The interview became heated after Welker questioned Trump about a proposed multi-billion-dollar compensation fund designed for individuals he claims were harmed by what he describes as the federal government’s weaponization of the justice system. The proposal has faced legal challenges and opposition from lawmakers.
Responding to questions about whether he intended to revive the fund, Trump defended the idea, arguing that many people had suffered under former President Joe Biden’s administration.
“People have been hurt so badly by radical left lunatics that worked for the Biden administration and Sleepy Joe,” Trump said. “They’ve committed suicide, they’ve lost their jobs, they’ve lost their families, they’ve lost their wives, they’ve lost everything over a fake weaponization of government.”
As Welker continued pressing him on the future of the fund, Trump maintained that those affected deserved compensation.
“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.”
The discussion later shifted to those prosecuted over the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Asked whether individuals convicted of assaulting police officers should qualify for compensation, Trump said he would need to examine cases individually but insisted many defendants had been treated unfairly.
“The people were destroyed by dirty cops and by weaponization. Many of those people should be compensated,” he said.
Welker challenged some of Trump’s claims, including his allegation that federal agents had guided protesters into the Capitol.
“There’s no evidence of that, sir,” Welker said.
Trump rejected the assertion, insisting there was “tremendous evidence” to support his position, while Welker noted that such claims had not been substantiated in court.
Tensions escalated further when the conversation turned to the 2020 presidential election. Trump again alleged that the election had been manipulated and claimed similar practices were taking place in California.
“The election was rigged. It was a dirty election,” Trump said.
Welker pushed back, saying: “You’ve never presented evidence that the 2020 election was rigged.”
Trump responded by pointing to what he described as irregularities in California’s vote-counting process.
“You know why they’re doing that? Because they’re cheating on the election,” he said.
When asked if he had evidence to support the accusation, Trump replied: “All I have to do is look. All I have to do is look. And I listen. And I listen to people.”
Welker responded: “But that’s not evidence.”
The exchange soon became personal, with Trump accusing Welker and major media organisations of dishonesty.
“They’re crooked, just like you’re crooked. Your press is crooked. And Meet the Press is crooked,” Trump said.