Former NBC News host Chuck Todd delivered a scathing assessment of President Joe Biden’s legacy, arguing that Biden’s weak leadership directly enabled Donald Trump’s return to the White House. In a Friday episode of “The Chuck ToddCast,” Todd placed the blame squarely on the former president’s shoulders.
Todd contended that collective pushback to Trump’s first presidency indicated the country was convinced his type of leadership was harmful to the long-term image of the United States, which is why Biden won in 2020. However, Todd argued that Biden’s presidency failed to permanently turn the page on Trump because he lacked the necessary leadership skills.
The former “Meet the Press” host emphasized that better leaders help countries turn the page, noting that America rarely goes backwards. He questioned how ineffective a presidency must be to encourage the country to regress, asserting that the perception of the Biden presidency was that it represented weak and ineffective leadership.
Todd acknowledged that some legislation Biden signed into law might have long-term success, but maintained that Biden’s ultimate legacy remains Trump’s comeback. “His legacy is Donald Trump came back, and that’s on Joe Biden,” Todd stated.
The veteran journalist, who left NBC News after nearly 20 years, expanded his criticism beyond Biden’s presidential performance. In a June discussion with CNN’s Jake Tapper about Tapper’s book “Original Sin,” Todd questioned whether the media had been sold a decades-long narrative about Biden being a family man. He suggested that the same story of Biden commuting home every night from Washington could be interpreted as a man so ambitious that he continued working daily even after his family experienced tragedy.
Todd expressed disbelief that Biden put his family through the pressures of a presidential campaign, particularly given the family’s ongoing struggles. He referenced Hunter Biden’s legal troubles and addiction issues, stating he could not believe Biden subjected his children to the scrutiny of a presidential race while they faced such challenges.
According to Todd’s analysis, Biden’s decision to run for president in 2020 represented the “original sin” because his family was in crisis. He argued that Biden’s ambition, or charitable interpretation of his desire to save the country from Trumpism, took precedence over his family’s wellbeing and his children’s struggles.
The former NBC host has consistently maintained that Biden should never have sought the presidency in the first place. Todd argued that the Biden family was not prepared for the demands and scrutiny of a presidential campaign, and that Hunter Biden’s post-election public behavior provided additional evidence that the family was not in a position to handle the presidency.
Todd has also criticized media outlets for providing platforms to Hunter Biden, arguing that such appearances constitute spectacle rather than journalism. He stated he would never book Hunter Biden on his show, explaining that as someone who was not on the ballot, anything Hunter says in defense of his father is questionable and irrelevant to substantive political discourse.
In contrast to his harsh assessment of Biden’s impact, Todd has acknowledged Trump’s significant influence on American politics and society. In June, he credited Trump with being an unprecedented historical figure, arguing that Trump’s impact exceeds that of recent presidents including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and even Ronald Reagan. Todd suggested that only Franklin Delano Roosevelt compares to Trump in terms of redefining presidential boundaries and shaping the national psyche.
Trump’s return to the presidency after losing in 2020 represents a historically rare achievement, with only Grover Cleveland previously serving non-consecutive terms. Todd noted that what began as what could have been dismissed as performance art, populist revolt, or an ego trip has evolved into something far more enduring, suggesting America is experiencing a political realignment rather than a temporary shift.
Currently serving as the inaugural USC Capital Campus scholar-in-residence, Todd continues his analysis of American politics through his podcast and academic work. His two-year appointment includes teaching classes, hosting events with high-level speakers, and participating in activities at both USC’s Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles campuses.
Todd’s broader commentary extends beyond individual politicians to concerns about American democracy itself. He has warned that ongoing redistricting battles in states like Texas and California represent skirmishes in what he describes as a “cold civil war,” arguing that both parties have abandoned principles in favor of winning at any cost.
Despite his criticism of Biden’s presidency, Todd maintains that Trump’s second term has strengthened his ability to bully those around him into believing there are no rules, only winners and losers. This assessment underscores Todd’s view that while Biden failed to provide effective leadership, Trump’s return presents its own challenges for American democratic institutions.
