Chuck Todd maps a map that keeps getting worse for Republicans: they’re not defending Trump, and they’re trying to convince voters they aren’t Trump Republicans. Ohio is the firewall and the money is pouring in, while the GOP plays triage in Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and South Carolina and pulls funding from House incumbents. Chuck sees no sign of a blue mirage — consumer confidence is lower than at any point under Biden, a majority say they’re cutting back on spending, and no amount of Trump talking changes lived experience. He also hits Kimberly Guilfoyle’s forced resignation as ambassador to Greece, Katie Zacharia’s debut as press secretary, the federal search of Ilhan Omar’s home, and Elon Musk’s additional $276 million in political spending since July. 

Finally, Chuck presents his ToddCast Top 5 list… expanded to ten with the expanding map, of Governorships most likely to flip parties and answers listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment.

Timeline:

00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction

06:45 Republicans running from the Trump label

10:00 Trump’s disappearing filter

13:00 Ohio as the firewall and whether rallies actually help

15:45 Triage in Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and South Carolina

18:15 How big can the House wave get?

21:15 The Latino vote shifts back and the districts in play

26:45 No signs of a blue mirage, and the consumer confidence problem

33:30 Guilfoyle out, and the consequences Trump never faces

37:15 Katie Zacharia’s debut and the sycophancy requirement

41:00 The search of Ilhan Omar’s home and the DOJ’s credibility

47:00 Musk’s $276 million and the problem of concentrated power 

55:00 ToddCast Top 10 Most Likely Governor’s Seat Flips

58:30 #1 Iowa

59:45 #2 Kansas

1:01:15 #3 Ohio

1:02:00 #4 Alaska

1:02:45 #5 Texas

1:03:30 #6 Georgia

1:04:30 #7 Nevada

1:05:30 #8 Oregon

1:06:30 #9 Wisconsin

1:07:00 #10 Florida

1:09:30 Ask Chuck

1:09:45 Predictions for Missouri house race

1:12:00 If Trump doesn’t fire Hegseth, could impeachment succeed?

1:16:00 Why is US an outlier on third party success?

1:17:30 If election is a repudiation, reform on emergency presidential powers?

1:21:00 Can Annie Andrews overcome straight ticket voting in SC?