Trump Exits From Interview Unexpectedly After Being Challenged About Election Lies

It seems like former US President Donald Trump didn't like being challenged about 2020 election lies as he abruptly concluded an interview when asked about it.

After repeatedly declining interviews with NPR until Tuesday, Trump called in from his Florida home. According to NPR, the interview was scheduled to be 15 minutes, but didn't even last for 10 minutes. The interview with Trump, whose administration oversaw the development of the COVID-19 vaccines, began with the coronavirus pandemic and vaccinations.

Later it moved on to the former President's claims about election fraud. Trump was asked about recent comments by Republican Senator Mike Rounds, who rejected Trump's false claims about 2020 election, and said that dwelling on it could harm their fellow party members in future contests. Trump said that bringing up the 2020 election claims is instead "an advantage, because otherwise they're going to do it again in 2022 and 2024, and Rounds is wrong on that."

Trump, who lost to Joe Biden in the 2020 election, went on to dispute ballot counts. He criticized judges who have not accepted his legal challenges to the election result. He slammed Senator Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who backed Rounds and rejected the election fraud claims.

Trump continued to claim that it "was a rigged election." But the reporter challenged him on the claims. When Trump asked how Biden could have gained the 80 million votes which brought him victory, the journalist replied, "If you'll forgive me, maybe because the election was about you." Shortly after, the former President hung up the phone, according to Business Insider.

Meanwhile, he is not getting strong support among Republicans for his calls to depose McConnell, reported CNN. His allies and aides said that it's forcing Trump to confront new limitations on his influence over the political party.

In the nearly 12 months that have passed since Trump first called for McConnell to be ousted, the Kentucky Republican's authority among Senate Republicans has not waned. Most candidates who have got the former President's endorsement have refused to declare war on McConnell, who is a powerful fundraiser and influential party figure. According to sources, Trump's ineffective attempt to challenge McConnell has forced him to temper his criteria as he makes efforts to be a kingmaker in this year's mid-term elections.