President Donald Trump left the interview angry Learn about journalism Kristen Welker after she pressed him on allegations that the 2020 presidential election was rigged and his skepticism that votes in the current election in California are not being accurately counted.
During an interview with NBC News, Trump was defending his recent announcement of a nearly $1.8 billion “arms control fund” to compensate people who believe they were wrongly targeted by the Biden administration. Last week, the Justice Department said the fund, part of a deal to resolve Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS, would not go forward.
“As I understand it, the Arms Fund was going to be a group of people, people who could be chosen by anyone, fair people, smart people, and they would be chosen on an individual basis,” Trump said. “Now I don’t know what’s going to happen to the gun box. I like the idea because people like you — the fake dirty press, the crooked press, people like Biden who’s stupid, he’s not smart enough to know what’s going on — but the people who surrounded him, surrounded his beautiful, firm desk in the Oval Office, and what they did to people’s lives, they destroyed people. They sent people to prison who had done nothing wrong.”
Welker responded by saying that no evidence had been presented to support Trump’s claims, then tried to ask a question about acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who announced that the gun control fund would not move forward.
Trump interrupted, saying: “Listen to me: There is tremendous evidence.” “There’s nothing but evidence. The election was rigged. It was a dirty election, and it’s happening again now in California. It’s happening again in California, now. Look at what’s happening in California.”
Welker pressed Trump on his claims, repeatedly pointing out that the president had no evidence to back them up. Trump then pointed to the fact that several days have passed since the California election, with many races still to be decided.
“Republicans are doing well in California,” Welker responded.
Trump replied: “No, they are not. They are backing down quickly because it is a rigged election.” “Let me tell you, it’s been four days and they haven’t even come close.”
Welker noted that California election results are often delayed due to the state’s policy of allowing mail-in ballots until Election Day.
Trump replied: “Do you know why they do that? Because they cheat in the election.” When asked if he had proof, he replied: “All I have to do is look. All I have to do is look and listen, listen to people and see what happens.”
Trump and Welker continued to go back and forth, with Trump asking her if she thought California’s method of counting votes was “appropriate.”
“Do you think it is appropriate that they hold elections and after days are no closer to choosing a winner?” he asked.
When Welker said state and local officials acknowledged how slow the process was, Trump responded: “No, they’re crooked. They’re crooked, just like you’re crooked. And your press is crooked, and Meet the Press is crooked.”
“To be fair, I’m not crooked, but let’s…” Welker replied.
“Really? Well, you’re playing right into their hands. You’re either crooked or you’re stupid,” he replied. “You’re playing into their hands with this crap. You know this election is rigged. Your network knows it’s rigged. You know I won the election by a landslide, and I got 94 percent of the bad press. Do you know why? Because you have no credibility.”
Welker and Trump then went back and forth with her demanding evidence and he repeated his claims that there was in fact evidence. He also likened the United States to a “third world country” regarding its elections.
“Your elections are crooked and you are crooked Learn about journalism “They’re crooked networks, and so are ABC, CBS and CNN. You’re crooked one-sided networks. Let’s get this over with because I’ve had enough. Thank you, honey,” he added, holding up his microphone.
Welker then asked Trump to say so, noting that she had traveled to Wisconsin to interview him. He replied that he had conducted the interview in the rain, which could be heard in the background of the conversation, and said: “I have given you enough time. You must correct your journalism because you know that no country can be great with dishonest journalism.” Then he went out.
Watch the exchange below.
