Trump Ends Meet the Press Interview After Dispute Over Election Claims

Former President Donald Trump ended a Meet the Press interview on Sunday after moderator Kristen Welker pressed him for evidence supporting his claims that the 2020 election was rigged and that vote‑counting issues were occurring in California.

During the interview, Trump defended a $1.8 billion Justice Department fund created as part of a settlement with the IRS, while declining to state definitively whether individuals convicted of assaulting police officers during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot would be eligible for compensation. Welker asked if those convicted should receive taxpayer money, and Trump responded that many of those individuals were “destroyed by dirty cops and by weaponization,” suggesting they might merit compensation.

Welker noted that 170 people had pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers and said there was no evidence to support Trump’s suggestion that the FBI orchestrated the Jan. 6 attack. Trump countered that “tremendous” evidence existed, then reiterated his assertion that the 2020 election was “rigged” and claimed similar irregularities in California’s primary vote‑counting process. Welker asked for specific proof, and Trump replied that “all I have to do is look,” which she described as insufficient.

The exchange grew increasingly tense, with Trump accusing Welker and the program of bias. He concluded the interview by stating, “You’re a one‑sided crooked network…let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough,” and removed his microphone before leaving the set. The interview was conducted during Trump’s trip to Wisconsin on Friday.