'Stop right there': MS NOW host pinpoints exact moment Trump interview flew off the rails

MSNBC Host Mika Brzezinski Reviews Kristen Welker’s Interview with President Trump

MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski reviewed a pre-recorded interview conducted by NBC’s Kristen Welker with President Donald Trump that aired Sunday on “Meet the Press.” The segment showed Trump ending the discussion after Welker pressed him on claims about the 2020 election.

During the exchange, Trump referred to Welker as “crooked” and “stupid” before standing, removing his earpiece, and leaving the set. Brzezinski focused on an early portion of the interview in which Trump stated that certain individuals at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, had been directed there by the FBI. She paused the playback at that point and said the interview should have stopped immediately rather than continue.

Brzezinski described the people involved as carrying zip ties, a noose, and weapons, and stated that some had left waste inside the building. She noted that participants had been convicted of crimes and that Trump later issued pardons to some of them. She added that several of those individuals had been charged with additional offenses after their release. Brzezinski also said members of both parties had been present inside the Capitol during the events.

She acknowledged that Welker had conducted a lengthy interview but said she would have terminated the discussion at the first disputed statement, citing an earlier instance in which co-host Joe Scarborough ended a call with Trump during the 2024 campaign once similar claims were raised. Brzezinski said different interviewers use different approaches and described Welker’s effort as substantial, while maintaining that no false statements should be permitted on air.

Brzezinski argued that allowing such statements creates the appearance of media complicity and recommended showing footage of a police officer positioned in a doorway during the events. She contrasted that footage with Trump’s description of events and referred to the use of flags in acts of property damage and attempts to disrupt the electoral count.

The original interview occurred after Trump had repeatedly stated that the 2020 election contained irregularities. Welker asked for supporting evidence during the session. Trump has maintained since 2020 that procedural changes and other factors affected the outcome in several states, positions he has repeated in public appearances and legal filings. Some of those claims were examined in court proceedings that produced mixed results depending on the specific allegation and jurisdiction.

Brzezinski’s comments were delivered on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” program the day after the interview aired. The network has covered the January 6 events extensively since they occurred, including reporting on criminal cases brought against participants and the subsequent presidential pardons.