Trump threatens NBC host over election comment as Treasury blocks journalists from G20

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he will report NBC "Meet the Press" host Kristen Welker to the Federal Communications Commission, accusing her of inaccurately describing his record with endorsed candidates. Trump said Welker’s comment, made during a pre-show segment on a Washington, D.C., affiliate, was a "purposeful inaccuracy" that should be punished.

Welker had noted that Trump’s endorsed candidates had mixed outcomes in recent primaries, citing both losses and a recent primary win by a candidate linked to Senator Lindsey Graham. The remarks were not part of the network’s national broadcast.

The president’s criticism follows a Treasury Department decision to deny credentials to economics reporters from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg for this week’s G20 meetings in North Carolina. Treasury officials told the Times that about 300 media members were granted access, but the three outlets were excluded.

Trump also called on FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to take action against NBC, describing the press as a “disgrace” and urging the commission to address what he called “fake polls” used by the media. Carr has previously pursued complaints against media figures, including a 2022 case involving a late-night talk-show host.

"How can anyone be allowed to say this, working for freely given public airwaves? Because of this purposeful inaccuracy, she will be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment," Trump wrote.

"The press is a disgrace to our nation, and I hope that Chairman Brendan Carr, and the fine people of his commission, will take this threat to our country very seriously," he added.

The incidents highlight ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and major news organizations.