‘Rebuke or punishment’: Trump threatens to report Kristen Welker to FCC

President Trump lashed out at “Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker on Sunday, suggesting she would be reported to the Federal Communications Commission over her alleged characterization of primary election results.

Apparently, during a pre-show live shot with a local DC station, Welker reportedly said the president had “mixed results” with candidates he has endorsed during this cycle.

Welker didn’t say Trump’s endorsements were failing. She acknowledged his influence while also noting that he had suffered some losses.

On Truth Social, he called Welker the “Unpopular ‘Hostess’” of “Meet the Fake Press” and accused her of “purposeful inaccuracy.” He then wrote, “she will be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment.”

The president went on to describe the press in his truth social post as a “Disgrace to our Nation,” and directly suggested FCC Chair Brendan Carr take this “threat to our country very seriously.”

While Trump’s overall primary win rate remains high, he has faced some notable setbacks, particularly in high-profile gubernatorial races and house races this year, like former MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell’s primary loss for governor of Minnesota and Republican Florida voters rebuking embattled congressman Cory Mills .

The FCC is a federal regulator. It is not supposed to be the president’s personal referee for whether a journalist’s characterization of his political record is flattering enough.

The commission under Brenden Carr’s leadership has already faced bipartisan criticism. Late last year, several former FCC officials filed a petition asking the commission to remove its “news distortion policy,” which it notes Carr has cited in threatening to crack down on mainstream media coverage that is critical of Trump.

So when Trump publicly calls on the FCC Chair to take yet another one of his complaints about the press “very seriously,” it feels less about accuracy and more about control.

Carr started in this role back January of 2025 ordering an investigation of NPR and PBS , after the president made it clear he had his eye on unraveling federal funding for all public broadcasting. He has launched investigations into ABC and targeted the network after the president made his disdain for the network apparent. In March of this year, he threatened the licenses of local broadcasters regarding their coverage of foreign conflicts like the Iran war, following complaints raised by the president on social media.

You may remember earlier this year, the president sat down with Kristen Welker and insisted the 2020 election was rigged :

TRUMP: “The election was rigged, it was a dirty election. And it’s happening again right now in California.”

WELKER: “You’ve never presented evidence that the 2020 election was rigged. Where’s the evidence to that? Republicans are doing well in California”

TRUMP: No, they’re not, they’re dropping fast because it’s a rigged election. It takes four days, they’re cheating.”

WELKER: “Do you have evidence to support that?”

The exchange resulted in the president abruptly leaving the interview :

TRUMP: “YOUR ELECTIONS ARE CROOKED AND YOU’RE CROOKED AND SO IS NBC, AND CNN. I’m done”

WELKER : “Mr. President, please, I’ve traveled all the way to Wisconsin.”

So this latest push by the president to have NBC and Welker reported feels connected to their interview.

Press can be criticized, but the president cannot use the power of the federal government as a threat against a journalist because the coverage is unfavorable.

Lindsey Granger is a NewsNation contributor and co-host of The Hill’s commentary show “Rising.” This column is an edited transcription of her on-air commentary.