President Donald Trump announced his intention to report NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’ host Kristen Welker to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) after she described his primary endorsement record as ‘mixed results.’ Trump argued that this portrayal was inaccurate, asserting a 100% success rate for the U.S. Senate and 98% for the U.S. House.
On Truth Social, Trump criticized Welker, highlighting endorsement victories for Darline Graham and Mike Mazzei. He questioned how such statements could be allowed on public airwaves, suggesting Welker’s remarks were purposefully inaccurate. Trump stated she would be reported to the FCC for possible action.
A spokesperson for NBC News defended Welker, emphasizing her professional reputation. Welker’s contentious remarks were made during an NBC4 Washington broadcast earlier in the day, not during ‘Meet the Press.’ She pointed out Trump’s sway over the midterms, citing the success of his endorsements, including Darline Graham’s recent victory in South Carolina.
CNN’s chief media analyst Brian Stelter criticized Trump’s statements, calling them an effort to misuse the FCC against journalists for unflattering coverage. Stelter noted that by law, the FCC doesn’t punish individuals for such statements.
Data from Fox News’ endorsement tracker showed Trump-backed candidates winning all 24 Senate primaries he endorsed, along with a high success rate in House races. These results validated Trump’s claims of substantial endorsement success, contrasting with Welker’s ‘mixed results’ characterization.
Trump encouraged FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to seriously address what he branded a threat to the country. Despite Trump’s appeal, FCC guidelines dictate it oversees individual stations and requires evidence for claims of intentional news distortion. The agency differentiates between deliberate falsehoods and opinion-based or inaccurate reporting.
Fox News sought comments from the FCC but hadn’t received a response.
CJ Womack, an associate editor at Fox News, contributed to this report. With expertise in political analysis, Womack highlights the crucial role of journalism in politics and culture. He is a Long Beach State University graduate, holding a BA in Political Science with a Journalism minor.