On March 5, 2025, NBC News announced that Tom Llamas, their senior national correspondent, will take over as anchor and managing editor of “NBC Nightly News,” succeeding Lester Holt.
The Miami, Florida-born journalist, aged 45, will be the first Latino journalist to host the weeknight edition of the esteemed news show. He will commence his new role in the summer while continuing to anchor “Top Story with Tom Llamas” on “NBC News NOW.”
Janelle Rodriguez, the Executive Vice President of programming at NBC News, praised Llamas for his journalistic prowess, compelling storytelling, and steadfast integrity, all of which are consistent with the longstanding traditions of “NBC Nightly News.”
Llamas expressed his appreciation for the chance to work with top-tier journalists on “Nightly News” and “Top Story.” He also commended Holt, describing him as a “trusted broadcaster” and a “great man.”
Holt, who has led “NBC Nightly News” for ten years, will continue to serve the network in a full-time capacity at “Dateline NBC.” He expressed his confidence in Llamas during a staff meeting.
Llamas’ journalism career has been marked by steady growth, beginning with an internship at a local Telemundo station and later becoming an overnight production assistant at NBC News. His career advanced through roles at WTVJ in Miami, Florida, and WNBC in New York, New York, before joining ABC News as the weekend anchor of “ABC World News Tonight” in 2014.
Llamas gained attention during the 2016 presidential race for his confrontation with Donald Trump over discrepancies in reports about funds raised for veterans’ groups during a televised event.
Trump lashed out at Llamas, calling him “sleazy” and responding to Llamas’ question about the name-calling by stating: “You’re a sleaze because you know the facts and you know the facts well.”
Following the exchange, Llamas made a social media post: “Trump just called me a ‘sleaze.’ Should be an interesting week.”
ABC defended their reporter, asserting that Llamas is one of America’s most respected and courteous journalists.
In 2021, Llamas returned to NBC News after a seven-year stint at ABC, serving as the chief substitute for Holt on “NBC Nightly News” and anchoring his streaming show “Top Story.”
Llamas’ dual role as anchor of a traditional broadcast and a streaming program signals a shift in the media landscape. He will lead “Nightly News” from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. EST, then immediately switch to his streaming program, making him the first anchor to balance streaming duties with a network evening news role.
The son of Cuban immigrants, and a graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans, Llamas started his broadcasting career with the NBC News Specials Unit in 2000. He has received several Emmy Awards, including recognitions for “Best Anchor” and “Best Hard News Story” in 2013, as well as two Edward R. Murrow awards for his reporting.
“NBC Nightly News” continues to be a significant player in television, consistently ranking in the top five regularly scheduled programs across all TV. The show reaches millions of viewers daily. Llamas’ appointment comes during a period of transition for network evening newscasts, marked by recent anchor changes at CBS News.
Llamas resides in Purchase, New York with his wife Jennifer, whom he wed in 2006, and their three children.