President Donald Trump demands CBS cancel “60 Minutes” over alleged editing manipulation in Kamala Harris interview, sparking debate on media integrity and political influence.
Quick Takes
- Trump files $10 billion lawsuit against “60 Minutes” for alleged election interference
- CBS denies wrongdoing, releases unedited transcripts to counter Trump’s claims
- FCC investigates the matter, with commissioners divided on potential rule violations
- Paramount Global considers settlement amid potential sale to Skydance Media
- CBS News executives stand firm on the integrity of their journalism
Trump’s Accusations and Legal Action
In a surprising turn of events, U.S. President Donald Trump has called for CBS to cancel its long-running newsmagazine “60 Minutes” amidst an ongoing legal battle. Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the program in November, alleging that it misled voters by manipulating an interview with former presidential candidate Kamala Harris. The crux of Trump’s argument is that CBS replaced Harris’ original answers with different ones, effectively accusing the network of election interference and fraud.
Trump’s accusations have sent shockwaves through the media landscape, reigniting debates about journalistic integrity and the role of news organizations in shaping public opinion. The president’s claims are particularly serious, as they suggest a deliberate attempt to manipulate political discourse through selective editing.
“CBS and 60 Minutes defrauded the public by doing something which has never, to this extent, been seen before. They 100% removed Kamala’s horrible election changing answers to questions, and replaced them with completely different, and far better, answers, taken from another part of the interview. This was Election changing “stuff,” Election Interference and, quite simply, Election Fraud at a level never seen before. CBS should lose its license, and the cheaters at 60 Minutes should all be thrown out, and this disreputable “NEWS” show should be immediately terminated. With the new Democrat scandal that just arose with respect to USAID illegally paying large sums of money to Politico and other media outlets, the question must me asked, was CBS paid for committing this FRAUD??? Many other questions to come! This will go down as the biggest Broadcasting SCANDAL in History!!!,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
I watched the full, unedited video of the Kamala Harris interview + reviewed the full transcript as well as the segment that aired on CBS News.
I would encourage everyone who cares about fact driven journalism to do the same.@60Minutes did then-VP Harris a favor in the edit… pic.twitter.com/dna0iRno0W
— Catherine Herridge (@C__Herridge) February 6, 2025
CBS’s Response and FCC Investigation
In response to Trump’s allegations, CBS has taken swift action to defend its reputation. The network released unedited transcripts of the interview, asserting that the broadcast was neither doctored nor deceitful. This move aims to provide transparency and counter Trump’s claims of manipulation. Meanwhile, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has stepped in, requesting tapes and transcripts related to the interview. The discrepancies in edits have become a focal point of the investigation.
“This is a rare situation where we have extrinsic evidence that CBS had played one answer or one set of words and then swapped in another set. And CBS’s conduct through this, frankly, has been concerning,” said Republican FCC Chair Brendan Carr.
The FCC’s involvement has highlighted the political divide within the commission itself. Carr has expressed concern over CBS’s conduct, while Democratic FCC commissioner Anna Gomez sees no evidence of rule violations. This split opinion reflects the broader political tensions surrounding the case.
“The transcript and footage of this interview provide no evidence that CBS and its affiliated broadcast stations violated FCC rules. Having now seen these materials, I see no reason to continue pursuing this investigation. The FCC should now move to dismiss this fishing expedition to avoid further politicizing our enforcement actions,” said Gomez.
Implications for CBS and Media Landscape
The controversy has far-reaching implications for CBS and the broader media landscape. Paramount Global, CBS News’ parent company, is reportedly considering a settlement to facilitate a potential sale to Skydance Media. This development adds a layer of complexity to the situation, as financial considerations may influence the network’s approach to resolving the dispute.
Despite the pressure, “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens and CBS executive Wendy McMahon have taken a firm stance against settling the lawsuit. They emphasize the integrity of their journalism and appear unwilling to compromise in the face of legal challenges.
