Why 2026 Could Be Bleak for Republicans

On today’s Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down why Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation is less an isolated drama and more a warning sign that Trump’s once-tight MAGA coalition is splintering. From Speaker Mike Johnson taking cues directly from Trump to a wave of looming GOP retirements, Chuck explains why Republicans may face a bleak 2026. He also digs into Trump’s mixed economic record, his unexpected openness to extending ACA subsidies, and the widening rift between Republicans over Ukraine, where a new peace proposal appears to reflect more of Kyiv’s asks than Moscow’s. With Europe carrying most of the burden and Trump seen abroad as a lame duck, Chuck argues that MAGA may be reaching the end of its political shelf life as fractures emerge across every major wing of the coalition.

Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 Thanksgiving Dishes, previews a pivotal weekend in college football and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.

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Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction

01:15  MTG’s resignation a sign of Trump’s coalition fracturing

02:00  MAGA is more likely to continue fracturing rather than galvanize

02:45  Republicans probably hoping for impeachment if Dems take house

04:00  Johnson keeping the house out of session was a huge mistake

05:30  Mike Johnson isn’t operating on his own, Trump dictates to him

07:00  Trump’s agenda has made the economy worse

08:45  Other Republican lawmakers signaling they may resign early

10:00  Holidays are the season of early retirement decisions

10:45  Likely we see 10 or more Republican retirements by end of January

12:30  Donald Trump signals willingness to extend ACA subsidies

14:45  Lame duck president and Dem majority will discourage GOP reelect bids

16:15  Congress has been cut out of governing, makes the job suck

17:45  Ukraine peace plan details have been all over the map

18:30  New peace deal contains more of Ukraine’s considerations

19:00  Trump just wants a deal, doesn’t care about the details

20:15  To his credit, Trump has people on his team supporting Ukraine

22:45  Skeptical that new deal will be well received by the Russians

23:45  Putin knows Trump is a lame duck and will play the long game

25:15  Europe provides most support to Ukraine, Trump has less leverage

27:00  Split between Rubio & Vance wings over Russia and Ukraine 

28:15  We are seeing fractures throughout Trump’s coalition

29:15  MAGA may be approaching the end of its shelf life

33:45  Thanksgiving is where we try to be the best version of ourselves

34:45  ToddCast Top 5 Dishes For Thanksgiving Dinner

35:00  #1 A meat that is an alternative to roasted turkey

35:45  #2 Macaroni and cheese casserole, not out of the box

36:30  #3 Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows

37:30  #4 Green bean mushroom casserole

38:30  #5 Leftover pumpkin pie w/coffee the next morning

40:00  College football preview

52:15  Ask Chuck

52:30  Will AI take CEO jobs? Does it present a threat to capitalism?

56:30  Has Trump given license to racists & misogynists to be more overt?

1:00:00  Is it possible that teams will play down against Notre Dame?

1:03:30  Thoughts on Qatari air force facility being built in Idaho

1:05:00  Paradox between presidential immunity vs “take care” clause?

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