Trump jabs Erdogan on 'rigged elections' in Oval Office quip

"But when I was in exile, we were still friends — that's always a good way to find out, test of friendship," President Trump said

By Natalia Mittelstadt

Published: September 25, 2025 2:16pm

President Donald Trump said on Thursday regarding Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his visit to the Oval Office, "He knows about rigged elections better than anybody."

Trump made the comment while introducing Erdogan to the press in the Oval Office.

"It's good to be with President Erdogan of Turkey, and we've been friends for a long time, actually, even for four years, when I was in exile, unfairly, as it turns out. Rigged election, you know?" Trump said, regarding the 2020 presidential election.

"He knows about rigged elections better than anybody. But when I was in exile, we were still friends — that's always a good way to find out, test of friendship," Trump added.

Erdogan has held office since 2014 and suppressed his political opposition. The Turkish president did not make remarks on Trump's quip though the exchange went viral on social media.