Trump abruptly ends NBC interview after dispute over 'election fraud'
US President Donald Trump abruptly left an interview with NBC after host Kristen Welker of "Meet The Press" repeatedly challenged his statements. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing BBC News.
During the interview, aired on Sunday, the president claimed that both the current California primary and the 2020 presidential election were "rigged."
When Welker demanded evidence regarding California, Trump said: "I just need to look and listen."
After the host replied "that's not evidence," Trump accused the media of "dishonesty" and ended the interview: "Sorry, let's wrap it up, I've had enough."
The president has a complicated relationship with traditional media, often accusing them of bias.
The interview took place in a barn during an event with farmers in Wisconsin. It was delayed several times due to technical issues and rain pounding on the metal roof. According to NBC, Trump left the taping 50 minutes after it began on Friday.
Much of the interview was devoted to the conflict with Iran. Trump insisted that 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 departure, they discussed the "anti-arming fund" — a canceled plan to create a $1.8 billion fund to compensate individuals who claim they were unfairly prosecuted by the government. The plan drew sharp criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, who argued it could lead to payouts to individuals convicted for the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots.
Then they moved to discussing those riots. Trump repeated his baseless claim of fraud in the 2020 election, and Welker challenged him.
Trump switched to the California primary, where votes are still being counted. He said results had not been announced after four days, adding: "They are cheating on the election."
"Do you have evidence?" Welker asked.
"I just need to look and listen," the president replied.
"But that's not evidence," she interjected.
Full results in California have not yet been announced, where delays are common due to careful vote counting and widespread use of mail-in voting. Mail-in voting has long irritated the president.
"They are dishonest, just like you," Trump continued.
Welker said: "To be fair, I am not dishonest. But let's move on."
Trump told Welker: "You are either dishonest or stupid," and after further exchange added: "Let's wrap it up, I've had enough. Thank you, dear, have a good time."
Welker tried to continue the interview, but Trump interrupted: "I sat with you in the rain for an hour, and I gave you enough time. You need to fix your press, because you know what? The country will never be great with a dishonest press."
Then he gestured to people behind the camera: "Come on, let's go," stood up and left.
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 me another interview for Meet The Press."
BBC has contacted the White House for comment.