Let's get right into it. Back in February 2025, Lester Holt dropped a bombshell on his loyal viewers by revealing his plans to step away from NBC Nightly News in the summer of the same year. Fast forward to March, the network officially announced who would be taking the reins.
Tom Llamas: The Man Stepping Into Lester Holt’s Big Shoes
On March 5, 2025, the big reveal came—Tom Llamas was named as the next anchor and managing editor for NBC Nightly News. Once Lester moves on, Tom will step into the spotlight, continuing the legacy that has made this news program a household name. Now, this isn’t just another job change—it’s a monumental transition for one of America’s most trusted news sources.
Tom didn’t waste any time expressing his gratitude and commitment. “Anchoring NBC Nightly News is not just an honor—it’s a responsibility I take incredibly seriously,” he said in a statement. “I’m thrilled to be working alongside some of the most talented journalists in the industry. Lester Holt has been an incredible mentor and inspiration. I promise to continue his legacy of dedication to truth and service to our viewers.” It’s clear that Tom knows the weight of this role, and he’s ready to embrace it with both hands.
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Janelle Rodriguez, the Executive Vice President of Programming at NBC News, chimed in with her own praise. “Tom brings a unique blend of journalistic excellence, engaging storytelling, and unwavering integrity to the table,” she stated. “He’s already been pivotal in making NBC News NOW the leading streaming news network, bringing NBC News to a younger, digital-first audience.” It’s a testament to Tom’s versatility that he can appeal to both traditional TV viewers and the next generation of news consumers.
While Tom’s official start date hasn’t been announced yet, you can bet that NBC is preparing for a smooth transition. The future is bright for NBC Nightly News, and Tom is set to make it his own.
Who Is Tom Llamas, Anyway?
You might already recognize Tom Llamas if you’re a regular NBC viewer. He’s no stranger to the spotlight, having served as a substitute anchor for both Today and Nightly News in the past. But his journey to this moment wasn’t always at NBC. Before joining the network, Tom was part of the ABC News team, where he anchored ABC World News Tonight on weekends.
In 2021, Tom took on a new challenge as a senior national correspondent for NBC News. Now, as he steps into Lester Holt’s role, he’ll continue to host Top Story With Tom Llamas, ensuring that his voice remains a familiar one across multiple platforms. This guy is a true multi-tasker, and his career trajectory proves it.
When the news was shared with the Nightly News team, Lester Holt couldn’t help but express heartfelt sentiments about Tom taking over. “I spoke with Tom today, and I reminded him that he’s not just inheriting one of the best jobs in journalism, but also an incredible team,” Lester said, according to People. “I know you all will give him your full support as we make this transition seamless.”
“I told him, make this broadcast your own. Over time, you’ll do just that, and we’ll ensure this transition works smoothly. But honestly, I’m thrilled for Tom and his family—go out there and crush it, my friend,” Lester added, showing genuine excitement for his successor.
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Outside of his professional life, Tom is also a devoted family man. He and his wife, Jennifer Llamas, are parents to three children—Malena, Juju, and Tomas. In a candid interview with Yahoo!Life back in November 2021, Tom opened up about the joys of parenthood. “Our kids bring so much joy to our lives,” he shared. “We love traveling together as a family, and we’re at a point where we want to include them in our adventures. Thankfully, we have amazing grandparents who pitch in when needed. But now, we just want to spend quality time together as a family.”
