Dashboard/Donald Trump/Meet the Press interview

Interview · 7 Jun 2026

Meet the Press interview

Donald Trump, President of the United States

Broadcaster's transcript: NBC News: Meet the Press transcript. Retrieved 2 Oct 2026.

Frequent bluff & spin

671 sentences · 56 checked claims · 61 questions

Answers questions

70%

61 questions rated. Answered = 1, Partly answered and Declined openly = ½, Dodged = 0.

Answered 31Partly answered 19Declined openly 4Dodged 7

KRISTEN WELKER

Thank you so much for being here. We are going to talk about your visit, why you’re here in Wisconsin. But I’d like to start off by talking about the major issue that you are focused on every day which is Iran. Sunday will mark 100 days since the first strikes. Your secretary of state, Marco Rubio, said that the war had concluded. And yet, just this week, Iran attacked U.S. allies in the region, calling it retaliation for a set of U.S. air strikes. Is the United States at war with Iran?

Partly answeredAsked whether the US is at war with Iran. The reply calls it a military exercise and 'not a big war for us', without saying yes or no.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

– which technically is an act of war under international law. So is this a war as long as there’s a naval blockade in place?

AnsweredAsked whether it is a war while the naval blockade is in place. The reply says he does not consider it a war but that others can define it so.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Well, how do you define it?

Partly answeredAsked how he defines it. The reply says he does not define it or think about it.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

No. Would you consider sending them home if it’s not technically a war?

Partly answeredAsked whether he would consider sending troops home. The reply says fewer troops are needed and they are there out of caution, then turns to Venezuela and the 13 deaths, without saying whether he would.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

But so are you saying you would consider sending some of the troops home, sir? Some of the 50,000 troops who were sent there as a part of Operation Epic Fury?

AnsweredAsked again whether he would send some troops home. The reply says it would be foolhardy and they will stay until the operation is complete.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

And I want to know what your red line is. What would trigger you to restart military action? Would it be Iran killing more American citizens?

AnsweredAsked what his red line is for restarting military action. The reply says more American deaths would be taken seriously, and that his red line is no deal, or no deal fast enough.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Who — who is that? Who’s leading the country?

Declined openlyAsked who is leading Iran. The reply says he does not want to go into names.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Are you talking about the son of the Supreme Leader?

AnsweredAsked whether he means the Supreme Leader's son. The reply says yes, he is part of it.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

What is his status? Have you talked to him directly?

Partly answeredAsked about the son's status and whether he has spoken to him. The reply says the leaders respect him and seek his approval; it does not say whether they have spoken (answered in x17).Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Have you spoken to him directly? You said --

AnsweredAsked whether he has spoken to him directly. The reply says he has not.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

How he is?

DodgedAsked how the son is. The reply describes the respect Iran's leaders pay him, not his condition.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Do you know where he is? Do you know how he is doing physically?

Declined openlyAsked whether he knows where the son is and how he is. The reply says he does not want to say, though there is 'a good probability' he knows.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Is he inside Iran?

Declined openlyAsked whether the son is inside Iran. The reply says he would rather not say.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

– who was obviously a hardliner. Is this younger Khamenei any better for the United States than his father was?

AnsweredAsked whether the younger Khamenei is better for the US than his father. The reply calls him more rational and says he is badly injured.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

What is the status of talks exactly in this moment? How close are you to making a deal? Are we talking about days, weeks, months, Mr. President?

Partly answeredAsked how close a deal is: days, weeks or months. The reply says 'very close' with a couple of points left, and describes the nuclear clause, with no time frame.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Have they pushed back against that? Is that one of the sticking points?

AnsweredAsked whether Iran pushed back on the purchase clause. The reply says a little, and then it did not.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

If they are so desperate to make a deal, why haven’t they made a deal with you yet?

AnsweredAsked why Iran has not made a deal if it is desperate. The reply says it is hard for them after years of weak US leadership and the loss of their leaders.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

But if they’re so desperate, Mr. President, why haven’t they said “yes” to the terms you’re proposing?

AnsweredAsked again why Iran has not accepted his terms. The reply says they are proud and it takes time, then turns to the earlier nuclear deal.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

— of enriched uranium?

Partly answeredAsked why he did not negotiate a better deal in his first term, after leaving the earlier one. The reply says these things take years and he is moving fast now; it does not say why it was not done then.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Do you know how many missiles?

AnsweredAsked whether he knows how many missiles Iran has. The reply says yes.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

How many?

Declined openlyAsked how many. The reply says he does not want to say.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Could you give me a ballpark?

AnsweredAsked for a ballpark figure. The reply gives 21 to 22 percent of their missiles.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

So you’re saying they have 21, 22 percent of their missiles left?

AnsweredAsked to confirm 21 to 22 percent remain. The reply says correct.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Okay. Let’s talk about what specifically you are demanding as a part of this short-term deal. Will the United States agree to a deal with Iran that doesn’t explicitly and immediately give up its nuclear enrichment program on the front end?

Partly answeredAsked whether he would accept a deal that does not end enrichment immediately. The reply describes the buried material and says it will be removed immediately, without addressing the enrichment program itself.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

With China?

AnsweredAsked whether removal would be with China. The reply says no, with the Iranians.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Will you, and would you be open, to sending in U.S. forces to retrieve the nuclear stockpile?

AnsweredAsked whether he would send US forces to retrieve the stockpile. The reply says yes: with a deal, the two sides would go in together with US equipment.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

So that would require U.S. forces?

Partly answeredAsked whether that requires US forces. The reply says the US would go in with or without Iran after a deal or after military action, without saying 'forces'.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Mr. President, I wonder, how long are you willing to give Iran to make a deal? How much longer?

DodgedAsked how long he will give Iran to make a deal. The reply, which runs on after the interviewer's remark, compares the length of past wars and the 13 deaths, with no time frame.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

But do you have a cut-off point in your head?

AnsweredAsked whether he has a cut-off point. The reply says no, then compares the three months to Vietnam.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Do you know where all of Iran’s nuclear material is, sir?

AnsweredAsked whether he knows where all of Iran's nuclear material is. The reply says yes.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Would you unfreeze any Iranian assets or lift any sanctions upfront as a part of any deal?

AnsweredAsked whether he would unfreeze assets or lift sanctions up front. The reply says no, that comes after.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

— they turned over their nuclear enrichment material?

Partly answeredAsked about relief before Iran hands over its material. The reply contrasts with Obama's cash payment, which implies no without saying it.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Do you wish you’d done it in your first term, when you ripped it up, at that — before you ripped up the deal?

AnsweredAsked whether he wishes he had done this in his first term. The reply says no: Iran and Israel were not ready, and this is much better.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

That’s true. Will any deal you make include the release of Americans who are being held by Iran?

Partly answeredAsked whether a deal will include release of Americans held by Iran. The reply says it is discussed but nobody has a list; no yes or no.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

But are you demanding a list? Are you demanding to know —

AnsweredAsked whether he is demanding a list. The reply says no.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

But is it something you talk to them about?

AnsweredAsked whether he raises the detainees with Iran. The reply says they talk about people if Iran has them.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

You have openly said you’ve been frustrated by Israel’s continued bombing of Lebanon. Are you and Prime Minister Netanyahu on the same page?

AnsweredAsked whether he and Netanyahu are on the same page. The reply says yes, though they disagree on a couple of things.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

On Lebanon?

AnsweredAsked whether one disagreement is Lebanon. The reply says he would like a more surgical attack on Hezbollah.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Are you demanding that Lebanon be a part of the short term deal —

AnsweredAsked whether he is demanding Lebanon be part of the deal. The reply says no.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Okay. I wonder if we should — let me just get a gut check here. Should we pause for five minutes and let this pass? I just want to be able to hear everything he says. I’d like to talk big picture now, Mr. President. One of your consistent campaign promises was no new wars, going all the way back to 2015. Did you break that promise to the American –

AnsweredAsked whether he broke his promise of no new wars. The reply says no and gives his reason: stopping Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

VOICE OF KRISTEN WELKER, KRISTEN WELKER

We paused nearly five minutes for the rain to pass and then picked up our conversation. So you’re saying you didn’t break your promise. And yet, Mr. President, in your first term, you held to that promise and it was so fundamental to who you were as a candidate, to a first-term president. What changed, because you insisted “no new wars”?

Partly answeredAsked what changed since his 'no new wars' pledge. The reply disputes that he guaranteed no war and talks about building the military; it does not say what changed.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

But you said it over and over again, Mr. President.

Partly answeredPressed that he made the pledge repeatedly. The reply explains the decision to strike Iran and says he promised nothing, without addressing the repeated statements.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

What makes you so sure this won’t become a quagmire?

AnsweredAsked why he is sure this will not become a quagmire. The reply says the US will not be there.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

You’re convinced this won’t become a quagmire?

AnsweredAsked whether he is convinced. The reply says it is not a quagmire because Iran's military and nuclear threat are wiped out.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

And yet, Mr. President, Iran was the closest to developing weapons-grade uranium after you ripped up the nuclear deal because there were no guardrails in place.

AnsweredChallenged that Iran came closest to weapons-grade uranium after the deal ended. The reply disputes it, saying Iran developed it during the deal.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

And they’ve escalated their development after the deal was ripped up.

AnsweredChallenged that Iran escalated after the deal ended. The reply says they did not escalate anything.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

And yet, gas is up. Diesel is up.

AnsweredTold gas and diesel are up. The reply says prices will come down once the war is over.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Let me ask you. What is your message to farmers, many who support you, but who say they’re struggling?

DodgedAsked for his message to farmers who say they are struggling. The reply says all of them support him.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Who say they’re struggling?

DodgedAsked again about farmers who say they are struggling. The reply says nobody has been better to farmers and lists first-term payments.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

What’s your message to farmers though, Mr. President, who say they are struggling? They’re struggling to make ends meet.

AnsweredAsked a third time for his message to struggling farmers. The reply says higher fuel and fertilizer prices are the cost of stopping Iran's weapon and that prices will drop once it is over.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

VOICE OF KRISTEN WELKER, KRISTEN WELKER

This time, it wasn’t the rain, but an audio issue that forced us to pause the interview again. Are gas prices going higher or have they peaked?

Partly answeredAsked whether gas prices are going higher or have peaked. The reply says they will go very low, without saying whether they have peaked.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Have they peaked?

Partly answeredAsked again whether prices have peaked. The reply says it depends on the war and on a deal.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

His first meeting in the role is later this month. After this month’s jobs report, economists now say it’s possible the Fed may have to raise rates. Do you think that’s possible? And what would your reaction be, sir?

Partly answeredAsked whether a Fed rate rise is possible and how he would react. The reply argues there is no reason to raise rates and they should be lowered; it does not say whether a rise is possible.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Would you be upset if they raised rates? What is your message to them about that?

Partly answeredAsked whether he would be upset by a rate rise. The reply says a country doing well should not be penalised, without saying whether he would be upset.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Just to be very clear, are you backing off the fund completely as your acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has said, or are you looking for another avenue to revive the fund?

DodgedAsked whether he is backing off the anti-weaponization fund or seeking to revive it. The reply describes harm done to people, not the fund's future.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

So are you looking for a way to revive it?

Partly answeredAsked whether he is looking for a way to revive the fund. The reply says he supports it and it needs approval, without saying whether he will seek another route.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Do you think anyone who attacked police officers on January 6th should get taxpayer money?

Partly answeredAsked whether people who attacked police on January 6th should get taxpayer money. The reply says he would not be inclined to, but would have to see, then turns to the FBI.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Would you take it off the table?

DodgedAsked whether he would rule out payments to them. The reply says to look at the tapes.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

You’d be okay with them receiving taxpayer dollars?

AnsweredAsked whether he would be okay with them receiving taxpayer money. The reply says many should be compensated, case by case.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

Where’s the evidence to that?

DodgedAsked for evidence that the 2020 election was rigged. The reply turns to the vote count in California this year.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

KRISTEN WELKER

There’s — What? Do you have evidence to support that?

Partly answeredAsked for evidence that California is cheating. The reply says all he has to do is look and listen to people; no evidence is given.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

51 further exchange(s) not rated: procedural or ceremonial questions (a tribute, thanks or condolence that asks for nothing), or questions the speaker did not take.