Trump's attack on Welker
On Sunday, President Donald Trump demanded that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) take action against NBC's Kristen Welker, the host of Meet the Press, suggesting she should be 'rebuked or punished.' This came after Welker, during a live segment on a Washington, D.C. NBC affiliate, characterized the track record of candidates endorsed by Trump as 'mixed,' as reported by CNN's Brian Stelter.[S1]
In a Truth Social post, Trump derided Welker as the 'Unpopular Hostess of ... Meet the Fake Press,' accused her of 'purposeful inaccuracy,' and warned she would be reported to the FCC. He also expressed hope that his appointed FCC chair Brendan Carr and his colleagues would take the 'Threat to our Country very seriously.'[S1][S3][S5]
Endorsement record dispute
Trump pointed to recent wins by Darline Graham in South Carolina's Senate race and Mike Mazzei in Oklahoma's gubernatorial primary, asserting a perfect record in Senate primaries and a 98% success rate in House primaries. An archived version of his post indicates an overall success rate of 98.35%, with 239 victories out of 243 endorsed candidates.[S3][S4]
However, independent assessments show notable setbacks, including losses by Mike Lindell in Minnesota and others. Ballotpedia estimates Trump made some 313 endorsements with a 96% success rate, but many were in non-competitive primaries. Trump has previously acknowledged that some endorsed candidates faced 'impossible' races but earned his support 'out of loyalty.'[S1][S4]
FCC's role and backlash
The FCC has limited authority over broadcast content; it cannot ban specific viewpoints, though complaints can be filed. Experts and former officials from both parties have criticized FCC Chair Brendan Carr for potentially using the regulator to pressure free speech. Carr did not respond to requests for comment.[S2][S5]
This incident is part of a broader pattern of the administration targeting media outlets. In September 2025, Carr reportedly pressured stations to pre-empt Jimmy Kimmel's show, and ABC and CBS have paid over $30 million in settlements. ABC has sued the FCC, alleging retaliatory treatment.[S1][S5]
