President Donald Trump has urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take disciplinary action against NBC journalist Kristen Welker, following her report that he has experienced poor support for Republican candidates. Trump made his request on Sunday via his Truth Social platform.
In his post, Trump criticized Welker, describing her as the “unpopular host” of the once-renowned program “Meet the Press,” which he now refers to as “Meet the Fake Press.” He argued that her claim of his “mixed results” in supporting candidates was inaccurate. He pointed to recent election victories by candidates Darline Graham and Mike Mazzei, asserting a perfect record for the Senate and high support for the House of Representatives.
Trump stated, “Due to this intentional inaccuracy, she will be reported to the FCC for a reprimand or sanction. Unfortunately, she is not the only one.” In response to Trump’s remarks, an NBC spokesperson defended Welker, stating, “Kristen is one of the best in the industry, and we support her.” This is not the first time Welker has faced Trump’s ire; he infamously walked out of an interview with her in June due to displeasure with her questions.
Trump Condemns ‘False Polls’
In a separate post, Trump condemned what he referred to as “false polls” utilized by the “corrupt media,” claiming they have become “out of control.” He demanded intervention from the FCC, which is led by Brendan Carr, who was appointed by Trump’s administration in 2025.
These remarks mark the latest in Trump’s ongoing campaign against the media. He has previously urged television networks to discontinue comedy or news programs that do not favor him or his administration. Recently, ABC and its parent company Disney filed a lawsuit against the FCC to block a pre-emptive review of eight TV stations, claiming the Trump administration is attempting to penalize the network for its editorial content. Trump has repeatedly called for the FCC to revoke ABC’s licenses.
The FCC is also investigating Comcast, which owns NBC, regarding its relationships with local affiliated television stations. This inquiry is part of a broader investigation into major U.S. television networks, whose free speech rights are protected by the First Amendment. While the revocation of broadcasting licenses is rare, critics argue that the threat of losing a license may pressure media outlets and raise concerns about government interference in editorial decisions.
Other Journalists Targeted
Welker is not the only journalist or media organization that has been targeted by Trump, according to Politico. He has recently launched personal attacks against other journalists, including Maggie Haberman from The New York Times, Kaitlan Collins from CNN, and Shannon Bream from Fox News. Earlier in August, the White House also unleashed insults via social media towards CNN reporter Kristen Holmes after she posed questions to Trump during a press conference.
