Trump storms out of interview after election fraud, DOJ fund questions

President Donald Trump stormed out of a taped interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” after being pressed on his controversial “weaponization” fund and on evidence of his persistent claims of election fraud.

Trump sat with NBC’s Kristen Welker for a taped interview on a Wisconsin farm that touched on the Iran war, potential interest rate hikes, and the $1.776 billion “weaponization” fund that could financially compensate convicted violent rioters who attacked police officers on Jan. 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 weaponization fund proceed despite setbacks that prompted acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to say it was permanently halted.

“If it was up to me, I’d pay them the kind of money that they deserve,” Trump said of the fund. “People have been destroyed. Lives have been destroyed. Many suicides, think of it.” The president has repeatedly made such claims without providing 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 the so-called weaponization fund, intended to compensate people who claim they were victims of “lawfare.”

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

The settlement also stipulates Trump, his family members, and related business entities are forever protected from tax audits and enforcement actions in connection with tax returns filed before the out-of-court settlement.

But it is the weaponization fund that has drawn the most controversy. The fund quickly became a lightning rod on Capitol Hill, with many Republicans bucking the White House and opposing the fund. The fund was blocked in court last month.

Trump suggested Jan. 6 rioters were ushered into the Capitol by the FBI, a claim that he did not provide evidence for and which has been widely refuted by video of rioters beating Capitol Police officers who were trying to defend the building.

Pressed by NBC for evidence on those claims, Trump shifted 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 right now in California,” he said, referring to primaries for mayoral and gubernatorial elections in the state, where votes are still being counted.

California sends every registered voter a mail ballot and accepts ballots postmarked on or before election day that arrive within a week. That often leads to slower vote counts. Republicans have long alleged wrongdoing, as votes for Democratic candidates often surge past those for GOP opponents after late-arriving ballots are counted.

“They’re cheating on the election,” Trump claimed. Pressed for evidence, Trump argued that “all I have to do is look … and I listen to people and let’s see what happens.”

“Do you think it’s appropriate that they have an election and five days later, they’re nowhere 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 back up his claims, which he did not provide, and redirect Trump to a question about acting AG Blanche several times before the president pulled the plug on the interview and stormed off the set.

“Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough, thank you, darling, have a good time,” the president said as he crushed his lapel mic underfoot on his way out.