Chuck Todd examines the parallels between the modern anti-vaxx movement and the temperance movement during prohibition and answers listeners' questions in the "Ask Chuck" segment.
On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck unpacks the growing unease in the GOP over RFK Jr.’s influence and Florida’s decision to drop school vaccine mandates, raising the question of how the once-fringe anti-vax movement went mainstream. Drawing historical parallels to the prohibition era, he examines how framing the issue as “personal freedom” and missteps like the COVID mandate fueled a cultural backlash that could take decades to undo, threatening long-term public health. The conversation then shifts to politics, with Trump maneuvering to dominate the NYC mayoral race—pressuring rivals, exploiting ranked-choice voting debates, and turning contests in New York and California into referendums on his influence, just as Democrats look to tie special elections back to Trump himself.
Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
02:30 Alarm over RFK growing in GOP congress, but don’t expect action
03:15 Florida dropping the vaccine mandate for kids in schools
06:30 How did the kooky anti-vax movement go mainstream?
07:00 Anti-vaxx movement has historical parallel in prohibition movement
08:30 Anti-alcohol movement seized on a particular moment in time
09:15 Anti-vaxx movement has been framed as a personal freedom issue
10:15 Biggest mistake by public health officials was the Covid vaccine mandate
11:30 Prohibition created crime & deaths from bootlegged alcohol
14:00 Officials know potential harm, and made the decision anyway
15:30 Older generation has memories of deaths from these diseases
16:45 It could take decades to reverse the damage to public health
18:30 Pro vaccine messaging needs to not be political
20:00 Trump trying to clear field in NYC mayoral to beat Mamdani
21:00 NYC voters should get ranked choice voting in general election
22:45 If Trump gets Adams to drop out, race will become all about Trump
24:00 NYC mayoral and CA redistricting could become Trump referendums
26:00 Democrats are making special elections all about Trump
27:15 Ask Chuck
27:45 Are Dems just living in "the world as it is" when it comes to redistricting?
33:30 Are Trump's attacks on mail-in voting an effort to contest 2026 results?
38:00 Is there a line where Democrats fighting will be the "wrong" move?
44:00 Why is Lisa Cook being targeted for mortgage fraud when Trump did it?
49:45 How long would it take the DNC to find viable candidates in light red districts?
53:15 Could Texas/CA gerrymander backfire and put more safe seats in play