Overview
- The televised segment that aired Sunday ended when President Trump cut off the interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, removed his microphone, called the network “crooked” and walked out after a heated exchange.
- Welker repeatedly pressed Trump for evidence about his claims that the 2020 election was rigged and that the FBI had inside involvement in January 6, and she noted that about 170 people pleaded guilty to assaulting officers on Jan. 6.
- The final portion of the interview focused on a proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund that Trump defended, even though Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told lawmakers the Justice Department would be backing off the plan.
- The sit-down was filmed in Wisconsin inside a metal barn and was interrupted by heavy rain, and footage and accounts show Trump appearing to remove or toss his lavalier microphone as he left the set.
- The confrontation reinforces the administration’s aggressive messaging toward mainstream media and could sharpen political debate over the fund, election claims, and press relations as the midterm campaign period continues.