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Chad Hartman (WCCO 830)

Chad Hartman (WCCO 830) critically examines local and national politics with a focus on government ethics and public safety.

538
Episodes transcribed
May 2026Aug 2026 covered
300
Episodes analyzed
967 tone reads — one per figure per episode
Attack-heavy
Knifes Walz

What This Tone Is Based On

The tone scores on this page come from analyzing how this show covers each political figure it mentions. Below is the breakdown of how many of those reads were positive, neutral, or negative.

Positive12513%
Neutral43845%
Negative40442%

Net media tone Negative across 967 figure-in-episode tone reads (not audience/impressions).

How Chad Hartman (WCCO 830) Differs from Other Shows

Compared to 215 outlets · Sep 2025–Aug 2026

This show's average tone sits near the field, but its coverage is far more split by figure. It rates Anthony Fauci +0.50 above the media average on the figures it favors and Stephen Miller -0.48 below it on the ones it criticizes — a 0.98-point gap between its most favorable and most critical coverage that a typical outlet doesn't show.

How its coverage of these figures differs from other shows
  • Anthony Fauci+0.50more favorable vs. other shows
    Show -0.08Other shows -0.57
    17 eps
  • Stephen Miller-0.48more critical vs. other shows
    Show -0.74Other shows↓↓ -0.26
    17 eps
  • Donald Trump Jr-0.42more critical vs. other shows
    Show -0.47Other shows -0.05
    15 eps
  • Rand Paul-0.40more critical vs. other shows
    Show↓↓ -0.25Other shows +0.15
    14 eps
  • Pete Hegseth-0.38more critical vs. other shows
    Show -0.40Other shows -0.02
    40 eps
  • Todd Blanche-0.31more critical vs. other shows
    Show↓↓ -0.30Other shows +0.01
    46 eps
  • Robert F. Kennedy Jr.-0.31more critical vs. other shows
    Show -0.42Other shows -0.11
    23 eps
  • Kristi Noem-0.30more critical vs. other shows
    Show -0.53Other shows↓↓ -0.24
    23 eps
  • Jacob Frey+0.23more favorable vs. other shows
    Show -0.01Other shows↓↓ -0.24
    23 eps
  • Marco Rubio-0.23more critical vs. other shows
    Show -0.09Other shows +0.13
    44 eps

Delta = this show's tone toward the figure minus the average across all 215 other tracked outlets that covered them ≥3 times, Sep 2025–Aug 2026.
Positive = friendlier here; negative = harsher.

Editorial Identity

The editorial fingerprint of this center local news show — who it elevates, who it goes after, and where it breaks from the pack.

Chad Hartman (WCCO 830) is a center-leaning local news show that scrutinizes political figures and policies, often with a critical lens. The show places a significant emphasis on government ethics and corruption, as well as crime and public safety, reflecting its commitment to holding public officials accountable. It covers a mix of local and national issues, with a particular focus on Minnesota politics and figures like Governor Tim Walz.

Who it champions

The show covers Mitt Romney and Zohran Mamdani more favorably than the media average, suggesting a nuanced approach to figures who may not align strictly with mainstream narratives. Anthony Fauci also receives a more balanced treatment compared to other outlets, indicating a willingness to diverge from the typical media portrayal.

Who it targets

Chad Hartman is notably critical of figures such as Tom Homan, Kristi Noem, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., often highlighting issues of government ethics and rule of law. The show also takes a harsher stance on figures like Stephen Miller and Samuel Alito, reflecting its critical approach to certain conservative policies and actions.

How it differs from the consensus

The show stands out for its critical coverage of government ethics and corruption, with a lift significantly above the average outlet. This focus is complemented by its attention to rule of law and public safety, areas where it also exceeds typical media coverage. This editorial choice underscores its commitment to scrutinizing the integrity and effectiveness of political figures and institutions.

274 episodes · 90 figures · May 1, 2026 – Aug 15, 2026 · updated Aug 20, 2026

Who Chad Hartman (WCCO 830) boosts and attacks

Tracked figures split by this show's average tone toward them, each with the clips behind the call — tap a quote to jump to the audio.

Chad Hartman (WCCO 830)'s prime targets are Tim Walz, Pete Hegseth, Todd Blanche.

Figures covered · 15
+9 more

Coverage Volume

Transcribed episodes per week — last 26 weeks

Sentiment Trajectory

Average weekly tone toward figures — green favorable, red critical

Whose coverage is ramping up — and dropping

New attack lines forming: Rand Paul (0→12 eps, tone -0.23) and Pete Hegseth (6→16 eps, tone -0.31). Cooling on Marco Rubio, JD Vance, Lindsey Graham.

“Across N days” = distinct days behind the recent count; a single burst means it’s concentrated in ≤2 days — treat as one story, not a trend.

Show organizations & places →
Organizations
Senate112
CCO111
WCCO109
Congress105
House of Representatives90
Twins81
Places
United States313
Minnesota293
Minneapolis178
Saint Paul135
Iran130
New York121
White House113

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