Chuck Todd, the former anchor of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” criticized ex-President Joe Biden during a podcast appearance on March 2, 2025. He challenged Biden’s image as a dedicated family man, labeling him a “craven political animal” who put his political goals before his family’s wellbeing.
Todd made these remarks on “The Warning” podcast, hosted by Steve Schmidt, co-founder of the Lincoln Project. He offered his insight into the Democrats’ loss in the 2024 election and Biden’s choice to pursue the presidency in 2020 despite facing family difficulties.
“You know, Joe Biden never should have been there in the first place, right? Number one, he shouldn’t have run for president [in 2020],” said Todd during the podcast.
Todd’s frustration became apparent after reviewing the transcript of Hunter Biden’s trial. He noted that multiple members of the Biden family were grappling with substance abuse issues in 2018, a time close to when Joe Biden resolved to run for president.
“I completely got so angry at Joe Biden, the man, when I read the transcript of the Hunter Biden trial, and when I realized that not one, not two, but three Biden children, and I count Beau’s widow, were all dealing with drug problems in 2018,” Todd elaborated.
The trial of Hunter Biden, which Todd referred to, pertained to federal gun charges. It disclosed personal details about the Biden family’s battle with addiction. Testimonies from Hunter’s ex-wife, ex-girlfriend, and daughter shed light on how his substance abuse issues had impacted the entire family.
Todd expressed that Biden had spent his lengthy political career shaping a persona as a family-focused politician that belied the truth.
Todd’s comments mark a significant divergence, as they come from a journalist who once held a high-profile political anchor position at NBC News, rather than from the usual political adversaries of Biden.
In the same podcast discussion, Schmidt also scrutinized Biden’s parenting skills, with some media sources suggesting that Schmidt would trust the children of former President Donald Trump over Biden’s offspring in certain circumstances.
This criticism follows Biden’s contentious decision to pardon his son Hunter for federal tax crimes before his term ended. In a previous NBC News article, Todd termed this decision as “The Trumpification of Joe Biden,” contending that the pardon established a worrisome precedent where presidents could shield family members from legal repercussions.
Todd suggested that Biden’s aim to safeguard his son had superseded his presidential duty to uphold the law, potentially undermining public trust in the justice system.
Hunter Biden’s legal issues have persisted for several years, including his conviction for unlawful gun possession and tax evasion.
President Biden consistently showed public backing for his son throughout his legal process, asserting that the family would provide their “love and support” for Hunter.
The House Oversight Committee initiated an investigation in January 2023 into President Biden and his family’s foreign business dealings. However, investigations have not revealed any evidence of wrongdoing by the President, according to multiple reports.
The recent criticisms by Chuck Todd contribute to ongoing debates about the disparity between Biden’s public persona and private decisions, especially concerning his family. These comments have gained attention as they represent a critical evaluation from a journalist who formerly occupied a significant position at a leading network news organization.
