Former RI Reporter to Replace Chuck Todd as Host of Meet the Press

Former RI Reporter to Replace Chuck Todd as Host of Meet the Press

Chuck Todd is being replaced as the host of NBC’s Meet the Press in September. Meet the Press is the longest-running show on television. It began in 1947.

The woman replacing him, Kristen Welker, started her career in journalism in Providence at ABC6 two decades ago.

She became a national player when she moderated the third Presidential debate in 2020 between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

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In previous presidential campaigns involving, few have been able to control the behavior and near-constant interruptions of Trump. Fox News veteran Chris Wallace received poor reviews in managing the first debate and the second debate was canceled. Welker received high praise for her management of the high-stakes debate.

“[Welker] was a young, solid, smart reporter," said John Methia, who served as Director of Broadcast Operations at ABC6 for decades.

"Many reporters came through WLNE and you knew they were destined for a PR job somewhere. Others would do their time in the Providence market, gain experience, and quickly move on to Boston or Network. Kristen, without question, was clearly one of those reporters,” said Methia. 

“She's a brilliant Harvard grad, and, if I had to guess, most likely liberal Democrat. Trump could be playing another ‘rough room’ with Kristen at the helm!” added Methia before the debate.

After working at ABC6, Welker worked at a series of local affiliates before landing at NBC News in 2010 and became a White House correspondent in 2011.