Trump urges FCC to probe media polling, punish NBC moderator
The president also lashed out at Kristen Welker, the moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press, for saying his endorsements of Republican candidates in primary elections this year had shown mixed results.
President Donald Trump called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to investigate polling used by news outlets and punish prominent television news host, Kristen Welker, according to a recent social media post. Throughout his presidency, Trump has had a contentious relationship with journalists and news organizations, especially those he believes are unfavorable to him, particularly regarding his approval ratings in the polls and his standing in the polls amidst ongoing issues like the unpopular Iran war and high gas prices.
The 1st Amendment to the US Constitution explicitly protects freedom of the press and freedom of speech, preventing the FCC from directly controlling poll sponsorships or content published in print media or on cable stations. However, Trump expressed his belief that legal action must be taken against "fake polls" and Welker's reporting, claiming it was purposefully inaccurate.
NBC released a statement defending Welker, stating they stand by her. Trump urged FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to address his concerns, emphasizing the seriousness of the alleged threat to the nation.
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