President Donald Trump abruptly ended a live interview with NBC News' Kristen Welker on Sunday afternoon, following a heated clash over his repeated claims that the 2020 presidential election and California's current primary were 'rigged.' The interview, set in a Wisconsin farm barn amid rain delays, ended with Trump accusing the media of being 'crooked' and walking off the set after less than 50 minutes.
When Welker challenged Trump to provide evidence about California's vote count—which was still ongoing due to a meticulous mail-in ballot process—he responded with 'All I have to do is look, and I listen.' Welker immediately countered, 'But that's not evidence,' prompting Trump to retort that the media was 'crooked.' Within minutes, he declared, 'Let's call it quits because I've had enough,' gesturing to camera crew and standing abruptly to leave.
The interview had covered multiple topics including Iran policy, where Trump insisted the US 'must act' to prevent nuclear weapons development and declared the threat 'largely over.' They also discussed his now-defunct $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponisation' fund aimed at compensating individuals claiming unfair government investigations—criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike for potentially covering Capitol riot participants. Trump repeatedly asserted election fraud, including 'They're cheating on the election' about California, while refusing specific proof.
After the abrupt exit, Welker stated in a follow-up: 'We both acknowledged complications during the interview... He agreed to sit down with me for another Meet the Press interview.' However, the White House has not yet responded to BBC requests for comment. Trump's actions deepen his longstanding feud with traditional media, which he has consistently accused of bias, while fueling concerns about electoral integrity in America's polarized political climate.
