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'I've let work consume me': Chuck Todd addresses burnout as he quits NBC's 'Meet the Press' after 9 years

Chuck Todd will step down as the 12th moderator of 'Meet the Press', America's longest-running talk show, after nine years, paving the way for Kristen Welker

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: For as long as there has been television, there’s been ‘Meet the Press’. The Sunday morning talk show, which first aired back in 1947, is the longest-running program on American television which specializes in interviews with US and world leaders on diverse issues ranging from politics, economics, foreign policy, and other public affairs. The show has been hosted by 12 moderators so far, with each bringing his or her flavor to the desk. It is one of the most prestigious jobs in the anchoring world but also an extremely draining one. 

Chuck Todd is a political journalist who has years of experience covering campaigns in Florida and Washington DC. For 15 years, Todd worked for National Journal's ‘The Hotline’, where he was editor-in-chief for six years. In 2014, Chuck became NBC’s chief White House correspondent and was tasked to take up the role of moderator of ‘Meet the Press’ to save the show’s declining viewership. And for nine long years, Chuck helped the show reach greater heights and re-established its dominance. However, recently the news anchor decided to quit the show, owing to the next chapter in his life and a promise to his family that he will not burn out like the rest. 

'I've let work consume me for nearly 30 years'

Chuck revealed during Sunday’s (June 4) broadcast of the show that it’s time for him to hang his boots and pave the way for the next ventures in his life. His heartfelt announcement was shared on the ‘Meet the Press’ Twitter handle. The 51-year-old was emotional in the clip and said, “I’m really proud of what this team and I have built over the last decade, and frankly the last 15-plus years that I've been here at NBC, which also includes my time as political director. I've loved so much of this job, helping to explain America to Washington and explain Washington to America.”

Chuck was quick to address his plans for the future as well. “I've had two amazing professional chapters, and I already have plans for my next chapter, including some projects right here at NBC News that I have been very focused on, among them docuseries and some docudramas focused on trying to educate the public better, bridge our divides, and pierce our political bubbles. So, while I may be leaving this chair, I'm still going to help NBC navigate and coach colleagues in this 2024 campaign season and beyond.”

Chuck also revealed one of the biggest reasons for quitting ‘Meet the Press’ later. “I've let work consume me for nearly 30 years. I can't remember the last time I didn't wake up before 5 or 6 am. And as I've watched too many friends and family let work consume them before it was too late, I promised my family I wouldn't do that.”

Rebecca Blumenstein, NBC News’ President of Editorial, and Carrie Budoff Brown, NBC News Senior Vice President of Politics praised Chuck’s leadership qualities in a memo to the internal staff members.

Kristen Welker to step in for Chuck Todd

Kristen Welker is a 46-year-old journalist who serves as NBC News' co-chief White House correspondent, a position she has held since December 2011. She will be taking over from Chuck in September 2023. During his announcement, Chuck praised Kristen and sounded confident in her abilities to take the show forward. “I've had the privilege of working with her from essentially her first day here in Washington, and let me just say she's the right person, in the right moment. "And for what it's worth, this is always how I hoped this would end for me — that I'd be passing the baton to her. And I'll officially do that in September.”

Kristen has enjoyed a successful career in journalism so far with two nominations for Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards in 2008 to her name.