Piers Morgan’s new television series debuted with a high-profile interview with one-term US president Donald Trump, previewed with a contentious clip about his loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
A trailer for the interview suggested that Mr Trump stormed off set, although in a recording given to NBC News by Mr Trump’s spokesperson the men thanked each other and laughed.
The interview was recorded for Rupert Murdoch’s TalkTV channel, which launched on 25 April.
Mr Morgan announced on Twitter last week that “due to the huge global interest” in his “explosive” interview with the former president, a second installment will air on 26 April.
In the interview that aired on Monday, Mr Trump maintained his unproven claims that the election was stolen, claiming to have “massive proof” and calling Mr Morgan a “fool” to believe that the election was free and fair.
Mr Trump also insisted that he deterred an invasion of Ukraine during his administration by threatening Vladimir Putin “like he’s never been threatened before”.
“Isn’t it a shame all those people dead because of a rigged election,” he added, appearing to allege that the Russian president only launched an attack because Mr Biden is president.
Mr Trump also alleged that Meghan Markle is leading Harry “by the nose” while asserting that the Queen should strip the couple of all royal titles.
Mr Morgan has a long history with Mr Trump, having won Celebrity Apprentice in 2008. Mr Morgan hosted Good Morning Britain until last March, when he walked off the show live on air after making disparaging comments about Meghan Markle.
In addition to TalkTV, the interview will be shown across Rupert Murdoch’s international media empire and can be seen on Fox Nation in the US and Sky News Australia.
Fox Nation is a subscription streaming service from Fox News.
