In the past, Chuck Todd has railed against hyperbole, misinformation and GOP “alternative facts.” But on Sunday, he seemed quite enamored with the apocalyptic sentiment that America “will not survive” a Donald Trump reelection. NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson appeared on the YouTube-only portion of Meet the Press. He warned, “This nation, not only African-American community, we will not survive if there is a continuation of this administration.”
Rather than commit the act of journalism and challenge his guest Todd marveled, “Strong words, President Johnson. Those are very strong words. ‘We will not survive if there’s another term.’” When the segment ended, Todd offered kudos for the end-of-America sentiment: “Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP. Really appreciate you coming on…. We all appreciate that you didn’t hold back.”
His guests included college student journalists. After one of them said she was most struck by the “not survive” comment, Todd offered a variation of the “some people say” journalistic response: “That jumped out to me. It was very blunt. It was very straight forward. I know he’s not alone in thinking that.”
Perhaps some people at NBC think that?
On a past Meet the Press, Todd entertained a discussion about whether Trump would cancel the 2020 election.
A partial transcript is below.
Meet the Press College Roundtable
6/7/2020
DERRICK JOHNSON (NAACP President and CEO): “This nation cannot survive with this level -- I hate to be offensive, but it’s true -- and competence in difference and in many ways malicious intent. When you look at what happened on Monday evening when you tear gas peaceful protesters just so you can have a photo-op. This nation, not only African-American community, we will not survive if there is a continuation of this administration.
CHUCK TODD: Strong words. President Johnson. Those are very strong words. ‘We will not survive if there’s another term.’
JOHNSON: There’s no way. If you think of the level of divisiveness that’s taken place. The absolute disregard for human life and what I call people who are different.
…
TODD: Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP. Really appreciate you coming on. I know our journalists appreciate it as well. I know we appreciate that you didn’t hold back. Good luck. Stay safe and thank you for your leadership.
…
TODD [On the “we will not survive” quote.]: That jumped out to me. It was very blunt. It was very straight forward. I know he’s not alone in thinking that.
