Chuck Todd is set to depart from his role as the host of NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’

Chuck Todd, who has been the host of “Meet the Press” in Washington for a long time, will be leaving the show soon. Taking his position as the new host will be Kristen Welker, who is currently NBC News’ co-chief White House correspondent.

Chuck Todd, the host and moderator of “Meet the Press,” announced that he will step down after hosting the show for nine years. Kristen Welker, NBC News’ co-chief White House correspondent, will take over as the new host.

Todd expressed pride in the work he and his team accomplished during his tenure, bridging the gap between Washington and America. He will continue working at NBC as the chief political analyst, providing insight during major events and focusing on long-form journalism.

Todd reflected on the show’s success, transforming it into a vital part of modern media. NBC News’ president of editorial and senior vice president of politics commended Todd’s leadership and the show’s enduring significance.

“Meet the Press” has remained an indispensable Sunday news program, shaping political discourse and capturing headlines with its insightful interviews.

Kristen Welker becomes the latest host of “Meet the Press,” following in the footsteps of Tim Russert, who helmed the show until 2008. She is the second woman and the first Black journalist to moderate the program.

“Meet the Press” holds the distinction of being the longest-running show on American television, marking its 75th anniversary last year. It has consistently outperformed its competitors in terms of viewership and earned its first Emmy under Chuck Todd’s leadership for a special report on “Schools, America, and Race.”

During Todd’s tenure, the show covered pivotal political events, including the end of President Obama’s administration, the 2016 presidential campaign and Donald Trump’s election, as well as the aftermath of the U.S. Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.

One of the most memorable moments was Todd’s interview with Kellyanne Conway, a top aide to Trump, regarding Sean Spicer disputing crowd size reports at the inauguration. Conway famously referred to Spicer’s statements as “alternative facts,” a phrase synonymous with the Trump administration’s approach to truth and the media.

In response, Todd firmly stated, “Look, alternative facts are not facts. They’re falsehoods.”

Chuck Todd, a five-time Emmy-winning journalist and the 12th moderator of “Meet the Press,” viewed himself as a caretaker of the show, aiming to leave it in better shape for his successor.

Kristen Welker, who has frequently filled in for Todd on “Meet the Press,” is well-prepared for her new role, according to Todd. He praised her as the right person at the right time, having worked with her since her early days at NBC News.

Welker joined NBC News in 2010 and has covered multiple presidential elections, accompanied top political leaders on international trips, and moderated the final 2020 debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. She was named the co-host of “Weekend Today” in 2020.

The NBC News president and senior vice president commended Welker’s impressive skills in moderating debates and conducting political interviews, highlighting her collaborative nature and knack for breaking major stories.

Welker will take the reins of “Meet the Press” as the 2024 presidential campaign gains momentum and enters the primary season, coinciding with the first GOP debate scheduled for August 23.

During his tenure, Todd expanded the reach of “Meet the Press” by introducing a weekly podcast, a blog, and an annual film festival. He also launched and hosted “MTP Daily” on MSNBC before it moved to the streaming service NBC News Now.

Prior to joining NBC, Todd served as the network’s chief White House correspondent and hosted the MSNBC series “The Daily Rundown.” He gained a reputation as an astute elections analyst with a strong grasp of data during his time as editor-in-chief of the political news website The Hotline.