Politics 4 min read By Callum Montgomery
Trump urges FCC to investigate media polling and punish NBC host
President Donald Trump has called on the Federal Communications Commission to investigate polling used by news outlets and to take action against NBC's Kristen Welker over her reporting on his primary endorsements.
President Donald Trump has escalated his attacks on the news media, calling on the Federal Communications Commission to investigate polling used by news organisations and to punish a prominent NBC host for comments about his endorsement record.
In a series of social media posts on Sunday, Trump demanded action over what he described as “fake polls” published by news outlets, writing “FCC TO THE RESCUE!”. The president also singled out Kristen Welker, moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press, for saying his endorsements of Republican candidates in this year’s primary elections had produced mixed results.
“How can anyone be allowed to say this, working for freely given Public Airwaves?” Trump wrote. “Because of this purposeful inaccuracy, she will be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment.” He added that he hoped FCC Chairman Brendan Carr “and the fine people of his Commission, will take this Threat to our Country very seriously.”
The intervention marks the latest step in Trump’s long-running adversarial relationship with journalists and news organisations, particularly over coverage of his political standing. Recent polls have shown the president with the lowest approval rating of either of his terms in office, amid an unpopular war in Iran and persistently high petrol prices.
Legal experts note that the FCC’s remit over such matters is limited. Polls are frequently sponsored by television networks or news organisations but are conducted by universities or polling companies over which the commission has no control. The FCC also has no authority over cable stations or print media. Short of cancelling NBC’s broadcast licence, there is little the administration can legally do to punish Welker for her reporting.
NBC has defended its presenter. “Kristen is one of the best in the business and we stand by her,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
Trump’s complaint about Welker’s remarks follows his endorsement record in this year’s primaries. A handful of candidates he backed did not win their contests, although several prominent endorsements, including the special election to elevate Darline Graham to replace her late brother Lindsey Graham in the Senate, were successful.
The president has increasingly sought to use the FCC, which controls broadcast licensing, as a vehicle for his grievances against the press. Earlier in the week, he attacked New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman for reporting that he was skipping the annual September 11 commemoration in New York because he would not have a speaking role.
The First Amendment to the US Constitution explicitly protects freedom of the press and freedom of speech, and any FCC action against a broadcaster over editorial content would face significant legal hurdles. The commission has historically avoided intervening in matters of journalistic content, and its authority is generally confined to technical and licensing matters.
Trump’s latest broadside comes as his administration continues to face scrutiny over its relationship with independent institutions, including the media and regulatory bodies. The president’s call for the FCC to investigate polling and punish a journalist is likely to intensify debate over the boundaries of executive power and press freedom.
