NBC News has announced Kristen Welker's appointment as the new anchor of “Meet the Press” the network’s flagship newsmagazine program. Welker currently serves as NBC’s White House correspondent and “Weekend Today” co-anchor.

As an experienced journalist with an impressive portfolio, Welker has been awarded the White House Correspondents' Association's Aldo Beckman Memorial Award for Excellence in White House Coverage. She was recognized by POLITICO as one of the most influential women in media.

Kristen Welker Masterfully Moderated Donald Trump v. Joe Biden Debate

One of Welker’s standout moments happened in 2020 when she moderated the second and final presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. The no-nonsense but fair interviewer drew extensive positive reviews from both sides for keeping the proceedings moving and under control.

In truth, no one in media has done a better job than Kristen Welker, insisting that Donald Trump address specific questions — rather than letting him wrestle the narrative away from the moderator.

Throughout the event, Mr. Trump was his usual self - brash, confident, and unapologetic. He defended his response to the pandemic, citing the swift rollout of vaccines and economic resurgence, even as Welker pressed him on the nation's high death toll. As the conversation shifted towards climate change, he downplayed the threat posed by rising temperatures, and instead emphasized the need to prioritize American economic interests.

Decline in Meet the Press Ratings under Chuck Todd

Welker’s presence on ‘Meet the Press’ comes at a critical moment, as the show reels from declining ratings under Chuck Todd.

Last season alone, Meet the Press only averaged 2.57 million total viewers and 492,000 in its advertiser-prized 25-54 demographic; Todd’s ratings were significantly below competitors like CBS' Face the Nation and ABC' This Week in total viewers and in second place in the 25-54 demographic.

Social media and how younger people experience news gathering is challenging for all news media.

Welker is the first biracial Black woman to moderate ‘Meet the Press’ since Martha Rountree launched and led the Sunday show from 1947-53.

Stopping by Kristen Welker’s IG, the Harvard Crimson shares a new article written about Welker in her old job — in advance of her upcoming Harvard graduation 25th anniversary. Speaking of the many daunting moments she’s faced in her career, the new ‘Meet the Press’ host credits being prepared as a key habit in her success.

“If you are prepared, you know that you have the facts on your side,” she said. “Part of covering the White House — or any beat — is coming in every day and knowing that you have done your homework.”

The Philadelphia native graduated Germantown Friends School and Harvard College, where she graduated magna cum laude. Welker was an intern for NBC's “TODAY” in 1997, and worked as a researcher on “Weekend TODAY.”

Kristen Welker married Merck marketing executive John Hughes in 2017. They have one daughter Margot, born via surrogate in June 2021 after the couple underwent extensive fertility treatments.