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FCC Commissioner Calls Trump’s Threat to Report NBC Host “Dangerous”

8/31/2026, 9:20:17 PM

Trump’s Threat to Report Kristen Welker

President Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform to announce that NBC’s “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker would be reported to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for “purposeful inaccuracy.” The threat followed Welker’s on-air comment that the president’s endorsed candidates had “mixed results” in the ongoing midterm primary cycle. Trump asserted that the remarks violated the principle of “freely given public airwaves” and warned of an FCC rebuke or punishment.

Gomez’s Response and Call for Press Protection

Anna Gomez, the sole Democratic commissioner on the FCC, denounced the president’s statement as a threat to press freedom. Gomez also praised Disney and ABC for suing the FCC, describing their action as “courage” against government intimidation. In a separate post, she criticized the commission’s handling of criticism directed at the administration, labeling it “mob rule” and urging Disney not to “flinch.”

Background of Tensions Between the Administration and the Media

The dispute follows a pattern of confrontations. In June, Trump abruptly ended an in-person interview with Welker after alleging, without evidence, that the California gubernatorial primary was “rigged.” Earlier, Trump threatened to target ABC over late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s comments. Several Republican candidates endorsed by Trump have lost primary races, including Rep. Cory Mills (FL), Rep. Andy Ogles (TN), and Michigan House candidate Amir Hassan (R).

Official Statements & Responses

  • Gomez (X post, ahead of a scheduled FCC meeting on February 18, 2026): Highlighted the danger of using the FCC to silence dissenting journalists and urged companies to resist “government intimidation.”
  • Disney/ABC lawsuit: Filed against the FCC, alleging the administration is attempting to censor journalists by prompting an early review of broadcast licenses.

Verbatim Quotes

  • “As I’ve said many times, the FCC has no authority to punish journalists this administration doesn’t like,” — Anna Gomez, images FCC commissioner
  • “The FCC is once again targeting an administration critic by mob rule. Let’s not pretend this FCC hasn’t already made up its mind. All they want is for their pro-censorship partisan allies to nod in agreement. My message to Disney: Don’t flinch. Fight,” — Anna Gomez, images FCC commissioner