift in immigration discourse under Trump, the bipartisan failures that have plagued reform efforts, and why he believes coming out as gay was actually easier than revealing his immigration status. He offers a unique insider's view of working at major outlets like the Washington Post while hiding his legal status, living in constant fear of deportation.The conversation delves into the broader media and political landscape surrounding immigration, with Vargas arguing that Democrats have failed to provide a positive counter-narrative to right-wing messaging that has made anti-immigration sentiment central to Republican identity. He challenges both parties for using immigration as a political football rather than addressing the human reality of 40 million people of Mexican heritage living in America. Vargas advocates for journalism that goes beyond economic impact stories to humanize immigrants' experiences, while grappling with the tension between objective reporting and advocacy journalism. The discussion also touches on America's demographic future, the need for immigrant labor to offset declining birth rates, and whether the nation can reconcile its identity as both a country of immigrants and a Judeo-Christian society.Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding the viral Ted Cruz vs Tucker Carlson interview and addresses the conspiracy theory that Starlink hacked voting machines in the 2024 election.Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:00 Zohran Mamdani beats Andrew Cuomo in NYC mayoral primary02:30 Multiple possible explanations for Mamdani’s victory03:30 Cost of living messaging resonated04:30 This will supercharge the young vs old debate in the party05:30 Will the “democratic socialism” label become a liability for the party?08:00 Moderates rallying around Cuomo made no sense09:00 This should be a wake up call for the Democratic establishment10:00 Democratic voters are looking for “new”11:45 Mamdani fired first shot in battle to rebrand the party13:30 Rallying around Eric Adams would be a bad move for the establishment15:30 Mamdani needs to expand his tent17:30 The big tent illusion - Both parties claim to be "big tent" but aren't 19:15 It's hard to not have a "label" in our current politics 21:00 The Republican party has become a cult of personality 21:45 Politicians can't ever agree with the other side 22:30 The only politicians with a big tent approach are governors 25:00 The coalition that elected Trump is big tent, he isn't governing like it 26:30 Our politics would be healthier if there was four parties 28:00 Politics wasn't designed to be winner-take-all 29:30 Bipartisanship would produce better, more durable legislation 33:30 John Cornyn may drop out, but only if he can stop Ken Paxton 35:45 If Ken Paxton is the nominee, Democrats could win the TX senate seat 37:00 Center-right voters in Texas are homeless 37:45 The TikTok extension via executive order is illegal 38:30 Donald Trump has refused to enforce the law with TikTok 39:45 Politicians are fearful of alienating TikTok users41:30 Jose Antonio Vargas joins the Chuck ToddCast! 42:00 What year did you go public with your undocumented status? 44:00 The atmospheric shift around immigration under Trump 45:30 George W. Bush was much more compassionate to immigrants 46:30 Immigration has been a bipartisan mess 47:30 Immigration has been the central issue in right wing media 49:00 Democrats haven't provided a positive counter narrative 50:15 Being undocumented is living a life of fear 51:45 Nobody at the Washington Post knew he was undocumented 53:30 People following the proper process are being arrested 56:00 Backlash to demographic changes 58:00 White immigrants can hide in plain sight 59:00 Anti-immigration is the currency of the Republican party 01:00:30 Immigration wasn't always covered politically 01:03:30 Jose was shocked he wasn't contacted by ICE 01:04:30 Both parties have used immigration to score political points 01:06:30 Coming out as gay was easier than coming out as undocumented 01:09:00 Obligation to be doing advocacy journalism? 01:11:30 We haven't felt the economic effects of mass deportation yet 01:13:45 Why is...
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    1 hr and 58 mins
  • Trump CHOOSES War With Iran + Jake Tapper On PROBLEM With Electing Older Leaders Like Biden & Trump

    Trump CHOOSES War With Iran + Jake Tapper On PROBLEM With Electing Older Leaders Like Biden & Trump
    Jun 23 2025
    Chuck Todd begins by reacting to President Donald Trump’s decision to order airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. He explains that diplomacy was still on the table, that Israel backed him into a corner, and why he believes that Kamala Harris would have made the same decision if she was president. He highlights the potential ways Iran could strike back, and debates whether this move actually will make the world safer. He also examines the state of the New York mayoral primary and why the Democratic establishment is scared of one particular candidate.Then CNN's Jake Tapper joins Chuck for an in-depth discussion that spans politics, media, and personal insights. The duo discuss Tapper’s bestselling new book “Original Sin” and explore critical questions about journalism's role in vetting political candidates, particularly examining President Biden's age and cognitive health, the media's coverage of his decline, and whether there was a coordinated effort to shield him from scrutiny. They offer their perspectives on Biden's decision to run for re-election, the dynamics surrounding Kamala Harris's selection as VP, and how the political establishment rewards seniority over merit in Congress.Beyond the serious political analysis, the conversation takes a more personal turn as Tapper discusses his approach to social media detox, his upcoming book about Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie, and his thoughts on political satire from South Park to SNL. They also dive into lighter territory, covering everything from Philadelphia sports fandom and memorabilia collecting to streaming recommendations and the challenges of maintaining work-life balance as a high-profile journalist. This episode offers both sharp political commentary and genuine personal insights from two veteran journalists reflecting on their craft and the current media landscape.Finally, he answers questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment, and reflects on the life of his family dog Ruby after her passing. Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:00 Trump orders attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities02:00 Nobody wants a nuclear arms race in the middle east02:30 Bombing was a choice, there were other options03:45 The consequences will affect the entire globe05:15 Other countries could race toward nukes06:00 Israel cornered the US government into airstrikes07:45 Kamala Harris probably would have ordered the airstrikes*09:15 Israel would have forced the president’s hand either way10:15 Trump didn’t make the case for strikes in remarks to the nation12:00 Iran could strike back asymmetrically 12:45 Congress has been sidelined, this is Trump’s war14:45 Did this make the U.S. and the world safer?17:30 Trump violated the law by not notifying Democrats about the strike19:30 Eric Swalwell issues an alarming statement about 2028 election20:45 NYC mayoral primary will show where the energy in the party is23:00 Mamdani’s candidacy scares the Democratic establishment24:20 Jake Tapper joins the Chuck ToddCast! 25:20 How Jake and Chuck met 29:40 Covid set back younger generation's social development 31:35 Disengaging from social media 33:50 Negative feedback online vs. in-person 35:20 Are politicians constantly suspicious of journalists? 37:20 Give politicians the benefit of the doubt? 38:20 Congress won't pass the STOCK Act 39:05 Biden's decision to run was the "original sin" 40:35 Biden originally ran with his family under duress 42:35 There are myths in the legend of Joe Biden 43:50 Biden's resilience led him to the bad decision to run 44:35 The "blame the media" narrative around Biden 45:50 How should the media change its vetting process for candidates? 47:35 Presidential health reports should be subject to perjury 48:20 Biden never took a cognitive test 49:20 Age cap on politicians requires constitutional amendment 50:20 No evidence that autopen was used 51:35 There's a culture of coddling "too old" members in congress 53:50 The system rewards seniority over accomplishment 55:50 Kay Granger being in a dementia center was covered up 57:20 Loss of local urgency in political coverage 59:20 Older politicians are less invested in the future 1:00:50 In any other sphere, Biden's decline is disqualifying 1:02:20 Was the cover up a lack of faith in Harris? 1:03:35 Harris VP choice was for political reasons, not governing 1:05:20 VP pick was between Harris and Whitmer 1:07:05 The super original sin was Obama endorsing Clinton 1:10:35 Start of Biden's decline can be traced back to Beau's death 1:12:20 Obama has never spoken on Biden's decline 1:14:50 What style of book do you like to write the most? 1:18:05 Jake's next book is about Klaus Barbie 1:19:05 Best current political satire? 1:22:35 South Park is the best at capturing the culture 1:24:20 Trump bit on SNL is worn out 1:26:20 Jake's streaming recommendations 1:30:20 Does Jake ever stop working? 1:31:50 Staying off social media 1:...
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    1 hr and 58 mins