Former NBC News host Chuck Todd accused Democrats of ‘taking the bait’ in their response to Republican redistricting efforts during his podcast, ‘The Chuck ToddCast.’ The journalist argued that Democrats’ use of ‘revenge redistricting’ in states like Illinois, New York, and California is exactly what Trump wants. By engaging in the same illegal tactics, Todd suggested, the Democrats are playing into Trump’s game, allowing his opponents to act under his rules. He warned of a ‘cold civil war’ as the redistricting battles escalate, comparing the situation to a ‘mud fight with a pig’ where both sides get dirty and the pig enjoys it.
Todd also criticized the Democratic Party for its rhetoric on redistricting, which he claims is becoming ‘a little out of control.’ He pointed to former Democratic Texas Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke, who had called for the party to be ‘ruthless’ in its pursuit of power and endorsed partisan gerrymandering. Despite this, Todd rejected the notion of comparing Trump to 1930s Germany, stating that such comparisons are lazy and that he believes the nation is better than that. He referenced Godwin’s Law, stating that invoking the Nazis in arguments is a sign of poor debating skills.
The discussion comes as Democratic lawmakers and media outlets have repeatedly drawn parallels between Trump and the political climate of 1930s Germany. Todd dismissed these comparisons, calling it ‘uncomfortable’ to see the mistakes of the 1850s being repeated. He warned that the normalization of the unacceptable and rationalizing of ‘just this once’ breaches of principles could lead to disastrous consequences. He argued that the founders designed mechanisms to prevent such scenarios, but he feared that leaders are now refusing to use them. The situation highlights the deepening partisan divide over redistricting and its potential to reshape American politics for years to come.