Chuck Todd says that he is leaving NBC's Meet the Press.
Todd, who has hosted the show for the past nine years, announced his departure during Sunday's broadcast of the show, saying:
While today is not my final show, this is going to be my final summer here at Meet the Press. I am really proud of what this team and I have built over the last decade.
The 51-year-old Todd, though, is not leaving NBC altogether.
NBC News reports:
He plans to remain at NBC in a new role as chief political analyst, where he will serve as a key voice both in the field and during coverage of major events. He will also focus on long-form journalism.
What is not immediately clear is why it is that Todd has decided to step down.
Todd said on Sunday, "I've watched too many friends and family let work consume them before it was too late," and that he had promised his family that he would not allow this to happen. But, whether this is the entire story behind Todd's departure remains unclear.
The truth of the matter is that Todd and Meet the Press have been witnessing very low ratings over the past year, and, as a result, there have been rumors that Todd could end up being fired.
Todd, himself, on Sunday, said:
The key to survival of any of these incredible media entities, including here at Meet the Press, is for leaders not to overstay their welcome. I’d rather leave a little bit too soon than stay a tad bit too long.
This would seem to suggest that Todd is leaving for the "survival" of Meet the Press.
Todd's departure from Meet the Press will not take place immediately. At the time of this writing, it is unclear when Todd's final appearance as host of the program will be.
NBC only narrows his departure down to "the coming months." And, Todd, himself, only narrowed it down to this "summer."
When Todd does finally step down, he is going to be replaced by NBC News co-chief White House correspondent Kristen Welker.
Welker has already been filling in for Todd on occasion over the past three years. The reader may remember Welker's moderating of the final presidential debate of 2020 between then-candidate Joe Biden and then-President Donald Trump.
NBC, in its report, chooses to highlight the fact that Welker will be the "second woman . . . and the first Black journalist to moderate Meet the Press."
