President Donald Trump addressed the ongoing military conflict with Iran in a recent interview, framing the situation as a necessary action to prevent nuclear proliferation rather than a violation of his campaign pledge to avoid “new wars.” During the interview, which aired Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” the President discussed his administration’s foreign policy, election integrity claims in California, and the status of a proposed federal fund.
## The Conflict with Iran and Campaign Promises
President Trump stated that he did not provide a guarantee against military engagement during his 2024 campaign. When questioned about his “no new wars” rhetoric, the President told NBC’s Kristen Welker, “First of all, I didn’t guarantee no war. Why would I have built the strongest military in the world?”
The military action against Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, has reached a 100-day milestone. The President characterized the intervention as a service to both the United States and the global community, specifically citing the goal of stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. This stance follows his previous decision to withdraw from the nuclear agreement established during the Obama administration. Regarding the timeline for a potential new agreement, the President noted, “It takes years to do these things.”
## Election Integrity Claims in California
During the broadcast, the President reiterated concerns regarding the vote-counting process in California’s recent primary. He alleged that Democrats are involved in rigging the election, specifically pointing to the arrival of late-counted mail ballots as evidence of fraud.
According to the President, the shift in vote totals for candidates in the California gubernatorial and Los Angeles mayoral races serves as a sign of “cheating.” When pressed by Welker for evidence to substantiate these claims, the President stated, “All I have to do is look.” Official records indicate that the processing of late-arriving mail-in ballots is a standard part of the state’s election procedure, rather than an indication of irregularity. The top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles confirmed that his office has opened multiple investigations into election fraud.
## Status of the Anti-Weaponization Fund
The President also defended the proposed $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” an initiative that was intended to be part of a settlement regarding his lawsuit against the IRS over tax return disclosures. The Department of Justice, under Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, announced on Wednesday that the plan has been abandoned.
The fund faced significant scrutiny from lawmakers across the political spectrum, with concerns raised regarding oversight and the potential for payments to individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. When asked if he supported potential payouts to individuals who attacked police officers, the President replied, “I wouldn’t be inclined to say so, but I have to see it.” In January 2025, the President granted pardons to more than 1,500 individuals prosecuted in connection with the events of January 6.
## Interview Conclusion
The interview, conducted in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, concluded abruptly following a tense exchange between the President and Welker. As the discussion turned toward the settlement fund and election claims, the President criticized the media and ended the session, stating, “Let’s call it quits.” Welker later reported that she and the President spoke on Saturday, at which time he agreed that weather-related complications during the taping had been a factor and indicated a willingness to participate in future interviews.