US President Donald Trump on Sunday criticized Kristen Welker, moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press, before abruptly ending a television interview, accusing her and major US news networks of being “crooked” while defending his claims that the US election was rigged.The confrontation escalated when Welker pressed Trump to provide evidence of his repeated claims of election fraud. Trump responded by attacking the mediator directly.“Really? Well, you’re playing into their hands then. You’re either crooked or stupid,” Trump said after Welker rejected his claim that she was biased.
According to the video that spread on social media, Trump accused Welker and the American media of dishonesty before he removed his microphone and walked away from the interview.The confrontation began when Welker asked Trump about his proposed “arms control fund,” a plan aimed at compensating people who believe they have been unfairly targeted by the Biden administration. The proposal has since stalled after the US Department of Justice indicated it would not move forward.In defense of the idea, Trump accused the media and political opponents of ruining lives through what he described as politically motivated prosecutions.
“I like the idea because people like you, the fake dirty press, the crooked press, people like stupid Biden, not smart enough to know what’s going on but the people who surrounded him…what they did to people’s lives, they destroyed people. They sent people to prison who did nothing wrong,” Trump said.The interview became increasingly tense as Welker challenged Trump’s repeated claims that the 2020 US presidential election was rigged and asked him to provide evidence.Trump responded by insisting there was extensive evidence.“Listen to me: There is tremendous evidence. There is nothing but evidence. The election was rigged. It was a dirty election, and it’s happening again now in California,” he said.Welker repeatedly pressed the president to provide evidence of his claims. Trump instead pointed to the pace of vote counting in California and accused election officials of cheating.As the exchange continued, Trump directed his criticism directly at Welker and the media.“No, they’re crooked. They’re crooked, just like you’re crooked. Your press is crooked and ‘Meet the Press’ is crooked,” Trump said.When Welker responded that she was not crooked, Trump responded: “Really? Well, you’re playing into their hands then. You’re either crooked or stupid.”The argument escalated further as Trump expanded his attack to include major American news networks.He said: “Your elections are crooked and you are crooked, and Meet the Press is crooked, and so are ABC, CBS and CNN. You are crooked one-sided networks.”Moments later, Trump indicated that he had ended the interview.“Let’s get this over with because I’ve had enough. Thank you, babe,” he told Welker before removing his microphone.While the moderator urged him to continue, Trump defended his decision to withdraw.“I’ve given you enough time. You should correct your journalism because you know what, a country can never be great with a dishonest press,” he said before leaving.The latest confrontation adds to a growing list of clashes between Trump and journalists.Trump has also faced backlash in recent months over his exchanges with female journalists. In November 2025, he told Bloomberg reporter Katherine Lucey: “Quiet. Quiet, swine” when she questioned him about files linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.He later called ABC News correspondent Mary Bruce a “terrible reporter” and called ABC “fake news” during an event at the White House. Trump has also publicly criticized CNN’s Kaitlan Collins and other reporters covering his administration.
