Trump Hits Turkish President with a ‘Rigged Elections’ Jab During White House Visit [WATCH]

President Donald Trump welcomed Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to the White House on Thursday, where he appeared to accuse the longtime Turkish leader of overseeing a “rigged election” while outlining plans for discussions on trade and foreign policy.

Erdogan, who has led Turkey since 2003 and has served as president since 2014, has faced accusations of election irregularities in the past.

Allegations of fraud and systemic bias surrounded Turkey’s 2017 constitutional referendum, according to research published in the journal PLOS ONE.

During remarks alongside Erdogan, Trump recalled his own claims of being forced unfairly from office before returning in 2024.

“We have been friends for a long time, actually, even for four years, when I was in exile,” Trump said.

Pointing at Erdogan, he added, “Rigged elections. He knows about rigged elections better than anybody.”

The two leaders are scheduled for what Trump described as a “big discussion” on trade.

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Trump said he expected a “very interesting couple of hours” before the two sat down for a working lunch at the White House.

The president also praised Erdogan for his role in securing the release of American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who was arrested in Turkey in 2016 on terrorism and espionage charges.

Brunson’s detention drew widespread criticism from the U.S. government and religious organizations. After diplomatic pressure from Washington, Brunson was freed in 2018.

Trump called Brunson’s release “a great thing for our Christian community.”

He said his discussions with Erdogan would include trade matters but also focus on Turkey’s continued purchases of Russian oil. Trump has sought to reduce reliance on Russian energy exports following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

“We want to see Turkey move away from Russian oil,” Trump said, condemning Russia’s war in Ukraine as “disgraceful” and “a waste of human life.”

Trump described Erdogan as a leader with strong views but also someone he has built a working relationship with.

“This is a tough man. This is a guy who is highly opinionated,” Trump said.

“Usually, I don’t like opinionated people, but I like this one.”

The meeting marked another chapter in the complex relationship between Washington and Ankara.

The United States and Turkey, both NATO members, have cooperated on military and security matters but have also clashed over policy differences, including Turkey’s ties to Russia, its handling of domestic dissent, and its role in Middle East conflicts.

White House officials said the leaders’ agenda included discussions on trade agreements, energy cooperation, and regional security.

No immediate details were released about any specific deals or policy changes resulting from the meeting.

Erdogan’s visit comes as Turkey continues to navigate its economic challenges at home, including high inflation and currency instability, while maintaining its strategic position between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

The White House confirmed that following the private talks, Trump and Erdogan would participate in a joint lunch before closing the day’s events.