On Thursday, former President Donald Trump called for CBS News’s “60 Minutes” to be taken off the air after the program released an unedited transcript of its controversial interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. This follows a growing federal investigation into the matter, raising serious concerns about journalistic integrity and bias in media coverage.
Trump took to Truth Social, accusing CBS of misleading the public. He claimed that the network “defrauded the public” by editing the interview to remove Harris’s less favorable answers and replacing them with more polished, favorable responses. Trump argued that this unprecedented move was an attempt to manipulate public perception, especially as Harris’s answers could have significantly impacted the 2020 election.
For months, Trump and his supporters have criticized “60 Minutes” for allegedly editing the interview in a way that framed Harris in a more positive light. The network defended its actions, explaining that editing interviews for clarity and time constraints is a standard practice in journalism. They further argued that their edits were made with the intent of providing a clearer, more informative broadcast, maintaining their commitment to truth and fairness.
However, Trump has not backed down. He has filed a $10 billion lawsuit against CBS News, accusing the network of engaging in unlawful election interference by manipulating the interview. In his legal filings, he claimed that CBS’s actions were part of a broader effort to deceive the public and influence the outcome of the election.
Trump and his supporters in Congress, including the FCC, have repeatedly called for more scrutiny of major news outlets. They argue that biased media outlets should face more consequences, even suggesting the potential loss of broadcast licenses for outlets found guilty of engaging in partisan or unlawful practices.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, speaking on Fox News, acknowledged the concern raised by the situation. He noted that CBS’s actions were troubling and highlighted the need for the law to be applied evenly, regardless of political affiliation. This issue has stirred debate, with critics on the left dismissing the investigation, but Carr emphasized that the evidence presented was significant enough to warrant further investigation.