In televised event, Trump repeats claim that 2020 election was 'rigged'

May 10 (UPI) -- In a televised event Wednesday night, former President Donald Trump repeated his claim that the 2020 election "was rigged" and said he played no role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

The former president also called his recent multiple legal challenges "election interference."

Trump's appearance at CNN's town hall meeting Wednesday night in New Hampshire, which was hosted by Kaitlin Collins, was his first on the network since 2016. The audience was made up of Republicans and undeclared voters who were allowed to ask questions and greeted the former president with a standing ovation.

The televised appearance comes one day after a Manhattan jury found Trump liable in the sexually battery and defamation case of writer E. Jean Carroll, who was awarded $5 million.

"What's happening is they're doing this for election interference," Trump said Wednesday night. "This woman. I don't know her. I never met her. I have no idea who she is."

During the interview, Trump again refused to acknowledge that he lost the 2020 election, claiming it was "rigged."

"They found millions of votes on camera, on government cameras, where they were stuffing ballot boxes," Trump said.

As his comments aired live and without time delay, Collins was repeatedly forced to correct inaccurate comments on the fly, saying the "election was not rigged."

"So with all of that, I think it's a shame what happened. I think it's a very sad thing for our country. I think it's a very sad thing, frankly, for the world because if you look at what's gone on in our country, our country has gone to hell," Trump countered.

When asked whether he would accept the results of the 2024 election, Trump said only if "it's an honest election."

"We should have voter ID. We should have one-day elections. We should have paper ballots instead of these mail-in votes," Trump answered, as the audience applauded.

Trump was then asked about his actions during the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, which he denied playing a role in as he blamed others for inadequate security.

"One of the big problems was that Nancy Pelosi, crazy Nancy as I affectionately call her. Crazy Nancy and the mayor of Washington were in charge as you know of security," Trump said. "And they did not do their job."

In addition, the former president said he does not feel that he owes former Vice President Mike Pence an apology for the insurrection.

"Because he did something wrong. He should've put the votes back to the state legislatures and I think we would've had a different outcome," Trump insisted.

If re-elected president in 2024, he would "most likely" pardon many of those rioters convicted of federal offenses, Trump added.

As Trump blasted the Biden administration throughout the interview over the state of the country, he told the audience to loud applause that his solution to curb inflation and improve the economy would be to "Drill, baby, drill."

"We're $33 trillion in debt. We had our economy rockin' and rollin' before COVID hit. We have to lower energy prices. We have to lower interest rates and we have to pay off debt," Trump added, while urging Republicans to stand firm on spending cuts when it comes to the debt ceiling.

"We have to start paying off debt. I say to the Republicans out there -- congressmen, senators -- if they don't give you massive cuts, you're going to have to do a default," Trump said, adding that "we're spending money like drunken sailors."

When pressed, Trump clarified that he believes the United States should default if the Biden administration does not agree to the Republicans' spending cuts.

"Well, you might as well do it now because you'll do it later because we have to save this country," Trump said. "Our country is dying. Our country is being destroyed by stupid people."

During the interview, Trump also promised to protect the Second Amendment if re-elected despite an increase in the number of mass shootings, which he called a mental health issue, not a gun issue.

"We have a very big mental health issue in this country. It's not the gun that pulls the trigger, it's the person that pulls the trigger," Trump said.

Despite being asked repeatedly whether he would sign a federal abortion ban if re-elected president, Trump would not answer the question. Instead, the former president said the termination of Roe v. Wade has put the pro-life movement into a better negotiating position and that he would "make a determination that he thinks is great for the country and what's fair for the country."

Turning to the border and the expiration of Title 42 on Thursday, Trump said "you're going to have tens of thousands of people pouring into our country" and added that he would implement a zero-tolerance immigration policy if re-elected, admitting that it does "sound harsh."

"We have to save our country. When you say to a family we're going to break you up, they don't come," Trump insisted as he debated about how many miles of border wall was built during his administration.

Trump also avoided answering questions about whether he would want Russia or Ukraine to win the war, saying "If I were president, this would have never happened."

"I want everyone to stop dying. Russians and Ukraines," Trump said. "Right now, we want to get that war settled. I'd have that done in 24 hours."

"We've given away $171 billion. Europe has given away $20 billion and needs to give more because they're more affected," Trump added.

After more than an hour, the interview ended on the special counsel's investigation into classified documents found at Trump's home in Florida. Trump responded that he "had every right under the Presidential Records Act," while turning the topic to documents found in President Joe Biden's home.

"I had every right to do it. I didn't make a secret of it," Trump said. "You know, the boxes were stationed outside the White House, people were taking pictures of it."

Some media and political observers have questioned why CNN hosted Trump given his history of attacking the press. Others, though, note the former president remains a newsworthy subject.

Bob Schieffer, a longtime CBS news anchor, said interviews of important political figures are necessary. "There's no question he might well get the nomination," he said of Trump. "We're in the business of telling people who's running for what and what they stand for."

"So no more live political events, because politicians can be nasty? Because politicians can tell lies?" Ted Koppel, the renowned former Nightline anchor, said in an interview, according to the New York Times. "I'm not sure that news organizations should necessarily be in the business of making ideological judgments. Is he a legitimate object of news attention? You bet."