William B. Plowman/NBC/Getty Images
Chuck Todd appeared on “Meet the Press” in April of this year.
New York
CNN
—
Chuck Todd, the longtime host of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” shared with viewers Sunday that he is stepping down from his role.
Colleague Kristen Welker, who will continue to fill in on Sunday’s broadcast, will take over the role.
Welker, who has been with NBC News since 2010, has been Todd’s co-anchor on election nights beginning in 2021, according to a memo from NBC News editorial president Rebecca Blumenstein and NBC News senior vice president of politics Gary Budoff Brown.
“When I took over ‘Meet the Press,’ a Sunday show, a lot of people questioned whether it could still have a place in the modern media space,” Todd said on the show. “Well, I think we answered that question and then some.”
Todd became the show’s host in September 2014, guiding the show through two presidential election cycles, according to the memo.
But important media leaders “don’t overstay their welcome,” Todd said on the show. “I’d rather leave a little sooner than stay a little longer.”
He also said that it was an important time for his personal life.
“For almost 30 years I let work eat me up,” Todd said. “I don’t remember the last time I woke up before 5 or 6 in the morning, and I saw so many friends and family working that I promised my family before it got too late. Don’t do it.”
Todd will remain at NBC — where he will begin a new position as the network’s chief political analyst. NBC said he will focus on long-form journalism and continue to produce “Chuck Talkcast” and “Meet the Press Reports.”
Todd will “maintain his role as NBC News’ leading voice on politics, industry and critical events,” the memo said.
Welker will take over the show in September.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with (Welker) since day one, and I’d say he’s the right person at the right time,” Todd said.
Todd said he’s leaving at a time when he worries about “this moment in history,” doubling down on political journalists’ responsibility to report facts instead of building a brand.
“If you’re doing this job for the glory, you’re doing this job wrong,” Todd said. “I take the party’s attacks as compliments. And I take genuine compliments with a grain of salt when they come from partisans.
He added that the flagship Sunday program “does not tolerate” campaigners and “never will”.
“But that doesn’t mean sticking your head in the sand; “If you ignore reality, you miss the bigger story,” Todd said.
