NBC Host Sparks Fury With Remark on Donald Trump's 2020 Election Behavior

NBC News' Meet the Press host Kristen Welker sparked fury on social media on Sunday over her latest remarks about former President Donald Trump's actions surrounding the 2020 presidential election.

On the program, Welker discussed Trump's claims that presidential immunity should shield him from being tried in the Department of Justice's (DOJ) case into his behavior surrounding the election.

DOJ special counsel Jack Smith last year charged Trump with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights in connection to the investigation.

The charges were in relation to the U.S. Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, and the alleged plot to submit false slates of pro-Trump electors to the Electoral College to stop Joe Biden from winning the election. Trump maintains his innocence and has pleaded not guilty to all charges, accusing prosecutors of targeting him for political purposes.

The Supreme Court last month agreed to hear Trump's presidential immunity case, threatening to delay the trial that was scheduled to begin in March as the former president's attorneys try to get the case dismissed. A Washington, D.C., appeals court previously rejected his immunity claims.

Welker noted on Sunday that Trump has claimed he is "immune from criminal prosecution for allegedly trying to overturn the 2020 election."

However, Welker's use of the term "allegedly" drew backlash, as critics argued it is not in dispute whether he tried to overturn the results of the election, which he claimed without substantial evidence was stolen from him via widespread voter fraud, but rather whether he broke the law in doing so.

Newsweek reached out to NBC News for comment via email.

"Kristen Welker says that Trump 'allegedly' tried to overturn the 2020 election. No, he really tried to do that. We lived through it!" wrote journalist Aaron Rupar on X, formerly Twitter.

Writer Stephen Robinson wrote, "Presumably, Welker is treating Trump's coup as a legal issue (he's currently on trial for attempting to unlawfully remain in office). However, as Aaron points out, it's *objectively true* that Trump tried to overturn the election. He admits to it! He just claims it's not illegal."

"It's like saying, 'Kristen Welker allegedly says that Trump 'allegedly' tried to overturn the 2020 election,' while we all watch it on TV in real time," responded Melanie D'Arrigo, executive director of the Campaign for New York Health and former congressional candidate.

Others, however, defended Welker against the criticism, arguing that journalists must present the details of the DOJ's case as "alleged" unless he is found guilty of a crime.

"I really believe that he is guilty too, but in America, innocent until proven guilty. If his trial would quit being delayed we could say this with more confidence," wrote X user Jim Goodloe, an English teacher.

"She has to use the proper terminology. He has not been found guilty. We know he's guilty, but the media is [supposed]to be held to a higher standard," wrote user Kathy Howell, a medical interpreter.

Political commentator Brian Krassenstein wrote, "What she said is a FACT. He has not been found guilty. His claims are over a criminal case in which he "allegedly tried to overturn the 2020 election". The prosecution literally "alleges" that he broke the law. It's an allegation until a jury finds it's true."

He added: "Please direct your outrage at things that actually matter. Kristen Welker is doing her job while making sure she nor NBC are not sued for defamation."