Trump walks out of interview with NBC’s Meet the Press after clash over election claims | Donald Trump

Donald Trump walked out of an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press after making repeated false claims that the 2020 US presidential election was rigged and questions about compensation for those charged in the January 6 insurrection.

The president’s sudden outburst came during a tense exchange between him and NBC’s Kristen Welker during an interview in Wisconsin on Friday. Published on Sunday.

Trump falsely claimed that the California gubernatorial race was “rigged” as he pushed false claims of fraud in the 2020 US presidential election.

“It’s been four days and they haven’t even come close to counting [ballots]”Trump argued as Welker suggested this was standard for the California election process. Trump also claimed that Republican candidates in the state were not performing well. Current polls predicted a tight race between the leading Democratic candidate in the November general election, Xavier Becerra, and Republican politician Steve Hilton.

When Welker asked the president for any evidence that the governor’s race was rigged, he also accused the veteran reporter of being a “dishonest.”

“Just like you’re crooked, they’re crooked, your press is crooked. And Meet the Press is crooked too,” Trump said.

Welker then defended himself and attempted to ask additional questions; Trump responded: “You’re either a fraud or an idiot. You’re playing right into their hands with this nonsense. You know this election is rigged. The network knows it’s rigged.”

Trump then brought up previously repeated claims that he won the 2020 US presidential election; These claims have not yet been confirmed.

When Welker later tried to ask additional questions, Trump continued to claim that NBC was “a fraud” and ended the interview. Trump took out his microphone and said, “Let’s just let it go because I’ve had enough.” “Thank you, darling. Have fun.”

When Welker reminded Trump that he had gone to Wisconsin for an interview, Trump replied: “I sat in the rain with you for an hour. I sat in the rain from time to time, and I gave you enough time. You better fix your press.”

Earlier in the interview, Trump also became angry when Welker asked whether those who pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers during the Jan. 6 riots could benefit from funding included in Trump’s controversial “anti-gun” fund.

Trump claimed — without evidence — that the rioters were actually invited to the U.S. Capitol by FBI agents and took plea deals out of fear of longer prison sentences.

“Do you know why they pleaded guilty? Because they were told they were going to prison for 15 years… because they were scared. They fell to the ground. They were taken into a building,” Trump said, declining to answer whether such people should receive taxpayer funds.

A representative for NBC News did not respond to the Guardian’s request for comment on Trump’s departure.