Chuck's Commentary - Trump’s Authoritarian Tactics Ramp Up + Top 5 Democrats Who’ve Had A Great 2025 + Ask Chuck

Chuck Todd dives into the shifting political and cultural landscape—from Trump’s transformation of the information ecosystem and the  “civics lesson” his presidency has provided to the American public.  He weighs in on the administration’s use of militarized “law and order” tactics and Trump’s constant economic brinkmanship. The conversation ranges from Trump’s similarities to Turkey’s president Erdogan and his clashes with the Fed.. Chuck also introduces the new “ToddCast Top 5,” spotlighting rising Democratic contenders for 2028—from Gavin Newsom’s leadership and Ruben Gallego’s surge, to James Talarico’s Buttigieg-style buzz and the ongoing question of when Bernie Sanders will pass the torch to AOC. 

Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.

Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Introduction

01:15 Miami vs Notre Dame rivalry

04:30 Trump has changed the information ecosystem and expectations

05:30 Trump is giving the public a long overdue civics lesson

06:30 Turkey & Erdogan are the model for Trump

08:15 Trump backs off when the market reacts negatively

09:30 Trump’s firing of member of Fed board of governors heads to court

11:30 If the economy was booming, the Fed wouldn’t cut interest rates

13:30 Administration will ramp up “law and order” tactics in blue cities

14:45 National guard deployment is more about optics than crime

15:45 The issue of crime in cities divides the Democratic party

17:30 Trump is creating different standards between red and blue states

18:45 Politicizing the economy will only go badly

19:45 Trump will own the bad economy

20:30 Trump inserts himself into the Roger Clemons Hall of Fame debate

21:30 Trump sides with people who are caught cheating

23:45 Clemons belongs in the Hall of Fame

25:45 Will someone drop out of the NYC Mayoral race to stop Mamdani?

27:30 The rise of, and reaction to Mamdani is similar to rise of Trump

29:15 Howard University president resigns… hire Kamala Harris?

31:00 Introducing the “ToddCast Top 5”

31:30 Which Democrat has had the best 2025 to position presidential run?

32:15 Gavin Newsom has become the leader of the Democratic party

33:45 If Newsom loses referendum it will be a huge blow to his prospects

34:30 Ruben Gallego has greatly increased his standing

35:30 3 archetypes of Democratic presidential candidates

37:45 James Talarico buzz reminiscent of Pete Buttigieg in 2017

40:00 Andy Beshear & Wes Moore have made waves

41:30 Bernie Sanders hasn’t officially passed the torch to AOC

44:00 The Democratic base wants a fighter, the middle wants a uniter

46:30 Ask Chuck 

46:45 Potential reform to remove political bias from DOJ? 

53:45 Would a congressionally drafted amendment be better than a convention? 

57:00 Thoughts on a non-binding constitutional convention?

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