Trump was right to storm out of ‘Meet the Press’ – Business News
Megyn Kelly defended President Trump’s determination to stroll out of his contentious interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, arguing that the “Meet the Press” moderator made the exchange about herself and her community’s status as a substitute of the points.
“I don’t blame him,” the pundit mentioned on Monday’s version of SiriusXM’s “The Megyn Kelly Show” after airing clips from the fiery Wisconsin sit-down that ended with Trump chopping the interview short.
“Honestly, by the time he got up and walked, I didn’t blame him and I wasn’t surprised. She was rude,” Kelly mentioned of the “Meet the Press” host.
Megyn Kelly defended President Trump’s determination to cut short his interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, saying she didn’t blame him for strolling away. YouTube / Megyn Kelly
She additionally mentioned Welker mishandled the exchange by repeatedly pushing back on Trump somewhat than acknowledging what Kelly described as authentic considerations about delayed vote counting in California.
The former Fox News host argued that Welker missed an alternative to discover common ground when Trump complained about election administration in the state.
“When you are interviewing the president of the United States — especially Donald Trump — you’re going to have to give him a little,” Kelly mentioned.
“There’s a back and forth in an interview where you can’t just keep battering him over the head at every turn.”
The conflict erupted after Welker questioned Trump about California’s vote-counting course of and whether or not it was applicable that election officers remained removed from finalizing outcomes days after voting had concluded.
The president responded by alleging that election officers had been “crooked,” prompting Welker to be aware that state and native officers had acknowledged delays and had been urging ballots to be counted more rapidly.
President Trump abruptly ended his interview with NBC News’ Kristen Welker after a heated exchange over election-related claims. NBC News
The exchange rapidly deteriorated.
Trump accused Welker, NBC News and different main media shops of being “crooked,” telling the moderator: “You’re either crooked or you’re stupid.”
When Welker responded, “To be fair, I’m not crooked,” Trump continued his broadside in opposition to the press earlier than ultimately ending the interview.
“All right, let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough,” he mentioned.
Welker pleaded with him to proceed, noting that she had traveled to Wisconsin and sat with him in the rain during the session.
“I sat in the rain with you for an hour,” she mentioned.
NBC News moderator Kristen Welker repeatedly challenged Trump’s claims during the contentious interview. NBC News
But Trump stood firm.
“You ought to straighten out your press because you know what? A country can never be great with a dishonest [press],” he replied.
Kelly mentioned Welker compounded the downside by defending herself after Trump’s assaults somewhat than steering the dialog back to substance.
“He’s angry with you. Don’t take the bait,” Kelly mentioned. “You don’t have to respond to the personal attack in the moment just because he makes it.”
She prompt Welker ought to have tried to defuse the stress, as a substitute.
“Maybe try to be playful. Maybe try to lighten the mood because you can see he’s getting agitated,” the host mentioned. “He’s got a lot on his plate.”
Kelly repeatedly returned to the subject of California vote counting, arguing that public skepticism about extended poll tabulation is comprehensible.
“I understand it. It does undermine the confidence for many,” Kelly mentioned, describing that sort of response as a “gimme” Welker may have supplied.
“Give him that. Give him anything.”
Kelly mentioned journalists risk damaging their own credibility once they refuse to acknowledge considerations that voters can plainly see for themselves.
Trump ended the interview in Wisconsin after telling Welker: “Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough.” NBC News
“I’ve never said the 2020 election was stolen,” Kelly mentioned. “A lot of my audience would love for me to say that.”
But she added that California’s election course of “stinks to high heaven” and known as the final result of a latest race “suspicious as hell.”
“Kristen Welker, you’re undermining your own credibility,” Kelly mentioned.
“You think you’re boosting it for NBC by not giving him what everybody can see.”
Kelly additionally accused Welker of prioritizing the protection of NBC News over conducting a productive interview with the president.
Kelly pointed to California’s extended vote-counting course of as she criticized Welker’s handling of her interview with Trump. Carlin Stiehl for CA Post
“The problem for Kristen Welker is she made that moment about Kristen Welker and about the vaunted reputation of NBC News,” Kelly mentioned.
According to her, Trump’s frustration had been building effectively earlier than the section that in the end ended the interview.
“If you watch the whole thing, there was a lot of this prior to the moment we just showed you,” Kelly mentioned.
Kelly’s critique contrasted sharply with reactions from journalists and media commentators who praised Welker’s efficiency during the interview.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper known as Trump’s remarks towards Welker “wild” and “unhinged,” writing on X that she is “a good person and honest journalist.”
The Post has sought remark from NBC News and Welker.
