The art of leaving an interview in a huff

'Let's call it quits. Because I've had enough. Thank you, darling.' These could have been lines from a Dylan song. Instead, it was how Donald Trump ended his interview last Friday with Kristen Welker on NBC News' 'Meet the Press'. Strangely for a journalist these days questioning a head of government, Kristen brought up uncomfortable issues like Trump's claims of 2020 presidential election fraud and ongoing California vote counting. The prez, feeling uncomfortably pressed by a member of the press, pulled off his mic and left the room.

Walking out of a tricky interview is a modern trend, equivalent to flipping the Ludo board when you're losing. It's bold, theatrical, and saves you from answering anything remotely resembling reality. Why wrestle with nuance when you can simply stand up, adjust your tie or bandhgala, and let the echo of you stomping out do the talking? In fact, true art lies not in walking out but in never walking in. The best way to handle unscripted interviews is to treat them like haunted houses: avoid them. Scripted interviews are safer. They come with questions like 'How proud are you of your latest milestone?' and 'Would you like to elaborate on your greatness?' Trump's exit happens to be the latest political masterclass in dodging bullets. In any case, in the age of viral clips, walking out is the new soundbite.