The CBS News show 60 Minutes significantly trimmed an interview with the former president broadcast on Sunday evening, marking the initial one-on-one with the program since 2019.
Trump spoke alongside journalist Norah O’Donnell over an hour and a half, yet merely approximately half an hour were broadcast. A complete text version of the interview was later released, alongside an extended digital cut from the interview.
These cuts are notable since, exactly one year before the president's appearance with O’Donnell at his Mar-a-Lago resort, he filed suit against CBS regarding post-production changes from another 60 Minutes segment with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, claiming it was manipulated to help her campaign during the race.
Although many attorneys largely rejected the legal action as “meritless” and unlikely to hold up under the first amendment, CBS reached an agreement with the president for $16m this past summer. As part of the settlement, CBS committed to publish full records of future interviews with candidates.
At the beginning of the broadcast, O’Donnell reminded viewers that Paramount settled the legal dispute, adding that “the settlement did not include any admission or admission of wrongdoing”.
In the conversation, in a clip that did not air, Trump needled the network about the agreement restating his claims toward the broadcaster.
“In fact 60 Minutes paid me a substantial sum. You need not put this on, because I don’t wanna cause you discomfort, and I’m sure that you are not,” Trump said. “However 60 Minutes had to pay me a lot of money because they removed her answer from the segment which was damaging, it was decisive, two nights prior to voting. They inserted a new answer in. And they paid me a lot of money because of it. We cannot tolerate fake news. We must have legit news. And I think this is occurring.”
In a separate un-aired portion from the discussion, the president praised the sale of CBS to new owners noting the broadcaster's new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, was a “great new leader”.
Trump admitted he was not acquainted with the editor, but told the interviewer: “I hear she is impressive.
“I think you've acquired a great new leader, honestly, who’s the young woman that’s leading your entire organization, is superb – based on what I've heard,” he remarked.
Trump was particularly effusive in praising David Ellison and his father, Larry Ellison, the new owner of CBS News’ parent company, Paramount Global, via their firm Skydance Media.
“I think one of the best things to happen is this show and new ownership, the network under new management,” the president said. “I believe it is a major improvement that’s happened for years toward a transparent and good press.”
O’Donnell offered no direct reply regarding these remarks about Weiss and the Ellisons.
Among the president's responses that were edited out were several comments questioning the integrity of the last election, which he said “was rigged and unlawfully taken”.
At one point in the conversation, in a part that was not aired, Trump tried to get the journalist to acknowledge that crime was down in Washington DC, her place of residence.
“You live here. You know that too,” the president remarked, asking O’Donnell: “Do you see any change?”
“I think I have been occupied excessively,” O’Donnell replied. “I have not gotten out and about often … I get in my car and go to work and return home.”
Trump responded “that’s not a fair answer” and insisted that the journalist had observed an improvement.
The president then seemed to suggest that the exchange need not be included on the show.
“You don’t have to include that part,” he said. “Don’t worry, don’t worry, I don’t want to cause her embarrassment.”
