The Chuck ToddCast

The Chuck ToddCast - Chuck Todd Reacts to Special Elections + John Fetterman on Donald Trump & 2028 Presidential Run

Apr 2, 2025

In this discussion, John Fetterman, the junior U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, unpacks the recent special elections and their implications for the Democratic Party. He reflects on Trump’s influence on voter turnout and the challenges the party faces, including the ‘Signalgate’ scandal. The conversation shifts to questions of leadership within the party and the overwhelming role of billionaires in politics. Fetterman also teases his potential presidential aspirations for 2028, making it a thought-provoking dialogue on current and future political landscapes.

01:06:05

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Episode guests

John Fetterman

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Quick takeaways

Chuck Todd emphasizes the significance of independent journalism in maintaining accountability and fostering genuine discourse in the current media landscape.

The episode analyzes the impact of recent special elections, indicating strong Democratic voter turnout and the struggles faced by Republican candidates without Trump on the ballot.

Senator John Fetterman discusses his political aspirations, highlighting the necessity for Democrats to present a viable candidate who resonates with middle-ground voters.

Deep dives

The Rise of Independent Journalism

The episode highlights the shift towards independent journalism, with Chuck Todd emphasizing his role as an independent voice rather than a part of a media empire. This independence allows for unfettered reporting, driven by honesty rather than corporate interests. He reflects on the accountability of independent journalists, where the primary concern lies in self-evaluation and integrity. This prompts a broader discussion on the current media landscape and the relevance of independent commentators in fostering genuine discourse.

Intro

2min

Trump's Impact on Special Elections

11min

Election Insights and a Comprehensive Political Conversation

2min

Opening Day Excitement and Fan Culture

4min

Navigating Political Turbulence

12min

Navigating Governance Challenges

20min

Billionaires and the Political Landscape

15min

On the debut episode of the newly relaunched Chuck ToddCast, Chuck sits down with Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman.

But first, Chuck reacts to the special election results for US Congress in Florida that saw Republicans Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine beat out Democrats Gay Valimont and Josh Weil for the seats vacated by Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz. He also discusses the hotly contested Wisconsin Supreme Court race, where liberal judge Susan Crawford won her race against Brad Schimel, who had millions of dollars of support from Elon Musk.

Then, he and Sen. Fetterman discuss a wide range of important issues, beginning with his message to Democrats who are alarmed by the actions of Donald Trump’s administration. He shares his reaction to the “Signalgate” scandal and his assessment of what went wrong for Democrats in the 2024 election. Fetterman gives his take on Elon Musk and Doge performing massive cuts across the federal government, as well as the looming tariffs that President Trump is threatening to impose on America’s top trading partners. They also try to make sense of the administration’s 180-degree turn on longstanding U.S. foreign policy and the president’s fixation on Greenland. Finally, they discuss the current lack of a true leader for the Democratic Party, the role of billionaires in politics, and whether Senator Fetterman is considering a run for president in 2028.

Timeline:

0:00 Introduction

2:30 Special elections in Florida

8:42 Wisconsin Supreme Court race

14:48 Start of John Fetterman interview

18:00 Aaron Rodgers to the Steelers?

19:00 Message to Democrats that are freaking out

23:44 Reaction to “Signalgate”

27:10 What happened in 2024?

30:44 Elon Musk and DOGE

35:22 America’s 180-degree turn on foreign policy

40:38 President Trump’s fixation on Greenland

44:28 Fetterman’s Mar-A-Lago visit

46:45 Who’s the leader of the Democratic party?

51:04 Influence of billionaires in politics

54:08 Will Fetterman run for president in 2028?

56:09 Do Democrats need to move to the center?

1:01:09 Chuck’s final thoughts on the interview with John Fetterman

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