Trump bows out of interview after questions about election fraud, DOJ funds

President Donald Trump walks out of a taped interview on NBC.meet the Press“After being pressed for evidence of his controversial “weaponisation” funds and his frequent claims of electoral fraud.

Trump sat down with NBC Kristen Welker For a taped interview on a Wisconsin farm, that included the Iran war, potential interest rate hikes, and a $1.776 billion “weaponization” fund that could financially compensate violent rioters convicted of attacking police officers on January 6, 2021. Thousands of people stormed the Capitol that day, attempting to disrupt the certification of former President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.

The President said he would like to see the armaments funding move forward despite the setbacks, leading Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch to say it was permanently halted.

Trump said of the fund, “If it were up to me, I would give them the money they deserve.” “People have been destroyed. Lives have been destroyed. Many suicides, think about it.” The President has repeatedly made such claims without providing any evidence.

The fund was established after a settlement in which Trump ended his $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax information in 2019 and 2020 in exchange for a so-called disarmament fund aimed at compensating people who claimed they were victims of “lawfare.”

“I think the armament fund is a good idea,” he said. “If they get it approved, that’s great; if they don’t get it approved, I’ll be disappointed.”

The agreement also states that Trump, his family members and related business entities will be forever protected from tax audits and enforcement actions with respect to tax returns filed before the out-of-court settlement.

But it is the armament fund that has stirred the most controversy. The fund soon became a lightning rod on Capitol Hill, with many Republicans criticizing the White House and opposing the fund. The funds were blocked in court last month.

Trump suggested that rioters were led into the Capitol by the FBI on January 6, a claim he has not provided evidence for and which has been widely refuted by video of rioters beating Capitol Police officers who were trying to protect the building.

Pressed by NBC for evidence on those claims, Trump moved on to claims of election fraud, which he has long claimed but has been unable to prove in a court of law.

“The election was rigged, it was a dirty election and it’s happening again in California,” he said, referring to the primaries for mayoral and gubernatorial elections in the state.

California sends a mail ballot to every registered voter and accepts ballots postmarked on or before Election Day that arrive within a week. This often slows down the counting of votes. Republicans have long accused the state of wrongdoing, as votes for Democratic candidates often exceed those of GOP opponents after late-arriving ballots are counted.

Trump claimed, “They are committing fraud in the election.” Pressed for evidence, Trump argued that “I just have to look… and I listen to the people and let’s see what happens.”

“Do you think it’s fair that they have an election and five days later, they’re not even close to picking a winner?” He said. “They’re crooked, just like you’re crooked, your press is crooked and ‘Meet the Press’ is crooked.”

Welker attempted to press Trump for evidence to support his claims, which he did not provide, and redirected Trump several times to a question about acting AG Blanche before the President interrupted the interview and walked off the set.

“Let’s wrap this up because I’ve been through enough, thanks, dear, have a good time,” the president said, crushing his lapel mic underfoot on his way out.