President Donald Trump repeatedly sparred with NBC’s Kristen Welker during a contentious interview in Wisconsin before ultimately cutting the conversation short amid disagreements over the economy, energy prices, election integrity, and the ongoing war with Iran.
The interview, conducted Friday at a Wisconsin farm where Trump was promoting his economic agenda and discussing agricultural issues, was marked by frequent interruptions and heated exchanges between the president and the “Meet the Press” moderator.
At one point, Welker pressed Trump on rising energy costs following American military operations against Iran and their impact on American farmers.
“Gas is up, diesel is up,” Welker said, citing increases in fuel prices since the start of Operation Epic Fury.
Trump argued that the increases were temporary.
“It’s all coming down as soon as the war’s over,” he replied.
Welker then shifted the discussion toward agriculture, noting that many farmers have expressed concerns about rising production costs.
“Well, 70% of farmers say they can’t afford fertilizer,” she said. “Let me ask you, what is your message to farmers, many who support you, but who say they’re struggling?”
Trump responded by highlighting his previous support for the agricultural sector.
“You know, I gave farmers $28 billion because China took advantage,” he said. “I love the farmers, the farmers trust me.”
Industry analysts have noted that key fertilizer ingredients move through global shipping routes affected by tensions in the Middle East, while fuel costs remain a major expense for both farmers and trucking companies.
The interview later shifted to California’s primary elections, where Trump revived his longstanding concerns about election administration and ballot counting procedures.
“The election was rigged. It was a dirty election and it’s happening again right now in California,” Trump said.
The president pointed to the state’s extended ballot-counting process, arguing that delays in reporting results create opportunities for misconduct.
Trump specifically referenced ongoing vote counting in several races, including contests where late ballots dramatically altered early projections.
“Let me tell you, it’s four days and they aren’t even close to coming up with [the results],” Trump said. “You know why they’re doing that? Because they’re cheating on the election.”
Welker challenged him, insisting that Trump had not provided evidence to support allegations that the election had been rigged.
That prompted another tense exchange, with Trump turning his criticism toward the media.
“NBC, ABC, CNN, CBS — they’re crooked networks,” he said.
The increasingly combative interview eventually reached a breaking point.
“Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough,” Trump said as he ended the conversation. “Thank you, darling. Have a good time.”
The interview took place during a period of heightened attention on both the economy and foreign policy, with rising energy prices and the Iran War continuing to dominate headlines. Fuel costs have increased significantly since military operations began earlier this year.
Despite the rocky conclusion, the exchange may not be the last between the president and the NBC host.
After the interview aired on Sunday, Welker revealed that she spoke with Trump the following day and that both acknowledged the challenging conditions under which the interview was conducted, including heavy rain that repeatedly interrupted the conversation.
According to Welker, Trump agreed to participate in another “Meet the Press” interview in the future, setting the stage for another high-profile encounter between the president and a persistent media critic.
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