What a way to mark the halfway point of the year! In a surprise announcement, NBC has just announced that its chief White House correspondent Kristen Welker will become the first Black woman to host its highly esteemed show Meet the Press.
The news comes on the heels of its current host, Chuck Todd, announcing he would be stepping down after hosting the show since 2014. His decision to leave the post was made to spend more time with his family, according to The Washington Post.
“When I took over Meet the Press, it was a Sunday show that had a lot of people questioning whether it still could have a place in the modern media space,” Todd said. “Well, I think we’ve answered that question and then some…I’ve had the privilege of working with [Kristen] from essentially her first day, and let me just say she’s the right person in the right moment.”
Welker, a Philadelphia native, has been with NBC News since 2010 serving as the network’s go-to journalist for all affairs happening at the White House. She made history in 2020 when she became the youngest solo debate moderator during the President Joe Biden and Donald Trump presidential debate.
Before being announced she would take on the role as host for Meet the Press full-time, she would often serve as a guest host and currently serves as co-host for Meet the Press NOW, a daily streaming show that airs at 4 PM online.
“[Chuck Todd] has been a mentor and friend since my first day @NBCNews,” Welker tweeted. “I’ve learned so much from sitting with him at the anchor desk and simply experiencing his passion for politics. I’m humbled and grateful to take the baton and continue to build on the legacy of @MeetThePress.”
Meet the Press has been a main staple in American homes since it launched in 1947. Since then, it has become one of the most reputable journalism programs for political buffs.
In addition to becoming the first Black woman to host the show, the 46-year-old journalist will also become the first woman to host the show since Martha Rountree, who was the show’s host when it first aired in the 1940s.
Welker will assume the role as host in September.
Way to go, Kristen!
