Trump Threatens FCC Action Against NBC's Kristen Welker Over Comments
The Story
President Trump stated Sunday that NBC's "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker will be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment. Trump's threat followed Welker's comments on "Meet the Press" regarding his record in endorsing primary candidates. Welker had said Trump's endorsement currently carries less weight and that he had mixed results with primary candidates. Trump referred to Welker as the "Unpopular ‘Hostess’ of the once great Meet the Press." Anna Gomez, a Democratic commissioner for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), described President Trump's threat to Welker as dangerous on Sunday. Press freedom advocates state Trump's attacks on female reporters undermine media trust and expose individual journalists to harassment. Trump also called New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman an unattractive person both inside and out and a "SCAMMER" over a recent story about his plans for the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Trump has repeatedly targeted Haberman over her reporting, including her book about his presidency. Relations between Trump and Welker have been under pressure for months, with Trump abruptly ending an interview with the journalist in June.
The Spread
What they agree on
- President Trump stated Sunday that NBC's "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker "will be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment."
- Trump's threat followed Welker's comments on "Meet the Press" regarding his record in endorsing primary candidates.
- Trump specifically referred to Welker's comments as a "purposeful inaccuracy."
- Anna Gomez, a Democratic commissioner for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), described President Trump's threat as "dangerous."
Where they split
- Axios highlights a pattern of President Trump disparaging and belittling female reporters, citing his comments about Kristen Welker and New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman.
- Townhall and The Western Journal frame Kristen Welker's comments about President Trump's endorsements as "lies" or "purposeful inaccuracy."
- The Hill and Reason emphasize the implications of President Trump's threat for press freedom and First Amendment rights.
- Mediaite includes a detail about outgoing White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, which is not central to the main story about Trump and Welker.