Trump walks out of NBC interview after clash over election fraud claims and $1.8 billion compensation fund
President Donald Trump abruptly ended a rain-soaked NBC interview in Wisconsin after host Kristen Welker pressed him for evidence of his claims that the 2020 election was rigged and that a $1.8 billion fund for perceived victims of political prosecution was justified.
The interview setting
President Donald Trump's interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" host Kristen Welker, filmed Friday on a farm in Wisconsin and aired Sunday, was repeatedly interrupted by torrential rain, thunder, and audio issues. A tractor and hay bales served as the backdrop. When Welker asked if they should stop, Trump replied, "No. People will understand -- we're on a farm."
The anti-weaponization fund
The conversation grew tense when Welker questioned Trump about his proposed $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, designed to compensate individuals who claim they were unjustly targeted by the Biden administration. The fund, which originated from a settlement of Trump's lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns, faced bipartisan pushback. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche had told lawmakers the Justice Department would not move forward with it.
Trump defended the fund, saying many January 6 defendants "should be compensated" on a case-by-case basis. When asked if those who attacked police officers should receive taxpayer money, he said he "wouldn't be inclined to say so" but then railed against law enforcement: "You had a lot of crooked cops. You had dirty cops. Comey was a dirty cop." He claimed people "pled guilty because they were frightened" and that "they were ushered into a building."
I don't know what's going to happen with the weaponization fund. I love the idea because people like you, the fake dirty press, the crooked press, people like stupid Biden... they destroyed people. They sent people to jail who did nothing wrong.
The election fraud claims
Welker repeatedly stated there was "no evidence" for Trump's assertions. The president countered that there was "tremendous evidence" and pivoted to his long-standing claim that the 2020 election was "rigged." He extended the allegation to California's ongoing primary, saying Republicans were "dropping fast because it's a rigged election." Welker noted that California results are often delayed because ballots can be mailed in until election day, to which Trump responded, "You know why they're doing that? Because they're cheating on the election."
The walkout
As Welker continued to challenge him, Trump's tone escalated. He called the press "crooked" and "dishonest," naming NBC, ABC, CBS, and CNN. When Welker said, "To be fair, I'm not crooked," Trump replied, "You're either crooked or you're stupid." He then stood up and left, saying, "You're a one-sided crooked network. Sorry. Let's call it quits because I've had enough. Thank you, darling. Have a good time."
You ought to straighten out your press, because you know what? A country can never be great with a dishonest press.
Iran and foreign policy
Before the interview collapsed, Trump addressed his Iran strategy. He said his red line for renewed strikes would be if a deal was not happening "fast enough." The White House is pursuing a memorandum of understanding with Iran to end hostilities and begin nuclear negotiations. Trump said U.S. forces could help remove highly enriched uranium under a deal, but without one, "we're going to take them out militarily very harshly." He also praised Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's "certain bravery" for staying involved in talks while injured, calling him "more rational" than his father.
Pressed on his campaign pledge not to start new wars, Trump said he "didn't promise anything" and argued the Iran operation was not an "endless war," noting it had lasted only months. He said keeping 50,000 U.S. troops in place "costs us very little" and that they would remain "until such time as we have a completion."
Aftermath
After the interview aired, Welker told viewers she had spoken with Trump on Saturday and that he had agreed to return for a follow-up interview. She did not specify where or when that would take place.
