Full Episode - Trump’s Polling Numbers Should Terrify The GOP + Why The West Is Living In A 1930s-Style Crisis Again

Chuck Todd opens the May 4th episode of The Chuck ToddCast with a heartfelt birthday tribute to his daughter Margaret, a recent college graduate in oceanography and meteorology, before diving into a stark analysis of President Trump’s plummeting approval ratings—34% in Pew and 37% in The Washington Post—marking historic lows across every major issue, including the economy, immigration, and foreign policy. With 71% of Americans distrusting Trump’s honesty, the highest level for any modern president, Todd argues this reflects not just policy failure but a fundamental collapse of confidence in Trump’s character and leadership. He emphasizes that Trump’s support is now almost entirely confined to his base, while independents—critical in swing states—have abandoned him, signaling a potential Democratic wave in the midterms. Guest Ian Shapiro, author of *After the Fall*, draws a troubling parallel between today’s global moment and the 1930s, citing economic dislocation, fragmented politics, and rising populism, warning that missed opportunities post-Cold War—such as failing to integrate Russia, overextending NATO, and ignoring the 2008 crisis—have set the stage for today’s instability. The conversation shifts to the U.S. and UK’s political stagnation, with the breakdown of traditional party systems creating space for new movements like Forward Party, while Spain stands out as a model of reform and openness. The discussion then turns to China, where Todd and guest Ian Bremmer agree that while the U.S. misjudged its rise, the current confrontational approach under Trump is counterproductive. The episode ends on a hopeful note, celebrating Claire DeVoe’s historic Kentucky Derby win as a milestone for women in horse racing, praising the parity in the NBA playoffs, and expressing optimism about the future of both sports and political reform, despite the challenges of a deeply polarized system.