Donald Trump recently appeared on CBS’s “60 Minutes” for the first time in five years, but the broadcast was heavily edited. Although he spoke with Norah O’Donnell for 90 minutes, only 28 minutes made it to air. You can read the full transcript of the interview here and watch a longer version online here.
Interestingly, a year earlier, Trump had sued CBS over what he claimed were deceptive edits in an interview with Kamala Harris. Legal experts largely found this lawsuit to be baseless, but CBS eventually settled for $16 million. As part of this agreement, they promised to release transcripts for future presidential candidate interviews. During Trump’s recent appearance, O’Donnell reminded viewers of this settlement but emphasized that there was no apology from CBS.
In an unbroadcast segment, Trump jokingly noted that CBS “paid me a lotta money” for the editing controversy. He went on to criticize the network’s reporting standards, insisting that news should be genuine. He also commented positively on the new leadership at CBS, praising Bari Weiss as a “great new leader.”
Trump’s comments touched on various topics, including election integrity. He questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election, a claim that continues to stir debate in the political landscape. In a different segment, he asked O’Donnell if she noticed a decrease in crime in Washington, D.C. Her response pointed to her busy work schedule, which has kept her from noticing changes in the city.
This encounter reflects ongoing tensions in media relations and the challenges of balancing news coverage with viewer expectations. As Trump continues to make headlines, his interactions with major news outlets will likely shape public perception and discourse.
For more on media and politics, check out this insightful article on the evolving role of media in democracy from the Pew Research Center.
