Trump storms out of NBC interview after heated exchange over election claims

US President Donald Trump abruptly ended a televised interview with NBC's Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker during a Friday session in Wisconsin that aired on Sunday, following a series of exchanges over his repeated claims of election fraud and questions about his proposed "anti-weaponization" fund.

The interview included repeated assertions by Trump that the 2020 presidential election was "rigged," as well as similar claims regarding the upcoming California gubernatorial race. He criticised the time taken to count ballots in California, while Welker noted that the process is consistent with standard election procedures in the state, says the Guardian.

Tensions escalated when Trump was asked whether individuals who pleaded guilty to assaulting police during the 6 January 2021 Capitol riot could be eligible for taxpayer-funded compensation through his "anti-weaponisation" fund.

Without providing evidence, Trump claimed that the rioters were "ushered" into the building by FBI agents and said they accepted plea deals because they were "frightened" of long prison sentences.

During the exchange, Trump also expressed frustration with the line of questioning, calling Welker and the press "crooked" or "stupid." He told Welker, "You play right into their hands with this crap," and asserted that the network was aware the elections were rigged.

The interview ended when Trump said, "Let's call it quits because I've had enough," and removed his microphone. He also told Welker that he had already given sufficient time for the interview, adding that he had "sat in the rain" with her for an hour.

Welker noted during the session that she had travelled to Wisconsin for the interview. NBC News did not immediately comment on the incident.