President Donald Trump on Sunday terminated a live interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker after she repeatedly challenged him to provide evidence for his claims that elections were rigged, including allegations of fraud in California’s recent primaries and the 2020 contest.
In a clip circulating online, the tense exchange occurred during Trump’s appearance on Meet the Press in Wisconsin.
When Welker pressed for substantiation on allegations of rigging in the 2020 presidential election and recent primaries in California, Trump grew visibly agitated and lashed out.
“The election was rigged. It was a dirty election. And it’s happening again right now in California… They’re cheating on the election,” Trump said.
When prodded for evidence, he said, “All I have to do is look… All I have to do is listen, and I listen to people, and let’s see what happens.”
“They’re crooked just like you’re crooked; your press is crooked. And Meet the Press is crooked… You’re a one-sided crooked network… Your elections are crooked, and you’re crooked, and ‘Meet the Press’ is crooked. And so are ABC, and CBS, and CNN.”
When Welker continued the push for evidence of election manipulation, Trump told her: “You’re either crooked, or you’re stupid. Let’s call it quits. Because I’ve had enough. Thank you, darling.”
“I traveled all the way to Wisconsin for this interview,” Welker told the president as he stood up to leave.
Trump has long alleged election irregularities, citing affidavits, statistical anomalies, procedural changes, and delayed vote counts.
Critics, including many election officials and courts, maintain there is no widespread evidence of fraud sufficient to alter outcomes of the 2020 presidential election.