The Chuck ToddCast

Epstein Backlash Could Fracture Trump’s Coalition + Could AOC Become President? + Will Israel Divide Democrats

Jul 24, 2025
Ben Smith, editor-in-chief of Semafor and former BuzzFeed journalist, joins to discuss the shifting media landscape. He shares insights on how Semafor aims to provide accessible news without paywalls amid a fragmented media environment. They explore the sensationalism and clickbait driven by today’s journalism, particularly related to the Epstein controversy and its potential to fracture Trump's coalition. The conversation also touches on AOC’s rising influence and the Democratic Party's internal divisions over key issues, including Israel.
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INSIGHT

Epstein Story Fractures GOP Base

  • Epstein story deeply conditions a segment of the Republican base that sees it as proof of a deep, untouchable elite network.
  • Breaking the promise to release Epstein files risks fracturing Trump's coalition as some GOP members fear electoral backlash.
INSIGHT

AI Can Amplify False Info

  • Google's AI replicated false health information about Chuck Todd, diagnosing Parkinson's incorrectly.
  • Large language models are prone to inaccuracies as they treat frequency of info as truth, highlighting AI limitations.
INSIGHT

Millennials Drive Independent Growth

  • Independents are the fastest growing voter group, mostly millennials and Gen Z under 45.
  • Younger voters view independent candidates positively, unlike older voters who see them as spoilers.
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