The Chuck ToddCast

Full Episode - The Public Is Souring On Trump 2.0 + What Swing Voters Really Think… And Why That’s BAD For Democrats

03 Nov 2025

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Chuck Todd breaks down the latest NBC News poll, which paints a grim picture for both parties — and especially for Donald Trump’s second term. With only 37% of Americans believing the country is on the right track and financial pessimism at record highs, the public seems to have made up its mind: Trump 2.0 isn’t winning new fans. Chuck examines how Republicans are holding stronger favorability than Trump himself, why immigration remains his only issue advantage, and what Democrats can learn from the midterm mood. As two-thirds of voters say they’re falling behind, Chuck argues that the path to victory this cycle may depend on who runs against Washington — not just who runs it. Then, Rich Thau, moderator of the Swing Voter Project joins Chuck Todd to dig into what America’s elusive swing voters are really thinking heading into 2028. Thau, known for his in-depth focus group research, explains how his team identifies true persuadable voters and what he’s hearing from them behind closed doors — from deep economic anxiety to their conflicted feelings about both Trump and Harris. He shares why many voters still give Trump credit for “doing something,” why Biden’s messaging never landed, and how gender and race remain stubborn barriers for Democratic candidates. Chuck and Rich also explore how social media has replaced traditional news, why most swing voters can’t name a single Biden accomplishment, and how reform ideas like limiting presidential pardons or setting age caps for candidates could reshape American politics. It’s an eye-opening look at how frustrated, distracted, and disillusioned voters might once again decide the direction of the country. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to examine America’s role in creating the country of Panama and why it’s left a lasting sense of suspicion of the United States in Latin America. He answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and unloads on his Miami Hurricanes after their loss to SMU. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 02:00 New NBC poll 03:15 The ToddCast will be live on election night! 07:00 First year report card for Donald Trump 07:30 Only 37% of the public believes country is headed in right direction 09:15 Wrong track polling nearly at an all-time high 10:15 The country has made up its mind about Donald Trump, low poll variance 13:00 40% of the country feels positively about Trump 15:30 Republican party has a higher positive rating than the Democrats 17:45 Some voters feel more favorably about the GOP than Trump 20:00 Voters thought they were getting Trump 1.0, Trump 2.0 is not popular 20:45 Top issues voters are worried about aren’t favorable to Trump 23:00 Border security/immigration is the only issue where Trump is above water 25:00 R’s know Trump’s Venezuela actions are unconstitutional and roll over 27:00 More than half of voters think Trump is undermining the constitution 27:45 2/3rds of the country says they are falling behind financially 29:00 Midterm atmosphere is ripe for the Democrats 31:00 Trump’s high floor is enough to protect him 33:15 Winning Democrats will need to run against Washington 36:30 Rich Thau joins the Chuck ToddCast 38:30 The value of focus groups in understanding voter opinions 39:45 The pandemic made it easier to conduct focus groups remotely 41:00 The challenges of remote focus groups 42:00 How to prevent one loud person from hijacking a focus group 44:00 Can you be an effective moderator if people know who you are? 46:00 Do you check voter files to ensure people are swing voters? 47:00 The screening process for focus group participants 49:45 Voters express anti-Trump comments but wouldn't change vote to Harris 54:00 Voters will twist themselves into pretzels for why they couldn't vote Harris 54:30 Many voters wouldn't vote Harris due to her race and gender 55:30 Gender was a disqualifier for Clinton & Harris 58:45 Voters are following tariff news very closely 59:15 Nearly half of voters couldn't name a Biden achievement 59:45 Only Biden achievement voters were aware of was student debt relief 1:00:30 Voters think that Trump is at least doing something 1:02:30 Biden wasn't built for the modern media, couldn't message his wins 1:03:30 Trump has mastered the attention economy 1:04:15 Candidates can't rely on the media to communicate for them 1:07:45 Voters thought Obama & Biden overreached as much as Trump 1:09:15 Trump's consolidation of power doesn't seem unusual to swing voters 1:10:45 Many voters are getting their news exclusively from social media 1:13:15 Swing voters completely miss the process part of government 1:14:45 If voters could ask Trump anything, Epstein question most common 1:16:45 Swing voters bake in the worst things about Trump and vote for him anyway 1:17:30 Biggest concern of swing voters is the economy and cost of living 1:19:45 Swing voters viewed both Harris and Trump as unpleasant choices 1:20:30 No Democrats are breaking through positively to swing voters 1:21:15 Swing voters didn't like Gavin Newsom's trolling social posts 1:23:45 Are swing voters skeptical of big tech and consolidated power 1:24:45 Swing voters are easily dissatisfied and looking for someone new 1:26:45 Most swing voters don't know the people in Trump's cabinet 1:28:00 Swing voters aren't pining for a third party alternative 1:29:15 Setting age limits for presidents would be popular 1:32:45 Voters could be looking for another major change in 2028 1:33:15 Voters could be open to several new constitutional amendments 1:35:15 Pardon power could be shifted from president to a board 1:36:15 Reform and corruption could be a powerful message 1:37:30 Candidates will need a good answer for AI 1:38:45 Regional trends in swing voters? 1:41:45 Where to find Rich's work 1:44:30 ToddCast Time Machine 1:45:00 This week in 1903 - The US helped create the country of Panama 1:45:45 America built nations in Latin America to serve its own interests 1:46:30 Winning Spanish-American war turned the U.S. into an empire 1:48:00 Roosevelt didn't like Colombia's offer for the canal 1:48:45 US warships backed up Colombian separatists 1:50:00 Panama Canal opens in 1914 1:50:30 Origin of the term "banana republic" 1:51:15 Panama was built to serve American commerce 1:53:15 It's clear the Trump administration wants to remove Maduro 1:54:00 Latin America doesn't trust America's self serving behavior 1:56:15 Ask Chuck 1:56:45 Are some Republicans finally starting to find their spine? 2:02:45 Has anyone been polling independent voters? 2:04:15 Why don't Dems agree to open the government for a week or two? 2:09:15 Thoughts on Oversight committee members being selected by other party? 2:11:45 As a father, do you fear for the future and what gives you hope? 2:16:30 College football recapSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Full Episode - The Public Is Souring On Trump 2.0 + What Swing Voters Really Think… And Why That’s BAD For Democrats

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Other episodes from The Chuck ToddCast

Chuck’s Commentary - Trump Is Risking A WAR With His Tariff Threats + Trump Dumps Senator Bill Cassidy

Interview Only w/ Mechele Dickerson - Does America Need A Middle Class New Deal?

Interview Only w/ Jon Slavet - Can A Moderate Republican Win California’s Governor Race

Full Episode - The Challenge Of Messaging The 2026 Midterms + Can A Moderate Republican Win California’s Governor Race

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