The United States President Donald Trump abruptly ended a televised interview with NBC’s Meet the Press moderator Kristin Welker after a series of contentious exchanges over his proposed compensation fund for alleged victims of government “weaponisation,” the prosecution of January 6 Capitol riot defendants, and his claims about the 2020 presidential election.

The interview, which aired on Sunday, opened with questions about Trump's proposed multi-billion-dollar compensation fund for individuals he says were harmed by what he described as the federal government's misuse of the justice system.

Responding to questions about whether the proposal had been shelved amid legal challenges and opposition in Congress, Trump defended the initiative, arguing that many Americans suffered under former President Joe Biden’s administration.

According to Trump, several individuals lost jobs, families and livelihoods due to what he characterised as a politically motivated use of government institutions.

Asked whether he would revive the compensation plan, Trump said he remained supportive of the proposal and would compensate affected individuals if given the opportunity.

The discussion later shifted to those prosecuted in connection with the January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol. Welker asked whether individuals convicted of assaulting police officers during the riot should also qualify for compensation.

Trump said such cases would be assessed individually but maintained that many defendants had been treated unfairly by law enforcement and the justice system.

Tensions escalated when Welker challenged Trump's assertion that federal agents had directed protesters into the Capitol, stating that there was no evidence to support the claim. Trump disagreed, insisting there was substantial evidence, while Welker noted that the allegations had not been proven in court.

The interview grew increasingly heated when the conversation turned to the 2020 presidential election. Trump repeated his longstanding claim that the election was stolen and alleged that similar irregularities were occurring in California.

Welker countered that Trump had never provided evidence to substantiate claims that the election was rigged. In response, Trump cited what he described as problems with vote counting in California and accused election officials of cheating.

When pressed to provide evidence, Trump said his conclusions were based on observations and information he had received from others. Welker responded that such assertions did not constitute evidence.

The exchange soon became personal, with Trump accusing Welker and several major American media organisations of bias and dishonesty. Welker rejected the allegations and attempted to steer the discussion back to policy issues.

Trump, however, broadened his criticism to include several prominent news networks, accusing them of contributing to what he described as a dishonest media environment.

Moments later, the president brought the interview to an abrupt end, saying he had had enough and thanking Welker before walking away from the outdoor interview setting.

Welker urged Trump to continue the conversation, noting that she had travelled to Wisconsin for the interview. Trump defended his decision, saying he had already spent considerable time speaking with her despite difficult weather conditions and reiterated his criticism of the press.

Despite the tense conclusion, Welker later disclosed that she and Trump spoke after the interview and acknowledged the challenges posed by the rainy weather during the outdoor sit-down.