- Kristen Welker made a comment on a local Washington, D.C., affiliate describing Trump's endorsement record as 'mixed'.
- On Sunday, Trump criticized Welker on social media, stating she would be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment over her comments.
- NBC News issued a statement standing by Welker, calling her one of the best in the business.
- FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez responded to Trump's comments, stating that the FCC has no authority to punish journalists.
- Trump's attack on Welker follows a pattern of seeking to restrict press access, as seen in previous actions against media outlets.
- Welker's comments were made during a pre-show segment on a local affiliate, not during the main broadcast of 'Meet the Press'.
- Trump's social media post included a claim that his endorsement record was mischaracterized, stating he had 100% success in recent endorsements.
Former President Donald Trump has threatened to report NBC's Kristen Welker to the FCC for 'rebuke or punishment' after she described his endorsement record as having 'mixed results.' Trump criticized Welker's comments made during a pre-show segment on a local affiliate, claiming they mischaracterized his endorsement success.126
Trump's social media post stated, “How can anyone be allowed to say this, working for freely given Public Airwaves?” He pointed to his recent endorsements, claiming a 100% success rate for the U.S. Senate and 98% for the U.S. House. However, Welker's remarks were based on the fact that six Trump-backed candidates for House and governor lost their primaries earlier this month.7
NBC responded, asserting, “Kristen is one of the best in the business, and we stand by her.” Trump's comments reflect a pattern of targeting media figures he perceives as critical, with former FCC officials warning against weaponizing the agency to suppress free speech. Anna Gomez, the lone Democrat on the commission, stated, “the FCC has no authority to punish journalists this administration doesn’t like.” Despite Trump's threats, the FCC's own guidelines indicate it cannot prevent the broadcast of any particular viewpoint, making his call for punishment historically unlikely.34
CNN's Brian Stelter noted that while the FCC has limited power, “it’s reasonable to think NBC will be targeted next.”
“The FCC has limited power over such matters, and its own website says it 'cannot prevent the broadcast of any particular point of view.' Commissioner Anna Gomez, the lone Democrat, called the threats 'dangerous' and said the agency has 'no authority to punish journalists.'”
CNBC
The Guardian
