Longtime NBC News political reporter Chuck Todd has announced his departure from the network after 18 years. In an episode of his podcast, “Chuck Toddcast,” Todd shared that he is leaving earlier than planned due to exciting new projects that are on the horizon, with a focus on the future of media, particularly at the local level.
During his time at NBC, Todd held various roles, including political director, and most notably as the host of NBC’s Sunday flagship show, “Meet the Press,” from late 2014 until 2023. His departure comes shortly after the start of Donald Trump’s second term in the White House, a presidency marked by tension between the president and the journalist. Trump often referred to Todd as “sleepy-eyed Chuck Todd” and criticized his coverage.
In a recent on-air disagreement with the network over the hiring of former Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel, Todd voiced concerns about her credibility issues. Despite the challenges, Todd expressed his commitment to continue sharing his reporting and perspective through his podcast in his next venture after a brief hiatus.
NBC News and MSNBC have experienced leadership changes, with Comcast announcing plans to spin off some of NBCUniversal’s cable networks, including MSNBC, in a $7 billion deal. However, Todd did not mention these changes in his announcement. Instead, he emphasized the importance of rebuilding trust in the media, noting that local news outlets are best positioned to address this challenge.
Todd highlighted the role of local media in establishing the credibility of national news and suggested that local news organizations are better equipped to address the trust deficit, particularly as national outlets focus on web traffic. Despite his departure from NBC, Todd reiterated his commitment to political journalism and the importance of transparent and unbiased reporting.
As Todd prepares for his next chapter, he emphasized the need for journalists to continue holding those in power accountable and to cover politics objectively. He stressed the importance of reporting on politics as it is, rather than how we may wish it to be, in order to maintain the integrity of journalism and serve the public interest.
