WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced on August 30, 2026, his intention to report NBC News “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), following her comments about his candidate endorsements. Trump characterized his endorsement success rate as overwhelmingly positive, but his statement contrasted sharply with Welker’s assessment of his mixed results in Senate races.
In a post on his platform, Truth Social, Trump criticized Welker and her show for presenting what he deemed an unfair portrayal of his endorsement history. He claimed an impressive endorsement accuracy of 99 percent, particularly highlighting his success in U.S. Senate races. Trump’s assertion drew attention as he expressed disbelief over how someone broadcasting on public airwaves could suggest otherwise. He urged the FCC to take action, framing Welker’s remarks as a threat to the country.
However, Welker’s comments attributing a “mixed” outcome to Trump’s endorsements did not air during the recent episode of “Meet the Press.” Instead, her remarks were made earlier in an appearance on NBC 4 Washington, where she noted that while his candidates had won significant races, the results fluctuated. Welker referenced Trump-endorsed Sen. Darline Graham of South Carolina, who recently triumphed in a closely contested primary runoff.
NBC News defended Welker’s professionalism, with the network highlighting her capabilities and reaffirming their support. Welker has moderated “Meet the Press” since September 2023 and has faced repeated criticism from Trump, despite having engaged with him in several interviews.
Trump’s endorsement track record, particularly leading up to the midterms, has revealed complexities. While he has secured many victories, with reported endorsements exceeding 313 and a 96 percent success rate according to sources like Ballotpedia, numerous races were unopposed or had little competition. Notably, several candidates he supported have suffered losses, with NBC documenting at least six defeats in recent primaries.
Among the notable setbacks for Trump-endorsed candidates, Minnesota’s governor race saw Lisa Demuth defeat Mike Lindell, and Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee lost a primary to Charlie Hatcher. These results align with the broader labeling of Trump’s endorsement record as mixed, a characterization echoed by various media outlets.
On the same day as his critique of Welker, Trump also took aim at polling organizations, denouncing what he referred to as fake polls. He called for the FCC to intervene in what he believes to be misleading polling practices, a sentiment echoed by current FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who suggested on a recent program that the agency may issue guidelines addressing false polling during the upcoming election season.
This recent spate of comments and actions takes place amid ongoing scrutiny of the FCC’s operations under Carr, a Trump appointee. The commission currently faces a lawsuit from Disney, alleging First Amendment violations related to the agency’s regulatory actions in retaliation for the network’s news coverage.
As Trump continues to express grievances over media portrayal and polling, questions remain about the FCC’s authority regarding political endorsements and journalistic integrity. Anna Gomez, a Democratic commissioner, criticized any attempts to use the FCC to penalize journalists, underscoring the body’s limitations in punishing media voices.
Welker has received endorsements from figures outside journalism as well, with public support coming from actress Lisa Rinna. The sentiment surrounding Trump’s threats highlights the broader implications of political figures attempting to influence media narratives. With no formal complaint filed yet, the situation raises essential questions about press freedom and the potential consequences for media professionals navigating the current political landscape.