NBC News has announced Emmy-winning journalist Tom Llamas as the new host and managing editor of NBC Nightly News, succeeding veteran anchor Lester Holt this summer. Holt, who helmed the program for a decade, will transition to focusing on NBC’s weekly news magazine Dateline NBC, according to the Associated Press.

Llamas, currently NBC’s senior national correspondent and anchor of the daily news program Top Story with Tom Llamas, described his appointment as a “profound honour and one that carries tremendous responsibility.” He will continue to anchor his streaming broadcast in addition to the network’s main nightly news program.

Janelle Rodriguez, NBC News’ executive vice-president of programming, praised Llamas as possessing "journalistic excellence, passionate storytelling and unyielding integrity," characteristics synonymous with NBC Nightly News.

Born in Miami to Cuban parents who fled Fidel Castro's regime, Llamas will be the first Latino journalist to host the weekday edition of NBC Nightly News, CNN reported. In a previous interview with HuffPost, Llamas emphasized his family's struggles, saying, “They left a country where they had jobs and were successful and came here not speaking the language and had no money.” He highlighted the importance of his parents' resilience and determination, values that profoundly shaped his career.

Llamas graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans with a degree in broadcast journalism and drama and speech. His journalism career began early, inspired by a reporter's visit to his high school. He secured his first internship at 15 with a local Telemundo station and later joined NBC as an overnight production assistant. His roles expanded, eventually reporting for NBC affiliates WTVJ and WNBC.

He briefly left NBC in 2014 to join ABC as chief national affairs correspondent and host of the weekend edition of World News Tonight. Llamas returned to NBC in 2021. Throughout his career, he has covered major global events, including the Israel-Gaza conflict, the Russo-Ukrainian War, and the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Llamas notably made headlines in 2016 during a confrontation with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. Trump labeled Llamas a “sleaze” after the reporter challenged him on his charitable donations during a heated press conference.

Llamas, married nearly 20 years to MSNBC journalist Jennifer Llamas, resides in New York with their three children, daughters Malena and Juju, and son Tomas.

As he prepares to assume the mantle of NBC Nightly News, Llamas steps into a prominent role that marks a significant milestone in media representation. His extensive experience, recognized by Emmy awards in 2008 and 2013, positions him to continue NBC’s tradition of trusted journalism at a critical moment in global news coverage.