In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck examines the sweeping global and domestic implications of Trump’s increasingly personal, transactional approach to foreign policy. He breaks down how the administration has abandoned the post–Cold War order, embraced nationalist movements, sidelined democracy promotion, and even signaled security guarantees in exchange for favors — all while crafting a national security strategy full of dangerous gaps and warmly received by the Kremlin. Chuck then turns to the explosive revelations around Trump’s pattern of selling pardons for loyalty, spotlighting the Henry Cuellar episode as a case study in this mob-style political culture. The conversation also touches on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s recent media tirades and her emerging position as a potential “true MAGA” contender in 2028, before wrapping with a look at the historically low approval of all four congressional leaders and why a dramatic leadership reshuffling by 2029 wouldn’t be surprising.
Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the history of the United States relationship with China and the unintended consequences that came with it. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and recaps the college football playoff selection.
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Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
04:00 Trump doesn’t want the U.S. to be the leader of the free world
05:15 Administration rejects post cold war world order
06:30 Foreign policy will be subjective based on Trump’s personal relationships
07:15 There is no more value judgement on who the US does business with
08:15 Administration is proving to be very anti-EU
09:00 Administration signals support for other nationalist movements
11:30 Trump has never believed U.S. should promote democracy
12:30 There are plenty of holes in the national security strategy
13:15 Qatari plane bribe led to NATO like security guarantee
14:30 American presidents should believe in democracy
15:45 Trump’s retreat from the world will create generational damage
16:45 The new security memo was loved by the Kremlin
17:30 Trump mad at Henry Cueller for not changing parties after pardon
18:15 Trump is clearly selling pardons in exchange for money or support
20:15 Trump’s primary complaint with Cueller was “lack of loyalty”
22:00 Trump seemingly thought pardon was in exchange for something
24:30 There should be far more outrage over the weekly sale of pardons
25:30 Marjorie Taylor-Greene blasts GOP lawmakers in 60 minutes interview
26:30 MTG believed the BS & is now finally realizing it’s BS
27:30 MTG could become the “true MAGA” candidate in 2028
28:00 All 4 congressional leaders are incredibly unpopular
29:30 Congressional GOP could use a leadership shakeup
30:15 Schumer & Jeffries are looking over their shoulders
32:15 It wouldn’t be surprising if all four leaders are gone by 2029
38:45 ToddCast Time Machine December 1978, 2001, 2025
39:30 Jimmy Carter announce normalization of relations with China
40:30 Kissinger praised bringing Beijing closer, Goldwater was furious
41:15 Business community was ecstatic
42:30 In 2001, China joins the WTO: hinge moment of globalization
43:30 Democrats & Republicans agreed on China in 2001
45:15 Consumers & business loved cheaper good from China
46:00 Bush & Gore both had the same view of China
46:45 Populists warned of job losses and economic pain
47:30 What if US had blocked China’s entry to the WTO?
49:15 China is now viewed as a permanent strategic rival
50:30 US made a bet they could promote reform in Beijing and failed
51:15 Bets on China reshaped the U.S. more than China
52:00 Ask Chuck
52:15 Why don’t national democrats want to be in Iowa?
55:15 How did Obama hurt the DNC beyond endorsing Hillary?
59:30 Which member of each branch would be better in another branch?
1:05:00 Could lack of a primary in 2024 lead to broader election reforms?
1:07:30 College football roundup
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The Chuck ToddCast 