Wednesday afternoon during live coverage of the violent assault on the U.S. Capitol, NBC’s Meet the Press moderator Chuck Todd took a ghoulish victory lap of sorts, discarding any and all conservative and Republican denunciations of the Capitol violence as “a lot of empty rhetoric” and “empty concern” that, in his mind, means absolutely nothing.
In a moment requiring people of all political persuasions to come together in prayer and unity for peace, Todd chose to revel in schadenfreude and bragged how “a lot of people” that have long opposed President Trump (translation: only support Democrats) “are having their I told you so moment unfortunately right now.”
Weekday afternoon MSNBC Live host Katy Tur informed Todd at 3:23 p.m. Eastern:
We have a lot more Republican members, Chuck, calling for the President to do something. Kevin McCarthy was on Fox, calling this un-American. He says he wants the President to say somebody. Marco Rubio now calling for the President to say something. They — they’re pleading with him on Twitter. I mean, and that — isn't that just the picture of the past four years. Please, Mr. President. I have to talk to you on Twitter to — to try and restore order.
Instead of expressing relief, thanking them, and/or saying its further reason that the unrest must come to an end, Todd sadistically flaunted himself and like-minded people: “There is a lot of empty rhetoric. There’s a lot of empty concern. You know, this is one of those things I think a lot of people are having their I told you so moment unfortunately right now.”
Todd went onto add that, when it comes to those challenging the election results in the House and Senate: “I have to say, like I said, I'm very uncomfortable that unfortunately these folks have successfully delayed this and that is — that is — something that is — that is unfortunate, that is a perception should not hold or stand.”
Going forward, Todd demanded en masse that “entities,” “individuals,” and “organizations” on the right be held responsible and urged viewers to not treat their denunciations as genuine.
TODD: There’s a lot of — there’s a lot of entities and individuals who are responsible for today. Obviously, President Trump being the lead person, but — but a lot of entities that helped apologize for this rhetoric, around the edges of this rhetoric, and some of these entities —
TUR: Or just ignore it. They just didn’t see the tweet.
TODD: — or an organizations [sic].
TUR: They didn't hear it.
TODD: — right — are now they are all upset about what we're seeing today.
At a time like this, Todd decided to make fun and flaunt himself. Be sure to remember that the next time he urges viewers to choose love, patriotism, and unity.
To see the relevant MSNBC transcript from January 6, click “expand.”
MSNBC Live
January 6, 2021
3:23 p.m. EasternKATY TUR: We have a lot more Republican members, Chuck, calling for the President to do something.
CHUCK TODD: Yeah.
TUR: Kevin McCarthy was on Fox, calling this un-American. He says he wants the President to say somebody. Marco Rubio now calling for the President to say something. They — they’re pleading with him on Twitter. I mean, and that — isn't that just the —
TODD: That in of itself, yes.
TUR: — picture of the past four years. Please, Mr. President. I have to talk to you on Twitter to — to try and restore order.
CHUCK TODD: I don’t know. There is a lot of empty rhetoric. There’s a lot of concern. You know, this is one of those things I think a lot of people are having their I told you so moment unfortunately right now.
TUR: Do they go back, Chuck —
TODD: Rev —
TUR: — and — and continue with this — with these objections? When order is restored, do they get back on the floor and say I object?
TODD: — I — I — It is a great question. It is a great question. I have to say, like I said, I'm very uncomfortable that unfortunately these folks have successfully delayed this and that is — that is — something that is — that is unfortunate, that is a perception should not hold or stand. Congress can do some things remotely. This is important that they cannot disrupt this process and — and this easily, so —
TUR: What a message it sends
TODD: It is.
TUR: — to the elections in 2022, the election in 2024. This is politics and obviously not of the most immediate concern right now. But if you are thinking about running in those two elections, WHAT — how do you look back on in, what role did you play.
TODD: Yeah.
TUR: What do you say to your voters to say hey, trust me with your safety and your security. Trust me, I have good judgment and good values.
TODD: There’s a lot of — there’s a lot of entities and individuals who are responsible for today. Obviously, President Trump being the lead person, but — but a lot of entities that helped apologize for this rhetoric, around the edges of this rhetoric, and some of these entities --
TUR: Or just ignore it. They just didn’t see the tweet.
TODD: — or an organizations [sic].
TUR: They didn't hear it.
TODD: — right — are now they are all upset about what we're seeing today.
