Trump ends interview after host presses him on election fraud claims, DOJ anti-weaponization fund
"I sat in the rain with you for an hour," Trump said. "On and off in the rain, and I’ve given you enough time. You ought to straighten out your press, because you know what? A country can never be great with a dishonest press."
President Trump abruptly ended an interview on "Meet the Press" after the host pressed him on his election fraud claims, particularly related to California, as well as the $1.9 billion anti-weaponization fund, which has been paused.
"They pled guilty because they were frightened. They went down. They were ushered into a building. Many of them were arrested without even going into the building," he said, referring to some of the Jan. 6, 2021 protestors.
"The people were destroyed by dirty cops and by weaponization. Many of those people should be compensated. Now, with that being said, the, as I understand it, the weaponization fund was going to set up a group of people, people that could be picked by anybody, fair people, smart people, and they will go on an individual case basis," he added.
Trump said he does not know "what’s going to happen with the weaponization fund" in the end.
"I love the idea, because people like you, the fake dirty press, the crooked press, people like stupid Biden, he’s not smart enough to know what’s going on, but people that surrounded him, surrounded his beautiful Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, what they did to the lives of people, they destroyed people. They sent people to jail who did nothing wrong," he said.
"All right, this is, just to be very clear, there’s no evidence of what you’re saying, but let me ask about Todd Blanche," responded Kristen Welker, the moderator.
"There’s a lot of evidence," Trump shot back.
Trump turned to election fraud and said the California elected is crooked since conservative candidates like Spencer Pratt are now in a worse position than the morning after Election Day.
"Where’s the evidence to that?" she said to Trump. "The Republicans are doing well in California."
Trump responded, saying, "In California, it’s, no they’re not. They’re dropping fast because it’s a rigged election. Let me tell you, it’s four days and they aren’t even close to coming up with the -–"
Welker said that it's "how they count the votes in California."
"Do you know why they’re doing that? Because they’re cheating on the election," Trump said.
"Do you have evidence to support that?" Welker replied.
"All I have to do is look. All I have to do is look," Trump said. "Do you think it’s appropriate that they have an election and five days later, they’re nowhere close to picking a winner?"
Welker said that "state and local officials acknowledge they are slow."
The two went back and forth before Trump walked off.
"You’re a one-sided crooked network. Sorry. Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough. Thank you, darling. Have a good time," he said.
"Mr. President, let’s — please, I traveled all the way to Wisconsin," Welker responded.
"I sat in the rain with you for an hour," Trump said. "On and off in the rain, and I’ve given you enough time. You ought to straighten out your press, because you know what? A country can never be great with a dishonest press."