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By Shane Croucher and Chloe Mayer
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President Donald Trump accused CBS News show 60 Minutes of referring to him in a "derogatory and defamatory way" on a nearly weekly basis, and called for the network to be taken off air.
Writing on Truth Social on Sunday evening, Trump said he had watched 60 Minutes and called its reports on Ukraine and Greenland "two separate but highly inaccurate stories" about him.
He also repeated his criticism of the show's handling of an interview with Kamala Harris before the 2024 presidential election, accusing the network of editing a poorly-answered question to make his Democratic rival look better. CBS News denies the allegations.
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Newsweek contacted CBS News for comment outside of normal working hours.
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Why It Matters
Trump's tirade against the broadcaster is the latest salvo in a long-running dispute with the press, which has seen him accuse some sections of the media of bias against him.
Last year, Trump filed a lawsuit against CBS News over its 60 Minutes interview with Harris. His legal team sought $20 billion in damages after they accused CBS of "partisan and unlawful acts of election and voter interference through malicious, deceptive, and substantial news distortion calculated to confuse, deceive, and mislead the public." CBS hit back, saying the Harris interview simply underwent a typical editing process in which answers may be cut down.
Earlier this year, Trump banned reporters from the Associated Press (AP) from attending briefings at the White House, after the news agency declined to change its style guidelines in line with Trump's directive to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America." However, a judge ruled this month that AP must now be allowed access to uphold freedom of the press.
What To Know
The day before the Harris interview was aired last October, a preview was broadcast on CBS News' Face the Nation. In the clip, Harris gave a wordy answer when asked about Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But when the full interview was broadcast the next day, her answer was shortened and her response to a follow-up question was different.
CBS argued that the apparent discrepancy was typical of the editing process and was not tweaked to make Harris look better. The network released unedited transcripts of the entire interview, saying they proved the show was "not doctored or deceitful."
Last week, the New York Times reported that CBS-owner Paramount and Trump's lawyers were set to begin mediation in a bid to reach a settlement on the issue.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday: "Almost every week, 60 Minutes, which is being sued for Billions of Dollars for the fraud they committed in the 2024 Presidential Election with their Interview of Failed Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris, mentions the name 'TRUMP' in a derogatory and defamatory way, but this Weekend's 'BROADCAST' tops them all. They did not one, but TWO, major stories on 'TRUMP,' one having to do with Ukraine, which I say is a War that would never have happened if the 2020 Election had not been RIGGED, in other words, if I were President and, the other story was having to do with Greenland, casting our Country, as led by me, falsely, inaccurately, and fraudulently.
"I am so honored to be suing 60 Minutes, CBS Fake News, and Paramount, over their fraudulent, beyond recognition, reporting. They did everything possible to illegally elect Kamala, including completely and corruptly changing major answers to Interview questions, but it just didn't work for them. They are not a 'News Show,' but a dishonest Political Operative simply disguised as 'News,' and must be responsible for what they have done, and are doing. They should lose their license! Hopefully, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as headed by its Highly Respected Chairman, Brendan Carr, will impose the maximum fines and punishment, which is substantial, for their unlawful and illegal behavior. CBS is out of control, at levels never seen before, and they should pay a big price for this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
CBS News has not yet responded to Trump's latest claim, but has previously denied bias. It said in March that Trump's lawsuit was an attempt by him and his team to "seek to punish a news organization for constitutionally protected editorial judgments they do not like."
It added: "This lawsuit is an affront to the First Amendment and is without basis in law or fact."
What Happens Next
Trump and CBS officials are now reportedly preparing for mediation.
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