Megyn Kelly defended President Trump’s decision to walk out of his contentious interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, arguing that the “Meet the Press” moderator made the exchange about herself and her network’s reputation instead of the issues.
“I don’t blame him,” the pundit said on Monday’s edition of SiriusXM’s “The Megyn Kelly Show” after airing clips from the fiery Wisconsin sit-down that ended with Trump cutting 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 said of the “Meet the Press” host.
She also said Welker mishandled the exchange by repeatedly pushing back on Trump rather than acknowledging what Kelly described as legitimate concerns about delayed vote counting in California.
The former Fox News host argued that Welker missed an opportunity to find 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 said.
“There’s a back and forth in an interview where you can’t just keep battering him over the head at every turn.”
The clash erupted after Welker questioned Trump about California’s vote-counting process and whether it was appropriate that election officials remained far from finalizing results days after voting had concluded.
The president responded by alleging that election officials were “crooked,” prompting Welker to note that state and local officials had acknowledged delays and were urging ballots to be counted more quickly.
The exchange quickly deteriorated.
Trump accused Welker, NBC News and other major media outlets 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 against the press before eventually ending the interview.
“All right, let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough,” he said.
Welker pleaded with him to continue, 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 said.
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 said Welker compounded the problem by defending herself after Trump’s attacks rather than steering the conversation back to substance.
“He’s angry with you. Don’t take the bait,” Kelly said. “You don’t have to respond to the personal attack in the moment just because he makes it.”
She suggested Welker should have attempted to defuse the tension, instead.
“Maybe try to be playful. Maybe try to lighten the mood because you can see he’s getting agitated,” the host said. “He’s got a lot on his plate.”
Kelly repeatedly returned to the subject of California vote counting, arguing that public skepticism about prolonged ballot tabulation is understandable.
“I understand it. It does undermine the confidence for many,” Kelly said, describing that kind of response as a “gimme” Welker could have offered.
“Give him that. Give him anything.”
Kelly said journalists risk damaging their own credibility when they refuse to acknowledge concerns that voters can plainly see for themselves.
“I’ve never said the 2020 election was stolen,” Kelly said. “A lot of my audience would love for me to say that.”
But she added that California’s election process “stinks to high heaven” and called the outcome of a recent race “suspicious as hell.”
“Kristen Welker, you’re undermining your own credibility,” Kelly said.
“You think you’re boosting it for NBC by not giving him what everybody can see.”
Kelly also accused Welker of prioritizing the defense of NBC News over conducting a productive interview with the president.
“The problem for Kristen Welker is she made that moment about Kristen Welker and about the vaunted reputation of NBC News,” Kelly said.
According to her, Trump’s frustration had been building well before the segment that ultimately ended the interview.
“If you watch the whole thing, there was a lot of this prior to the moment we just showed you,” Kelly said.
Kelly’s critique contrasted sharply with reactions from journalists and media commentators who praised Welker’s performance during the interview.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper called Trump’s remarks toward Welker “wild” and “unhinged,” writing on X that she is “a good person and honest journalist.”
The Post has sought comment from NBC News and Welker.
