Trump says NBC journalist should face ‘punishment’ from broadcast regulator

Donald Trump has threatened NBC journalist Kristen Welker with regulatory punishment after she said his endorsements in party primaries had produced mixed results.

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unpopular ‘hostess’ of the once great Meet the Press

Trump attacked Welker on Truth Social, calling her the “unpopular ‘hostess’ of the once great Meet the Press.” He objected to her assessment that he had achieved mixed results, while insisting that his endorsed candidates had prevailed 98% to 100% of the time.

Welker told a local NBC affiliate that Trump would “loom large over these midterms.” On his endorsement record, she said he “had some mixed results, but most recently, his pick of Senator Darline Graham… was successful in her primary battle”. Trump responded that “because of this purposeful inaccuracy, she will be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment”.

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loom large over these midterms

The Federal Communications Commission oversees licenses for radio and television broadcast frequencies. Trump also urged FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and the commission to take the threat seriously, calling it a threat to the country. An NBC News spokesperson defended Welker, saying, “Kristen is one of the best in the business and we stand by her”.

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had some mixed results, but most recently, his pick of Senator Darline Graham… was successful in her primary battle

The confrontation follows months of strained relations between Trump and media organizations he considers hostile. Welker previously moderated the 2020 presidential debate between Trump and Joe Biden, and Trump abruptly ended an interview with her in June after an argument over her questions, particularly about the war against Iran. Several broadcasters have sued the FCC, saying pressure from regulators amounts to political retaliation that violates the First Amendment.

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Kristen is one of the best in the business and we stand by her