Nigeria: Trump abruptly ends NBC interview after heated exchange over election fraud claims
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria
President Donald Trump cut short an interview with NBC’s _Meet the Press_ on Saturday, June 8, 2026, following a confrontational exchange with moderator Kristen Welker over his claims of election fraud in California.
The interview took place in Wisconsin during Trump’s visit ahead of the midterm elections. The discussion turned tense when Trump argued that Republicans were “dropping fast” in California’s June 2 primary because the election was “rigged.”
Welker challenged the claim, pointing out that California’s vote-counting process routinely takes several days. Trump responded that “they’re cheating on the election,” and when pressed for evidence, said, “All I have to do is look,” adding that he also relies on reports from others.
The exchange escalated as Trump accused election officials and the media of dishonesty, telling Welker, “They’re crooked just like you’re crooked, your press is crooked and Meet the Press is crooked.” He later called her “either stupid or crooked.”
Moments later, Trump ended the interview: “Sorry. Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough. Thank you, darling. Have a good time.” As Welker noted she had traveled to Wisconsin for the interview, Trump said he had already spent “an hour” with her “in the rain” and walked away before further questions.
