Kristen Welker interviews Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Jim Clyburn on Meet the Press this Sunday, bringing together two prominent figures from opposite sides of the political aisle for exclusive conversations on the week’s pressing issues.
The NBC News show, which airs at 9:30 a.m. ET, features one-on-one interviews with the Texas Republican and South Carolina Democrat, along with a roundtable discussion featuring Lanhee Chen of the Hoover Institution, Adrienne Elrod, a former senior adviser to the Harris campaign, NBC News political reporter Sahil Kapur, and Amna Nawaz, co-anchor of PBS NewsHour.
Welker, the first journalist of color to moderate a Sunday public affairs program, has become known for conducting high-profile political interviews on topics ranging from economic policy to foreign relations. She took over as moderator of the long-running program, which has set the political agenda for more than 75 years, reaching millions of viewers each Sunday across broadcast, streaming, and digital platforms.
Cruz, who recently stated on a podcast that “it’s no secret that I want to be president,” has been active in national politics and released a biography of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas earlier this month. His appearance on the program comes as he positions himself within Republican discussions ahead of 2028.
Clyburn, a 17-term congressman from South Carolina, has focused much of his recent legislative work on voting rights protection. He reintroduced the Voter Empowerment Act in March 2026 alongside Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to modernize voter registration and expand voting access. Clyburn is running for reelection at age 85, facing redistricting challenges in his district that have drawn national attention to voting rights debates.
The pairing of Cruz and Clyburn reflects Meet the Press’s tradition of featuring newsmakers from both parties to discuss the political landscape. Welker has conducted interviews with President Trump and numerous other national figures since becoming the show’s moderator, establishing herself as a prominent voice in political journalism.
Sources
- NBC News Press Releases — Confirmed the exclusive interviews with Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Jim Clyburn on Meet the Press, August 30, 2026, with roundtable panelists and show details.
- The Texas Tribune — Reported Ted Cruz’s statement on podcast that “it’s no secret that I want to be president,” August 26, 2026.
- NBC News — Provided background on Kristen Welker as the moderator of Meet the Press and the first journalist of color to moderate a Sunday public affairs program.
- Clyburn House Office — Documented the reintroduction of the Voter Empowerment Act on March 25, 2026, with Sen. Gillibrand.
- NPR — Reported on Jim Clyburn’s redistricting challenges and his status as a 17-term congressman, May 23, 2026.
- The Guardian — Covered voting rights challenges facing Clyburn’s district, May 18, 2026.
