The new “Meet the Press” host is starting off with a bang, scoring an interview with former President Trump.
Kristen Welker takes the helm of the show on Sunday from former host Chuck Todd.
The interview with the 2024 GOP front-runner will be taped Thursday at Trump’s Bedminster golf club in New Jersey.
During a brief transition last week, Welker thanked Todd for his guidance into the role. “I am ready, Chuck, and I just want to say I am also so thankful and grateful to you for this moment for entrusting me with this monumental, important role,” she said.
Todd said he was happy to “pass the baton.”
“The last nine years as moderator of the longest-running show on television has been the honor of my professional life,” he said.
Welker, 47, was a White House correspondent for NBC News for more than a decade, and she moderated one of the 2020 presidential debates between Trump and President Biden. She was the only person of color to moderate a presidential debate.
During the 2020 cycle, she was praised for her efforts to keep the candidates in check and on topic.
A news release from NBC notes that an invitation was also extended to Biden.