President Donald Trump is stirring up a storm again, this time taking aim at CBS, its parent company Paramount, and the show 60 Minutes. He’s accusing them of meddling in the 2024 presidential election by allegedly altering an interview with Kamala Harris to hide what he calls a “damaging” response. On Truth Social, Trump claimed that his lawsuit against these media giants is a “true WINNER” and accused them of unprecedented deceit and fraud against the American people.
Trump’s fiery allegations suggest that 60 Minutes tampered with Harris’ interview by replacing her original answer to a question during early voting with a different response she gave later. This, according to Trump, was done to shield Harris from the negative impact of her initial reply. “Kamala Harris, during Early Voting and, immediately before Election Day, was asked a question, and gave an answer, that was so bad and incompetent that it would have cost her many of the Votes that she ended up getting,” Trump wrote.
The former president went on to say that 60 Minutes and its corporate parents deleted Harris’ entire original answer and substituted it with a response to a different question. “The new answer was not good,” Trump continued, “but it didn’t show Gross Incompetence like the one that was removed by 60 Minutes.” This, according to Trump, represents a serious breach of journalistic integrity.
Trump didn’t stop there; he accused the network of committing the “illegal creation of an answer for a Presidential Candidate,” demanding that they face consequences. “They have to pay a price for it, and the Times should also be on the hook for their likely unlawful behavior. It is vital to hold these Liars and Fraudsters accountable!” Trump expressed with conviction.
The controversy centers around a segment aired on 60 Minutes featuring Kamala Harris, which Trump claims was heavily edited. CBS correspondent Catherine Herridge backed this claim, noting that Harris’ original responses were significantly altered before broadcast. “60 Minutes did then-VP Harris a favor in the edit room,” Herridge commented, adding that Harris’ lengthy answers were trimmed down to appear more presidential in the final segment.
Herridge highlighted that one of Harris’ answers, which originally ran over three minutes, was condensed to fit the broadcast. She urged anyone interested in fact-driven journalism to review the full, unedited interview and transcript. This editing, argued Trump’s legal team, was a deliberate attempt to influence public perception during a crucial period in the election cycle.
In response to these allegations, Trump’s legal team filed a lawsuit against CBS and Paramount in late 2024. Initially seeking $10 million in damages, they later increased the demand to $20 million, accusing the network of fraudulent concealment and misrepresentation. CBS has denied these claims, stating that their editorial practices align with industry standards.
CBS argues that any editing of interviews is protected under the First Amendment, insisting that the segment did not misrepresent Harris’ views or responses. Following the lawsuit, a pro-Trump organization lodged a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), accusing CBS of violating its “news distortion” policy. The FCC is currently reviewing this complaint and has opened a public comment period.
CNN reports that Trump and Paramount have agreed to mediation, though this potential settlement has stirred internal concerns at CBS. According to The New York Times, some journalists at the network are frustrated over the possibility of settling with Trump. “Trump’s lawsuit was a joke, but if we settle, we become the laughingstock,” one CBS correspondent told CNN anonymously.
Legal experts have pointed out that the First Amendment presents a significant hurdle to Trump’s claims. Despite this, the case remains active as both parties continue with mediation. Meanwhile, the FCC has not provided a timeline for its review of the complaint, leaving the outcome uncertain.
The unfolding drama has sparked a broader conversation about media ethics and the fine line between editing for clarity and altering content. Many conservative voices see this as yet another example of mainstream media bias against right-leaning figures. The case has galvanized Trump’s supporters, who view it as a fight against media manipulation.
As the legal battle wages on, it remains a hot topic among political commentators. Trump’s persistent accusations highlight the deep-seated distrust between conservatives and major media outlets. The outcome of this case could have significant ramifications for how media organizations handle political coverage.
CBS, for its part, remains firm in its defense, asserting that its editorial choices were within legal bounds. The network’s stance has not wavered, despite the mounting pressure and ongoing legal proceedings. As the case progresses, all eyes are on the FCC and the mediation process to see how these allegations will be resolved.
The conversation around this case underscores the challenges of maintaining journalistic integrity in a highly polarized political environment. For conservatives, this is a battle against what they perceive as a liberal media agenda. The situation continues to unfold, with both sides standing resolute in their positions.
