To find the bias in media interviews, look at the questions. Sunday on Meet The Press, Host Kristen Welker built on the prevailing propaganda that President Donald Trump wants to eradicate free speech.

She asks Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro if he believes the Trump administration is, “trying to stifle dissent and people who would disagree.” She presses Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky on his assessment of Trump, relating to speech. And in the weekly panel discussion, she mentions, in a question, that “[Trump] suggested that any criticism of him could be really illegal.” A ridiculous claim, given that Trump is routinely criticized and no one is facing consequences for it, other than receiving some well deserved verbal zingers back from Trump.

Here are all the questions from Meet the Press.   

Introduction

Kristen Welker: This Sunday: outrage. In the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the Trump administration vows to crackdown on the so-called “radical left.”

I’ll talk exclusively to Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. Plus: off air. ABC pulls Jimmy Kimmel off the air after facing pressure from the FCC chairman.

How far will the administration go to target political opponents and silent dissent? And: Bestselling author and podcast host Mel Robbins joins me for a “Meet the Moment” conversation.

Joining me for insight and analysis are: Amna Nawaz, co-anchor of PBS NewsHour; New York Times White House correspondent Tyler Pager; Adrienne Elrod, former senior adviser to the Harris campaign; and Republican strategist Brendan Buck. Welcome to Sunday, it’s Meet the Press.

Good Sunday morning. As we come on the air, thousands are gathering in Arizona to pay tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, just over a week after he was assassinated. President Trump is among those set to speak at the memorial service. It comes as the country is grappling not only with political violence, but also threats to free speech. ABC indefinitely suspended late night comedian Jimmy Kimmel for comments he made in the wake of Kirk’s death. President Trump warning the FCC could now target broadcasters which critique him.

Welker Questions Governor Josh Shapiro

On Friday, I sat down with Pennsylvania’s Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is a victim of political violence himself. Earlier this year, an arsonist firebombed the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg, while he and his family were sleeping. I asked the governor what he makes of this moment we’re living in.

I wonder if with each new act of political violence, if you relive the horror that was brought upon your family?

Well, I want to ask you about Charlie Kirk specifically. Gov. Gavin Newsom praised Charlie Kirk’s willingness to engage in debate and spark dialogue. New York Times columnist Ezra Klein says he was, quote, “practicing politics the right way.” How do you see Charlie Kirk’s legacy, Governor?

Well, free speech and speech have been in the spotlight this week after the news that ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel, a comedian, off the air after comments that he made on his late night show. What was your reaction to learning that he’d been pulled off the air?

I want to be very clear about what you’re saying. Do you believe that President Trump and the Trump administration are trying to stifle dissent and people who would —

– disagree?

Well, you take me to my next question because President Trump has said maybe we should revoke the licenses of other TV networks. What are the implications of that? What was your gut when you first heard that?

His argument is some of this talk is dangerous, some of this talk may have fueled the killing of Charlie Kirk. How do you respond?

I want to turn now to something that has gotten the attention of the country, but particularly the Democratic Party. We are starting to hear about the first excerpts and the book release of former Vice President Kamala Harris’ book. It comes out this week. You were, of course, on the short list to be Vice President Harris’ running mate. I want to read a little bit about what she writes about you. She writes that in your meeting, you seemed more focused on defining your role than helping her, that you even asked about artwork for the residence, and she worried that you would, quote, “be unable to settle for a role as number two.” Is that an accurate account?

Are you disappointed, though, that she seems to be characterizing this decision-making process, invoking your name and some of the other contenders?

President Trump won Pennsylvania by less than two points, governor. Do you think you could have delivered this state for Kamala Harris?

Former Vice President Harris says it was, quote, “reckless” for the people around former President Biden to leave the decision up to President Biden and the first lady. Do you agree with her assessment that it was reckless for President Biden’s inner circle not to intervene?

Do you think Kamala Harris would be a strong candidate in 2028?

We’ll have to ask you about your own political future, of course. You are up for reelection next year. If you win, do you commit to serving out a full term?

Do you rule out running for president in 2028?

So you’re going to make an announcement soon about whether you’re going to run for reelection –

– as governor?

And when we come back, Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky joins me next.

Welker Questions Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky

Welcome back. And joining me now is Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. Senator Paul, welcome back to Meet the Press.

Good morning to you. Thank you so much for being here. Of course, today is the memorial service for Charlie Kirk. I know you have called him a friend. And, senator, you of course have been impacted by political violence yourself. In 2017, you were on a baseball field when shots rang out when Congressman Steve Scalise was shot. He did survive. But, senator, I wonder, what do you think the legacy of Charlie Kirk will be?

Well, thousands paying tribute to him today, Senator. So we appreciate that. I do want to talk about ABC’s decision this week to suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show after, of course, he was criticized for comments he made in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and hours after the FCC chairman, Brendan Carr, said this. Take a look.

(Video clip)

Senator, do you believe that Brendan Carr’s comments were appropriate?

Well, you take me to my next question, senator, because I do want to ask you, broadly speaking, about free speech. I want to play something that President Trump promised during his inaugural address followed by comments that he made just this week. Take a look.

(Video clip)

Senator, do you believe that President Trump is sending the message that he only supports free speech when it’s speech that he agrees with?

But senator, just to be very clear. I mean, President Trump said that he vowed to, quote, “Stop all government censorship and bring back free speech to America.” I hear what you’re saying. But just to focus on what you are seeing right now from the president himself, do you think he’s doing that? Is he protecting free speech?

– But what about what President Trump is saying?

All right, senator, a couple more questions to get to with you here. I want to ask you about something that occurred on Saturday. President Trump publicly pushed his attorney general, Pam Bondi, to prosecute his political opponents. Let me read a couple of the people he mentioned: Former FBI director James Comey, Democratic Senator Adam Schiff of California, New York Attorney General Letitia James. He wrote on social media, quote, “We can’t delay any longer. It’s killing our reputation and credibility. They impeached me twice and indicted me five times over nothing. Justice must be served now.” Do you believe it’s appropriate for the president to direct the attorney general to go after his political opponents, senator?

But, senator, if it was wrong then, you’re making the argument it was wrong then. Is it wrong now? I mean, do you explicitly disagree with President Trump’s post?

Okay, and I think there would be a debate over that – over that characterization. But I do want to move on because we’re running out of time. I have to ask you about the big topic that is consuming Capitol Hill right now. Of course, it’s the possibility of a government shutdown. You were one of two Republicans who voted with Democrats, opposing the government funding bill, Senator. Do you think the government is headed towards a shutdown?

All right. Sen. Rand Paul, thank you so much for your perspective and joining us this morning. We really appreciate it. And still ahead, my “Meet the Moment” conversation with Mel Robbins. But when we come back, the fight over free speech heats up. The panel is next.

Panel Discussion

Welcome back. The panel is: Amna Nawaz, PBS NewsHour co-anchor; New York Times White House correspondent, Tyler Pager; Adrienne Elrod, former senior advisor and senior spokesperson for the Harris campaign; and Brendan Buck, former advisor to House Speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan. Welcome to all. Thank you for being here. Amna, let me start with you. Let’s talk about what has really consumed, I think, the headlines this week and the fact that President Trump has really sparked this debate over free speech. He suggested that any criticism of him could be really illegal. Take us inside the conversation with some of our sources. Where do you see this conversation going?

And Tyler you’ve sort of written about the contrast between how President Trump and former President Obama are responding to this moment. Where do you see this debate going?

Yes, I mean, Brendan, Tyler tees up the question to you perfectly, which is we did see this post on Saturday in which the president directed his attorney general to go after his political rivals. What do you make of that? And is that anything other than an escalation?

Adrienne, what do you make of how Democrats should respond? I mean, Brendan’s talking about the idea of guardrails. Is there any possibility that they can be given, if they’re in the minority?

Yes. Tyler all of this comes of course as we’re the release of former Vice President Kamala Harris’s book. She took this approach of naming names in this book. I talked a little bit about it with Governor Shapiro. What’s the reaction been so far?

Well, speaking of Harris aides, you worked on the Harris campaign, Adrienne. Give us your take. How’s this going over inside the party?

Well, I guess the question is does this book lay a path forward for her, Amna? This is what David Axelrod told Politico, “If there’s a political strategy here, it’s a bad one. There’s an awful lot of grievances and finger-pointing that really doesn’t serve a political agenda.” Could this help embolden her? Or is she alienating the people who supported her during the campaign?

It’s still early, fair point.

Okay. So Brendan, I mean, that was the criticism during the campaign. She didn’t break with President Biden. Boy, she’s doing it now, with 30 seconds left.

All right, guys, great conversation. Thank you so much. When we come back, President Trump received a royal welcome in the U.K. this week. Our Meet the Press Minute looks at the enduring power of the British monarchy next.

Royal Moment

Welcome back. President Trump’s state visit to the United Kingdom this week hosted by King Charles marked an unprecedented second state visit for a U.S. president, making him the first in modern times to receive a second invite after his first state trip in 2019. Back in 1969, Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth, joined Meet the Press to defend the role of the British monarch.

(Video clip)

And when we come back, my Meet the Moment conversation with best-selling author and podcast host, Mel Robbins.

Welker Questions Mel Robbins

Welcome back. Mel Robbins will be the first to tell you she’s not a therapist. But she has made it her mission to give people simple, practical tools to live better lives. Whether it’s through The Mel Robbins Podcast, one of the most popular podcasts in the world; through viral online videos reaching more than 35 million followers; or bestselling books like The Let Them Theory, a deceptively simple idea that’s changing the way millions of people think and live. I sat down with Mel for a “Meet the Moment” conversation about how she turned her own darkest moment into a self-help movement.

How would you, in the most simple terms, describe what the “Let Them” theory is?

It’s not “let it go” because you follow “Let Them” with “Let Me.” Why is that an important component?

Forty-one years old, you say you hit rock bottom.

You were out of a job. Your husband was struggling as well professionally. You very candidly discuss the fact that you think you were drinking too much –

– during this period. What was that moment like and why was it so pivotal for you?

With the “5 Second Rule.”

This was transformative for you.

Wow.

Oh, wow.

Wow.

You talk about your podcast. And it’s one of the most listened to podcasts in the country.

In the world.

Yeah, in the world. TIME Magazine said about you, quote, “What Robbins sells is not just advice. She’s offering her listeners a reason to believe in themselves.” Is that how you see your work and what you’re doing?

It’s emotional for you. This is personal for you.

You have also talked about your concerns about social media. You have more than 35 million followers, which is just remarkable.

Mel Robbins’ book The Let Them Theory is available now. And you can watch my full interview with Mel Robbins at MeetThePress.com. That is all for today, thanks so much for watching. We’ll be back next week because if it’s Sunday, it’s Meet the Press.