Lester Holt has announced that he will be stepping down as the anchor of NBC Nightly News at the beginning of the summer, marking the end of an era for one of the network’s most recognizable figures. NBC News confirmed Holt’s decision but has yet to name a successor.
Although he is leaving his role as the nightly news anchor, Holt is not departing from NBC entirely. Instead, he will transition into a full-time role at Dateline, where he has served as the primary anchor for nearly 15 years.
Reflecting on his long career in journalism, Holt expressed gratitude for the opportunities he has had.
“A smile comes to my face when I think that with Nightly News and Dateline, I have now anchored two of the most successful and iconic television news programs in broadcast history,” Holt wrote in a note to NBC staff, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. “As a 20-year-old radio reporter on the police beat chasing breaking news around San Francisco, I could never have imagined my career path would unfold in the way it has. What an amazing ride.”
Janelle Rodriguez, NBC News executive vice president of programming, praised Holt’s tenure at Nightly News and his leadership during some of the nation’s most challenging moments.
“Because of Lester’s steady and thoughtful leadership, Nightly News has sustained its perch as a trusted and top news destination for millions of viewers across America,” Rodriguez wrote in a message to NBC staff.
She highlighted Holt’s coverage of major world events and his ability to conduct interviews with global leaders, saying, “He’s taken viewers to the frontlines of every major story and sat down with world leaders, skillfully eliciting answers on consequential issues.”
Rodriguez also commended Holt’s reputation and the respect he has earned from both colleagues and viewers.
“He’s earned deep respect and reverence from our newsroom, industry colleagues and, most importantly, viewers. What’s equally remarkable is how Lester has masterfully filled this esteemed role with extraordinary grace and humility. He’s proven time and time again why he stands among the great legends of broadcast news.”
Holt’s departure comes amid broader changes at NBC and its sister networks. Just days earlier, MSNBC announced the cancellation of The ReidOut, the primetime show hosted by Joy Reid. The final episode is set to air this week.
Holt has been a controversial figure in political journalism, particularly for his coverage of President Donald Trump. He was widely criticized for his handling of Trump’s first presidential debate against Hillary Clinton, with many accusing him of biased moderation.
More recently, Holt sparked backlash after blaming Trump’s second assassination attempt on what he called “baseless claims about Haitian immigrants,” referencing Trump’s comments about incidents of pet theft in immigrant communities.
As NBC prepares to announce Holt’s replacement, speculation is growing about who will take over Nightly News. Some fear the network could move even further left in its coverage, pointing to figures like Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker as possible successors. If that’s the case, Holt’s departure may not signal much of a shift at NBC—just more of the same.