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The ‘crooked’ charge against NBC: Why the Donald Trump-Kristen Welker slugfest went off the rails

The president told Welker 'let's call it quits' after repeated clashes over evidence for his claims

By Howard Kurtz Fox News

Published June 9, 2026 3:00am EDT

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Trump ends NBC interview after clash with Kristen Welker

President Trump abruptly ended a tense "Meet the Press" interview after Kristen Welker pressed him on election claims, California’s vote count and his proposed "weaponization" fund.

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The headlines say Donald Trump "stormed" out of his interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker.

The reality was a little more subtle.

It’s easy to second-guess. The natural tension that comes with interviewing any politician for television – but especially this president, who can dominate this kind of sit-down – calls for split-second judgments.

Having interviewed Trump numerous times – especially in a high-stakes session two weeks before the election, at his invitation – gives me a certain perspective.

TRUMP STORMS OFF 'MEET THE PRESS' INTERVIEW, RIPS WELKER, ABC, CBS, CNN AS 'CROOKED'

President Donald Trump walked away from an interview with NBC's Kristen Welker. The headlines say he "stormed" off. (Adam Bettcher/NBC via Getty Images)

Things did not end well with Welker:

"You’re crooked, your press is crooked, And ‘Meet the Press’ is crooked."

"To be fair, I’m not crooked."

"Really? Well, you play right into their hands then. You’re either crooked or you’re stupid."

Geez.

TRUMP RIPS OBAMA’S ‘STUPID’ IRAN DEAL IN CLASH WITH KRISTEN WELKER

And then: "Sorry. Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough. Thank you, darling. Have a good time."

I’m pretty sure Trump has never called me darling. He does seem to treat certain women differently.

The other day he ripped CNN’s Kaitlan Collins for asking a question, saying she’s "beautiful" but he never sees her smile and that she has "hatred in her eyes." Even........

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