Chuck Todd unpacks the fallout from Charlie Kirk’s assassination and what it means for public displays of democracy, as lawmakers debate whether fear should keep them from showing up for their constituents. He also dives into explosive Senate testimony from former CDC director Dr. Monarez, who detailed political interference in vaccine policy under the Trump administration. The conversation shifts to the economic strain of tariffs and subsidy cuts—driving up everything from prescription drugs to coffee prices—alongside predictions of mass white-collar job losses fueled by AI. From Trump’s push to end quarterly earnings reports to the unresolved fight over TikTok, he highlights how politics, economics, and technology are colliding in ways that test both government accountability and public trust.
Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football.
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Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Introduction
02:00 Will we have public displays of democracy after Kirk’s death?
02:30 Lawmakers are reconsidering public events
04:00 If public servants are afraid of the public, they need to leave public service
05:30 Lawmakers should take precautions, but they have to show up
06:30 Social media platforms suppress content criticizing them
08:30 Former CDC director Dr. Monarez testified before senate committee
09:30 Trump nominated Dr. Monarez in March 2025
11:00 Dr. Monarez was fired less than a month after swearing
12:45 Kennedy instructed Monarez not to interact with members of congress
14:00 Monarez testifies Kennedy had no science backing change in vaccine schedule
15:30 Chief of staff at HHS says there would be political review of scientific data
17:30 Monarez says the no evidence support change to under 2 vaccine schedule
18:45 Republican senators seemed troubled by the testimony
19:45 You have to be skeptical of any info that comes from the Trump admin
21:00 Prescription drug prices skyrocketing due to tariffs & subsidy cuts
23:00 Coffee prices will become the new gas prices as bellwether for economy
25:00 Tariff impacts are really starting to show up in the economy
26:00 Anthropic predicting massive job losses in the white collar sector
26:45 Mark Kelly proposes AI companies set up special fund to offset job losses
28:30 Trump comes out against quarterly earnings reports
29:30 Quarterly reports make companies focus on short term profits
31:15 Investors punish long term focus from companies and it’s unhealthy
32:00 Trump’s motives are always questionable, but this isn’t a bad policy
34:00 A functional congress, wouldn't let the Chinese run TikTok’s algorithm post-sale
36:00 Why bother with TikTok ban at all
37:15 Major corporations view fines as the cost of doing business
39:30 Ask Chuck
39:45 If state senates duplicate their districts, why have the districts at all?
45:00 Why doesn't Minnesota get swing state attention like other midwest states?
53:15 Should we stop treating real debate the same as clickbait debate?
57:15 Is there any benefit to parties besides the rich being able to push their agenda?
1:02:45 College football preview - Miami vs. Florida 1:09:00 The Iron Skillet SMU vs TCU
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The Chuck ToddCast