Balancing Decisions: Military vs. Diplomacy

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 Introduction

01:00 Trump orders attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities

02:00 Nobody wants a nuclear arms race in the middle east

02:30 Bombing was a choice, there were other options

03:45 The consequences will affect the entire globe

05:15 Other countries could race toward nukes

06:00 Israel cornered the US government into airstrikes

07:45 Kamala Harris probably would have ordered the airstrikes*

09:15 Israel would have forced the president’s hand either way

10:15 Trump didn’t make the case for strikes in remarks to the nation

12:00 Iran could strike back asymmetrically 

12:45 Congress has been sidelined, this is Trump’s war

14:45 Did this make the U.S. and the world safer?

17:30 Trump violated the law by not notifying Democrats about the strike

19:30 Eric Swalwell issues an alarming statement about 2028 election

20:45 NYC mayoral primary will show where the energy in the party is

23:00 Mamdani’s candidacy scares the Democratic establishment

24:20 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 

1:33:20 Journalists shouldn't be celebrities 

1:34:35 Which Philly sports team will you follow even if they suck? 

1:36:50 Collecting sports memorabilia 

1:39:05 The entire SEC cheated 

1:40:20 The long form podcast format vs short TV interviews 

1:43:20 The public's reaction to "Original Sin" 

1:45:20 Trump has been backed into a corner with Iran

1:48:00 Chuck's thoughts on the interview Jake Tapper 

1:48:30 Ask Chuck - Who would you put on Mt. Rushmore of DC media figures? 

1:51:30 What should happen with the Nats after getting swept by the Rockies? 

1:53:45 Chuck remembers his family dog Ruby. Rest in peace.