Donald Trump abruptly ended an interview with NBC's Meet the Press on Friday after a heated exchange with host Kristen Welker over his baseless claims of election rigging. The interview, conducted in Wisconsin and aired on Sunday, saw Trump repeatedly assert without evidence that the 2020 presidential election and the California gubernatorial race were fraudulent.
When Welker challenged Trump's allegations, he accused her and NBC of being 'crooked'. Trump stated, 'They're crooked, just like you're crooked, your press is crooked. And Meet the Press is crooked.' He then called Welker 'either crooked or stupid' before reiterating false claims about the 2020 election.
The confrontation escalated as Welker pressed Trump on whether individuals charged in the January 6 Capitol riot should receive compensation from his proposed 'anti-weaponisation' fund. Trump claimed without evidence that rioters were 'ushered into' the Capitol by FBI agents and pleaded guilty due to fear of lengthy prison sentences, refusing to answer directly.
Trump ended the interview by removing his microphone and saying, 'Let's call it quits because I've had enough. Thank you, darling. Have a good time.' When Welker noted she had travelled to Wisconsin for the interview, Trump retorted that he had given her enough time and told her to 'straighten out your press'.
NBC News did not respond to a request for comment on the incident.
