The Chuck ToddCast

Chuck Todd opens with a grim inventory of an administration besieged on every front as the Iran war enters its twelfth day with no exit strategy in sight. He then pivots to the SAVE Act — the Republican voting bill that has 50 Senate votes but faces a filibuster John Thune admits he likely can't break. He walks through the details that go well beyond simple voter ID: the bill requires documentary proof of citizenship to register, treats women who change their name through marriage as first-time voters, and Trump is demanding additions including a near-total ban on mail-in voting — turning what polls show is an 80%-popular concept into a toxic package that could disenfranchise millions. He notes that John Cornyn flipped his filibuster position to chase Trump's Texas endorsement, warns that if Republicans nuke the filibuster and Democrats later win the Senate they won't restore it, and argues that Republicans are essentially writing legislation to make Trump's false fraud claims real — while Trump is already setting up the SAVE Act's inevitable failure as his preemptive excuse for midterm losses that have nothing to do with voting rules and everything to do with an unpopular war, a tanking economy, and a completely unserious leader running the Pentagon. Ultimately, he argues that partisan changes to voting rule destroy trust in democracy, whether it be the SAVE Act, or Democrats efforts to pass HR1.
Then, Fiona Hill — who served on the National Security Council under three presidents and became a household name during Trump's first impeachment — joins the Chuck ToddCast for a deeply alarming assessment of the Iran war now entering its second week, with Operation Epic Fury having metastasized into a multi-front conflict spanning nine countries, oil prices surging past $100 a barrel, and hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded across the Middle East. Hill dismantles the geopolitical chessboard with surgical precision, explaining that while there is no formal alliance between Russia and Iran and that the relationship is deeply transactional, with Iran having provided Russia with Shahed drones and helped build a drone factory. She argues that China is letting the U.S. "rope-a-dope" itself, sitting back alongside Russia to watch America bleed resources and credibility in yet another Middle Eastern quagmire. She flags the glaring double standard in the administration's diplomacy: envoy Steve Witkoff refused to take the Iranians at their word during nuclear negotiations in Geneva but accepted Russian assurances at face value.
The conversation turns existential as Hill warns that Trump's adventurism — which never faced serious consequences through Venezuela or the June 2025 strikes that made Iran look like a paper tiger — has now collided with reality. Trump saw the opportunity to kill Khamenei and took it, hoping for either a popular uprising or a pliant successor, but none of those hopes have materialized. Hill calls it an Afghanistan-and-Iraq-level jam with even less global credibility.. They raise the chilling question of whether Xi Jinping might prioritize seizing Taiwan while America is overextended, observes that NORAD doesn't function without Canada and the Nordic countries that Trump has alienated, warns that the damage to America's reputation will last decades, and notes that individual U.S. states are already setting up their own diplomatic representation with foreign countries to fill the vacuum. They close with a striking contrast: unlike Russians, Americans can still vote their way out of tyranny — but the window in which that remains true may be narrowing, as we are likely entering a post-American empire period.
Finally, he answers listeners’ question in the “Ask Chuck” segment and celebrates the start of March Madness.
Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/chuck for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!

Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
04:30 There’s no easy way for Trump to get out of Iran
05:30 It’s become clear US responsible for bombing Iranian school
06:15 FBI warns California law enforcement of threat of Iranian drone strikes
07:15 The fallout from the war is complicated & Trump can’t just turn it off
08:30 Drone attack that killed US soldiers far more serious than initially reported
09:15 Republicans in congress are demoralized & don’t know what to run on
10:45 Pentagon bars press for publishing “unflattering” photos of Pete Hegseth
12:00 We have a serious war and a completely unserious leader of the Pentagon
12:45 Republican senators knew Hegseth was unqualified & confirmed him anyway
14:15 It’s important to explain the details of the Republican SAVE Act
15:00 John Cornyn flipped position on the filibuster to try to earn Trump endorsement
15:30 Republicans likely don’t have the votes to kill the filibuster
16:15 Contrasting and comparing Democrats HR1 vs Republicans SAVE Act
18:15 SAVE Act requires proof of citizenship to vote
19:00 Trump wants a total ban on mail in voting and all voting on one day
20:00 If GOP kills filibuster & Dems win senate, Dems won’t restore it
20:45 If passed in a partisan vote, SAVE Act would delegitimize democracy
21:45 If rules change based on who’s in power, the public will lose faith in process
23:30 We’re seeing a collision of two partisan visions over who gets to vote
24:30 SAVE Act makes voter registration a “show your papers” event
25:30 There’s a massive gap between bill passed in house & what Trump wants
26:00 Trump is demanding a bill loaded with culture war items
27:30 If Republicans jam through the SAVE Act, it could juice Democratic turnout
29:00 Voter ID isn’t controversial with the public
29:45 There’s 80% support for proof of citizenship when registering to vote
30:15 Republicans believe it should be harder to vote, Dems think it should be easier
31:30 Trump is taking popular ideas and packaging them in a bill that is toxic
32:30 Stability in a democracy doesn’t come from a 51% majority
33:45 34k people in Arizona were barred from state elections, but had federal carve out
35:00 Almost no voter fraud has actually been found
36:00 If you change name or get married, SAVE Act treats you as first time voter
37:30 America already makes life harder on women, SAVE Act makes it worse
38:15 The SAVE Act goes WELL beyond voter ID
39:00 Republicans are writing a bill to make Trump’s bullshit real
39:45 Trump will blame failure to pass SAVE Act for election losses in midterms
41:00 SAVE Act would disenfranchise or add barriers for millions of voters
42:00 Individual citizens have no constitutional right to vote
42:45 State constitutions provide voting guarantees, SAVE Act contradicts that
44:15 Changes to voting rules need bipartisan public consensus
50:15 Fiona Hill joins the Chuck ToddCast
51:30 There is no formal alliance between Russia and Iran
52:15 Historically, Russia and Iran clashed over territory
54:00 Iran provided Russia with Shahed drones & helped build factory
54:45 Trump views his relationship with Russia & Putin in a vacuum
55:45 Iran’s relationship with China & Russia is very transactional
56:30 Iran sees itself as a civilization, not just a country
58:15 China is letting the U.S. “rope a dope” itself
59:30 China doesn’t do favors without a cost
1:00:15 Witkoff didn’t take Iranians at their word but did with Russia
1:00:45 China & Russia are sitting back and watching what happens in Iran
1:01:45 Special military operations often become quagmires
1:03:00 Trump hasn’t thought about the knock-on consequences in Iran
1:05:15 Administration thinks they can figure it out as they go
1:06:00 Trump’s adventurism never had serious consequences until now
1:07:45 9/11 shaped the frame for American thinking for 25 years
1:08:45 Do you buy that MBS pushed Trump into striking Iran?
1:09:45 The Chinese didn’t see unintended effects of war in Ukraine
1:10:45 Russia has 20x casualty rate in Ukraine that USSR had in Afghanistan
1:12:45 The Israelis are clear that they want regime change
1:13:00 Outside of eliminating the nuclear program… What's the rest of our aim?
1:14:30 Without regime change, Iranian and Venezuelan people will turn on Trump
1:15:30 There’s a large Iranian population is many countries
1:16:00 Trump is in a Afghanistan/Iraq level jam with no plan
1:16:45 Gutting of national security council effects on Trump’s planning
1:18:00 We’ve lost grip of our political system, congress has abdicated
1:19:15 High oil prices could be a boon to Russia, but shipping is an issue
1:21:30 Putin doesn’t want to end the war in Ukraine unless its on his terms
1:22:15 Ukraine has been an incredibly tough fighting force
1:23:00 The rich & powerful forget that the other 8 billion people have agency
1:24:30 Ukraine won’t have a peace imposed on it by outsiders
1:25:15 Trump assumes everyone else is as transactional as he is
1:26:15 Khamenei is a religious leader, his killing has religious implications
1:29:15 Asymmetrical war feels unwinnable
1:31:30 The damage to America’s reputation in the world will last decades
1:32:30 NORAD doesn’t work without Canada & Nordic countries
1:35:00 How can a future president try to fix the damage with allies?
1:36:00 Individual states are setting up representation with foreign countries
1:38:00 If you’re Xi, do you prioritize seizing Taiwan while Trump’s in office?
1:39:45 We’re likely in a post-American empire period
1:40:30 Is there any heir apparent to Putin?
1:42:45 Next leader of Russia will likely keep the same system in place
1:44:15 Unlike Russians, Americans can still vote their way out of tyranny
1:48:30 Across the country there’s serious frustration with federal politics
1:50:00 Ask Chuck
1:50:15 How is the psyche of the American people able to handle constant crisis?
1:55:30 Are the war and Epstein files just distracting from importance of midterms?
1:59:00 Have larger sums of money started to become irrelevant in elections?
2:03:00 At what point does fundraising advantage stop matter?
2:07:15 Chances of false flag blamed on Iran to provide pretext to mess with elections?
2:13:00 Thanks for giving me hope while feeling like we’re living through fall of Rome
2:16:30 How can a future president reverse course on tariffs?
2:19:00 Thoughts on March Madness
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fiona Hill — who served on the National Security Council under three presidents and became a household name during Trump's first impeachment — joins the Chuck ToddCast for a deeply alarming assessment of the Iran war now entering its second week, with Operation Epic Fury having metastasized into a multi-front conflict spanning nine countries, oil prices surging past $100 a barrel, and hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded across the Middle East. Hill dismantles the geopolitical chessboard with surgical precision, explaining that while there is no formal alliance between Russia and Iran and that the relationship is deeply transactional, with Iran having provided Russia with Shahed drones and helped build a drone factory. She argues that China is letting the U.S. "rope-a-dope" itself, sitting back alongside Russia to watch America bleed resources and credibility in yet another Middle Eastern quagmire. She flags the glaring double standard in the administration's diplomacy: envoy Steve Witkoff refused to take the Iranians at their word during nuclear negotiations in Geneva but accepted Russian assurances at face value.
The conversation turns existential as Hill warns that Trump's adventurism — which never faced serious consequences through Venezuela or the June 2025 strikes that made Iran look like a paper tiger — has now collided with reality. Trump saw the opportunity to kill Khamenei and took it, hoping for either a popular uprising or a pliant successor, but none of those hopes have materialized. Hill calls it an Afghanistan-and-Iraq-level jam with even less global credibility.. They raise the chilling question of whether Xi Jinping might prioritize seizing Taiwan while America is overextended, observes that NORAD doesn't function without Canada and the Nordic countries that Trump has alienated, warns that the damage to America's reputation will last decades, and notes that individual U.S. states are already setting up their own diplomatic representation with foreign countries to fill the vacuum. They close with a striking contrast: unlike Russians, Americans can still vote their way out of tyranny — but the window in which that remains true may be narrowing, as we are likely entering a post-American empire period.
Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/chuck for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!

Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Fiona Hill joins the Chuck ToddCast
01:15 There is no formal alliance between Russia and Iran
02:00 Historically, Russia and Iran clashed over territory
03:45 Iran provided Russia with Shahed drones & helped build factory
04:30 Trump views his relationship with Russia & Putin in a vacuum
05:30 Iran’s relationship with China & Russia is very transactional
06:15 Iran sees itself as a civilization, not just a country
08:00 China is letting the U.S. “rope a dope” itself
09:15 China doesn’t do favors without a cost
10:00 Witkoff didn’t take Iranians at their word but did with Russia
10:30 China & Russia are sitting back and watching what happens in Iran
11:30 Special military operations often become quagmires
12:45 Trump hasn’t thought about the knock-on consequences in Iran
15:00 Administration thinks they can figure it out as they go
15:45 Trump’s adventurism never had serious consequences until now
17:30 9/11 shaped the frame for American thinking for 25 years
18:30 Do you buy that MBS pushed Trump into striking Iran?
19:30 The Chinese didn’t see unintended effects of war in Ukraine
20:30 Russia has 20x casualty rate in Ukraine that USSR had in Afghanistan
22:30 The Israelis are clear that they want regime change
22:45 Outside of eliminating the nuclear program… What's the rest of our aim?
24:15 Without regime change, Iranian and Venezuelan people will turn on Trump
25:15 There’s a large Iranian population is many countries
25:45 Trump is in a Afghanistan/Iraq level jam with no plan
26:30 Gutting of national security council effects on Trump’s planning
27:45 We’ve lost grip of our political system, congress has abdicated
29:00 High oil prices could be a boon to Russia, but shipping is an issue
31:15 Putin doesn’t want to end the war in Ukraine unless its on his terms
32:00 Ukraine has been an incredibly tough fighting force
32:45 The rich & powerful forget that the other 8 billion people have agency
34:15 Ukraine won’t have a peace imposed on it by outsiders
35:00 Trump assumes everyone else is as transactional as he is
36:00 Khamenei is a religious leader, his killing has religious implications
39:00 Asymmetrical war feels unwinnable
41:15 The damage to America’s reputation in the world will last decades
42:15 NORAD doesn’t work without Canada & Nordic countries
44:45 How can a future president try to fix the damage with allies?
45:45 Individual states are setting up representation with foreign countries
47:45 If you’re Xi, do you prioritize seizing Taiwan while Trump’s in office?
49:30 We’re likely in a post-American empire period
50:15 Is there any heir apparent to Putin?
52:30 Next leader of Russia will likely keep the same system in place
54:00 Unlike Russians, Americans can still vote their way out of tyranny
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd opens with a grim inventory of an administration besieged on every front as the Iran war enters its twelfth day with no exit strategy in sight. He then pivots to the SAVE Act — the Republican voting bill that has 50 Senate votes but faces a filibuster John Thune admits he likely can't break. He walks through the details that go well beyond simple voter ID: the bill requires documentary proof of citizenship to register, treats women who change their name through marriage as first-time voters, and Trump is demanding additions including a near-total ban on mail-in voting — turning what polls show is an 80%-popular concept into a toxic package that could disenfranchise millions. He notes that John Cornyn flipped his filibuster position to chase Trump's Texas endorsement, warns that if Republicans nuke the filibuster and Democrats later win the Senate they won't restore it, and argues that Republicans are essentially writing legislation to make Trump's false fraud claims real — while Trump is already setting up the SAVE Act's inevitable failure as his preemptive excuse for midterm losses that have nothing to do with voting rules and everything to do with an unpopular war, a tanking economy, and a completely unserious leader running the Pentagon. Ultimately, he argues that partisan changes to voting rule destroy trust in democracy, whether it be the SAVE Act, or Democrats efforts to pass HR1.
Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and celebrates the start of March Madness.
Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/chuck for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!

Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
04:30 There’s no easy way for Trump to get out of Iran
05:30 It’s become clear US responsible for bombing Iranian school
06:15 FBI warns California law enforcement of threat of Iranian drone strikes
07:15 The fallout from the war is complicated & Trump can’t just turn it off
08:30 Drone attack that killed US soldiers far more serious than initially reported
09:15 Republicans in congress are demoralized & don’t know what to run on
10:45 Pentagon bars press for publishing “unflattering” photos of Pete Hegseth
12:00 We have a serious war and a completely unserious leader of the Pentagon
12:45 Republican senators knew Hegseth was unqualified & confirmed him anyway
14:15 It’s important to explain the details of the Republican SAVE Act
15:00 John Cornyn flipped position on the filibuster to try to earn Trump endorsement
15:30 Republicans likely don’t have the votes to kill the filibuster
16:15 Contrasting and comparing Democrats HR1 vs Republicans SAVE Act
18:15 SAVE Act requires proof of citizenship to vote
19:00 Trump wants a total ban on mail in voting and all voting on one day
20:00 If GOP kills filibuster & Dems win senate, Dems won’t restore it
20:45 If passed in a partisan vote, SAVE Act would delegitimize democracy
21:45 If rules change based on who’s in power, the public will lose faith in process
23:30 We’re seeing a collision of two partisan visions over who gets to vote
24:30 SAVE Act makes voter registration a “show your papers” event
25:30 There’s a massive gap between bill passed in house & what Trump wants
26:00 Trump is demanding a bill loaded with culture war items
27:30 If Republicans jam through the SAVE Act, it could juice Democratic turnout
29:00 Voter ID isn’t controversial with the public
29:45 There’s 80% support for proof of citizenship when registering to vote
30:15 Republicans believe it should be harder to vote, Dems think it should be easier
31:30 Trump is taking popular ideas and packaging them in a bill that is toxic
32:30 Stability in a democracy doesn’t come from a 51% majority
33:45 34k people in Arizona were barred from state elections, but had federal carve out
35:00 Almost no voter fraud has actually been found
36:00 If you change name or get married, SAVE Act treats you as first time voter
37:30 America already makes life harder on women, SAVE Act makes it worse
38:15 The SAVE Act goes WELL beyond voter ID
39:00 Republicans are writing a bill to make Trump’s bullshit real
39:45 Trump will blame failure to pass SAVE Act for election losses in midterms
41:00 SAVE Act would disenfranchise or add barriers for millions of voters
42:00 Individual citizens have no constitutional right to vote
42:45 State constitutions provide voting guarantees, SAVE Act contradicts that
44:15 Changes to voting rules need bipartisan public consensus
50:00 Ask Chuck
50:15 How is the psyche of the American people able to handle constant crisis?
55:30 Are the war and Epstein files just distracting from importance of midterms?
59:00 Have larger sums of money started to become irrelevant in elections?
1:03:00 At what point does fundraising advantage stop matter?
1:07:15 Chances of false flag blamed on Iran to provide pretext to mess with elections?
1:13:00 Thanks for giving me hope while feeling like we’re living through fall of Rome
1:16:30 How can a future president reverse course on tariffs?
1:19:00 Thoughts on March Madness
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd surveys a political landscape where multiple crises are converging on the Trump administration simultaneously — and none of them are going well. The Iran war, which Chuck reiterates is a war of choice, appears to be devouring Trump's presidency: the administration burned through nearly $6 billion in munitions in just two days, is sending contradictory messages of reassurance and escalation that appear designed to manipulate markets, and seems to be operating entirely by the seat of its pants. He warns that asymmetric warfare has never gone well for the United States, that energy markets are in turmoil as Iran deliberately tries to inflict economic pain, that the threat of stagflation and energy shortages is very real, and that Trump's threat to use the Fed to shape oil markets has alarmed economists.
He argues that if Trump could undo the war he would — but this won't be Venezuela 2.0, because there's no opposition on the ground to coordinate with, you can't change a regime without boots on the ground that Trump won't commit, and if the regime simply survives, that counts as victory for Iran. Meanwhile, Trump naively buys Putin's claim that Russia isn't helping Iran with targeting, and that new polling shows a majority of Americans oppose the war — with MAGA influencers notably against it even as older rank-and-file supporters stick with Trump. Beyond Iran, Chuck hits the Ticketmaster settlement as proof that Trump talks a big populist game but the lobbyists always win, warns that a partial DHS shutdown risks snarling air travel and punishing the flying public while ICE has already been funded, and cautions Democrats not to overplay their hand on the shutdown.
Finally, on the day of the Mississippi primaries, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 All-Time statewide races in Mississippi and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.
Go to https://zbiotics.com/CHUCKTODDCAST and use CHUCKTODDCAST at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.”
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/chuck for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
American Finance Disclaimer: NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.196% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-885-1081, for details about credit costs and terms. Or https://apply.americanfinancing.net/thechucktoddcast

Timeline:
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
00:30 Despite runoff, Dems shouldn’t get hopes up for MTG’s district
01:30 Bennie Thompson survives primary challenge in Mississippi
07:15 War of choice in Iran could devour Trump’s presidency
08:00 Administration messaging appears to be manipulating markets
09:30 We got both a message of reassurance and escalation on Monday
10:30 Administration seems to be operating by the seat of their pants
12:00 Administration has eroded trust in institutions for years
13:00 Eventually markets will stop reacting to government statements
13:30 Administration burned through nearly $6B in munitions in two days
14:30 Asymmetric warfare has never gone well for the United States
15:15 Energy markets are in turmoil, Iran wants to create economic pain
16:00 Threat of stagflation & energy shortages are very real
16:45 Trump threatens to use the fed to shape oil markets, alarming economists
17:30 Partial shutdown of DHS agents risks snarling air travel
18:30 When do Dems declare victory on partial shutdown? Noem was fired
19:45 ICE has already been funded. Shutdown punishes the flying public
20:30 Democrats need to be careful not to overplay their hand in shutdown
21:00 If Trump could undo the war, he would. It won’t be Venezuela 2.0
22:15 We’ve always paid to rebuild countries we’ve bombed
23:00 If the regime survives, that’s victory for Iran
24:15 Can’t change regime without boots on the ground, which Trump won’t do
25:15 There’s no opposition on the ground to coordinate with
26:00 Trump buys story from Putin that Russia isn’t assisting Iran w/targeting
26:45 U.S. using up munitions headed to Ukraine is best case for Russia
28:00 DOJ agrees to incredibly friendly settlement with Ticketmaster
28:45 Live Nation lobbyists went straight to Trump, then deal is cut
29:15 Trump talks a big game on populism, but the lobbyists always win
30:45 Young independents hate corporate power & Trump sides with corporations
31:30 New polling shows majority of Americans are against war with Iran
32:15 Older voters continue to be strongest supporters of Trump & war
33:00 MAGA influencers are against war, but rank & file support Trump
37:45 Take action on April 9th to support local news
38:15 ToddCast Top 5 All-Time Mississippi statewide campaigns
42:45 #1 1959 gubernatorial
44:45 #2 1978 senate race
46:15 #3 1978 gubernatorial
47:45 #4 1999 gubernatorial
49:45 #5 2014 senate Republican primary
52:15 Honorable mentions
55:15 Ask Chuck
55:30 Do you have a Top 5 list coming for New Jersey?
58:45 How do we keep getting into wars without declaration from congress?
1:02:15 What will it take for the U.S. to rebuild trust on the world stage?
1:05:45 Will abortion become an issue in 2028 or has Dobbs taken it off the table?
1:09:15 Should Democrats break norms to prevent authoritarianism?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interview Only w/ John Adams - Bringing Local News Back From The Brink
John Adams, editor of the Montana Free Press, joins the Chuck Toddcast to make the case that local journalism has been in crisis — and that saving it might be one of the most important things Americans can do for their democracy. Adams is on the show to promote Local News Day on April 9th, a nationwide effort involving 700 local newsrooms aimed not at fundraising but at spreading awareness. He traces the origin story of the Montana Free Press back to his appearance in the documentary "Dark Money", a story about outside money quietly trying to buy Montana politics at the local level with zero disclosure — and the journalists best positioned to expose it were losing their jobs. Adams argues the economics of local news changed drastically as advertising revenue collapsed and audiences became hypnotized by social media and smartphones, but that the need and appetite for local reporting never went away.
The conversation turns to the deeper consequences of local news deserts: the loss of trusted community voices created a vacuum that bred distrust in the national press, because people no longer had local "character references" — journalists they knew and saw at the grocery store — to anchor their understanding of how media works. Adams warns that the rise of AI-generated misinformation makes reliable local sources more important than ever, noting that while younger people tend to be savvier at spotting junk online, older generations are particularly vulnerable. They close by noting that strong local news doesn't just serve democracy — it helps local businesses target customers, creating an economic ecosystem that benefits everyone — and that journalism ultimately has to reach enough people to really matter, which is exactly what Local News Day at localnewsday.org is designed to help make possible.
Go to https://zbiotics.com/CHUCKTODDCAST and use CHUCKTODDCAST at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.”
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/chuck for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
American Finance Disclaimer: NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.196% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-885-1081, for details about credit costs and terms. Or https://apply.americanfinancing.net/thechucktoddcast

Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 John Adams (Montana Free Press) joins the Chuck ToddCast
00:45 The importance of local news & purpose of Local News Day, April 9th
03:15 Why create Local News Day?
04:15 The crisis with local news isn’t new, been happening for years
05:30 It’s easier to get international news than news from your community
06:30 The need and appetite for local news has never gone away
07:45 Local news has become en vogue like a local craft beer
09:45 People embrace their local identity
12:15 Origin story of the Montana Free Press
12:45 “Dark Money” documentary about fight against Montana copper barons
15:00 Big outside money was trying to buy Montana politics at the local level
17:15 None of the outside money was disclosed
18:00 John lost his reporting job during the 2015 legislative session
20:00 Three of the most experienced local journalists were jobless
20:30 MFP founded on principle that local journalism is essential as a nonprofit
22:15 Economics of local news changed drastically, made newspapers expensive
24:00 Audiences are highly distracted by social media & smartphones
25:30 We need good new sources of information to combat misinfo from AI
26:45 Younger people are savvier online, older generations struggle with AI
28:30 It’s easier to trust local news sources because they’re in your community
29:15 Journalists have to almost “sell” their info for people to see it
31:30 It’s important to report on what your audience cares about
33:00 AP reporter in Montana was attacked and then the reporter was doxxed
35:15 Loss of local news character references created distrust in national press
36:30 Importance of local “service journalism”
40:00 Recreating the equivalent of morning drive news radio as a podcast
40:45 Using google trends questions to help inform your journalism
42:00 Algorithms only give people what they want, not what they need to know
42:45 Local news at its best reflects what the community cares about
43:45 Localnewsday.org is where people can find ways to help & connect
45:30 The better local news does, the better local businesses can target customers
46:30 700 local newsrooms are taking part in Local News Day
47:30 Goal of Local News Day isn’t to raise money, it’s to spread awareness
50:30 Journalism has to reach enough people to really matter
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.