President Donald Trump ended a taped interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” after moderator Kristen Welker pressed him on a disputed “weaponization” fund and on his claims of election fraud. The interview took place at a Wisconsin farm during a broader discussion that also covered the Iran war, interest rates, and domestic politics.
Trump said he supported the $1.776 billion fund, which was created through a settlement ending his $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over leaks of his tax information. The fund is intended to compensate people who say they were harmed by politically motivated legal actions. Critics have focused on the possibility that it could benefit people convicted in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, including individuals who assaulted police officers.
Trump said people connected to Jan. 6 had suffered serious consequences and that he would like them compensated if the fund moves forward. He did not provide evidence for claims that the FBI ushered rioters into the Capitol or that numerous suicides were linked to prosecutions. The fund has faced resistance from some Republicans in Congress and was blocked in court last month. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has said it was permanently halted.
When Welker asked Trump to substantiate his assertions about the 2020 election, he repeated that the contest was “rigged” and also alleged wrongdoing in ongoing California races. California mails ballots to registered voters and counts ballots postmarked by election day if they arrive within a week, a process that can delay final results.
Trump criticized the pace of counting and accused NBC and the press of dishonesty. Welker continued seeking evidence and attempted to return to questions about Blanche. Trump then ended the exchange, stepped on his microphone, and left the Wisconsin set during Friday’s taping.