"Crooked or Stupid": Trump Nukes NBC Interview, Crushes Mic on the Way Out

Trump has never made peace with the American press. But his sit-down with NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday took that long-running war to a new extreme — ending with the president walking off set, ripping off his microphone, and stamping on it as he stormed away.

Trump sat down with NBC Meet the Press anchor Kristen Welker for an exclusive interview at a farm in Wisconsin on Saturday local time.

The interview took place on Saturday at a farm in Wisconsin, where Trump sat down with anchor Kristen Welker. What started as a structured conversation escalated rapidly into an extraordinarily heated argument over allegations of electoral fraud. Both sides were visibly flushed with anger by the time Trump finally snapped, walked out mid-interview, and crushed his microphone underfoot as he left.

The flashpoint was Welker's question about the $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund." The fund was born from a major legal settlement Trump struck with the Department of Justice in May 2026. It originated when Trump withdrew a $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over alleged tax information leaks, with the DOJ establishing this dedicated fund in its place. Its stated purpose: to compensate individuals or organizations who claim they were subjected to the "weaponization" of government institutions or unjust investigations during the Biden administration.

The fund ignited controversy in Washington almost immediately. Critics warned it could become a taxpayer-funded political slush fund. Democrats questioned whether Trump supporters, political allies, and even participants in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot could eventually become beneficiaries. Notably, a significant number of Republicans also voiced opposition. Last month, a court struck the fund down.

The 6 January 2021 riot and storming of the US Capitol.

That court ruling led the acting Attorney General to declare the fund permanently discontinued. Trump told Welker he still hoped to see it move forward. "If it was up to me, I’d pay them the kind of money that they deserve… People have been destroyed. Lives have been destroyed. Many suicides, think of it," he said. "If they get it approved, that’s great; if they don’t get it approved, I’d be disappointed."

Trump also insinuated that those he called "rioters" at the Capitol were in fact escorted into the building by FBI agents. He claimed the Biden administration had put innocent people in prison — but offered no evidence to support either assertion.

Trump and anchor Kristen Welker became embroiled in a fierce argument over allegations of electoral fraud.

When Welker pressed him for proof, Trump replied: "There’s a lot of evidence. There’s tremendous evidence. There’s nothing but evidence." Welker shot back: "Well, it’s not been presented in a court of law." 

Trump then pivoted to broader claims of electoral fraud. He alleged the 2020 presidential election was stolen and asserted that fraudulent practices are currently playing out in California. "The election was rigged. It was a dirty election. And it’s happening again right now in California," he said. He claimed Republican candidates' polling numbers are “dropping fast because it’s a rigged election” with the intent of eliminating Republican candidates.

California's electoral system adds important context here. Unlike most other US states, California employs a distinctive "Jungle Primary" — all candidates from all parties compete on the same ballot, and only the top two vote-getters advance to the general election.

Trump raged at the media, branding it corrupt and declaring that Meet the Press itself was "corrupt."

Welker pushed back directly: "That’s how they count the votes in California." She noted that local officials had publicly acknowledged the counting process was indeed "slow," then challenged Trump to produce evidence that California's elections were being "rigged." That's when the interview turned combustible. "They’re crooked just like you’re crooked, your press is crooked. And ‘Meet the Press’ is crooked." Then, with pointed finality Trump added: "You’re either crooked or you’re stupid."

Trump accused Welker of "playing right into their hands" and unloaded on the program's credibility in a single broadside. "You’re a one-sided crooked network. Sorry. Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough. Thank you, darling, have a good time." He then fired off attacks against ABC, CBS, and CNN in one breath.

Trump abruptly terminated the interview and stormed off set in a fit of fury.

Welker pleaded with Trump to continue, noting that the NBC team had traveled all the way to Wisconsin for the interview. Trump refused, pressing his point: "I sat in the rain with you for an hour," Trump said. "On and off in the rain, and I've given you enough time. You ought to straighten out your press, because you know what? A country can never be great with a dishonest press." As he delivered those final words, he reached up to remove his microphone, stormed off in fury, and stamped on it as he walked away.

After the interview aired, Welker disclosed that she had spoken with Trump again by phone. He agreed to a follow-up interview, though she provided no details on when or where it would take place.

Trump's relationship with the American press has long been defined by extreme tension. He routinely deploys derogatory terms when referring to journalists in public.

The reality is, Trump's attacks are no longer confined to the liberal mainstream media. He has recently widened the scope of his targets to include figures from the conservative media world. On April 9, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, explicitly calling out prominent MAGA-aligned commentators who had criticized his stance on the Iran war — among them well-known podcast host Tucker Carlson, as well as Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones. He labeled these commentators "low-IQ," "nut-jobs," and "trouble-makers".

Deep Throat

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The midterms are less than three months away. A new Financial Times poll, out August 16, shows over 53% of registered voters, among them 25% were Republicans, say their finances have worsened since Trump returned to the White House January last year.

55% disapprove of Trump's performance. Among them 20% are Republicans.

One factor is the US-Iran war and other issues that keep pushing up fuel prices and other consumer costs.

The poll also shows Democrats with a clear advantage. While 45% favor Republicans, 51% of Americans say they'll vote for a Democratic candidate in the November midterms.

On jobs and the economy, voters trust Democrats more than Republicans.

For Trump and the Republican Party, this is a blaring alarm. Republicans believe it was voter trust on these issues that powered Trump’s 2024 victory. That trust is now eroding.

The nonpartisan London-based firm Focaldata conducted the poll from August 7 to 10, surveying 1,913 registered voters.

The results are stark: 53% of registered voters say their living conditions have worsened under Trump. That includes nearly 57% of independents and almost a quarter of Republicans.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents say the US economy is on the wrong track.

53% say their living conditions have worsened under Trump. Nearly two-thirds say the economy is on the wrong track.

Trump's Approval Tanks

Voters are handing Democrats the advantage on the issues that hit kitchen tables hardest: inflation, cost of living, jobs, and the economy. It's a brutal verdict on Trump's economic stewardship.

And Trump's numbers on inflation and cost of living? Abysmal. A full 64% disapprove. That includes nearly 70% of independents and about a third of his own Republicans.

The reality is stark. US inflation hit 3.4% in July.

High prices are forcing millions of Americans to slash spending. Consumer confidence has cratered, sinking near historic lows.

And wages fell in July, according to US government data.

Trump's overall approval is just as grim. A full 55% of Americans disapprove of his performance. That includes nearly one in five Republicans.

Here's a flashing red light for the White House: Trump's net approval among Republicans (the share satisfied minus those opposed) has plunged 8 points in just one month.

Midterm Reckoning and the War Factor

Trump won't be on the ballot in November. But the midterms are widely seen as a national referendum on his leadership.

Democrats need to win just four seats in the Senate and four in the House to seize control of Congress next year.

If they pull it off, they can block any partisan legislation for the next two years. That would gut the Republican agenda, leaving it virtually powerless except through executive actions by the president and his cabinet.

According to reports, polls have been telling a consistent story for months: Democrats are likely to retake the House. The Senate? That's a tougher climb.

A string of recent polls shows Democrats could retake the House.

And then there's the war. A Reuters survey found Americans' support for a war with Iran is extremely low. The vast majority believe Trump has failed to clarify his goals or strategy.