Media Criticizes CBS, Trump For Edited ‘60 Minutes’ Interview

President Donald Trump sat down for an interview with Norah O’Donnell on CBS News’ (Lean Left bias) “60 Minutes” last week. CBS initially aired only about 28 minutes of the “nearly 90-minute conversation,” prompting media criticisms and allusions to a shift in the outlet’s bias. 

The Details: According to CBS’ website, the cut video interview was released within the same hour as the full transcript on Sunday night. About two hours later, the outlet released an extended video of about 73 minutes that was “condensed for clarity.”

For Context: Former Vice President Kamala Harris was featured on “60 Minutes” during her presidential campaign against Trump in 2024. Trump promptly filed a $16 million lawsuit against CBS’ parent company, Paramount, alleging the company deceptively edited the interview to give Harris an advantage in the election. Paramount later settled the lawsuit but did not admit to any wrongdoing. During Trump’s interview last week, which was exactly one year since he filed the lawsuit, he said, “‘60 Minutes’ was forced to pay me – a lot of money because they took her answer out that was so bad, it was election-changing.”

Key Quotes: “You don’t have to use that one,” Trump said amid a discussion with O’Donnell on crime in Washington, DC. After mentioning his lawsuit against Paramount, he said, “You don’t have to put this on, because I don’t wanna embarrass you.”

How The Media Covered It: News media across the political spectrum noted the juxtaposition between Trump’s lawsuit last year and his comments during the interview suggesting post-production cuts. Outlets also highlighted Trump’s lessened negativity towards CBS. Newsweek (Center) said, “Trump has been friendlier toward CBS since the takeover of its parent company by new Paramount CEO David Ellison, the son of wealthy supporter Larry Ellison.” The New Republic (Left) went so far as to say CBS has taken a “right-wing shift” since the takeover. New Republic specifically mentioned that CBS “cut out a contentious portion regarding the president’s pardon of a cryptocurrency billionaire [Changpeng Zhao]” in both video cuts. New York Post (Lean Right) also highlighted the removal of the “testy exchange.” Newsweek stated, “On social media, some called out the network for editing the interview while others noted that lengthy interviews have to be cut to air on television.” 

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