The Network Significantly Trims Trump's TV Program Interview, Removing Boast Regarding Broadcaster Compensating Him Substantial Funds

The broadcast network show 60 Minutes significantly trimmed a conversation featuring the former president broadcast on Sunday evening, marking his first sit-down on the show since 2019.

The former president spoke alongside journalist Norah O’Donnell for 90 minutes, yet merely approximately 28 minutes were broadcast. A complete text version of the interview subsequently released, together with a 73-minute digital cut of the conversation.

These cuts are notable since, exactly one year before the president's interview on the program at his Mar-a-Lago resort, he filed suit against the network over post-production changes from another news program interview featuring the vice president, which he alleged was deceptively edited to help her campaign in the presidential election.

Although numerous attorneys largely rejected the lawsuit calling it baseless and improbable to hold up on free speech grounds, CBS reached an agreement with the president for millions in July. As part of the settlement, the network had agreed that it would release transcripts from upcoming discussions of presidential candidates.

At the beginning of the broadcast, the correspondent reminded viewers that the parent company resolved the legal dispute, adding that the resolution lacked an apology or admission of wrongdoing”.

During the interview, in one segment that did not air, Trump needled CBS about the agreement and repeated his claims against the network.

“In fact 60 Minutes gave me a lotta money. You need not put this on, since I do not wish to cause you discomfort, and I’m sure you’re not,” the president stated. “However 60 Minutes was forced to compensate me a lot of money since they removed her answer out which was damaging, it was decisive, two nights before the election. And they put a new answer into the broadcast. And they paid me handsomely for that. We cannot tolerate false reporting. You’ve gotta have truthful journalism. I believe this is occurring.”

In a separate segment not broadcast of the interview, Trump praised the sale of CBS to new owners noting the network’s new editor-in-chief, the journalist, is a “excellent addition”.

Trump said he didn’t know Weiss, yet informed the interviewer: “I hear she is impressive.

“In my view you've acquired a great new leader, honestly, who’s the young woman that’s leading your whole enterprise, is superb – based on what I've heard,” he remarked.

Trump was especially effusive in complimenting the executive and his parent, Larry, the recent purchaser of CBS News’ parent company, Paramount, through their company Skydance Media.

“In my opinion a very positive development recently is this show and new ownership, CBS and new ownership,” Trump commented. “I believe it is a major improvement that’s happened for years toward a transparent and good press.”

The correspondent did not directly respond regarding these remarks concerning the editor and the owners.

Among Trump’s many answers which were cut were multiple statements questioning the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election, which he described “was rigged and stolen”.

During one exchange in the conversation, in a part that was not aired, the president attempted to persuade O’Donnell to acknowledge that crime was down in Washington DC, where she lives.

“You reside in DC. You are aware of this,” the president said, asking O’Donnell: “Have you noticed a difference?”

“I believe I have been occupied too hard,” she replied. “I have not gotten outside that much … I drive and go to work and return home.”

The president said “that is an evasion” and insisted that O’Donnell noticed a difference.

The president then seemed to suggest that the exchange need not to be aired on the show.

“You don’t have to include that part,” he said. “Don’t worry, it's fine, I don’t want to cause her embarrassment.”