Trump abruptly ends NBC interview amid election claims dispute
Translated from Vietnamese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Donald Trump abruptly ended an interview with NBC News host Kristen Welker on June 5.
- The interview, conducted in Wisconsin, became tense as Welker questioned Trump about election claims and the January 6 Capitol riot.
- Trump accused Welker of being biased and left the interview after a heated exchange about election fraud and a proposed fund for those facing politically motivated prosecutions.
Donald Trump cut short an interview with NBC News host Kristen Welker, accusing the network of bias and fraud. The interview, held in a Wisconsin warehouse before a farmer's event on June 5, reportedly grew tense over discussions about Iran, nuclear weapons, and Trump's campaign promises to keep the U.S. out of foreign wars.
"First of all, I didn't promise not to go to war. Why would I build the strongest military in the world if I did?" Trump stated, before calling Welker a "left-wing, radical extremist." Welker responded that she was simply a journalist.
Stop here because I've had enough. Thank you. Have a nice day.
The tension escalated when the conversation shifted to Trump's proposal for a fund using taxpayer money to compensate individuals he claims are victims of politically motivated prosecutions under the Biden administration. "I don't know what will happen with that anti-weaponization fund, but I support the idea because of people like you โ the fake and dishonest media, the fraudulent press. You have ruined many lives, put innocent people in jail," Trump said.
First of all, I didn't promise not to go to war. Why would I build the strongest military in the world if I did?
Welker countered that there was no evidence for his claims. Trump also expressed frustration when asked if those who pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers during the January 6 Capitol riot would be eligible for support from the $1.8 billion fund. He denied this, suggesting FBI agents had invited rioters into the Capitol and that they pleaded guilty only to receive lighter sentences.
The interview reached its peak when Trump accused the 2020 presidential election and California's recent primary election of being "rigged." When Welker asked for proof, he turned his attack on her, saying, "You're either dishonest or stupid," before removing his microphone and walking away, despite Welker's attempts to keep him there.
You're either dishonest or stupid.
Originally published by Tuแปi Trแบป in Vietnamese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.