Chuck Todd opens with a personal reflection on his father's connection to Vietnam before welcoming distinguished guests Ambassador John Negroponte and filmmaker Brian Knappenberger to discuss the new documentary series Turning Point and the lasting impacts of the Vietnam and Iraq wars on American politics and society. The conversation explores how Vietnam fundamentally shifted America's perception of itself, with Ambassador Negroponte sharing his firsthand experiences from the conflict. They examine how televised coverage transformed public perception of war, debate whether Vietnam was "worth it" in the context of the Cold War, and analyze why America ultimately lost the conflict. The discussion dives deep into how Vietnam became the Baby Boomers' defining generational experience, shattering trust in government institutions.

They explore the military's evolution into a predominantly Republican constituency, the long-term political fallout of pardoning draft dodgers, and the devastating impact of drug use among soldiers during the conflict. The guests offer a rare perspective on how the Vietnamese people recovered from the war's effects and draw striking parallels between the withdrawals from Saigon and Afghanistan. They reflect on how these historical conflicts continue to shape modern American politics, noting that despite multiple Vietnam veterans running for president, none have ever won the office. 

They conclude with a thought-provoking consideration of how future generations might commemorate the 75th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, leaving listeners with a deeper understanding of how America's past military engagements continue to influence its present and future.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

00:30 Chuck’s personal connection to Vietnam was his dad

02:30 Vietnam + Iraq still haunt American politics

04:10 John Negroponte and Brian Knappenberger join the Chuck Toddcast! 

06:35 What do you hope people take away from Netflix's Turning Point?

08:55 Vietnam's shadow loomed over the Iraq wars 

10:55 We rarely talk about the war itself, mostly just the fallout 

12:40 Vietnam shifted America's perception of itself 

13:25 Ambassador Negroponte's experience of being in Vietnam 

16:55 Was Vietnam viewed as a proxy war at the time? 

20:00 The Iraq war has the same effect on our political psyche as Vietnam

23:00 How did daily press coverage affect the ability to control the narrative 

25:00 Vietnam being televised drastically changed the public's perception 

27:00 Embedded reporters caused new challenges for managing the narrative 

28:15 Was Vietnam worth it since we won the cold war? 

30:05 Why did we lose the war? 

32:45 Watergate ruined historians ability to document presidents 

34:15 Vietnam was the boomer's coming of age story, shook their trust in government 

35:30 Many January 6th rioters were Vietnam vets

37:40 The importance of equipping and training local forces 

39:10 Why did the military become a Republican constituency? 

40:40 Pardoning the draft dodgers had long term political impacts 

42:40 The horrible impact of drug use by soldiers in Vietnam 

47:40 The perspective from the side of the north? 

49:10 When did the Vietnamese recover from the effects of the war? 

52:25 No Vietnam vet has ever been president 

55:10 The military is America's only institution that has bipartisan support 

58:35 How similar/different were the withdrawals from Saigon and Afghanistan? 

59:25 What will the retrospective be on the 75th anniversary of the fall of Saigon

1:02:35 Chuck’s thoughts on the interview

Chuck Todd opens with a critical analysis of President Trump's approach to governance, suggesting that while his Middle East trip may yield positive results, his administration is missing crucial opportunities for bipartisan cooperation. He argues that Trump's executive order on prescription drugs lacks substance without legislative backing and that the president should "get caught trying" bipartisanship on issues where common ground exists. He also explores Putin's refusal of peace talks as a potential humiliation for Trump, and examines what recent political developments like the Omaha mayoral race might signal about Democratic prospects in upcoming elections.

Then, he’s joined by Congressman Ro Khanna, who delivers a candid assessment of the Democratic party's leadership crisis and brand damage. Khanna argues that Chuck Schumer has squandered his leadership position and addresses concerns about deportations in rural communities. The conversation delves into the economic realities facing the Midwest, and calls for Democrats to work more closely with business leaders. 

Khanna argues that deplatforming Trump after January 6th was "a huge mistake" and discusses the rightward shift among tech leaders. They conclude with Khanna's perspectives on America's global retreat, the timeline for presidential campaigns, and Gen Z's trust issues with politics. 

The episode wraps with "Ask Chuck," where Todd addresses questions about media coverage of Trump, potential Republican party fractures, and Chuck gives his thoughts on Pete Rose's posthumous Hall of Fame eligibility.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

01:45 Trump’s middle east trip may net some positive results

02:30 Trump won’t work with Democrats on issues they agree on

04:15 Bipartisanship has become toxic

06:30 Trump’s executive order on prescription drugs is meaningless without legislation

07:45 Congress has been useless

08:30 Trump should “get caught trying” bipartisanship

10:00 There are multiple issues where Trump could make bipartisan deals

12:15 Trump made some great points in his middle east speech

13:45 Trump has been pragmatic with his middle east policy 

16:30 Trump can’t pick and choose who to be pragmatic with

18:00 The ball is in Trump’s court after Putin turned down peace talks

19:15 Putin is humiliating Trump… will he sit back and take it?

19:50 Does the Omaha mayoral race show a blue wave building? 

21:00 Pete Buttigieg admits Joe Biden is political baggage in Iowa town hall

23:30 Chuck Schumer punting on the Biden question was cowardly

25:30 Donald Trump is unpopular and the Democratic brand is still worse

26:15 Ro Khanna joins the Chuck Toddcast! 

27:45 Who is the leader of the Democratic party? 

28:45 Chuck Schumer has squandered his leadership position 

31:30 Rural communities are highly concerned about deportations 

32:15 Is Hakeem Jeffries stuck in Nancy Pelosi's shadow? 

34:00 How damaged is the Democratic brand and how to fix it? 

37:15 Do midwestern voters want to work multigenerational factory jobs? 

40:30 NAFTA benefitted the south and hurt the midwest 

43:15 Republicans have become the big government party 

45:45 Democrats need to work with business leaders 

46:45 What caused the rightward shift of the tech leaders? 

48:30 Deplatforming Trump was a huge mistake 

50:30 Should Kamala Harris be the next governor of California? 

53:30 What characteristics will voters be looking for in 2028 

55:15 Will Democratic voters want a "celebrity" president? 

58:25 What's the lesson learned from Biden's communications failure? 

1:00:15 How do Democrats win over independent voters? 

1:03:00 One issue he'd work with Trump on? 

1:03:45 Will he debate JD Vance? 

1:05:45 America's retreat is making the world more dangerous 

1:07:15 Rubio needs to step up and assert America globally 

1:10:00 It will take a generation to repair America's reputation 

1:10:45 When is it appropriate to begin a run for president? 

1:12:15 Kamala Harris and her team were too cautious in 24 

1:13:45 Gen Z has trust issues with politics

1:15:45 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Ro Khanna

1:16:15 Ask Chuck

1:16:55 Why are reporters not more combative with Trump?

1:19:05 If the Republican party fractures, who would be in the traditional wing?

1:21:45 Pete Rose finally eligible for Hall of Fame posthumously

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Chuck Todd opens with a blistering analysis of America's current political landscape, arguing that both major parties are fundamentally weak and surviving only through their duopoly of ballot access. He examines the potential for political realignment, questioning whether MAGA and establishment Republicans might fracture and if figures like Senator John Cornyn would fare better as independents. Chuck doesn't hold back on the Biden administration either, calling out what he sees as selfishness from the Bidens and criticizing aides who failed to report the President's decline sooner, suggesting cabinet secretaries will need to answer for what he terms a "cover up."

Then he’s joined by Rob Sand, Democratic candidate for governor of Iowa, who discusses his record of uncovering government waste and his vision for the state. Sand outlines his bipartisan approach to governance and delivers a sharp critique of Iowa's school voucher program, arguing it lacks transparency and has allowed private schools to raise tuition while turning away disabled students. The conversation covers Iowa's political shift, education policy, and whether Democrats should restore Iowa's first-in-the-nation primary status. 

The episode concludes with "Ask Chuck," where Todd answers listener questions on topics ranging from the theoretical "Limbaugh effect" in Obama's election to the practicality of expanding the House of Representatives, and even touches on the NBA draft lottery's impact on Texas basketball teams.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

01:30 Both the Republican and Democratic parties are very weak

03:00 Without the duopoly of ballot access, one of the two parties would have disappeared

04:30 Interparty splits and the potential for independents?

06:00 Could MAGA vs establishment factions fracture in the GOP?

07:30 Would John Cornyn be better served running as an independent in Texas?

11:10 Republicans have too many crowded primaries in Senate races

12:30 Both parties brands are broken

14:30 The Bidens have been selfish

16:30 Shame on the anonymous aides who didn’t report Biden’s decline sooner

17:45 Biden’s aides pushed back publicly and privately before he stepped down

18:20 Biden’s cabinet secretaries will have to answer for the cover up

21:10 The DNC drama surrounding David Hogg

23:55 The DNC looks ridiculous right now

26:15 Rob Sand joins the Chuck ToddCast 

26:45 Why run for governor of Iowa? 

29:30 Rob found a record amount of waste and abuse in Iowa government 

30:15 Did you think about running as an independent? 

34:35 If you win, is it a victory for Democrats or for independents? 

36:45 Rob would appoint a bipartisan cabinet 

37:30 The school voucher program in Iowa isn't transparent 

38:45 The public school vouchers can be audited, the private ones can't 

41:15 Iowa's public schools are falling behind 

43:00 Private schools can turn away disabled students 

44:15 Private schools just raised tuition after voucher program rollout 

45:30 What's the plan to improve public schools in Iowa? 

49:10 What are some Kim Reynolds policies he would keep? 

51:05 Has Iowa shifted right, or is it a Trump phenomenon? 

53:15 Should Democrats make Iowa their first primary state again? 

56:30 Pete Buttigieg broke through in Iowa 

59:00 Lottery scam in Iowa 

1:03:00 What hurts Iowa more; tariffs or the USAID contracts being terminated? 

1:05:15 Does he expect a primary challenger?

1:06:05 Chuck's thoughts on Rob Sand interview 

1:06:30 Ask Chuck 

1:06:35 Has there ever been a study on the "Limbaugh effect", encouraging Democrats to vote for Obama? 

1:11:35 If you doubled the size of the House, would there be physical space constraints? 

1:14:15 Would a third party like the forward party focused on a singular issue be effective? 

1:17:05 The NBA draft lottery ensured that all three Texas teams will be great

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Chuck opens with an analysis of President Trump's controversial upcoming Middle East trip, focusing on reports that Trump will receive a luxury Boeing airplane as a gift from Qatar. He characterizes this as potentially "the most corrupt bargain a president has ever made," questioning the ethics and legality of such an arrangement while examining Trump's pattern of personal enrichment in office. The discussion extends to Trump's cryptocurrency ventures, the growing influence of Gulf states in American politics, and the administration's unorthodox approaches to foreign policy and homeland security.

Then he’s joined by a rising star in the Democratic party, Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett. She provides insights into her rapidly growing Dallas district and discusses the economic benefits of immigration that contrast sharply with current policies. Crockett, known for her viral moments in congressional hearings, offers a candid assessment of the partisan circus in the House Oversight Committee and the ideological divide within the Democratic Party. The conversation delves into factors behind Trump's victory, whether racism and misogyny impacted Kamala Harris's campaign, and the complex political landscape in Texas, including potential opportunities for Democrats if Ken Paxton defeats John Cornyn in a future primary.

Finally, the episode concludes with an "Ask Chuck" segment addressing why abortion has faded from national discourse despite its continued importance.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

01:55 Trump’s first planned overseas trip is to the middle east

02:50 Trump to receive a luxury Boeing airplane as a gift from Qatar

04:50 Most corrupt bargain a president has ever made

07:10 Whether it’s illegal or not, it’s a terrible look

08:20 Trump didn’t want to wait to get a new Air Force One

09:15 Trump believes he’s untouchable

10:30 Trump’s crypto token is purely a bribery scam

12:30 Will any elected Republicans stand up to Trump?

14:30 Trump views personal enrichment as a commission 

16:00 The gulf states are openly bribing American politicians

17:45 It was good that Rubio and Vance intervened in India/Pakistan conflict

19:50 Homeland security is running campaign ads with taxpayer dollars

22:30 Trump’s Iran deal won’t get done until after his middle east trip

24:30 Taking a plane as a gift feels like a bad movie plot

25:25 Jasmine Crockett joins the Chuck ToddCast! 

25:25 Tour of TX-30 (Dallas) 

28:55 TX-30 is a hub for aviation 

31:45 Dallas is growing exponentially 

33:40 How can St. Louis be revitalized? 

37:15 Immigrants produce economic dynamism and we're treating them horribly 

39:45 How important are viral moments for political communications 

43:25 The partisan circus in the oversight committee 

44:40 We have people in government that don't understand how it works* 

45:40 DOGE hearing became about trans people competing in fencing 

47:25 Is it a generational divide or ideological divide in the Democratic party 

48:25 Some members cling to the institutions while they're burning around them* 

50:10 State of the Union displayed the differences of approach between members 

51:25 How did Democrats end up in this situation? 

53:15 Why did Trump win? 

55:25 How much did racism and misogyny factor into Kamala Harris losing? 

56:40 Did Harris's background as a prosecutor help or hurt her? 

59:10 Trump's name being on buildings sold the public on his business acumen 

1:01:05 Should Harris take another shot at the presidency?* 

1:02:25 Democratic voters don't want "establishment" candidates 

1:04:10 Democrats are fighting an uphill battle 

1:05:10 Is Texas a 3 party state with two Republican wings? 

1:06:10 If Ken Paxton beats John Cornyn, the Texas senate seat will be in play 

1:08:40 Did Democrats miss the moment in Texas? 

1:10:25 Will the Luka trade leave a lasting mark on Dallas? 

1:11:10 Is she running for oversight chair? 

1:11:35 Her advice for Hakeem Jeffries

1:12:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Jasmine Crockett 

1:13:15 Ask Chuck 

1:13:30 Why has abortion disappeared from the national discourse? 

1:16:30 Please let the Wizards get the #1 pick and Cooper Flagg

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

Chuck opens with an analysis of growing global tensions, including armed conflict between India and Pakistan, and the power vacuum created by America's retreat from its traditional leadership role. He discusses Joe Biden's recent BBC comments on foreign affairs and the potential for Vladimir Putin to test NATO's Article 5 commitment in the Baltics, suggesting that increased global conflict may be on the horizon as China and Russia fill the void left by the United States.

Then he’s joined by the author of the new book "Heaven Help Us" and former Ohio Governor John Kasich, who offers candid insights on the lost art of political compromise and consensus-building. Kasich discusses the toxic partisanship exemplified by the Obama/Christie hug controversy, shares his perspective on healthcare reform, and explores how faith can inform governance without violating church-state separation. 

The conversation covers the prospects for the 2026 and 2028 elections, Ohio's political landscape, and the need for spiritual renewal in American culture. Kasich offers sharp criticism of both Trump's approach to tariffs and Biden's presidency, which he characterizes as a failure due to insulation from contrarian views.

Finally Chuck responds to listeners’ questions in the "Ask Chuck" segment, addressing questions about increasing the size of the House of Representatives, how organizations earn the "non-partisan" label, and whether the national debt will trigger economic catastrophe.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

03:15 Armed conflict between India and Pakistan

07:30 We see more conflict when the U.S. is in retreat

09:00 If America doesn’t play the role of world police, Russia and China will

11:00 We’re likely to see more conflict around the world

13:35 Joe Biden weighs in on foreign affairs on BBC

14:45 Putin likely to test article 5 in the Baltics

16:45 Democrat loss was 10 years in the making

21:45 John Kasich joins the Chuck Toddcast! 

23:15 Why have we lost the art of politics and compromise? 

25:45 The Obama/Chris Christie hug shouldn't have been a controversy 

27:00 Government never finds a way to get money out of politics 

29:05 Faith in democracy? 

31:35 The next president has the opposite traits of the prior president 

33:05 What will the country look for in the next president? 

33:55 Advice for 2028 candidates? 

35:15 Could the MAGA candidates become toxic in the primaries by 2026? 

36:15 Vivek Ramaswamy's prospects in the Ohio governor's race? 

37:30 Ohio isn't ruby red 

39:45 Voters care less about issues and more about personal connection 

41:00 The issues John Kasich would focus most on addressing 

43:30 The healthcare system is broken 

46:15 For profit hospitals are less profitable than non-profits 

48:30 Healthcare stakeholders need to be forced to compromise 

49:55 We need politicians that can build consensus, not just offer a plan 

53:05 Integrating faith into governance without violating separation of church and state? 

56:15 The social gospel changed the culture from an "I" environment to a "we" society 

57:15 Local journalism is service journalism, national journalism is civics journalism 

1:00:30 How do we move America past its "I" culture? 

1:02:00 We need a spiritual renewal 

1:02:45 Pope Francis could be remembered as the most important of the century 

1:04:15 Trump's tariff implementation shows his inability to listen and win people over 

1:06:45 We've never updated the design for our public education system 

1:08:30 The education industrial complex resists reform 

1:11:00 Biden's staff kept him insulated from hearing contrarian views 

1:11:45 Biden's presidency was a failure 

1:16:15 College football has been turned into the minor leagues

1:20:20 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with John Kasich 

1:21:50 Ask Chuck 

1:22:00 How would increasing the size of the house of representatives work? 

1:24:40 How do entities/organizations earn the label "non-partisan"? 

1:29:00 Will the national debt cause economic catastrophe?

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

Chuck Todd begins with analysis of the current travel chaos and President Trump's controversial comments on Alcatraz and movie tariffs. He highlights former Washington Governor Jay Inslee's successful tenure and discusses the evolving political landscape, including key Republican figures declining Senate runs and potential competitive races across the country that could reshape the balance of power.

Then, former Washington Governor Jay Inslee joins the podcast, where he discusses his climate policy achievements and the existential threat of climate change. Inslee offers sharp criticism of Trump's energy and trade policies, warning they could cede technological leadership to China and harm American businesses. The conversation expands to examine political courage, institutional challenges, and what Democrats should be doing now to prepare for future elections. 

Finally, Chuck concludes with an "Ask Chuck" segment covering the promotion of moderate candidates, Glenn Youngkin's legacy, and papal politics

00:00 Introduction

01:15 The US travel situation is a mess

03:15 Trump’s alcatraz comment was a distraction

07:00 Reopening Alcatraz isn’t feasible

07:20 Jay Inslee was wildly successful as governor

09:20 Brian Kemp + Chris Sununu pass on senate run

11:45 The political landscape is terrible for Republicans

13:05 Senate map isn’t great for Democrats

15:45 If Ken Paxton beats Cornyn, Texas could be in play

19:15 4 states where Democrats could put senate seats in play

19:55 Joni Ernst in line to replace Pete Hegseth?

22:20 200 house districts within a 20 point margin

24:50 Jay Inslee joins the Chuck ToddCast 

26:05 Do you feel less constrained outside of politics? 

28:50 Inslee's biggest achievements achieved 60%+ support 

31:10 What are the details of his Climate Commitment Act? 

33:20 The potential of fusion power 

35:50 Donald Trump's plan to kill clean energy makes no sense 

37:50 Trump is ceding clean energy tech and production to China 

38:50 Why aren't Americans in the streets en masse? 

41:20 Americans will suffer under Trump's policies 

42:35 A bad economy will wake up the public 

43:50 We'll see empty shelves within weeks 

45:50 Institutions capitulating to Trump only enables him 

49:35 NAFTA created winners and losers 

51:20 Trump is grossly incompetent 

52:05 Trump gave away his leverage 

53:20 Tariffs generally aren't productive for the economy 

56:50 Flooding in WA a direct result of climate change 

1:00:50 Americans don't truly understand climate change 

1:02:50 The insurance industry will force the government's hand

1:04:50 People in power KNOW climate will be a problem 

1:08:50 What should the Democrats be doing? 

1:10:20 What can we learn from Canada when dealing with Trump? 

1:12:05 Trump took ownership of the economy at his own peril 

1:13:05 There's a lot of talent in the Democratic Party 

1:13:50 Republicans will get wiped out in the midterms 

1:16:20 Congress is now a country club 

1:18:20 Voters on each side have self-segregated 

1:20:05 We need a president who follows the law

1:22:00 Chuck's thoughts on Inslee interview 

1:22:30 Ask Chuck 

1:22:45 How can we promote more moderate candidates? 

1:28:20 What will Glenn Youngkin's legacy be? 

1:31:50 Thoughts on "Conclave" and papal politics?

Chuck begins with analysis of the Trump administration's tariff implementation and personnel changes, including Mike Waltz's removal as national security advisor and Marco Rubio's expanding role within the administration. 

Then, he’s joined by Oren Cass, a leading conservative economic thinker, on America's trade policy and the challenges of reindustrialization. Cass argues that while tariffs and reindustrialization may be sound concepts, the Trump administration's implementation has been completely counter-productive. They discuss how traditional right-of-center thinking on free trade has evolved, questions whether China's integration into global markets has delivered promised benefits, and explores the regional winners and losers of trade agreements like NAFTA.

Cass tackles questions about America's trade deficit, consumer willingness to pay more for domestic products, and whether reshoring manufacturing is practical for the American economy. The conversation examines the national security implications of trade agreements, the potential for losing allies to China's influence, and what realistic reindustrialization might look like in today's economy.

Finally, Chuck answers listener questions on the executive branch's guardrails, expectations for "Resistance 2.0," potential federal intervention in college sports, and whether media scrutiny of public officials' backgrounds has gone too far.

00:00 Introduction

02:00 If tariffs actually are a good idea, the way they’ve been implemented hasn’t given it a chance to succeed

03:30 The administration is only interested in communicating to their base

07:30 What should we take away from Mike Waltz being removed as national security advisor?

08:55 Marco Rubio is now holding four jobs in the administration

09:45 Rubio has earned Trump’s trust

13:15 Is the new model to move staff to new roles rather than fire them?

15:15 Abigail Spanberger may have had the best 100 days of any Democrat

17:55 Wes Moore announces he won’t run in 2028

20:35 Oren Cass joins the Chuck ToddCast! 

22:35 Tools for achieving re-industrialization 

23:35 Tariffs and reindustrialization is a good idea, Trump's rollout has been disastrous 

25:35 The U.S. needs credible and sustainable trade policy 

27:20 Right of center thinking for 40 years was simply "Free trade is good" 

29:05 Has free and open trade been a net positive worldwide? 

30:35 Does trade policy of the early 20th century make sense in the 21st century 

32:20 Bringing China into the world market didn't lead to liberalization 

33:50 Will we be forced to cut an unfavorable trade deal with China? 

36:35 Wouldn't it make sense that the US had a trade deficit based on our consumption? 

38:35 If we aren't selling other countries goods we produce, they buy our assets and debt 

40:50 NAFTA produced winners and losers regionally in the United States 

41:50 What could we have done differently to minimize the negative impacts of NAFTA? 

44:35 Production has shifted from country to country based on lower costs 

46:05 Will American consumers actually be willing to pay more for American made products? 48:50 How can we unwind globalization without severely damaging the U.S. economy? 

50:50 The Toyota Camry has more American made parts than the Detroit built cars 

52:35 Does reshoring low-cost manufacturing make sense for consumers and American businesses? 

53:50 Will poor implementation of policy hurt the goal of reshoring manufacturing? 

56:35 How do you weigh the benefits of national security provided by trade agreements? 1:01:05 Does America risk losing allies to China's sphere of influence? 

1:02:05 Should our allies get a better deal than those that are unaligned or adversarial? 

1:04:15 Does more trade equal less war? 

1:07:05 What type of reindustrialization is realistic and what isn't? 

1:10:05 Lack of competition has led to problems with Boeing 

1:12:35 How long will it take to reindustrialize? 

1:13:35 Would TPP have furthered the goal of isolating China?

1:16:35 Chuck's thoughts on the interview Oren Cass 

1:17:27 Ask Chuck 

1:17:35 Were the guardrails on the executive branch always this frail? 

1:20:35 What do you expect out of Resistance 2.0? 

1:21:30 Will the federal government intervene in college sports? 

1:22:50 Does the media go too deep into the background of public officials prior to their public service?

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

Chuck Todd begins with a critical assessment of the Democratic Party's first 100 days under the Trump administration, noting widespread discontent among Democratic voters with party leadership. He examines the positioning of potential 2028 contenders, with AOC emerging as Bernie Sanders' heir apparent, Buttigieg and Pritzker carefully laying groundwork, and Gavin Newsom attempting to distance himself from his progressive reputation. He highlights Arizona's Ruben Gallego as a potential breakthrough national figure while acknowledging the Democratic brand remains problematic with many voters despite individual politicians' popularity.

Then he dives into a fascinating conversation with "Black Mirror" creator Charlie Brooker, who discusses his dystopian anthology series through the lens of human response to technology rather than the technology itself. Brooker reflects on social media's evolution from optimistic beginning to profit-driven outrage machine, and shares insights on artificial intelligence's most pressing concerns: job displacement and algorithmic management. 

The conversation covers wide-ranging topics including healthcare differences between the US and UK, AI's impact on education and emotional connections, and the accelerating pace of technological change that feels increasingly destabilizing. Throughout, Brooker maintains his characteristic blend of dark humor and thoughtful analysis about our relationship with technology, even touching on how the COVID pandemic influenced his creative perspective. 

The episode concludes with "Ask Chuck," where Todd addresses listener questions about the potential echo chamber effect in local news, the potential fracturing of the Republican Party, and speculation about Trump's relationship with stock market fluctuations.

00:00 Introduction

02:15 The first 100 days report card for the Democratic Party

03:00 Democratic voters are not happy with party leadership

04:30 Which democratic leaders have performed well?

07:20 AOC has become the heir apparent to Bernie Sanders

10:30 Pete Buttigieg, JB Pritzker teeing up a 2028 run?

12:45 Gavin Newsom is trying to distance himself from his progressive brand

15:00 Ruben Gallego could break through on the national stage

16:30 The Democratic brand is still toxic with voters

18:25 Charlie Brooker joins the show! 

18:45 Is Charlie the 21st century George Orwell 

20:25 Is Black Mirror meant to be a warning? 

22:25 The show isn't about technology, it's about the human response to these tools 

25:25 First episode concept came from a podcast Charlie listened to 

28:25 The concept of paying for healthcare is foreign outside of America 

29:55 Facebook and X were fun at first, but then they turned up the dials for anger and grievance for profit 

31:55 How long did Charlie have Black Mirror as an idea before it came to fruition? 

33:55 Parallels between Black Mirror and The Twilight Zone?

36:00 We thought social media would be great for society… then it turned out quite differently 37:00 How worried should we be about AI? 

40:15 The worry with AI will be two things. Will it take my job, and will it be my boss? 

41:45 Has Charlie used AI to help with writing on Black Mirror? 

42:15 Charlie's writing 

44:00 People will be willing to pay more for human customer service rather than dealing with AI 46:30 Is Charlie obsessed with privacy? 

48:00 Technology will always put someone out of work 

50:15 Will we have to teach spelling in the future? Have we taken away something from society? 

52:45 Robocop was an influence on Black Mirror 

54:45 The show deals with futuristic concepts, but also feels like it's taking place in the present 56:30 Is Charlie extrapolating the future on his own, or does he talk to experts? 

58:00 The inspiration behind the honeybee episode 

59:45 Will we see AI avatars teaching history? 

1:02:15 People get emotionally attached to AI companions 

1:04:30 Will AI conclude that humans are a threat to progress 

1:05:15 Technology brought back the dire wolf from extinction 

1:06:30 We're living through a period of accelerated technology 

1:09:00 The pace of change feels dizzying and destabilizing 

1:10:15 Whose to blame for this moment, tech CEO's or politicians? 

1:11:00 Could AI rewrite history? 

1:15:30 How did the COVID pandemic affect Charlie's thinking? 

1:19:00 How long will Charlie continue making more Black Mirror?

1:23:15 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Charlie Brooker

1:24:00 Ask Chuck

1:24:45 Does local news just become an echo chamber for that community?

1:28:10 If the Republican party fractures, who would remain in the “traditional” wing of the party?*

1:30:25 Is Trump manipulating the stock market so wealthy people can buy the dip?

Chuck Todd begins the show with a candid assessment of President Trump's troubled first 100 days, suggesting that Trump's authoritarian tendencies may stem more from laziness than deliberate strategy. He questions what it would take for Trump to improve his approval ratings, noting that someone truly interested in maintaining power would be working harder to communicate with non-supporters.

Then he’s joined by Dr. Jodi Vittori, an expert on kleptocracy – rule by thieves. Dr. Vittori explains why functioning democracies and kleptocracies cannot coexist, offering Russia as the clearest example while suggesting Hungary represents a more subtle version. She warns that America's potential kleptocracy would have unique characteristics, with the tariff exemption process potentially serving as a gateway. 

The discussion explores how the Constitution originally included anti-corruption measures, how the Supreme Court has eroded these protections, and specific warning signs of kleptocratic governance. Dr. Vittori highlights how crypto enables corruption, why state and local governments are particularly vulnerable, and offers concrete reforms to protect democratic institutions. Their conversation concludes with the provocative question of whether Trump initiated America's slide toward kleptocracy or simply accelerated an existing trend.

The episode wraps with "Ask Chuck," tackling listener questions about whether politicians should face legal consequences for lying to the public, what it would take to end gerrymandering, the definition of political moderation in today's polarized climate, and lightens the mood by speculating about which elected officials are most knowledgeable about sports.

00:00 Introduction

01:15 Trump’s first 100 days have gone badly

03:00 Trump is mailing it in

05:00 Trump’s authoritarianism is a product of laziness

08:00 What would it take for Trump to improve his approval rating?

12:00 If Trump was truly interested in a third term, he’d be communicating to non-supporters… and he’s not

13:25 Dr. Jodi Vittori joins the show! 

14:35 Define "kleptocracy" and what are some examples? 

16:25 You can't have kleptocracy in a functioning democracy 

17:35 Is Putin's Russia the clearest example of kleptocracy? 

18:55 Hungary is the more subtle version of kleptocracy 

19:55 The US kleptocracy will be unique 

21:25 Is the tariff exemption process how we end up in kleptocracy? 

23:10 Much of the constitution was set up for anti corruption as they knew it at the time 

24:55 The Supreme Court laid the foundation for this crisis 

26:25 How do you know when you're in a kleptocracy? 

27:40 Lack of accountability for elites led us here 

28:40 Conflict of interest is unethical but not a crime 

30:25 Until 1992 members of Congress could pocket their campaign war chest 

31:40 Citizens United made America unique compared to other democracies 

32:45 What are the next steps on the road to kleptocracy? 

33:55 Crypto is a massive enabler of corruption 

35:40 State and local governments are particularly susceptible to corruption 

37:05 Are there certain states that have the most corruption? 

40:10 What are some reforms that we should look to pass? 

44:55 Lobbying used to be corporation vs citizens, now it's corporation vs corporation 

45:55 The interests of the citizens are now secondary 

47:40 We've enabled corruption 

49:25 The US has become a tax haven for overseas money laundering 

50:55 Did Trump bring about kleptocracy, or were we already on our way there? 

52:25 How did Dr. Vitorri end up specializing in anti-corruption?

55:50 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Dr. Vittori 

57:00 Ask Chuck 

57:15 Should politicians or government officials be legally liable for lying to, or misleading the public? 

1:01:25 What would it take to stop gerrymandering? 

1:07:40 What does it mean to be a political moderate? 

1:12:15 What elected official is the most knowledgeable about sports?

In this packed episode, Chuck opens with a sobering assessment of President Trump's plummeting approval ratings and questions about his administration's credibility before diving into critical structural concerns about the Department of Justice's independence and the need to expand the House of Representatives. He shifts to Florida politics, where a brewing corruption scandal threatens the governor's race and Republicans are increasingly willing to challenge Ron DeSantis's weakened political standing. 

New York Congressman Dan Goldman joins for an extended interview about the concept of rule of law before and after his experience during impeachment proceedings. Goldman offers insights into Trump's challenges to fundamental constitutional principles and proposes concrete reforms to better protect America's democratic institutions, including codifying limits on presidential interference in prosecutions, strengthening congressional subpoena powers, and potentially restructuring the Justice Department with Federal Reserve-like independence.

The episode's second half features political handicapper Dave Wasserman analyzing the evolving electoral landscape heading into the midterms. Wasserman explains how understanding local communities is crucial to predicting election outcomes, while lamenting the lack of quality coverage in smaller markets. 

He delivers a forecast that Democrats could see sizable gains in the House, with Trump's tariff policies potentially hurting Republicans in farm states. The discussion explores gerrymandering's changing impact, with both parties now complaining about the practice, and examines how the 2030 census might reshape the electoral map. 

Finally, they discuss the prospect of a “blue wave” in the 2026 midterm elections and whether we could see one or both chambers of congress change hands.

Timeline

00:00 Multiple polls show sharp approval rating drop for Trump

03:00 Trump’s spokespeople are losing credibility

05:00 Department of Justice needs more independence 

7:30 The House of Representatives needs to be expanded

8:45 White House Correspondents weekend was awkward

12:15 Corruption scandal looming over Florida governor race

13:15 Florida Republicans are no longer afraid of Ron DeSantis

15:30 Ron DeSantis may be weaker, but Florida Democrats aren’t stronger

17:00 The Shedeur Sanders commentary was ridiculous

19:10 Congressman Dan Goldman joins the show

19:40 What are the highlights of his district, NY-10? 

26:35 What did "rule of law" mean to you before and after working on the impeachment proceedings? 

30:25 Fundamental tenets of rule of law are being challenged 

31:00 Amendments 4-10 are about equal protection under the law, for citizens and non-citizens 

34:20 Trump has exposed why government is susceptible to leaders willing to break their oath of office 

36:10 We need to codify into law that the president can't weigh in on individual prosecutions 

38:40 Enforcement of congressional subpoenas needs legal teeth 

41:30 Should we set up Justice with a level of independence like we did with the Federal Reserve? 

48:40 If impeachment couldn't hold Trump accountable, why would the justice system? 

50:10 Trump's conduct warranted prosecution 

52:55 The impeachment process is broken 

54:10 Trump has an unexplained infatuation for Vladimir Putin 

7:25 The Republican majority in the House has turned all of their authority over to Trump 

1:01:40 What can Democratic members of congress do other than speak out? 

1:05:25 If Democrats want to win in 2026, what should they be talking about? 

1:08:55 Is Andrew Cuomo vs Eric Adams really the best that NYC can do?

1:14:45 Chuck’s thoughts on his conversation with Dan Goldman

1:17:35 Dave Wasserman joins the show! 

1:19:35 Mainstreaming interest in political handicapping 

1:24:05 Understanding a local community is crucial to handicapping 

1:27:05 Smaller markets not getting coverage they deserve 

1:28:20 Determining how competitive a race will be? 

1:31:05 House map is less skewed than it used to be 

1:34:35 Complaining about gerrymandering has become more bipartisan 

1:36:05 Democrats could see sizeable midterm gains 

1:42:50 How will retirements affect the midterms? 

1:4:05 Tariffs will cost Republicans in the farm states 

1:45:05 Kansas headed toward swing state status? 

1:48:05 Reappropriation from 2030 census could add several new red seats 

1:49:35 Can Republicans further gerrymander states like Texas and Florida? 

1:53:35 Virginia governor race isn't that competitive 

1:58:50 Conventional wisdom is that Democrats shouldn't choose a woman for 28 

1:59:50 Is a blue wave developing? 

2:01:05 Trump doesn't care about Republicans other than himself

2:03:16 Chuck’s final thoughts