CBS News Significantly Trims Donald Trump's TV Program Interview, Omitting Claim About Network Paying The President Large Funds
This broadcast network show the long-running news magazine significantly edited a conversation with Donald Trump broadcast Sunday night, marking his first sit-down with the program since 2019.
Trump spoke with correspondent the CBS anchor for 90 minutes, but only about 28 minutes were broadcast. A complete transcript of the interview subsequently released, alongside an extended digital cut from the interview.
The edits stand out because, exactly one year prior to Trump's interview with O’Donnell in Florida, he filed suit against the network over the editing from another 60 Minutes segment with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, claiming it had been deceptively edited to benefit her campaign during the race.
While numerous legal experts largely rejected the legal action calling it baseless and improbable to hold up on free speech grounds, the broadcaster reached an agreement with Trump for millions in July. Under the settlement, the network committed that it would release transcripts of future interviews with candidates.
At the beginning of Sunday’s show, the correspondent informed the audience that Paramount settled the legal dispute, but noted that the resolution lacked any admission or expression of regret”.
During the interview, in one segment that did not air, the president teased the network over the settlement and repeated his allegations against the network.
“In fact 60 Minutes paid me a lotta money. You need not put this on, because I don’t wanna embarrass you, and I’m sure that you are not,” the president stated. “However the show had to compensate me a lot of money because they removed her answer out which was damaging, it was election-changing, two nights prior to voting. They inserted a different response in. And they paid me handsomely for that. We cannot tolerate fake news. You’ve gotta have truthful journalism. And I think this is occurring.”
During another segment not broadcast from the discussion, the president commended the acquisition of the network to the Ellison family noting the broadcaster's recently appointed head, Bari Weiss, was a “excellent addition”.
Trump said he didn’t know the editor, yet informed O’Donnell: “I hear she is impressive.
“In my view you have a talented director, honestly, that individual now heading your whole enterprise, is a great – based on what I've heard,” he remarked.
Trump was especially effusive in complimenting David Ellison and his parent, Larry Ellison, the recent purchaser of the network's parent firm, Paramount Global, through their company Skydance Media.
“I think one of the best things recently involves this program and the change in ownership, CBS and new ownership,” the president commented. “I think it’s the greatest thing that has occurred for years toward a transparent and reliable media.”
O’Donnell did not directly respond to the president’s comments concerning the editor and the Ellisons.
Among Trump’s many answers which were cut were multiple statements doubting the legitimacy of the last election, which he described “had been manipulated and stolen”.
During one exchange in the interview, in a segment omitted from the broadcast, Trump tried to get O’Donnell to acknowledge that crime was down in the capital, her place of residence.
“You live here. You know that too,” Trump said, inquiring of O’Donnell: “Do you see any change?”
“I think I’ve been working too hard,” O’Donnell responded. “I haven’t been outside that much … I drive and go to work and return home.”
Trump responded “that is an evasion” maintaining that O’Donnell noticed an improvement.
The president then implied that the exchange didn’t need be included in the program.
“You don’t have to use that one,” he noted. “Don’t worry, don’t worry, I don’t want to cause her embarrassment.”
