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Trump walks out of Meet the Press after Welker presses election claims
Confirmed
What we know
President Donald Trump abruptly ended a Meet the Press interview with Kristen Welker that aired Sunday after she challenged his claims that the 2020 election was "rigged," his assertions about California's ongoing vote count, and his proposed $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund. The interview was taped in Wisconsin in the rain and cut short when Trump removed his microphone.
Trump accused NBC, ABC, CBS, and CNN of being "crooked," told Welker "you're either crooked or you're stupid," and said a country "can never be great with a dishonest press." In the same Sunday broadcast window he also warned on Iran that negotiators were "very close to a deal, or I'm going to blow the hell out of them," linking the politics package to the day's Middle East escalation.
What's confirmed
- WaPo/Variety/THR: Trump ended Meet the Press interview after Welker pressed him for evidence on election and Jan. 6 claims (WaPo/Variety/THR).
- Fox/NBC reporting: Clash included proposed $1.8B anti-weaponization fund and California vote-count remarks; Trump called networks "crooked" before walking out (Fox/NBC).
- Interview taped in Wisconsin; aired on Meet the Press Sunday morning (Variety/THR).
- Same-day MTP window also carried Trump Iran comments: "very close to a deal, or I'm going to blow the hell out of them" (USA Today/NBC).
What's still developing
- Whether the White House releases a fuller transcript or follow-up statement on the walkout.
- Any network or FCC-adjacent response beyond Sunday's on-air exchange.
- How the clash affects Trump's remaining Sunday show bookings this cycle.
Sources
- The Washington Post — Trump walks out of Meet the Press interview when challenged over false claims link
- Variety — Donald Trump Storms Out of Meet the Press Interview link
- The Hollywood Reporter — Trump Leaves Meet the Press Interview Amid Rigged Election Claims link
- USA Today — Israel says Iran fired missiles; Trump Meet the Press Iran comments same day link