Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday made a baseless accusation against CBS’s 60 Minutes, alleging that the program deceptively edited its taped interview with Vice President Kamala Harris to present her in a favorable light.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused the producers of 60 Minutes of manipulating the interview to improve Harris’s responses. “I’ve never seen this before, but the producers of 60 Minutes sliced and diced (‘cut and pasted’) Lyin’ Kamala’s answers to questions, which were virtually incoherent, over and over again, some by as many as four times in a single sentence or thought, all in an effort, possibly illegal as part of the ‘News Division,’ which must be licensed, to make her look ‘more Presidential,’ or at least, better,” Trump wrote.
However, the full interview is available on YouTube, showing Harris speaking clearly and coherently for extended periods without any noticeable edits. This makes it difficult to substantiate Trump’s claims, as viewers can observe the uncut footage themselves.
Trump’s comments follow his own recent interactions with 60 Minutes. Last week, he declined to participate in an interview with the program after reportedly informing them that he did not want to be fact-checked on statements he has been making during his campaign. These include false claims, such as alleging that Haitian immigrants were eating locals’ pets in Springfield, Ohio.
He continued:
“It may also be a major Campaign Finance Violation. This is a stain on the reputation of 60 Minutes that is not recoverable – It will always remain with this once-storied brand. I have never heard of such a thing being done in the news.’ It is the very definition of FAKE NEWS! The public is owed a MAJOR AND IMMEDIATE APOLOGY! This is an open and shut case, and must be investigated, starting today!”
The former president’s attack on the program appears to be an attempt to discredit mainstream media coverage, particularly of his political opponents. As he continues his campaign, Trump’s public statements and his relationship with media outlets like 60 Minutes remain contentious, underscoring the ongoing tension between his political rhetoric and factual reporting.