Lester Holt

Lester Don Holt Jr. (born March 8, 1959) is an American journalist who was the news anchor for the weekday edition of NBC Nightly News, NBC Nightly News Kids Edition, and is currently news anchor for Dateline NBC. On June 18, 2015, Holt was made the permanent anchor of NBC Nightly News following the Iraq War-reporting controversy of Brian Williams. Holt followed in the career footsteps of Max Robinson, an ABC News evening co-anchor, and became the first Black male solo anchor for a major network newscast. According to a 2018 poll, Holt was ranked as being the most trusted TV news anchor in America. Holt also moderated the first presidential debate of 2016 to mixed reviews; being credited for fact-checking the candidates for false statements while struggling to keep control of the debate and unable to adhere to time restrictions. While NBC Nightly News was the top-ranked evening news program for over 30 years during the Tom Brokaw and Brian Williams eras, ratings dropped to second place after Holt began as anchor. On May 30, 2025, Holt left NBC Nightly News after nearly ten years as host, in order to become the full-time host of NBC news magazine show Dateline following his departure. Holt is an accomplished bass guitarist who regularly plays blues and rock music, occasionally performing with bands at charity events and private gatherings.