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Kristen Welker

Kristen Welker is an American television journalist for NBC News.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kristen Welker is an American television journalist for NBC News. She is the network’s chief White House correspondent and has moderated NBC’s long-running political interview program *Meet the Press* since September 2023.

Early life and education

Kristen Welker was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. She graduated cum laude from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American history.

Broadcast career

Welker joined NBC News in 2010 and later became a White House correspondent based in Washington, D.C. She served as co-anchor of *Weekend Today* from 2020 to 2023. Her reporting has covered the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations, and her work has appeared across NBC News and MSNBC programs.

Meet the Press

In September 2023, Welker became the moderator of *Meet the Press*, the longest-running program in American television history. She is the first Black journalist to moderate the program.

Recognition and significance

Welker is noted for being the first Black journalist to moderate *Meet the Press* and for her high-profile role in U.S. political reporting. Her reporting and interviews appear on widely followed international news coverage, including coverage affecting Canada–United States relations, making her work relevant to Canadian readers.

Key facts

  • Kristen Welker became moderator of *Meet the Press* in September 2023.
  • She is the first Black journalist to moderate *Meet the Press*.
  • She served as co-anchor of *Weekend Today* from 2020 to 2023.
  • Her reporting has covered the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations.
  • She graduated cum laude from Harvard University with a degree in American history.
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Canadian context

Kristen Welker is relevant to Canadian readers because her reporting and interviews on U.S. politics appear on widely followed international news coverage, including coverage affecting Canada–U.S. relations.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Kristen Welker?
She is an American television journalist for NBC News and the moderator of *Meet the Press*.
What is Kristen Welker’s job at NBC?
She serves as NBC News’ chief White House correspondent and moderates *Meet the Press*.
When did Kristen Welker start hosting *Meet the Press*?
She took over as moderator in September 2023.
What did Kristen Welker study in college?
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in American history from Harvard University.
Where is Kristen Welker from?
She is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristen_Welker
    Supports: Birth date, occupation, NBC News role, Weekend Today co-anchoring, and taking over Meet the Press in September 2023.
  2. International Center for Journalists — https://www.icfj.org/about/profiles/kristen-welker
    Supports: Moderator of Meet the Press since September 2023, first woman of color to moderate the program, NBC career, Harvard education, and residence.
  3. TODAY — https://www.today.com/about/kristen-welker-co-anchor-weekend-today-nbc-news-white-house-t171372
    Supports: NBC News roles, chief White House correspondent title, and Harvard education.
  4. All American Speakers — https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/celebritytalentbios/Kristen+Welker/440524
    Supports: NBC career timeline, White House coverage, debate moderation, Emmy award mention, and Harvard education.