On this episode of The Chuck Toddcast, Congressman Greg Landsman joins Chuck for a wide-ranging conversation that begins with the shocking shooting of Charlie Kirk at an event on the Utah Valley University campus. The two dig into how political rhetoric has spiraled out of control, the role of social media algorithms in fueling polarization, and why platforms shouldn’t be shielded from accountability. Landsman argues that leaders who cross the line with their rhetoric must be called out and stresses the urgent need to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people before the U.S. slips further into a dangerous cycle of political violence.

From there, the discussion shifts to governing—what Landsman learned on Cincinnati’s city council, why Congress has become dysfunctional since 9/11, and the frustrating reality that most bills are more about messaging than legislating. They also tackle foreign policy, including the stakes of defending Taiwan, the risks of Trump’s trade war with China, and whether an “Asian NATO” could prevent a wider conflict. Plus, Landsman reflects on Kamala Harris’s book, the pressures from party leadership, and the uncertainty of his own political future as redistricting looms.

(This conversation was recorded prior to the news of Charlie Kirk’s death)

Timeline:

00:00 Congressman Greg Landsman joins the Chuck Toddcast

00:15 Charlie Kirk shot at event on UVU campus

03:00 We need to turn down the temperature on political rhetoric

04:15 Social media algorithms have accelerated polarization

06:45 Being super online warps your brain

08:00 Political leadership that crosses the line needs to be called out

08:30 Social media companies shouldn’t be shielded from litigation

09:30 Algorithms turn social media platforms into publishers

11:00 Need to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people

12:30 We’re likely to slide into a “which side is more violent” debate

14:15 Why no committee investigation into Trump assassination attempt?

16:30 The country is a tinderbox, the president needs to calm the waters

19:15 Democrats have been chasing Trump for 10 years

20:15 Democrats need to offer solutions and not just opposition to Trump

22:15 What did Greg do before entering politics?

23:15 What was the experience like on the city council?

27:00 Local government teaches you the basics of governing

31:00 After 9/11, congressional leaders ruined congress

32:15 700 bills made it out of committee, 50 made it to the floor

33:15 Most bills on the floor are messaging bills

34:30 America is only united when we have a common external enemy

35:30 We could be in World War 3 within a couple years

36:30 U.S. needs to make clear that it will defend allies

37:45 How do you sell defending Taiwan to the American people?

38:45 Should we have an Asian NATO?

40:00 We have to increase the cost to China for messing with Taiwan

41:15 Trump’s trade war increases the likelihood of a hot war

43:35 Thoughts on the excerpts from Kamala Harris’s book?

45:00 Were you pressured by the administration into not saying anything?

47:30 Will your seat be redistricted?

On this episode of the Chuck Toddcast, Chuck reflects on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it reveals about the tinderbox state of American politics. He explores how escalating rhetoric, dehumanization, and the amplification of fringe anger online have fueled a culture where violence replaces politics—and where children are left grieving the consequences. From the role of algorithms in supercharging extremism to the failure of leaders and tech companies to meet the moment, Chuck asks whether this tragedy can finally serve as the wake-up call for Americans to step back, recommit to the democratic process, and demand a safer political climate.

Finally, he reacts to the newly released excerpts from Kamala Harris’s book and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.

Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Introduction - Charlie Kirk assassinated

01:30 We’re in a tinderbox of our own making

02:30 Political rhetoric has escalated out of control

03:00 Young kids lost their father over a political dispute

03:45 When you resort to violence, you are no longer practicing politics

05:00 Dehumanizing rhetoric leads to violence

07:15 We collectively need to step back in this movement

09:00 The way politics has been conducted won’t lead us to a better place

10:15 We have underreacted to political violence in recent years

11:30 Unity doesn’t mean agreeing, it means agreeing to the process

12:45 The super online angry fringe whips people up

13:45 Hopefully this is the “enough is enough” moment

15:45 Algorithms incentive and feed into the extremist rhetoric

16:45 Hoping our leaders can rise up and meet the moment

19:15 The tech companies have created this environment

20:00 Excerpts from Kamala Harris's book released, are very direct

20:45 Harris was set up for failure as the "border czar"

21:45 Surprising that Biden staff treated Harris like Obama's treated him

23:45 Harris is cautious by nature

26:00 Harris likely to run again out of Biden's shadow

27:30 Dean Phillips is owed an apology, party needed an open debate

28:45 Ask Chuck

29:00 Importance of Michigan politics?

32:30 Could the energy Detroit sports teams provide could impact politics?

35:30 How should Democrats call out corruption & unfavorables on their side?

40:15 Should Democrats invite the national guard, then highlight crime in red states?

43:45 If the media hounded Trump about Kennedy, would he be more reactive?

46:15 College football games to keep an eye on

51:15 Find your way to do your part to de-escalate

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

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

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck unpacks a whirlwind of economic, geopolitical, and political developments shaping America’s future. From Trump’s tariffs likely surviving a fast-tracked Supreme Court review to rising fears of stagflation fueled by deportations and trade headwinds, the economic outlook is looking grim. Abroad, Russia escalates the war by sending drones into Polish airspace, while Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar risks leaving it more isolated on the world stage. Back home, Trump once again rewrites reality, denying ties to Jeffrey Epstein as his allies echo the talking points — raising fresh parallels to Orwell’s 1984.

He also looks ahead to the Democratic Party’s long-term challenges: how can they remain competitive nationally by 2032, when the current path to 270 electoral votes is likely gone? With Georgia and North Carolina emerging as decisive swing states, Democrats will need to expand their map and rethink their message — particularly as the “socialism” label remains toxic to southern voters.

Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 states each party should target in order to make them battlegrounds by 2032, and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.

Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Introduction

01:00 Trump’s tariffs likely to stay in place despite expedited court ruling

02:15 Trump’s team pushed SCOTUS to rule quickly

04:00 John Roberts is always hesitant to upset those in power

06:00 The bad vibes surrounding the economy look to be right

07:15 Economy was facing headwinds, tariffs & deportations make it worse

09:30 The conditions for stagflation are forming

11:30 Incursion of Russian attack drones into Polish airspace

12:15 Putin has escalated the war since Alaska summit with Trump

13:45 Israel makes brazen strike on Hamas political wing in Qatar

15:45 There’s no chance Trump would have approved strike in advance

16:45 Strike could further isolate Israel

18:00 Israel is a wedge issue amongst the American electorate

20:45 Trump goes full George Orwell, denies letter to Epstein

22:00 Trump staffers have been willing to double down on behalf of Trump

23:15 We're living through Orwell's 1984

25:15 Democrats can weaponize Epstein to highlight Trump's dishonesty

27:15 How can Democrats become a competitive national party in 2032?

28:15 By 2032, the current path to 270 won't be there for Democrats

30:00 Georgia and North Carolina will become the most important swing states

31:15 Democrats need to figure out how to expand their path to 270

33:15 The word socialism is toxic to voters in the south

35:15 Democrats will have to rebrand and back off the socialism label

38:45 The Toddcast Top 5 - States each party should target as battlegrounds

40:00 Top 5 states Democrats should target

46:30 Top 5 states Republicans should target

51:00 Ask Chuck

51:15 Why be in congress if you have no interest in exercising power?

57:45 Potential democracy reforms that the U.S. could pass?

1:02:00 Was the eugenics movement similar to the current anti-vax movement?

Political strategist and K-Street veteran Bruce Mehlman joins Chuck Todd to unpack how politics, media, and business have collided in the Trump era and beyond. From the days when three television networks shaped a shared national narrative to today’s fractured landscape of Substack newsletters, podcasts, and hyper-partisan social feeds, Mehlman and Chuck explore how the internet broke traditional politics. They dive into how Washington has become a magnet for American business titans, the sky-high costs of lobbying access to President Trump, and whether bipartisan firms can even survive in the current climate.

The conversation then widens to the global stage, connecting the 2008 financial crisis to the populist revolts of Brexit and Trump, and questioning whether the public underestimates just how much globalization has improved daily life. From Trump’s reliance on tariffs to the reality-versus-perception debate over crime, immigration, and the economy, Mehlman outlines the policy flashpoints that will shape 2024 and beyond. Plus: what the redistricting wars could mean for democracy, and why some argue the House of Representatives needs to grow in size to reflect America’s population.

Timeline:

00:00 Bruce Mehlman joins the Chuck ToddCast

02:30 Traditional media is forced to “sand the edges”due to political climate

03:15 The internet broke politics and media

04:15 When there were 3 networks, news catered to the entire country

05:45 The energy in media is in the podcast/substack space

06:45 The importance of a varied media diet

08:00 Twitter/X has become incredibly right-wing

09:00 Washington D.C. has become a tent-pole for business titans

10:15 Can bipartisan firms succeed in DC these days?

13:30 How is the “Trump purge” affecting K-Street?

15:15 Lobbying firms with access are charging astronomical rates

16:15 Congress isn’t passing legislation, it’s all executive orders

17:30 Does Mike Johnson have a go-to shop on K-Street?

19:00 Was Brexit the event that caused this era of global instability?

19:45 Brexit and Trump were downstream of the 2008 financial crisis

21:15 The populist revolt was inevitable after the financial crisis

23:30 The public takes for granted the benefits of globalization

26:15 Successful western countries haven’t compensated for globalization

28:15 The public suffers from recency bias, things are better now

30:00 The perception of the economy is the economic reality

32:15 People who predict doom are perceived as right and smarter

33:45 If SCOTUS takes away Trump’s tariff power, will congress restore it?

34:45 Trump views tariffs as the solution to every problem

37:00 If Trump loses in court on tariffs, he’ll just use another law

38:15 There’s no incentive for Dems to cut a deal due to recissions

40:00 If Republicans agree to no recissions, they could find a deal

41:15 If legislation passes one chamber, it should force a vote in the other

42:15 Fallout from the raid on South Korean workers at the Hyundai plant?

44:30 There’s support for the “why” of Trump’s immigration policy, not the “how”

48:15 What pushback to Trump’s deployment of troops to cities is most effective?

50:30 The perception of crime in cities vs the reality

51:45 Downplaying crime is a political loser

52:30 Democrats’ support for capitalism is falling and socialism is rising

54:15 The most important electoral states will be GA, NC and AZ

57:15 Socialism is least popular in the states Democrats need in the south

59:00 Higher embrace of socialism in cities and amongst younger voters

1:00:45 Thoughts on the redistricting wars?

1:03:00 The size of the house needs to grow with the population