Confronting Political Violence in America

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.

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

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 Chuck Todd’s 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

21:15 Congressman Greg Landsman joins the Chuck Toddcast 

21:30 Charlie Kirk shot at event on UVU campus 

24:15 We need to turn down the temperature on political rhetoric 

25:30 Social media algorithms have accelerated polarization 

28:00 Being super online warps your brain 

29:15 Political leadership that crosses the line needs to be called out 

29:45 Social media companies shouldn't be shielded from litigation 

30:45 Algorithms turn social media platforms into publishers 

32:15 Need to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people 

33:45 We're likely to slide into a "which side is more violent" debate 

35:30 Why no committee investigation into Trump assassination attempt?

37:45 The country is a tinderbox, the president needs to calm the waters 

40:30 Democrats have been chasing Trump for 10 years 

41:30 Democrats need to offer solutions and not just opposition to Trump 

43:30 What did Greg do before entering politics? 

44:30 What was the experience like on the city council? 

48:15 Local government teaches you the basics of governing 

52:15 After 9/11, congressional leaders ruined congress 

53:30 700 bills made it out of committee, 50 made it to the floor 

54:30 Most bills on the floor are messaging bills 

55:45 America is only united when we have a common external enemy 

56:45 We could be in World War 3 within a couple years 

57:45 U.S. needs to make clear that it will defend allies 

59:00 How do you sell defending Taiwan to the American people? 

1:00:00 Should we have an Asian NATO? 

1:01:15 We have to increase the cost to China for messing with Taiwan 

1:02:30 Trump's trade war increases the likelihood of a hot war 

1:04:50 Thoughts on the excerpts from Kamala Harris's book? 

1:06:15 Were you pressured by the administration into not saying anything? 

1:08:45 Will your seat be redistricted?

1:09:15 Thoughts on interview with Greg Landsman 

1:10:00 Excerpts from Kamala Harris's book released, are very direct 

1:10:45 Harris was set up for failure as the "border czar" 

1:11:45 Surprising that Biden staff treated Harris like Obama's treated him 

1:13:45 Harris is cautious by nature 

1:16:00 Harris likely to run again out of Biden's shadow 

1:17:30 Dean Phillips is owed an apology, party needed an open debate 

1:18:45 Ask Chuck 

1:19:00 Importance of Michigan politics? 

1:22:30 Could the energy Detroit sports teams provide could impact politics? 

1:25:30 How should Democrats call out corruption & unfavorables on their side? 

1:30:15 Should Democrats invite the national guard, then highlight crime in red states? 

1:33:45 If the media hounded Trump about Kennedy, would he be more reactive? 

1:36:15 College football games to keep an eye on 

1:41:15 Find your way to do your part to de-escalate

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