Trump erupts when pressed for evidence of fraud allegations, calls network 'biased and dishonest'

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One on June 5, local time, en route to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. [AFP]
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One on June 5, local time, en route to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. [AFP]

Donald Trump walked out of a television interview after clashing with the host over his election fraud allegations.

According to Politico, Trump got into a heated exchange with Kristen Welker, host of NBC's "Meet the Press," during a pre-recorded taping of the program on Sunday.

The confrontation began as Trump was criticizing the Joe Biden administration. After Trump said Biden had "sent people to prison who did nothing wrong," Welker pushed back, saying there was no evidence to support the claim.

Trump insisted there was "tremendous evidence." When Welker replied that it had never been proven in court, Trump repeated his longstanding claim that the 2020 presidential election had been rigged and added that election fraud was currently taking place in California.

When Welker asked him to provide evidence for the fraud allegations, Trump said, "Elections are being run dishonestly," then turned on the host directly. "You're dishonest, the media is dishonest, 'Meet the Press' is dishonest," he said. Welker rebuffed the characterization, saying, "I am not dishonest," and tried to continue the interview.

Trump pressed on, telling Welker, "You know the election was rigged, and your network knows it. Your network is biased and dishonest," before announcing he was ending the interview.

Trump has repeatedly claimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Welker noted that her production team had traveled to Wisconsin for the interview and asked him to continue, but he refused.

As he wrapped up, Trump said, "A country that has a dishonest media cannot be great."

After the interview aired, however, Welker spoke with Trump by phone, and he reportedly indicated he would be willing to sit down for a follow-up interview.


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