Pod Save America - Episode: "Has the Media Surrendered to Trump?" (feat. Chuck Todd)
Release Date: May 4, 2025
Hosts: Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer, and Tommy Vietor
Guest: Chuck Todd, former host of Meet the Press and current independent journalist

1. Introduction

In this episode of Pod Save America, Dan Pfeiffer welcomes veteran journalist Chuck Todd to discuss the evolving media landscape, particularly in the context of Donald Trump's presidency. Chuck Todd, who recently left NBC to pursue independent journalism, brings a unique perspective blending traditional media experience with new media ventures.

2. Media Coverage of Trump’s Presidency

Dan Pfeiffer begins by highlighting Trump's low poll numbers and his status as a consequential yet controversial president at his 100th day in office.

Dan Pfeiffer (03:12): "There are two themes that run through this. One is that he has the lowest poll numbers of almost any president at this hundredth day and is in a big political mess. And the second one is that he is the most consequential president at this mark in his presidency."

Chuck Todd reflects on the terminology used by the media, particularly the word "consequential," which he describes as a "weasel word" that implies importance without judgment.

Chuck Todd (03:19): "The word is such a beautiful word because you don't. It's a way to impart importance without necessarily saying they were good or bad."

They discuss how Trump's policies, especially his tariff regime, have tarnished the Republican Party's credibility among traditional conservatives.

Chuck Todd (09:22): "If you actually are an advocate of this policy you should be really angry with Donald Trump because he may tarnish the whole idea for decades."

3. Democratic Party’s Communication Strategies

The conversation shifts to the Democratic Party's struggle to find a unified message. Chuck Todd criticizes the party's internal debates and lack of cohesive strategy.

Dan Pfeiffer (11:02): "Our party's approval rating is still at its lowest level, although there have been gains for the Democrats in the generic ballot... What do you make of the internal debate within the Democratic Party about whether we..."

Chuck Todd (14:00): "I think a good, loud, messy debate would be healthy for the party... what's good for AOC may not be good for Wes Moore..."

They explore various Democratic figures and their approaches, such as Gretchen Whitmer's recent actions at a Trump rally, highlighting the complexities of appealing to a broad electorate.

4. Local vs. National Media and Political Impact

Chuck Todd elaborates on the decline of local news and its impact on political communication and voter engagement. He argues that the loss of trust in national media stems from the absence of local media’s character references and community-focused reporting.

Chuck Todd (35:52): "The loss of local is why, you know, the farther you are away from a politician or the farther you're away from a media person, the more you assume they don't know how you live."

Dan Pfeiffer adds that the decimation of local news has severely hurt Democratic campaigns, especially in red states where local press once played a crucial role in voter engagement.

Dan Pfeiffer (43:15): "Tester was saying how much that had changed from when he first won... there just wasn't those people who could tell your story to people in a non-polarized way."

5. Chuck Todd’s Transition to Independent Journalism

Chuck Todd discusses his departure from NBC to pursue independent journalism, emphasizing his desire to innovate beyond traditional media constraints. He expresses frustration with the lack of growth opportunities in legacy media and outlines his vision for revitalizing local news through new revenue streams.

Chuck Todd (36:09): "I'm sort of in a split personality here... The podcast is the one for political discussions. Having the 30 minutes, having the nuance... I enjoy this format more."

He critiques the consolidation trends in media and the diminishing trust in national outlets, advocating for a return to community-centered journalism.

Chuck Todd (43:58): "This is just about starting a local news organization that is only focused on trying to figure out what's happening at city council meetings... it was the character references."

6. Challenges in Covering Trump

The hosts delve into the difficulties journalists face when covering Donald Trump, including institutional pressures and the polarized media environment. Chuck Todd cites the exclusion of outlets like Fox from certain interviews as an example of media fragmentation.

Chuck Todd (50:08): "The lack of anybody coming to AP's defense has just been heartbreaking to me... covering the Trump White House is hard because... it is hard because of how aggressive the West Wing is in essentially trying to exploit the unpopularity of the traditional media."

Dan Pfeiffer points out that while individual journalists are producing quality reporting, systemic issues like corporate interests and media consolidation hinder comprehensive coverage.

7. Media’s Role in Democracy and Trust Issues

The discussion touches on the essential role of media in democracy, noting the decline in collective support for traditional journalism. Chuck Todd underscores the importance of local news in maintaining democratic engagement and how its erosion contributes to political apathy and polarization.

Chuck Todd (45:53): "Headlines matter for whether you get a YouTube click or not... there's something to accidentally informing people that we're missing."

8. Biden’s Age and Media Coverage

A significant portion of the conversation addresses media coverage of President Joe Biden’s age and mental capacity. Chuck Todd argues that it’s not the media’s fault but rather the Democratic Party’s internal handling that led to inadequate reporting on Biden’s fitness for office.

Chuck Todd (66:53): "It's the Democratic Party that's responsible for this. They're the ones... It's Joe Biden. It's Joe Biden. It's Nancy Pelosi, it's Chuck Schumer... everything the party is around him."

They debate whether media coverage—or lack thereof—was a collective decision or influenced by the administration's management of press relations.

Dan Pfeiffer (71:28): "Washington, D.C. doesn't do conspiracies. It only does collective failures... it's just a collection of people making the wrong decision over and over again."

9. Future of Media and Local News

Chuck Todd shares his thoughts on the future of media, emphasizing the need for diverse and locally focused news outlets to rebuild trust and democratic participation. He envisions leveraging community elements like youth and high school sports as potential revenue streams for sustaining local journalism.

Chuck Todd (43:52): "Youth sports and high school sports can be the glue and the revenue stream that could be the future of local news."

Dan Pfeiffer concurs, highlighting the necessity of curated information in the age of algorithm-driven content, which often fails to provide comprehensive civic education.

Dan Pfeiffer (46:32): "Because Google is such a disaster right now... the world has become so much more confusing that you need curated information again."

10. Conclusion

The episode concludes with Chuck Todd and Dan Pfeiffer expressing mutual respect and a desire for continued dialogue on improving media practices and political communication. They acknowledge the deep-seated challenges facing both the media and democratic institutions but remain cautiously optimistic about potential reforms and innovations in journalism.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Dan Pfeiffer (03:12):
  "There are two themes that run through this. One is that he has the lowest poll numbers of almost any president at this hundredth day and is in a big political mess. And the second one is that he is the most consequential president at this mark in his presidency."

• Chuck Todd (03:19):
  "The word is such a beautiful word because you don't. It's a way to impart importance without necessarily saying they were good or bad."

• Chuck Todd (09:22):
  "If you actually are an advocate of this policy you should be really angry with Donald Trump because he may tarnish the whole idea for decades."

• Chuck Todd (35:52):
  "The loss of local is why, you know, the farther you are away from a politician or the farther you're away from a media person, the more you assume they don't know how you live."

• Dan Pfeiffer (43:15):
  "Tester was saying how much that had changed from when he first won... there just wasn't those people who could tell your story to people in a non-polarized way."

• Chuck Todd (45:53):
  "Headlines matter for whether you get a YouTube click or not... there's something to accidentally informing people that we're missing."

• Chuck Todd (66:53):
  "It's the Democratic Party that's responsible for this. They're the ones... It's Joe Biden. It's Joe Biden. It's Nancy Pelosi, it's Chuck Schumer... everything the party is around him."

Key Takeaways

• Media and Politics: The intertwining relationship between media strategies and political success remains crucial, especially in the volatile environment of Trump's presidency.

• Democratic Messaging: The Democratic Party is struggling to unify its messaging, balancing between progressive ideals and pragmatic strategies to appeal to a broader electorate.

• Local News Decline: The erosion of local news outlets has significantly impacted political engagement and trust in media, emphasizing the need for community-focused journalism.

• Media Trust Issues: Consolidation and perceived biases in national media have led to decreased trust among the public, highlighting the importance of independent and locally trusted news sources.

• Biden’s Fitness for Office: Media coverage of President Biden's age and cognitive abilities is contentious, with debates over whether it's a result of collective failures or intentional oversight by the Democratic Party.

• Future of Journalism: Innovating within local journalism and leveraging community-based funding streams may be essential for revitalizing media trust and supporting democratic participation.

This episode offers an insightful exploration of the challenges facing media and politics in contemporary America, featuring candid discussions on trust, communication, and the future of journalism.