Chuck Todd, former anchor of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” criticized ex-President Joe Biden’s portrayal as a dedicated family man on a podcast episode aired on March 2, 2025. Todd referred to Biden as a “craven political animal,” prioritizing his political career over his family’s wellbeing.
Todd was a guest on “The Warning” podcast, hosted by Steve Schmidt, a co-founder of the Lincoln Project. The conversation revolved around the Democrats’ loss in the 2024 election and Biden’s choice to run for the presidency in 2020 amidst family issues.
“You know, Joe Biden never should have been there in the first place, right? Number one, he shouldn’t have run for president [in 2020],” Todd stated during the podcast.
Todd expressed his outrage after reading the transcript of Hunter Biden’s trial. He revealed that several Biden family members were grappling with substance abuse issues in 2018, shortly before Joe Biden announced his run for the presidency.
“I completely got so angry at Joe Biden, the man, when I read the transcript of the Hunter Biden trial, and when I realized that not one, not two, but three Biden children, and I count Beau’s widow, were all dealing with drug problems in 2018,” Todd continued.
The trial Todd referenced was related to Hunter Biden’s federal gun charges. The trial exposed the Biden family’s struggles with addiction. Testimonies from Hunter’s ex-wife, ex-girlfriend, and daughter underscored how his drug issues had impacted the entire family.
Todd argued that Biden, over his lengthy political career, had built an image of a family-focused politician that did not align with reality.
Todd’s statements, coming from a former prominent political anchor at NBC News rather than Biden’s usual political rivals, marked a significant shift.
During the same podcast, Schmidt also questioned Biden’s parenting skills, with reports suggesting that Schmidt stated he would trust ex-President Donald Trump’s children over Biden’s in some scenarios.
The criticism followed Biden’s contentious decision to pardon his son Hunter for federal tax crimes before leaving office. Todd termed this decision as “The Trumpification of Joe Biden,” in an earlier article for NBC News, arguing that it set a worrisome precedent where presidents could shield their family members from legal repercussions.
Todd suggested that Biden’s attempt to safeguard his son overshadowed his presidential responsibility to uphold the rule of law, possibly undermining public faith in the justice system.
Hunter Biden’s legal issues, including convictions for illegal gun possession and tax evasion, have been ongoing for several years. The Biden family’s personal tragedies, such as the deaths of Beau Biden and the president’s first wife and daughter, have consistently been a part of public discourse throughout Biden’s political career.
Despite these personal obstacles, President Biden consistently expressed public support for his son throughout his legal trials, assuring that the family would provide Hunter with their “love and support.”
The House Oversight Committee initiated an investigation in January 2023 into President Biden and his family’s foreign business activities. However, multiple reports indicate that the investigations have not found any evidence of presidential misconduct.
Chuck Todd’s recent criticisms contribute to ongoing debates about the gap between Biden’s public persona and his private decision-making, particularly concerning his family. These comments have garnered attention as they come from a journalist who once held a key role at a leading news network.
