In a recent pre-recorded interview on Meet the PressDonald Trump found himself in a heated exchange with host Kristen Welker. The discussion, which aired on Sunday, June 7, covered a range of topics including election fraud, the anti-weaponization fund, and the ongoing conflict in Iran. The interview took a dramatic turn when Trump abruptly left the set, sparking a wave of fact-checking by NBC News and other media outlets.
The 79-year-old former president, now in his second term, faced scrutiny over several of his statements. Reporter Jane C. Timm of NBC News delved into Trump’s remarks, providing a detailed fact-check that highlighted discrepancies and exaggerations in his claims.
Disputing Claims on Iran
One of the most contentious areas of the interview was Trump’s discussion of the conflict in Iran. He asserted that the U.S. initiated the war because Iran was very close to having a nuclear weapon. However, Timm noted that this claim was not aligned with the assessment provided by then-Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in March 2026. Gabbard informed lawmakers that U.S. intelligence agencies had determined Iran had not made a decision to develop nuclear weapons, although it had accumulated enriched uranium stockpiles exceeding civilian requirements.
Trump also claimed that the U.S. had totally obliterated an Iranian nuclear site. Timm clarified that as of July 2026, only one nuclear enrichment facility was largely destroyed, while two others sustained considerably less damage. Additionally, Trump’s assertion that U.S. forces had completely dismantled Iran’s navy, air force, and anti-aircraft capabilities was challenged. Timm reported that approximately half of the country’s unconventional naval fleet remains operational.
Election Promises and Gas Prices
Welker pressed Trump on his campaign promise to end wars and turned the conversation to surging gas prices. Trump responded that if an agreement were signed, prices would go down immediately. Otherwise, they would decrease after the conflict was resolved. However, Timm raised doubts about an immediate reduction at the pump, citing oil executives who have cautioned that it will take time to restore oil production in the Middle East and bring down gas prices.
Controversial Claims on January 6
During the interview, Trump made a controversial claim about the January 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol, stating that rioters had FBI agents ushering them into the building. Welker pushed back, noting there is no evidence that any FBI special agents ushered anyone into the building. This claim was further challenged by CNN fact-checker Daniel Dalewho wrote on X, There’s precisely no evidence this happened.
The interview ended on a tense note when Trump stormed out, calling Welker stupid and Meet the Press crooked. Despite the contentious ending, Welker expressed her willingness to conduct another interview, acknowledging the complications posed by the rain during the recording.
