President Donald Trump ended a recorded “Meet the Press” interview early Sunday after a heated exchange with host Kristen Welker, calling NBC “crooked” and disputing the network’s handling of California’s ongoing vote count. The sit-down was taped Friday at a barn in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and aired Sunday. It started as a standard Sunday show interview and turned into a full-on confrontation within minutes.
Trump opened by revisiting 2020. “The [2020] election was rigged. It was a dirty election,” he said.
Welker pushed back immediately: “You’ve never presented evidence that the 2020 election was rigged.”
Trump then pointed to California’s primary results as live, ongoing proof. “Right now, look at what’s happening in California,” he said. Several days had passed since the state’s June 3 primary and winners in multiple races had not yet been declared.
Welker said slow counts are normal in California and noted Republicans were actually doing well in the state’s contested races. Trump didn’t accept that.
“They’re crooked. They’re crooked just like you’re crooked, your press is crooked. And ‘Meet the Press’ is crooked,” he told her.
Welker held her ground. “To be fair, I’m not crooked. But let’s continue.”
“Really? Well, you play right into their hands then,” Trump said.
He kept going when she tried to change the subject.
“You’re either crooked or you’re stupid,” Trump told the host.
He then brought up what he called 94 percent negative coverage of his presidency, citing it alongside his 2024 election win as evidence of media bias.
Welker reminded him she had flown to Wisconsin for the interview. The back-and-forth grew tense enough that Trump warned he was done talking.
“You’re a one-sided, crooked network. Sorry. Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough. Thank you, darling. Have a good time,” he said, and ended the interview.
That night at a rally in Chippewa Falls, Trump told the crowd about what happened.
“I just did an interview in the most beautiful barn I’ve ever seen. It was a beauty. It was raining and it was with NBC Fake News. And because it was raining, I got a little bit angry at them. I was not happy with them,” Trump said. “But we had a good time.”
California law allows counties to count mail-in ballots received up to seven days after Election Day, so long as they carry a postmark from Election Day or earlier. The state’s June 3 primary races remain uncalled in several congressional and legislative districts.
