Trump Ends Meet the Press Interview After California Election Claims Are Challenged
President Donald Trump ended a “Meet the Press” interview after NBC moderator Kristen Welker pressed him on his claims that California’s primary election was “rigged,” according to reports on the Sunday broadcast.
The National Desk reported that the exchange escalated after Welker asked Trump to support his election-fraud allegations. Trump criticized NBC as a “crooked” network and cut the interview short, while Welker tried to continue the discussion.
The confrontation came as California is still counting ballots from its June 2 primary. The California Secretary of State lists the governor’s race results as unofficial, with certification scheduled for July 10. As of the state’s posted update, Xavier Becerra led with 27.0%, followed by Steve Hilton at 26.1% and Tom Steyer at 21.3%.
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California’s vote count routinely continues after Election Night. State election officials say vote-by-mail, provisional, and other ballots are processed during the canvass period. Mailed ballots postmarked by Election Day can be counted if received by county officials within seven days, and signature and eligibility checks can take time.
That timing has become the center of the political conflict. Trump has alleged cheating without providing evidence, while California officials and election experts have said delayed counting is a normal result of the state’s mail-ballot system, not proof of fraud.
The policy consequence is clear: a television walkout is now tied to a larger fight over election trust, mail voting, and whether federal officials can pressure or reshape state-run election systems.
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