Chuck Todd on 'un-American' Elon Musk: 'Five-alarm fire'

Former NBC news political pundit and moderator of "Meet The Press" Chuck Todd is railing against Elon Musk and his recent efforts to trim spending and make major alterations to large swaths of the federal government.

“If democracy is a quote-unquote ‘left-wing ideology’ to Elon Musk, I mean, this man is un-American as far as my definition of America is,” Todd said on an episode of fellow pundit Chris Cillizza's podcast. "The fact that more people aren’t offended by this man’s actions ... I mean, it shows you how much he has helped successfully destroy the trusted information ecosystem because this is a five-alarm fire.

"Elon Musk is a five-alarm fire and the country doesn’t realize it yet," he added.

The commentator's remarks were first highlighted by Mediaite.

Musk was tapped by President Trump to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency and has sparked widespread pushback and confusion amongst government officials with plans to offer buyouts to a large amount of federal workers and cut off aid to foreign countries.

The billionaire tech and media mogul has said such reforms are needed to help achieve Trump's agenda and has criticized the U.S. Agency for International Development, his latest target, as "a radical-left political psy op."

Since buying Twitter in 2021 and rebranding it as X, Musk has made massive changes to the platform's content moderation policies and algorithms.

Todd recently left NBC after nearly two decades with the company to start a new media venture and continuing podcast.

Topics

Chuck Todd Is Leaving NBC

A longtime major figure of NBC and MSNBC’s political coverage, Mr. Todd became less omnipresent in recent years.
The New York Times - 3d
Chuck Todd leaving NBC

Former moderator of "Meet The Press" and longtime NBC News political analyst Chuck Todd is leaving the network, he announced Friday. "Look, I've been here a long time," Todd said on an episode of ...
The Hill - 3d
Former 'Meet the Press' moderator Chuck Todd exits NBC News

Chuck Todd, who joined NBC News in 2007 as political director and moderated 'Meet the Press' from 2009 to 2024, is departing the network.
Los Angeles Times - 3d
Elon Musk deserves the Nobel Peace Prize

Good for Elon Musk. He deserves it.
The Hill - 3d
Elon Musk’s Next Target: Government Buildings

The tech billionaire and top Trump ally visited the General Services Administration, which appears to be a key part of his crusade to cut the cost of government buildings.
The New York Times - 4d
Elon Musk Is Running the Twitter Playbook on the Federal Government

The US Office of Personnel Management is telling federal workers to get in line—or get out.
Wired - 5d
Elon Musk’s Bizarre, Frightening Obsession With Britain

His taste for power goes beyond America.
The New York Times - 6d
Elon Musk, Video Game King? Well, Maybe Not.

Gaming is a big part of the billionaire’s public persona. But other players are questioning whether he has the time or the skill to be as accomplished as he claims.
The New York Times - Jan. 26
What Elon Musk’s Salute Was All About

A gesture associated with the Nazis has a surprising history. But in Germany, there was little doubt about its meaning.
The New York Times - Jan. 26
Inside Elon Musk's Attack on Germany's Political Establishment

The world’s richest man set out on a quest to boost the European powerhouse’s far-right opposition.
The Wall Street Journal - Jan. 24
US meteorologist fired from TV station after criticizing Elon Musk salute

Sam Kuffel’s departure comes after far-right radio host slams her condemnation of X owner’s apparent Nazi salute. A Milwaukee meteorologist has been fired from her TV station after she criticized ...
The Guardian - Jan. 23
Elon Musk's father calls claims Elon made Nazi salute 'rubbish'

Errol Musk laughed and defended his son against allegations of making a Nazi salute, calling the accusation "absolute nonsense" and "rubbish."
The Hill - Jan. 23
Elon Musk's gesture at Trump rally draws scrutiny

He made the gesture while thanking supporters for contributing to Trump's victory.
BBC News - Jan. 20
Elon Musk says he is 'fired up for the future' at Trump's inaugural rally

Billionaire tycoon Elon Musk shared his excitement for the future during President Donald Trump’s inaugural rally. At one point, the crowd chanted, "Elon! Elon!" Musk then forcefully touched his ...
NBC News - Jan. 20
How could Elon Musk influence Donald Trump?

Several tech CEOs were present at President Trump's inauguration, including X's Elon Musk. Walter Isaacson, who has spent significant time with Musk and wrote his biography, joins CBS News with his ...
CBS News - Jan. 20
Elon Musk to speak at Trump's inauguration weekend rally

Elon Musk is among the speakers who will precede President-elect Donald Trump at his pre-inaugural rally in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, according to a source familiar with the planning.
NBC News - Jan. 17
Chuck Todd: Rebuilding Los Angeles will (and should) be a national priority

Just days before Washington officially transitions back to the Trump era, the folks trying to plot out a successful first six months of his second term have a big new problem they will have to deal ...
NBC News - Jan. 15
The SEC Is Suing Elon Musk. It’s All in the Timing

Less than a week before Donald Trump takes office, the SEC has filed a complaint against his most prominent benefactor.
Wired - Jan. 15
Will China Let Elon Musk Buy TikTok?

As the popular video app faces a ban in the United States, Chinese officials are said to be weighing options to save it — including a sale to the tech mogul.
The New York Times - Jan. 14
Elon Musk Is an ‘Evil Person,’ Steve Bannon Says

The comments highlighted rifts within the U.S. right wing and between two men who have been influential advisers to President-elect Donald J. Trump.
The New York Times - Jan. 13
Mapping Elon Musk’s Global Empire

From tunnels to Tesla factories to SpaceX launch facilities, there’s barely a place on Earth that doesn’t feel the gravitational pull of humanity’s wealthiest reply guy.
Wired - Jan. 13
Chuck D pleads for people to stop using Public Enemy’s Burn Hollywood Burn on videos of LA fires

The 1990 protest track ‘has nothing to do with families losing everything they have’ says the rapper, hitting out at TikTok and Instagram videos. Follow our Australia news live blog for latest ...
The Guardian - Jan. 13
How Elon Musk has meddled in European affairs

From bashing Keir Starmer to promoting the AfD, the X owner is not shy about intervening. A limited – at best – understanding of the continent of Europe and its component countries has not ...
The Guardian - Jan. 11
UK security officials monitor Elon Musk's posts

A Home Office team is tracking the reach and impact of posts by the tech mogul and others for security risks.
BBC News - Jan. 10
Elon Musk’s Quest for Domination Has Gone Global

Having established power over Republican politics in the US, the industrialist is now intervening in European politics—and is himself becoming a leader of the international far right.
Wired - Jan. 9
Before Elon Musk and DOGE, there was Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter's Inspector General Act of 1978 led to the creation of the Department of Justice's Inspector General, which has since issued reports critical of the FBI's role in the 2016 election, ...
The Hill - Jan. 9
FirstFT: Elon Musk moves against Keir Starmer

Also in today’s newsletter, corporate borrowers rush to lock in loans and the growing interest in lunar spectrum
Financial Times - Jan. 9
Chuck Todd: Which party cracks up first in 2025?

If there is one certainty in politics these days, it’s that the status quo rarely holds. And when one party has the White House, the House and the Senate, history tells us that new status quo has a ...
NBC News - Jan. 8
Ros Atkins on...Elon Musk's political interventions

The BBC's Analysis Editor looks at Elon Musk's involvement in politics outside the US.
BBC News - Jan. 7
Elon Musk Is Roiling European Politics

The Trump ally has flooded X with posts criticizing European politicians, causing a diplomatic conundrum for the continent’s leaders.
The Wall Street Journal - Jan. 7
Elon Musk’s Dishonest Demagogy on Grooming Gangs

The billionaire is exploiting old atrocities to undermine his enemies.
The New York Times - Jan. 7
European leaders denounce Elon Musk's influence on the continent

Tech billionaire Elon Musk is getting wide pushback in European capitals as he tries to extend his recent political success in other countries.
NBC News - Jan. 6
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer hits back at Elon Musk

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer hit back at Elon Musk on Monday after the world's richest man repeatedly lobbed a host of inflammatory allegations at the country's leader over the past week.
CBS News - Jan. 6
Pete Songi on Elon Musk interfering in British politics – cartoon

Continue reading...
The Guardian - Jan. 6
U.K.’s Starmer Slams ‘Lies and Misinformation’ After Elon Musk Attacks

Without naming Mr. Musk directly, Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the billionaire’s spreading of falsehoods about a child sex abuse scandal.
The New York Times - Jan. 6
Emmanuel Macron joins growing criticism of Elon Musk in Europe

French president accuses world’s richest man of intervening directly in continent’s democratic processes. Emmanuel Macron has added his voice to a growing chorus of European criticism of Elon Musk, ...
The Guardian - Jan. 6
Is Elon a Musk-Have for Nigel Farage?

Reform’s former communications director is on
BBC News - Jan. 5
‘Don’t feed the troll’: German chancellor responds to Elon Musk comments

World’s richest man has been voicing support for Germany’s far-right AfD party while insulting its current leaders . When the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, was asked in an interview about the ...
The Guardian - Jan. 5
Why Elon Musk’s Starship rocket is beating Nasa in the space race

The SpaceX chief’s powerful new system is set to slash the cost of missions, leaving Nasa in the dust. It was one of the most striking technological events of the year. On 13 October, Starship, the ...
The Guardian - Jan. 5

More in Politics

EPA tells 1,000 employees they could be fired ‘immediately’

Click for the latest from The Hill. {beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story EPA tells 1,000 employees they could be fired ‘immediately’ More than 1,000 employees at the ...
The Hill - 19m
Trump pauses Canadian tariffs for 30 days in deal with Trudeau

President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to a pause in implementing tariffs for at least a month, just hours after Trump agreed to delay tariffs on Mexico. The announced ...
The Hill - 26m
GOP's Susan Collins to back Tulsi Gabbard confirmation

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced Monday that she will support Tulsi Gabbard to become director of national intelligence (DNI), giving her a key boost in her confirmation push. Collins was ...
The Hill - 29m
Trudeau says Trump will pause tariffs on Canada for 30 days

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says President Trump has agreed to pause tariffs on Canada for 30 days. NBC News White House Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor reports on the steps Canada announced to ...
NBC News - 41m
Salvage crews recover airplane wing, engine and fuselage from Potomac River after deadly DC crash

Black boxes from both the airplane and helicopter involved in last week’s deadly crash have been recovered by the NTSB as salvage crews continue to pull the wreckage from the Potomac River. NBC ...
NBC News - 48m