President Donald Trump frequently sparred with “Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker about multiple topics before cutting the interview short.
Trump went to Wisconsin on Friday to discuss farming and his economic agenda, Fox 6 Milwaukee reported. Mirroring the stormy weather outside the farm where the interview took place, Trump and Welker argued about the economic effects of the seemingly stalled conflict with Iran as well as the vote count in California’s primary elections held Tuesday.
“Gas is up, diesel is up,” Welker said, referencing the increase in energy prices since Operation Epic Fury commenced. Trump responded, “It’s all coming down as soon as the war’s over.”
“Well, 70% of farmers say they can’t afford fertilizer,” Welker replied as the rain pelting the roof was picked up on the microphones, adding, “Let me ask you, what is your message to farmers, many who support you, but who say they’re struggling?”
“You know, I gave farmers $28 billion because China took advantage,” Trump responded, later adding, “I love the farmers, the farmers trust me.”
WATCH:
While the increase in energy prices has dominated economic discussions, roughly half of the world’s production of two crucial agricultural fertilizer precursors, urea and sulfur, passes through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Fertilizer Institute. Saudi Arabia also is the leading supplier of phosphates to the United States, the Fertilizer Institute reported.
The average price of a gallon of gas in the United States at the time of writing Sunday was $4.174, according to AAA. This price is a $1.19 increase from the $2.98 per gallon recorded Feb. 26, days before the start of the U.S. military’s operations against Iran, but down nearly 25 cents from the May 24 average price of $4.515 per gallon.
In addition, the price of diesel fuel, widely used by farmers and the trucking industry, averaged $3.66 a gallon Feb. 15, and is, at the time of writing, $5.341 a gallon. That rate is down 28 cents from the May 24 average price of $5.622 a gallon.
Trump and Welker also sparred over allegations of fraud in California’s primary election, especially as socialist Democratic Los Angeles mayoral candidate Nithya Raman benefited from late ballot counting which increased the likelihood Republican candidate Spencer Pratt could be boxed out of the November general election.
“The election was rigged. It was a dirty election and it’s happening again right now in California,” Trump told Welker. “It’s happening right now in California, right now it’s look, look at what’s happening in California.”
“Let me tell you, it’s four days and they aren’t even close to coming up with, you know, why they’re doing that?” Trump continued as Welker attempted to push back. “Because they’re cheating on the election.”
After Welker claimed Trump presented no evidence of the election being rigged, Trump said NBC, ABC, CNN, and CBS were “crooked networks.”
“Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough,” Trump said to conclude his participation in the interview. “Thank you, darling. Have a good time.”
After the recording of the Friday interview aired, Welker concluded the Sunday segment, stating, “I spoke with President Trump on Saturday, and we both acknowledged the complications during the interview posed by the rain. He agreed to sit down with me for another ‘Meet the Press’ interview.”
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