Chuck’s Commentary - Why Trump Health Rumors Are A BIG Problem For The President + Where Aren’t Republicans Standing Up To RFK Jr? + Ask Chuck

Chuck Todd unpacks how Putin’s latest strikes reveal Trump was played in Alaska and why Labor Day marks a new stage in the political calendar. From looming government shutdowns and Supreme Court battles over tariffs to the total collapse of checks on Trump 2.0, the conversation digs into what—if anything—remains of the pre-Trump Republican Party. With GOP senators capitulating, RFK Jr. emboldened, and even Trump hesitant to cross him, the stakes for public health and American democracy have never been higher. Todd also explores how rumors about Trump’s health could spark a political feeding frenzy, why Kennedy should be forced to prove his vaccine claims, and whether any non-MAGA Republicans are willing to buck Trump to save their party.

Finally, he gives his reaction to the first weekend of college football and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.

Timeline: 

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Introduction

03:00 Putin’s latest strikes show Trump was played in Alaska

05:00 Labor day marks new stage in the political calendar

06:00 Potential for showdown over government shutdown

07:00 What is left of the pre-Trump Republican party?

08:00 The checks on Trump 1.0 are gone in Trump 2.0

09:15 Rubio and Bessent are the only two checks left on Trump

10:30 Supreme Court showdown looming over tariffs

11:30 Trump has no legal authority to impose tariffs

12:30 There will be a vote in Congress on tariffs

14:00 Pre-Trump GOP would have stopped RFK Jr. 

16:30 GOP Senators have all capitulated to Trump

18:30 GOP Senators must grow a spine to build a post-Trump party

20:00 Kennedy is putting children and seniors at risk of dying

21:15 Even Trump seems to be afraid of crossing RFK Jr.

22:00 Former CDC directors write joint op-ed sounding alarm on CDC

24:00 Trumpworld only have themselves to blame for Trump health rumors

25:00 Trump’s health could become next “Epstein” frenzy

26:15 If Trump limits appearances it will trigger a feeding frenzy

27:30 Will non-MAGA Republicans buck Trump to save their seats?

30:30 Is there anything left of the Republican party?

31:45 People have forgotten the pre-vaccine era

33:45 Kennedy should have to prove vaccines DON’T work

35:30 Chuck's experience at Miami vs. Note Dame game 

40:00 LSU had the best win of the weekend

 41:45 Utah had most impressive win nobody is talking about 

42:45 Ask Chuck 

43:00 Will politicians make changes to college NIL via legislation? 

46:00 Can the U.S. learn from other countries for constitutional reform? 

51:15 Does Mike Duggan running as an independent give him an advantage? 

56:30 Will America actually be able to bring back manufacturing?