US President Donald Trump abruptly ended a televised interview with NBC’s Meet the Press moderator Kristin Welker after a series of contentious exchanges over his proposed compensation fund for alleged victims of government “weaponisation,” prosecutions linked to the January 6 Capitol riot, and his continued claims about the 2020 presidential election.
The interview, which aired on Sunday, began with questions about Trump’s proposal to compensate individuals he says were harmed by what he describes as politically motivated actions by the federal government.
Defending the proposal, Trump argued that many Americans suffered under former President Joe Biden’s administration.
“People have been hurt so badly by radical left lunatics that worked for the Biden administration,” Trump said, claiming that some had lost jobs, families, and livelihoods because of what he described as a “fake weaponization of government.”
Asked whether he intended to revive the compensation fund amid legal and political opposition, Trump said: “If it was up to me, I’d pay them the kind of money that they deserve.”
The discussion later turned to individuals prosecuted in connection with the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. Trump maintained that many defendants had been treated unfairly and suggested some should be compensated.
Welker challenged several of Trump’s assertions, including claims that federal agents had encouraged protesters to enter the Capitol.
“There’s no evidence of that, sir,” she said.
Trump disagreed, insisting there was substantial evidence to support his position, while Welker noted that such allegations had not been substantiated in court.
Tensions escalated further when the conversation shifted to the 2020 presidential election. Trump repeated his long-standing claim that the election was rigged and alleged that similar practices were occurring in California.
“The election was rigged. It was a dirty election,” he said.
Welker responded that Trump had not presented evidence proving widespread election fraud.
When asked what evidence supported his allegations, Trump replied: “All I have to do is look. All I have to do is look. And I listen.”
“But that’s not evidence,” Welker countered.
The exchange soon became personal, with Trump accusing Welker and major media organisations of bias and dishonesty.
“You’re either crooked or you’re stupid. You play right into their hands with this crap,” Trump said.
As Welker attempted to steer the conversation back to policy issues, Trump broadened his criticism to include several major US news outlets.
Moments later, he ended the interview.
“Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough. Thank you. Have a good time,” Trump said before walking away.
Welker appealed for him to continue, noting that she had travelled to Wisconsin for the interview.
Defending his decision, Trump said he had already spent significant time speaking with her and renewed his criticism of the media.
“A country can never be great with a dishonest press,” he said.
Despite the tense exchange, Welker later told viewers that she had spoken with Trump after the interview and that both acknowledged challenges posed by the weather conditions during the outdoor discussion.
She added that Trump had agreed to participate in another Meet the Press interview in the future.
The confrontation marked one of the most heated moments in Trump’s recent media appearances and highlighted his continuing disputes with major US news organisations over election-related claims, the January 6 prosecutions, and broader questions of media credibility and public trust.
