Stay updated with the latest stock market news and insights
Weekly insights + SMS alerts
President Donald Trump is at it again, this time taking aim at NBC News' "Meet the Press" host Kristen Welker. His beef? Welker had the audacity to describe his endorsement record as producing "mixed results." And Trump, never one to let a slight go unnoticed, fired back with a threat to bring in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
For those keeping score at home, NBC News is owned by Comcast Corp. Comcast (CMCSA), which might explain why Trump is so keen on making this a federal case.
On Sunday, Trump took to Truth Social to dispute Welker's characterization, arguing that his endorsed candidates have actually performed far better than she suggested. He pointed to recent victories by Darline Graham (R-S.C.) and Mike Mazzei, claiming his endorsement success rate is a perfect 100% for U.S. Senate candidates and 98% for U.S. House candidates. Overall, he boasted a 99% success rate.
"How can anyone be allowed to say this, working for freely given Public Airwaves?" Trump wrote, clearly incensed. He called Welker's comment a "purposeful inaccuracy" and declared she "will be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment."
He didn't stop there. Trump accused the broader news media of seeking to "harass, demean, and libel anything 'TRUMP.'" He also argued that several candidates he backed were considered long shots before his endorsement, citing Graham's Senate win and another Oklahoma candidate's victory as examples that received insufficient media coverage.
Trump urged FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and the commission to take this "Threat to our Country" seriously. NBC News did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
NBC News isn't backing down. A spokesperson defended Welker, telling The Hill, "Kristen is one of the best in the business and we stand by her."
CNN's Brian Stelter provided some context, noting that Welker made her "mixed" comment during a pre-"Meet the Press" live shot on NBC's Washington, D.C., affiliate WRC. This came on the heels of NBC reporting that six Trump-backed House and gubernatorial candidates lost their August primaries.
This isn't a new play from Trump's playbook. Last year, he criticized ABC News and NBC, calling them "the most biased" networks and suggesting the FCC revoke their licenses. He accused them of producing overwhelmingly negative coverage of him and Republicans, questioned why they weren't paying millions in annual license fees, and suggested they either face license revocation or pay up for using public airwaves.
Trump also described the networks as effectively operating as arms of the Democratic Party and a "real threat to democracy."
Real-time alerts on price moves, news, and trading opportunities.
Join 20,000+ investors. No spam, ever.
