Trump Rejects 'No New Wars' Contradiction, Defends Iran Conflict and Baseless California Fraud Claims

President Donald Trump dismissed the idea that launching a war with Iran this year contradicted his repeated campaign promise of 'no new wars.' In an interview aired Sunday on NBC's 'Meet the Press,' Trump stated he 'didn't guarantee' there would be no wars if he returned to office. 'First of all, I didn't guarantee no war.

Why would I have built the strongest military in the world?' Trump asked. The interview, taped Friday in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, was repeatedly interrupted by heavy rain on the metal roof of a barn, making it difficult to hear at times.

Trump argued that the conflict with Iran, which began in February, is not an 'endless war.' He claimed he was 'doing the world a service' and 'doing our country a service' by preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. However, he also contradicted himself by stating that U.S.

strikes last year 'obliterated' Iranian nuclear sites. Trump defended his decision to withdraw from the Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran without negotiating a replacement, saying 'it takes years to do these things.'

During the interview, Trump repeated baseless claims of mass fraud in California's drawn-out vote count from Tuesday's primary. He alleged without evidence that Democrats were rigging the election, pointing to late-tallied Democratic-leaning mail ballots that reduced the vote totals for his preferred candidates for governor and Los Angeles mayor.

The Trump-appointed top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles said Friday that his office had opened 'multiple election fraud investigations,' though no evidence of widespread fraud has been presented. Trump grew frustrated when NBC's Kristen Welker pressed him for evidence, responding, 'All I have to do is look.'

Trump also defended a now-scrapped $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' that would have compensated allies of the Republican president. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Wednesday that the Department of Justice was abandoning the plan after a judge paused it and amid bipartisan concerns about lack of oversight and potential payouts to participants in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

Trump told NBC he thought the fund was 'a great idea' and would be 'disappointed' if it were not approved. When asked if people who attacked police officers on Jan.

6 should receive payouts, Trump said, 'I wouldn't be inclined to say so, but I have to see it.' He then made unfounded claims about the riot.

The interview ended abruptly when Trump became frustrated with Welker's pushback on the settlement fund and his California election claims. He raised his voice, called Welker and the media 'crooked,' and complained about 'the fake, dirty press.' As Welker tried to change subjects, Trump continued, then said, 'Let's call it quits.' He removed his microphone, told Welker, 'Thank you, darling.

Have a good time,' and walked away. Welker said she spoke to Trump on Saturday, and he agreed the rain had caused complications and said he would do another interview in the future.