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Kristen Welker mocked for interviewing Donald Trump 'like a groupie' on first day as ‘Meet The Press’ anchor

'I'm going to approach this role as a reporter. That's what's in my heart and in my gut,' Kriten Welker claimed on 'Today'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: On Sunday, September 17, ‘Today’ host Willie Geist had former morning show host Kristen Welker as a guest and discussed her goals as the new moderator of ‘Meet The Press’.

Until August 2023, Welker hosted the ‘Today’ weekend edition and was recently replaced by the new add-in, Laura Jarrett.

‘Today’s official Twitter handle carried a short clip of the discussion between its Sunday edition host and former anchor.

In the clip, when Geist asked Welker what “themes we’d be looking at moving forward,” her response, particularly after her recent interview with former president Donald Trump, irked several people on the Internet.

Willie Geist questions Kristen Welker’s ‘goals’ with ‘Meet The Press’

On Sunday's ‘Today’ with Willie Geist, the host spoke with Kristen Welker, who is the new anchor of ‘Meet The Press’ in Washington, DC, and questioned her ‘goals’ as the new moderator.

Geist asked, “So, Kristen, as we turn the corner here into this presidential election, and we are in it now with you in that chair as moderator of Meet the Press, what are some of the themes you'll be looking at as you move forward?”

Welker replied, “Well, Willie, I'm going to approach this role as a reporter. That's what's in my heart and in my gut. That's who I've always been. And that basically means I'm going to continue to work my sources throughout the week.”

She continued, “I really want to talk to a diverse range of people, lawmakers across the political spectrum, candidates, but also, most importantly, Willie, the voters.”

Welker further added about the upcoming campaign, “I'm going to be out on the campaign trail this coming year, making sure that I'm keeping my finger on the pulse of the questions and the issues that are front and center to them. And I really think that that's the mission hereof Meet the Press, making sure that we're holding our elected officials accountable and making sure that we're asking questions on behalf of Americans.”

Geist concluded, “Well, we cannot wait to watch you get started. And it starts just a few minutes from now. Kristen, thanks so much. Good luck. We'll look for more this morning on Meet the Press when Kristen has that exclusive interview with former President Donald Trump. We should note Kristen has extended the same invitation to sit down with President Biden.”

Internet slams ‘Today’ ex-host Kristen Welker

Kristen Welker’s conversation with Trump, a part of which was aired on 'Today', did not leave the Internet impressed. “What a load of crap! You “interviewed” Trump more like a groupie than a journalist,” someone said.

Another mocked her adding, “I like Willie and I am hoping he was embarrassed for having to do this,” while someone else said, “Failing on the first day. Sigh.”

“We’re never watching Meet the Press. Ever,” a tweet read.

A fan simply said, “Feel like she’s more interested in her own celebrity than actually being a journalist with any integrity,” while another commented, “It doesn't matter. She lost most of her audience on day 1.”