Trump Walks Out on ‘Meet the Press’ Interview After Confrontational Exchange Over Election Claims

President Trump in an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker. The president grew angry and walked out, calling Welker “crooked.”

NBC News

Donald Trump abruptly ended his interview with NBC’s Meet the Press host Kristen Welker on Sunday, walking out mid-conversation after a heated exchange over election fraud allegations and media bias.

The interview turned tense when Welker questioned Trump about his proposal to allocate $1.8 billion in taxpayer funds for a “weaponization fund” aimed at compensating individuals who claim they were unfairly targeted by federal agencies. Trump defended the idea passionately, asserting that many people had been “destroyed” and driven to suicide by prosecutorial actions.

As Trump made unsubstantiated claims about federal overreach, Welker repeatedly challenged him to provide evidence. The back-and-forth intensified when Trump shifted to attacking the media and making broad accusations about election integrity.

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: The election was rigged. It was a dirty election.

KRISTEN WELKER: Mr. President –

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: And it’s happening again right now in California.

KRISTEN WELKER: – you’ve never presented evidence –

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: It’s happening right now in California

KRISTEN WELKER: – that the 2020 election was rigged.

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: Right now, it’s look at what’s happening in California.

KRISTEN WELKER: Where’s the evidence to that?

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: It’s four days –

KRISTEN WELKER: The Republicans are doing well in California.

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: In California, it’s, no they’re not. They’re dropping fast because it’s a rigged election. Let me tell you, it’s four days and they aren’t even close to coming up with the –

KRISTEN WELKER: That’s how they count the votes in California.

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: Do you know why they’re doing that? Because they’re cheating on the election.

KRISTEN WELKER: There’s – What? Do you have evidence to support that?

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: It’s– all I have to do is look. All I have to do is look.

KRISTEN WELKER: But that’s not evidence.

When Trump insisted without proof that California’s vote counting indicated fraud, Welker pressed back, noting “that’s not evidence, and that’s how they count the votes in California.” Trump then called Welker “crooked,” prompting her to respond, “To be fair, I’m not crooked.” Despite her attempt to continue, Trump refused.

The former president has frequently accused media outlets of bias, but his confrontation with Welker marked one of the most personal attacks. After insisting he receives skewed coverage—”you know that these elections are rigged”—Trump declared his network “crooked” and “a one-sided crooked network” before departing.

“Sorry, let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough,” Trump said before removing his microphone and walking away as Welker urged him to return.

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