By Frank Macek
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| Tom Llamas (courtesy: NBC News) |
Llamas brings a dynamic blend of on-the-ground experience, breaking news savvy, and digital fluency to the job. In addition to anchoring the nightly network broadcast, he plays a key role in leading breaking news coverage across both NBC News and NBC News NOW. His leadership during the 2024 election cycle, including his high-profile presence on Election Night and the September presidential debate, helped drive NBC News NOW to record viewership milestones. His command of the Big Board and ability to explain complex electoral trends in real time proved instrumental in the network's coverage.
Since returning to NBC in 2021, Llamas has reported on major global events including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the New Orleans terror attack, and the June 2024 assassination attempt on President Trump. He has also covered major domestic stories such as the deadly Baltimore bridge collapse, the Lahaina wildfires in Hawaii, and the ongoing crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. His international reporting has taken him to conflict zones and global hotspots, underscoring his adaptability and commitment to bringing critical stories to a wide audience.
Llamas is known for securing impactful interviews. He’s spoken with prominent figures including President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Senator Marco Rubio, and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. His ability to navigate tense and consequential conversations has reinforced his credibility with viewers across the political spectrum.
Before rejoining NBC, Llamas was a key part of ABC News, where he anchored the weekend edition of *World News Tonight* and frequently filled in on weekdays. He also served as the network's chief national affairs correspondent, contributing to both broadcast and streaming platforms with live coverage and special reports.
Llamas' career in broadcast journalism spans over 25 years. He got his start as an intern at a Telemundo affiliate before transitioning to NBC’s Specials Unit and later served as a campaign embed reporter during the 2004 election cycle. His early experience in local markets—first as a general assignment reporter at WTVJ in Miami, then as an anchor and investigative reporter at WNBC in New York—honed the versatility that defines his reporting today.
His work has been recognized with numerous accolades. Among his honors are the National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ Presidential Award of Impact and the Al Neuharth Award for Investigative Journalism. He’s also earned multiple Emmy Awards and Edward R. Murrow Awards, including for his coverage of Hurricane Sandy and excellence in hard news reporting. These achievements underscore a career marked by impact, credibility, and consistent journalistic excellence.
Llamas graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans with degrees in broadcast journalism and drama and speech. He also completed a program at the University of Miami’s Institute for Cuban and Cuban American Studies, deepening his understanding of issues central to the Cuban-American community.
Today, he resides in New York with his wife and their three children. He remains actively engaged with his audience on social media, sharing insights and behind-the-scenes glimpses via TikTok (@TomLlamasNBC), X, and Instagram (@LlamasNBC).
Tom Llamas' appointment to *NBC Nightly News* represents more than just a change in anchor—it marks a generational shift in how the news is delivered, blending the authority of legacy television with the immediacy of digital media. As he leads the network into its next chapter, viewers can expect a mix of trusted journalism, fearless reporting, and a voice that reflects the diversity and complexity of the world today.
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