Trump abruptly ends NBC interview

US President Donald Trump abruptly left an interview with NBC after host Kristen Welker of Meet The Press repeatedly challenged his claims. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing BBC News.

During the interview, aired on Sunday, the president claimed that both the current California primaries and the 2020 presidential election were "rigged."

When Welker demanded evidence regarding California, he said: "I just have to look and listen."

After the host replied: "That's not evidence," Trump accused the media of "dishonesty" and cut the interview short: "Sorry, let's wrap it up, I've had enough."

The president has a fraught relationship with traditional media, often accusing them of bias.

The interview took place in a barn at an event with farmers in Wisconsin and was delayed several times due to technical glitches and rain drumming on the metal roof. NBC reported that he left 50 minutes after recording began on Friday.

Much of the interview focused on the conflict with Iran: Trump insisted the US must act to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and that it would not be an "endless war."

"We'll be there for a few months, and the threat will largely disappear," he said.

About six minutes before his exit, they discussed the "anti-arming fund" — a scrapped plan to create a $1.8 billion (£1.3 billion) fund to compensate individuals who claim they were victims of unfair prosecution by the government. The plan drew sharp criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, who argued it could lead to payouts to those convicted for the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots.

They then moved to discussing those riots, and Trump repeated the baseless claim of a rigged 2020 election.

Trump pivoted to the California primaries, where votes are still being counted to determine two candidates for the November midterm elections. He said results had not been announced after four days, adding: "They're cheating on the elections."

"Do you have evidence?" Welker asked.

"I just have to look and listen," the president replied.

"But that's not evidence," she interjected.

Full results in the state have not yet been announced, where delays are common due to careful vote counting and widespread use of mail-in ballots. Mail-in voting has long irked the president.

"They're dishonest," he continued, "and so are you."

Welker said: "In fairness, I'm not dishonest. But let's move on."

Trump then told Welker: "You're either dishonest or stupid," and after further exchanges added: "Let's wrap it up, I've had enough. Thank you, dear, have a nice time."

Welker tried to continue the interview, but Trump cut in: "I sat with you in the rain for an hour, with breaks, and gave you enough time. You need to get your press in order, because you know what? The country will never be great with a dishonest press."

He then gestured to people behind the camera: "Come on, let's go," stood up and left the set.

After the interview aired, Welker said: "I spoke with President Trump on Saturday, and we both acknowledged the difficulties caused by the rain. He agreed to give another interview to Meet The Press."

BBC has contacted the White House for comment.

*This article is based on materials from BBC News.*