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The Chuck ToddCast

Chuck Todd
The Chuck ToddCast
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  • Chuck's Commentary - Mass Shootings In A PolarizedCountry + Ask Chuck
    Chuck Todd unpacks the troubling patterns that emerge after every mass shooting, from how the public rushes to confirm their priors to how culture wars are inflamed when a shooter’s identity becomes politicized. With the FBI investigating the latest tragedy as a possible hate crime, trust in law enforcement once again splits along partisan lines, reflecting the deeper polarization running through government agencies and public perception alike. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Chuck Todd’s Introduction01:00 There’s a pattern to every mass/school shooting02:15 People always look to confirm their priors with every shooting03:30 The shooter being trans could inflame the culture wars04:30 Shooting could be politicized in all the wrong ways06:00 FBI announces it will be investigated as terrorism/hate crime07:00 Trust and favorability of law enforcement is polarized10:00 Agencies are being run by partisans acting partisanly12:45 The public & Trump view everything through a partisan lens14:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with DeMaurice Smith 16:45 Ask Chuck 17:00 Could local sports coverage change the local news landscape? 28:30 Friendly trash talk of Chuck's Miami Hurricanes and Green Bay Packers 31:00 Is Marco Rubio having any regrets or second thoughts? 36:15 What publication details generational voting records? 41:45 Artificial chocolate + coffee flavoring?
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  • Full Episode - Mass Shootings In A Polarized Country + The Hidden DARK SIDE Of The NFL’s Business
    Chuck Todd unpacks the troubling patterns that emerge after every mass shooting, from how the public rushes to confirm their priors to how culture wars are inflamed when a shooter’s identity becomes politicized. With the FBI investigating the latest tragedy as a possible hate crime, trust in law enforcement once again splits along partisan lines, reflecting the deeper polarization running through government agencies and public perception alike. Then, Todd previews his conversation with DeMaurice Smith as he turns to the looming era of labor strife in professional sports—examining how the NFL operates as a “socialist experiment,” how name-image-likeness deals and the transfer portal are shifting the mindset of athletes, and why collective bargaining disputes will be on the horizon.Then, Chuck Todd is joined by former NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith to discuss his new book Turf Wars and the untold battles behind the modern NFL. Smith reflects on how he—despite never playing the game—won the trust of star athletes, navigated intense resistance from owners, and fought for free agency and labor protections. He shares candid stories of his uphill battle to lead the NFLPA, from owners attempting to block his election to risking his career to stand with players.Smith also offers a rare look inside the billionaire owners’ club, likening it to a feudal kingdom where prestige and profit outweigh fairness. He reveals how Roger Goodell consolidated power, why Jerry Jones remains a polarizing force, and how owners exploit their franchises like personal toys. From hidden revenues to weak contract protections, Smith explains why the NFL has thrived financially while leaving players vulnerable. And with college athletes gaining leverage and younger NFL players more empowered, Smith warns that a seismic labor showdown between players and owners may be on the horizon.Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Chuck Todd’s Introduction01:00 There’s a pattern to every mass/school shooting02:15 People always look to confirm their priors with every shooting03:30 The shooter being trans could inflame the culture wars04:30 Shooting could be politicized in all the wrong ways06:00 FBI announces it will be investigated as terrorism/hate crime07:00 Trust and favorability of law enforcement is polarized10:00 Agencies are being run by partisans acting partisanly12:45 The public & Trump view everything through a partisan lens14:45 DeMaurice Smith TEASE18:00 We’re about to enter an era of labor strife in professional sports19:45 The NFL is one of the great socialist experiments in America22:30 The attitude of future NFL players will change due to NIL/Xfer portal23:45 We’ll likely see collective bargaining amongst college players26:45 DeMaurice Smith joins the Chuck ToddCast 29:45 Why write Turf Wars? Why did the story need to be told? 31:45 Similarities between political oligarchs & NFL owners 33:15 Why did you get the NFLPA job despite never playing? 35:00 Players voted to strike in 80's then crossed picket line 36:45 Players went through years of litigation to get free agency 38:15 NFL tried to stop NFLPA from hiring DeMaurice 41:15 DeMaurice forced to risk his job to run for NFLPA job 43:15 Was it hard to connect with the players? 45:15 Star players vouched for DeMaurice to their teammates 46:00 Goodell visited with multiple teams and it went BADLY 51:15 DeMaurice was warned, NFL owners are the worst people 51:45 NFL owners view their team as a toy, vehicle for prestige 53:45 Owners try to pull equity out of their team without selling it 55:00 Relationship with Robert Kraft 57:00 Tension between younger and older owners 57:30 The good and bad of Jerry Jones 58:15 Jerry Jones frustrated with "freeloading" owners 1:00:00 The NFL is a feudal kingdom 1:00:30 Pete Rozelle vs Roger Goodell 1:03:00 Goodell has done an incredible job generating revenue 1:04:00 Mike Brown isn't a billionaire without Goodell 1:04:30 What would the league look like without owners, Packers model? 1:06:00 Packers requirement to publicly report gives insight into league 1:08:00 The only rule NFL placed on itself was Rooney Rule, don't follow it 1:08:45 The NFL is comfortable knowing it's basically above the law 1:09:45 How much revenue was the NFL hiding under its nonprofit status? 1:10:45 The league gave up nonprofit status to hide salaries, legal issues 1:12:00 NFL contract protections weaker than other sports 1:12:45 NFL culture is "psychologically militaristic" 1:14:15 Players/owners showing solidarity over kneeling for anthem 1:15:30 NFLPA is a microcosm for labor standing up to capital. 1:17:00 College players have more leverage than NFL players 1:18:15 Newer generation of players will change relationship with owners 1:20:30 NFL owners fear educated and empowered players 1:22:15 School should mandate financial literacy courses for players 1:23:30 Are players concerned about the mess at the NFLPA? 1:24:45 Players need to understand owners aren't their friends 1:25:30 There's a war coming between players and ownership1:27:30 Chuck's thoughts on interview with DeMaurice Smith 1:29:30 Ask Chuck 1:29:45 Could local sports coverage change the local news landscape? 1:41:15 Friendly trash talk of Chuck's Miami Hurricanes and Green Bay Packers 1:43:45 Is Marco Rubio having any regrets or second thoughts? 1:49:00 What publication details generational voting records? 1:54:30 Artificial chocolate + coffee flavoring?
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  • Full Interview w/ DeMaurice Smith - The Hidden DARK SIDE Of The NFL’s Business
    Chuck Todd is joined by former NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith to discuss his new book Turf Wars and the untold battles behind the modern NFL. Smith reflects on how he—despite never playing the game—won the trust of star athletes, navigated intense resistance from owners, and fought for free agency and labor protections. He shares candid stories of his uphill battle to lead the NFLPA, from owners attempting to block his election to risking his career to stand with players.Smith also offers a rare look inside the billionaire owners’ club, likening it to a feudal kingdom where prestige and profit outweigh fairness. He reveals how Roger Goodell consolidated power, why Jerry Jones remains a polarizing force, and how owners exploit their franchises like personal toys. From hidden revenues to weak contract protections, Smith explains why the NFL has thrived financially while leaving players vulnerable. And with college athletes gaining leverage and younger NFL players more empowered, Smith warns that a seismic labor showdown between players and owners may be on the horizon.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 DeMaurice Smith joins the Chuck ToddCast03:00 Why write Turf Wars? Why did the story need to be told?05:00 Similarities between political oligarchs & NFL owners06:30 Why did you get the NFLPA job despite never playing?08:15 Players voted to strike in 80’s then crossed picket line 10:00 Players went through years of litigation to get free agency11:30 NFL tried to stop NFLPA from hiring DeMaurice14:30 DeMaurice forced to risk his job to run for NFLPA job16:30 Was it hard to connect with the players?18:30 Star players vouched for DeMaurice to their teammates20:15 Goodell visited with multiple teams and it went BADLY24:30 DeMaurice was warned, NFL owners are the worst people25:00 NFL owners view their team as a toy, vehicle for prestige27:00 Owners try to pull equity out of their team without selling it28:15 Relationship with Robert Kraft30:15 Tension between younger and older owners 30:45 The good and bad of Jerry Jones31:30 Jerry Jones frustrated with “freeloading” owners33:15 The NFL is a feudal kingdom33:45 Pete Rozelle vs Roger Goodell36:15 Goodell has done an incredible job generating revenue37:15 Mike Brown isn’t a billionaire without Goodell37:45 What would the league look like without owners, Packers model?39:15 Packers requirement to publicly report gives insight into league41:15 The only rule NFL placed on itself was Rooney Rule, don’t follow it42:00 The NFL is comfortable knowing it’s basically above the law43:00 How much revenue was the NFL hiding under its nonprofit status?44:00 The league gave up nonprofit status to hide salaries, legal issues45:15 NFL contract protections weaker than other sports46:00 NFL culture is “psychologically militaristic”47:30 Players/owners showing solidarity over kneeling for anthem48:45 NFLPA is a microcosm for labor standing up to capital. 50:15 College players have more leverage than NFL players51:30 Newer generation of players will change relationship with owners53:45 NFL owners fear educated and empowered players55:30 School should mandate financial literacy courses for players56:45 Are players concerned about the mess at the NFLPA?58:00 Players need to understand owners aren’t their friends58:45 There’s a war coming between players and ownership
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  • Full Interview w/ Maria Comella - The Mistake That Doomed Kamala Harris Against Donald Trump
    Former Republican operative turned Harris campaign strategist Maria Comella joins Chuck Todd to deliver a brutal post-mortem on Democratic failures and to reflect on her unique career path across the political spectrum. From her early days in Republican politics to the inner workings of the Harris campaign, Comella offers candid insights on what it takes to run for office in an era defined by partisanship, shifting voter coalitions, and struggling party identities. She shares stories about Christie’s sharp self-awareness, Giuliani’s early years, and the challenges Harris faced in balancing her legal background with her political ambitions.Together, Chuck and Maria dive into the pitfalls of Democratic messaging in the Trump era, why Harris couldn’t connect with Republican voters, and how Biden and Harris miscalculated their approach to the left. They also explore the rise of outsider candidates like Sanders and Trump, the failure of movements like “No Labels,” and whether a third party—or even a unifying military figure—could ever gain traction. With upcoming races in New Jersey and New York on the horizon, Comella weighs in on the donor class panic over Mamdani, Cuomo’s uncertain future, and what it will take for either party to break through with an electorate hungry for reform.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Maria Comella joins the Chuck Toddcast02:00 Maria’s origin story06:30 Difficulty running for state/local offices after being in unpopular congress07:30 Experience of working for Rudy Guiliani11:15 Moving from Republican politics to the Harris campaign12:15 Do Cuomo, Giuliani and Christie have much in common?13:15 All three are voracious readers14:15 Chris Christie was the most self-aware of the three15:30 Christie was mad at Chuck over Meet the Press interview18:00 Did you have a seat at the table with the Harris campaign?19:45 Kamala Harris tried to be everything to everyone21:30 Harris seemed like a more natural fit in law than in politics22:15 Harris had ideological identity issues 23:45 Why Harris didn’t appear on Joe Rogan’s podcast24:45 Harris for Republicans vs. Republicans for Harris25:30 Biden & Harris didn’t know how to talk to Republican voters27:00 Liz Cheney wasn’t effective as a surrogate29:00 Biden & Harris were afraid to go after the left30:15 Harris campaign said she’d be different, but didn’t show it31:30 Harris’s appearance on The View symbolized her loss33:15 Harris had nearly a difficult, but not impossible task34:30 Harris didn’t need to campaign with never Trump Republicans36:00 Harris was too late with her closing argument message37:30 Dukakis’s closing message was just an airing of grievances38:45 Harris’s closing message didn’t meet voters where they were40:00 Democratic messaging has been dumb and lazy in Trump era41:30 Obama was the last candidate the public voted “for”42:45 Rise of Sanders and Trump show how weak the parties are43:15 Is there room for a third party?44:45 Why the “No Labels” party fell flat47:30 Could a less partisan military leader bring the country together?49:15 The system was built to force compromise rather than win/lose51:00 Voters want a reformer/change, Harris didn’t offer that53:30 The GOP “establishment” let problems fester and ended up with Trump55:30 Rand Paul & Josh Hawley have stayed true to themselves57:15 Imitating Trump doesn’t ever work for GOP candidates59:30 Who on the Democratic side could break through with GOP voters?1:01:30 The “Stop Mamdani” movement can’t coalesce around one candidate1:03:00 Donor class panicking they can’t stop Mamdani1:04:15 Schumer & Jeffries failed to find good NYC mayor candidate1:06:30 What will Cuomo do? Could he drop out?1:08:15 Money & ad buys won’t stop Mamdani1:10:30 New Jersey governors race will be the closest race in November1:12:00 The Democratic consultant class is out of touch with voters
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  • Full Episode - Trump’s Authoritarian Tactics Ramp Up + The BIG Mistake That Doomed Kamala Harris |
    Chuck Todd dives into the shifting political and cultural landscape—from Trump’s transformation of the information ecosystem and the  “civics lesson” his presidency has provided to the American public.  He weighs in on the administration’s use of militarized “law and order” tactics and Trump’s constant economic brinkmanship. The conversation ranges from Trump’s similarities to Turkey’s president Erdogan and his clashes with the Fed.. Chuck also introduces the new “ToddCast Top 5,” spotlighting rising Democratic contenders for 2028—from Gavin Newsom’s leadership and Ruben Gallego’s surge, to James Talarico’s Buttigieg-style buzz and the ongoing question of when Bernie Sanders will pass the torch to AOC. Then, former Republican operative turned Harris campaign strategist Maria Comella joins Chuck to deliver a brutal post-mortem on Democratic failures and to reflect on her unique career path across the political spectrum. From her early days in Republican politics to the inner workings of the Harris campaign, Comella offers candid insights on what it takes to run for office in an era defined by partisanship, shifting voter coalitions, and struggling party identities. She shares stories about Christie’s sharp self-awareness, Giuliani’s early years, and the challenges Harris faced in balancing her legal background with her political ambitions.Together, Chuck and Maria dive into the pitfalls of Democratic messaging in the Trump era, why Harris couldn’t connect with Republican voters, and how Biden and Harris miscalculated their approach to the left. They also explore the rise of outsider candidates like Sanders and Trump, the failure of movements like “No Labels,” and whether a third party—or even a unifying military figure—could ever gain traction. With upcoming races in New Jersey and New York on the horizon, Comella weighs in on the donor class panic over Mamdani, Cuomo’s uncertain future, and what it will take for either party to break through with an electorate hungry for reform.Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:15 Miami vs Notre Dame rivalry04:30 Trump has changed the information ecosystem and expectations05:30 Trump is giving the public a long overdue civics lesson06:30 Turkey & Erdogan are the model for Trump08:15 Trump backs off when the market reacts negatively09:30 Trump’s firing of member of Fed board of governors heads to court11:30 If the economy was booming, the Fed wouldn’t cut interest rates13:30 Administration will ramp up “law and order” tactics in blue cities14:45 National guard deployment is more about optics than crime15:45 The issue of crime in cities divides the Democratic party17:30 Trump is creating different standards between red and blue states18:45 Politicizing the economy will only go badly19:45 Trump will own the bad economy20:30 Trump inserts himself into the Roger Clemons Hall of Fame debate21:30 Trump sides with people who are caught cheating23:45 Clemons belongs in the Hall of Fame25:45 Will someone drop out of the NYC Mayoral race to stop Mamdani?27:30 The rise of, and reaction to Mamdani is similar to rise of Trump29:15 Howard University president resigns… hire Kamala Harris?31:00 Introducing the “ToddCast Top 5”31:30 Which Democrat has had the best 2025 to position presidential run?32:15 Gavin Newsom has become the leader of the Democratic party33:45 If Newsom loses referendum it will be a huge blow to his prospects34:30 Ruben Gallego has greatly increased his standing35:30 3 archetypes of Democratic presidential candidates37:45 James Talarico buzz reminiscent of Pete Buttigieg in 201740:00 Andy Beshear & Wes Moore have made waves41:30 Bernie Sanders hasn’t officially passed the torch to AOC44:00 The Democratic base wants a fighter, the middle wants a uniter46:00 Maria Comella joins the Chuck Toddcast 48:00 Maria's origin story 52:30 Difficulty running for state/local offices after being in unpopular congress 53:30 Experience of working for Rudy Guiliani 57:15 Moving from Republican politics to the Harris campaign 58:15 Do Cuomo, Giuliani and Christie have much in common? 59:15 All three are voracious readers 1:00:15 Chris Christie was the most self-aware of the three 1:01:30 Christie was mad at Chuck over Meet the Press interview 1:04:00 Did you have a seat at the table with the Harris campaign? 1:05:45 Kamala Harris tried to be everything to everyone 1:07:30 Harris seemed like a more natural fit in law than in politics 1:08:15 Harris had ideological identity issues 1:09:45 Why Harris didn't appear on Joe Rogan's podcast 1:10:45 Harris for Republicans vs. Republicans for Harris 1:11:30 Biden & Harris didn't know how to talk to Republican voters 1:13:00 Liz Cheney wasn't effective as a surrogate 1:15:00 Biden & Harris were afraid to go after the left 1:16:15 Harris campaign said she'd be different, but didn't show it 1:17:30 Harris's appearance on The View symbolized her loss 1:19:15 Harris had nearly a difficult, but not impossible task 1:20:30 Harris didn't need to campaign with never Trump Republicans 1:22:00 Harris was too late with her closing argument message 1:23:30 Dukakis's closing message was just an airing of grievances 1:24:45 Harris's closing message didn't meet voters where they were 1:26:00 Democratic messaging has been dumb and lazy in Trump era 1:27:30 Obama was the last candidate the public voted "for" 1:28:45 Rise of Sanders and Trump show how weak the parties are 1:29:15 Is there room for a third party? 1:30:45 Why the "No Labels" party fell flat 1:33:30 Could a less partisan military leader bring the country together? 1:35:15 The system was built to force compromise rather than win/lose 1:37:00 Voters want a reformer/change, Harris didn't offer that 1:39:30 The GOP "establishment" let problems fester and ended up with Trump 1:41:30 Rand Paul & Josh Hawley have stayed true to themselves 1:43:15 Imitating Trump doesn't ever work for GOP candidates 1:45:30 Who on the Democratic side could break through with GOP voters? 1:47:30 The "Stop Mamdani" movement can't coalesce around one candidate 1:49:00 Donor class panicking they can't stop Mamdani 1:50:15 Schumer & Jeffries failed to find good NYC mayor candidate 1:52:30 What will Cuomo do? Could he drop out? 1:54:15 Money & ad buys won't stop Mamdani 1:56:30 New Jersey governors race will be the closest race in November 1:58:00 The Democratic consultant class is out of touch with voters2:01:15 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Maria Comella 2:01:45 Ask Chuck 2:02:00 Potential reform to remove political bias from DOJ? 2:09:00 Would a congressionally drafted amendment be better than a convention? 2:12:15 Thoughts on a non-binding constitutional convention?
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About The Chuck ToddCast

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.
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