'He is simply lying': Adam Schiff blasts Trump after NBC interview walkout

After President Donald Trump walked out of an NBC interview and called the reporter "crooked," Senator Adam Schiff joined a host of others in criticizing the President's actions. "Donald Trump would rather call a reporter crooked and stupid and run out of an interview than admit that he is simply lying about California's elections," Schiff wrote in a post on X.  

Appearing on NBC's 'Meet the Press', Trump stressed that the delay in counting votes in California was indicative of a rigged election, and reiterated his claim of election fraud in 2020. When host Kristen Welker pointed out that recent poll indications point to Republicans doing well in California, the President said, "They're dropping fast because it's a rigged election. Let me tell you, it's four days, and they aren't even close." As Welker pressed for evidence backing Trump's claim, the President got visibly irked and lashed out, saying, "They're crooked just like you're crooked; your press is crooked. And Meet the Press is crooked."

The President took to Truth Social multiple times to repeat his claim that the election in California was being manipulated. He shared an image of the Democratic Los Angeles mayoral candidate, Nithya Raman, who is currently leading the jungle primary. "No way this could have happened. Rigged Election!" Trump wrote. One of the GOP's biggest setbacks in the state is reality television personality and Republican candidate Spencer Pratt trailing Raman, despite being ahead on election night, as per The Hill.

Several Republican members of Congress believe that California is the perfect example of why the Save America Act is necessary. Florida Senator Rick Scott posted on X, alleging that California laws enabled fraud. "This is what the political class does to hold on to power. They rig the laws to benefit themselves. This is why we need the Save America Act!" he wrote. Rep. Chip Roy, who introduced the proposed legislation, said that the Senate needed to act to pass the legislation.

Democrats, however, have criticised the President over his conduct during the interview and his claims of rigged elections. "No, Mr. President. The 2020 election that you lost was not 'rigged' or 'dirty,' handing out $1.776 billion to violent insurrectionists is not a 'good idea,' & reporters who ask questions about your bogus claims are not 'crooked.'" Sen. Bernie Sanders posted on X. "While the President's tantrums are absurd, his delusions of voter fraud are dangerous. The President is an unhinged disgrace, and the American people deserve a Congress that will stand up to Trump's lies, not enable them," Sen. Patty Murray opined.