United States President Donald Trump abruptly ended a televised interview with NBC’s Meet the Press moderator Kristin Welker after a series of heated exchanges over his proposed compensation fund for alleged victims of government “weaponisation,” the January 6 Capitol riot cases, and his continued claims about the 2020 presidential election.
The interview, which was aired on Sunday, began with Welker questioning Trump about a proposed multi-billion-dollar fund aimed at compensating individuals he says were harmed by what he describes as the federal government’s misuse of the justice system.
Asked whether he had abandoned the proposal following court challenges and opposition in Congress, Trump defended the initiative, arguing that many Americans had suffered under the administration of former President Joe Biden.
“People have been hurt so badly by radical left lunatics that worked for the Biden administration and Sleepy Joe,” Trump said. “They’ve committed suicide, they’ve lost their jobs, they’ve lost their families, they’ve lost their wives, they’ve lost everything over a fake weaponization of government.”
Pressed on whether he intended to revive the fund, Trump replied, “If it was up to me, I’d pay them the kind of money that they deserve. People have been destroyed. Lives have been destroyed. Many suicides.”
The conversation later shifted to individuals prosecuted in connection with the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Welker asked whether those convicted of assaulting police officers should be eligible for compensation.
Trump said he would review cases individually but maintained that many defendants had been treated unfairly.
“The people were destroyed by dirty cops and by weaponisation. Many of those people should be compensated,” he said.
Welker challenged several of Trump’s claims, including his assertion that federal agents had ushered protesters into the Capitol.
“There’s no evidence of that, sir,” Welker said.
The discussion became increasingly tense as Trump insisted there was “tremendous evidence” to support his position, while Welker noted that such allegations had not been proven in court.
The interview escalated further when the discussion turned to the 2020 presidential election. Trump repeated his claim that the election had been rigged and alleged that similar practices were taking place in California.
“The election was rigged. It was a dirty election,” Trump said.
Welker responded, “You’ve never presented evidence that the 2020 election was rigged.”
Trump pointed to what he described as irregularities in California’s vote-counting process.
“You know why they’re doing that? Because they’re cheating on the election,” he said.
When Welker asked whether he had evidence to support the allegation, Trump replied, “All I have to do is look. All I have to do is look. And I listen. And I listen to people.”
“But that’s not evidence,” Welker countered.
The disagreement soon became personal, with Trump accusing Welker and major media outlets of dishonesty.
“They’re crooked, just like you’re crooked. Your press is crooked. And Meet the Press is crooked,” he said.
Welker responded, “To be fair, I’m not crooked. But let’s continue.”
Trump continued his criticism, saying: “You’re either crooked or you’re stupid. You play right into their hands with this crap.”
As Welker attempted to return the discussion to the original topics, Trump broadened his criticism to include other major news organisations.
“Your elections are crooked. And you’re crooked. And Meet the Press is crooked. And so is ABC. And CBS. And CNN,” he said.
Moments later, the president brought the interview to an abrupt end.
“Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough. Thank you, darling. Have a good time,” Trump said as he walked away.
Welker appealed for him to continue, noting that she had travelled to Wisconsin for the interview.
“Mr. President, please. I travelled all the way to Wisconsin,” she said.
Defending his decision, Trump replied, “I’ve sat in the rain with you for an hour. On and off in the rain. And I’ve given you enough time. You ought to straighten out your press.