'60 Minutes' staff stand by Kamala Harris interview at the center of Trump's major Paramount lawsuit
The ongoing legal showdown between President Donald Trump and Paramount Global could come to a head any day as both parties continue mediation in hopes of resolving his $20 billion lawsuit against CBS News.
The lawsuit stems from the "60 Minutes" primetime election special that aired in early October, just weeks before the 2024 presidential election, which featured interviews with then-Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The Trump-Vance ticket snubbed the program's invitation.
"I wish that Donald Trump had agreed to participate in that program," one veteran "60 Minutes" producer told Fox News Digital. "Because we've been doing fair but tough interviews with the candidates of both parties every four years for 50 years."
'60 Minutes' Producers Rail Against Trump's 'Bulls---' Lawsuit, Dread Prospects Of Paramount Making Settlement
Trump had an icy relationship with "60 Minutes" prior to 2024, most notably from his 2020 sit-down with "60 Minutes" correspondent Lesley Stahl, who famously dismissed the Hunter Biden laptop scandal as it emerged during a tense exchange with the then-GOP incumbent.
In the Harris interview, she was pressed by "60 Minutes" correspondent Bill Whitaker about why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasn't "listening" to the Biden administration. The exchange first aired in a preview clip on "Face the Nation."
Read On The Fox News App
"Well, Bill, the work that we have done has resulted in a number of movements in that region by Israel that were very much prompted by, or a result of, many things, including our advocacy for what needs to happen in the region," Harris responded. Her remarks were immediately ridiculed as "word salad" by conservative critics.
Cbs News Staffers Rattled By Ceo's Abrupt Exit As Trump Lawsuit Looms Over Network
However, in the primetime special that aired the following night, a shorter, more focused answer from the vice president was shown to the same question.
"We are not going to stop pursuing what is necessary for the United States to be clear about where we stand on the need for this war to end," Harris said in the primetime special.
The answer swap immediately erupted on social media, fueling allegations that CBS News deceptively edited Harris' comments to scrub her viral "word salad" comments from primetime television viewers. Days later, Trump filed his lawsuit alleging election interference.
"60 Minutes" producers tell Fox News Digital, "Everything was above board."
"Every '60 Minutes' interview is edited," the veteran producer said. "'Face the Nation' used part of the answer, and we used a different part of the same answer. And the only reason for that was clarity and brevity."
"Any piece, unless it's live, is not airing the full answer of every question," a second "60 Minutes" producer told Fox News Digital. "And the standard at '60 Minutes' is that you not mix and match questions and answers, which was not done, but is what Trump alleges on social media, which is a lie. So he's lying about what happened, and I think people hear that and think that he's telling the truth."
Sanders, Warren Warn Paramount That Settling Trump Lawsuit Could Be Illegal Bribery Act
Trump has repeatedly asserted in comments to reporters and on social media that CBS News took comments from a completely separate Harris response and inserted them in the exchange about Netanyahu.
The raw transcript and footage released earlier this year by the FCC showed that both sets of Harris' comments came from the same response, but CBS News had aired only the first half of her response in the "Face the Nation" preview clip and aired the second half during the primetime special.
"The fact is that standard journalism procedures were followed," the second producer said.
The "60 Minutes" producers who spoke with Fox News Digital firmly dismissed the notion that the edit was made to aid Harris and her campaign, insisting it was "completely circumstantial" and that there was no motivation behind it besides saving time for the one-hour special.
"They're both, quite frankly, not great," the second "60 Minutes" producer said of the two Harris responses that aired. "She's not great in an interview. She wasn't a great communicator… It's such a sign that this is just a political maneuver. You know, it's just Trump making noise and trying to get people to hate the media."
What was also stressed by the "60 Minutes" journalists was the timeline between "Face the Nation" on that Sunday and the primetime special Monday night. "Face the Nation" had access to portions of the Harris footage and chose what it wanted to air that Sunday morning while "60 Minutes" was still editing the primetime special for the following night.
"That's why we don't let a 90-second answer run, because then you'd use a tenth of your story on the 'ums' and 'hmms'… like you ask a question in an interview and the person meanders around and then finally gets to the answer, and you're like 'Okay, that's the answer' but they were processing it," the second producer said. "If Trump wants to say that was like some agenda by '60 Minutes' to make Kamala look better, I just don't think it was, and look what happened. That's the other thing: she didn't win."
While the "60 Minutes" producers were confident that what CBS News aired followed the network's standards and practices, they couldn't say if there was any instance similar to the Harris interview where two different portions of the same answer aired separately, sparking so much confusion among viewers.
During the initial uproar, there were loud calls for CBS News to release the unedited transcript, which the network refused to at the time. Earlier this year, FCC Chair Brendan Carr ordered CBS News to hand over the transcript of the interview as part of its investigation into whether the network violated the FCC's "news distortion" policy after a complaint was filed.
Paramount Facing Mounting Pressure From Cbs Stars, Dem Lawmakers As Company Mulls Settling Trump Lawsuit
One producer suggested "60 Minutes" take a page from the playbook of PBS Frontline's Transparency Project, an initiative involving the publishing of full interview footage and transcripts online when their films are released.
"We might be at the point where we need to start doing that," the second "60 Minutes" producer said. "If I were the head of '60 Minutes,' I would probably be thinking about some sort of transparency project like that. Like, fine, watch the whole interview."
Even with the release of the raw transcript, as the "60 Minutes" producers point out, Trump never withdrew the lawsuit and has only doubled down on the "lies."
"What Donald Trump has continued to do for months and months and over and over since we released that transcript is to make charges that are false," the veteran producer said. "He is telling lies. And it's clearly demonstrable that they are lies. And it doesn't stop him from telling them."
Bill Owens, the "60 Minutes" executive producer who resigned last month, was defiant as the Trump lawsuit loomed over CBS News.
"There have been reports in the media about a settlement and/or apology," Owens reportedly told his staff in February. "The company knows I will not apologize for anything we have done."
Owens left CBS News over what he said was his inability to maintain an independent newsroom at "60 Minutes." Leading up to his exit was the growing involvement of Shari Redstone, Paramount's controlling shareholder who favors settling the lawsuit.
Redstone wanted to "keep tabs" on upcoming "60 Minutes" segments involving Trump and urged CBS execs to delay any sensitive reporting on Trump until after the Skydance merger deal closed. CBS News journalists, despite Paramount's denial, have openly linked her desire to settle the lawsuit to the merger deal, which seeks the FCC's approval.
"The conditions that they were attempting to oppose on [Owens] were intolerable… It was not something that any self-respecting editor would tolerate," the first "60 Minutes" producer said about his resignation. "It made all of us feel terrible because it was so wrong and so unfair."
Cbs Correspondent Scott Pelley Hits Trump For Suing Journalists 'For Nothing' In Fiery Commencement Speech
Despite the turmoil that has rocked CBS News in recent months, including Monday's ousting of the network's CEO Wendy McMahon, the "60 Minutes" journalists say they remain committed to their work, but offered a warning to corporate honchos like Redstone if they continue to interfere regardless of the pending outcome of Trump's lawsuit.
"If pressure continues to be exerted on '60 Minutes' journalists from the corporation, then I could see people leaving," the second producer said. "Like if we enter our next season, and I'm reporting on a story that involves the Trump administration and I get the sense that my story is being changed because of something that Shari Redstone likes or doesn't like, I think that for me and I think other people on the staff, that would be the line."
Pressure continues to mount as Paramount mulls settling Trump's lawsuit, possibly to the tune of $30-50 million.
CBS late-night host Stephen Colbert called out the parent company for the huge payout it is currently contemplating, saying "handing over a pile of cash to a president over a frivolous lawsuit to get your broadcast license approved sounds so shady."
Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., sent an ominous letter to Redstone suggesting her push to settle Trump's lawsuit to benefit the Skydance merger could be interpreted as bribery.
"Under the federal bribery statute, it is illegal to corruptly give anything of value to public officials to influence an official act. If Paramount officials make these concessions in a quid pro quo arrangement to influence President Trump or other Administration officials, they may be breaking the law," the lawmakers told Redstone.
A spokesperson for Paramount told Fox News Digital "This lawsuit is completely separate from, and unrelated to, the Skydance transaction and the FCC approval process. We will abide by the legal process to defend our case."
A spokesperson for Redstone told Fox News Digital she recused herself from Paramount discussions of a potential settlement in February. CBS News and President Trump's attorney did not respond to requests for comment.
The prospects of an announced settlement in the coming days isn't out of reach. "60 Minutes" aired its final episode of the season this past Sunday and won't be airing new episodes until the fall, preventing someone like Scott Pelley from sounding off to viewers on the network drama like he did last month following Owens' exit.
Earlier this month, in the midst of the legal drama plaguing Paramount and CBS News, the "60 Minutes" election special at the center of it all received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Edited Interview.Original article source: '60 Minutes' staff stand by Kamala Harris interview at the center of Trump's major Paramount lawsuit
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
18 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Canadian premiers turn to New England governors for support on Trump tariffs
FREDERICTON - A group of Canadian premiers appear to be setting high expectations as they pursue negotiations with American governors to mitigate the impacts of United States-imposed tariffs on their economies. Premiers from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and Quebec's economic minister are scheduled to meet with New England governors on Monday in Boston. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt said the premiers look to the New England governors for insights on how to deal with the White House and U.S. President Donald Trump. 'I mean, ideally, what we would get is every governor ... agreeing to articulate in loud and formal terms their objection to the tariffs to their administration,' Holt told reporters Thursday. 'If we can get everyone agreeing that the tariffs are negatively impacting Americans and passing that message on to the White House, that would be a win.' Holt also said she plans on raising 'critical' energy and infrastructure files. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said last month that the leaders hope to discuss how they can work together and maintain economic relationships in the face of Trump's tariffs. 'Canada is Massachusetts' No. 1 trading partner,' she said in a May 5 statement. 'For generations, we have enjoyed a strong partnership and a healthy exchange of energy, lumber, dairy, cars and car parts, seafood and more. Our businesses and our residents all benefit from this relationship. But President Trump's tariffs are undermining this partnership, making it harder for businesses to keep their doors open, and increasing the cost of everything that the New England and Canadian people rely on.' Holt said New Brunswick supplies a lot of energy products to New England. 'I think 90 per cent of the cars in Boston are driving with gas that comes from the Irving refinery and us. They are keen to make sure we will continue to be a reliable supplier of energy to them,' she said. 'We see the U.S. as a market to sell energy in a way that is profitable and beneficial to New Brunswick.' Healey said an analysis showed that tariffs on Canadian energy would raise gas and heating oil prices by over 30 cents a gallon and could cost nearly $1.4 billion a year for people in Massachusetts, and $3.4 billion for those in the New England area. Ontario is also looking to discuss energy and minerals with the U.S., said Grace Lee, spokeswoman for Premier Doug Ford. 'Ontario is proud to have one of the cleanest and most reliable energy grids, alongside mineral rich areas ready for development and a highly skilled workforce that the U.S. needs and relies on,' she said in a statement. 'Premier Ford will advocate for his vision of Fortress Am-Can, a renewed strategic alliance that makes Canada and the U.S. the richest, most prosperous, safest and most secure two countries on the planet.' Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz's office did not respond to a request for comment. Léa Fortin, spokeswoman for Quebec's economic minister Christopher Skeete, said the meeting is a chance to reiterate ties between Quebec and the United States, as well as the Atlantic provinces. Sonja Pomeroy, spokeswoman for Premier John Hogan said Newfoundland and Labrador exported approximately $4.5 billion of goods to the United States in 2023, representing 37 per cent of the province's total exports. For example, she said in any given year, 60 to 80 per cent of Newfoundland and Labrador's seafood exports go to the United States. So the meeting is an opportunity to reinforce the social and economic value of Canada's long relationship with the United States, she explained. 'Barriers to trade are bad for both national economies,' Pomeroy said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
The Hill
25 minutes ago
- The Hill
Israel's attack on Iran was years in the making. How did they get here?
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel's massive strike on Iran on Friday morning came after decades of hostilities between the bitter enemies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long identified Iran as its greatest threat, citing the country's nuclear program, its hostile rhetoric and support for anti-Israel proxy groups across the region. Iran meanwhile has pointed to Israel's repeated assassination and sabotage attacks targeting it, as well as its devastating war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, for its enmity. While the two countries have long appeared to be on a collision course, a series of recent developments, including Israeli blows against Iran and its allies and the re-election of President Donald Trump, helped lay the groundwork for Friday's attack. Here's a closer look: Following Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, the country's leadership immediately identified the U.S. and Israel as its main enemies. This was connected in large part to American and Israeli ties to Iran's last shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who fled Iran while fatally ill ahead of the revolution and despised by Iran's new leaders. Over the past two decades, Israel has repeatedly accused Iran of developing nuclear weapons. Iran insists it has maintained its nuclear program for peaceful purposes only, but the head of the U.N. atomic watchdog agency has warned that Tehran has enough uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels to make 'several' nuclear bombs if it chose to do so. The International Atomic Energy Agency and Western nations assess Iran had an organized nuclear weapons program until 2003. Iran insists its program is peaceful while still enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels. U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed Iran was not pursuing the bomb. Israel sees a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat, and breaking Iran's regional network of militant proxy groups has been a major goal. 'For decades, the tyrants of Tehran have brazenly, openly called for Israel's destruction,' Netanyahu said Friday. 'They backed up their genocidal rhetoric with a program to develop nuclear weapons.' As he has done before, Netanyahu drew comparisons to the Holocaust. 'The Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear Holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime,' he said. Over the past four decades, Iran built up a network of militant proxy groups it called the ' Axis of Resistance.' These groups – Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and smaller militias in Iraq and Syria — wielded significant power across the region in recent years. But the axis has weakened since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, triggering the ongoing war in Gaza and wider fighting across the region. Israel has decimated Iran's strongest proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah. The weakening of Hezbollah contributed to the downfall of Iran's longtime stalwart ally and client in neighboring Syria, President Bashar Assad, last December. After Iran launched a pair of missile attacks on Israel last year, Israel responded with strikes of its own, including an October attack that destroyed Iranian missile sites and weakened its air defenses. The collapse of Iran's proxy network, coupled with Iran's new vulnerability, created an opportunity for Israel to strike. Netanyahu said time was running out to strike Iran, alleging Iran had taken recent steps to weaponize enriched uranium. 'If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon within a very short time,' he said. At the same time, the state of nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran created a window. Those talks have been faltering, but a sixth round was scheduled for Oman on Sunday. An agreement could see the U.S. lift some of its crushing economic sanctions on Iran and make it much harder for Israel to strike. Israeli officials feared the talks were a way for Iran to buy time as it secretly took steps toward a nuclear bomb. On Thursday, for the first time in 20 years, the Board of Governors at the IAEA censured Iran for not working with its inspectors. Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site and swap out some centrifuges for more advanced ones. By then, Israel apparently had already made up its mind. Trump said he asked Netanyahu not to attack Iran while the negotiations are ongoing. But Trump has a long record of support for Israel, and there appeared to be little immediate blowback.
USA Today
25 minutes ago
- USA Today
Trump doesn't know if he's the hero or villain in 'Les Mis.' How ironic.
Trump doesn't know if he's the hero or villain in 'Les Mis.' How ironic. | Opinion Sending the military in to quell protests is more aligned with the French monarchy than the revolutionaries. Show Caption Hide Caption Trump met with boos, cheers before Les Misérables at Kennedy Center President Donald Trump attended "Les Miserables" at the Kennedy Center after overhauling its leadership and naming himself chairman. On June 11, President Donald Trump appeared at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for the opening night of 'Les Misérables.' If you're at all familiar with the musical, you'll understand why that's so ironic. Trump staged a hostile takeover of the Kennedy Center back in February, changing up the board and making himself chairman of the iconic performing arts venue. It led several artists to cancel performances. According to The New York Times, some 'Les Misérables' cast members had considered boycotting the Wednesday performance that kicked off the summer 2025 season. The president, oblivious as always, says the show is 'great.' Ever the musical theater fan, he has used one of the most recognizable songs from 'Les Mis' at multiple rallies over the years. You know, the one the cast sings on the eve of revolting against the monarchy? Surely the man who has inspired nationwide 'No Kings Day' protests understands how laughable that is. Does Trump identify with hero or villain of 'Les Mis'? He doesn't know. If you're unfamiliar with the musical, let me give you a rundown. Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, the story follows Jean Valjean after he leaves prison for stealing a loaf of bread for his starving relatives. After an interaction with a priest, he is inspired to live a better life, which includes adopting and raising a child named Cosette after her mother dies. The musical is set during a French revolution that culminates in the 1832 June Rebellion, where a group of student revolutionaries known as the Friends of the ABC try to lead the city into revolt. These are the students Republican leaders would want to deport. Opinion: Trump supporters, this is what you're cheering as his deportation scheme unfolds Apparently, despite his love of the musical, Trump doesn't know if he's the hero or villain of this story. He told The Washington Post he wasn't sure if he identified more with Valjean or Javert, the prison guard turned inspector who is obsessed with bringing Valjean to justice. It's an ironically indecisive thing to say, considering he has sent military troops to Los Angeles to quell protests against raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and has spent much of the past few months raging against students protesting for Palestine. It's hard to picture Trump as the hero of this story. That would require him learning how to be a more caring person over time. Given his rhetoric on immigrants, trans people and basically anyone who disagrees with him, I doubt he's experienced that kind of transformation. Imagine treating immigrants like they stole bread Art has always been part of protest and resistance. The theater is no exception. These forms of expression can also be used as propaganda. With Trump's declaration that the Kennedy Center's "woke" programming is done for, it seems that only tolerable art will make it through the vetting process. Somehow, "Les Mis" slipped through the cracks, likely because Trump actually likes the musical. Opinion: I told you GOP would come for marriage. Southern Baptists just proved my point. If Trump actually paid attention to the songs and themes of "Les Mis," maybe he'd realize that his desire to lay down the law is more aligned with Javert than anyone else in the show. Maybe he'd realize that sending the military to quell protests is more aligned with the actions of the French monarchy than those of the revolutionaries. Maybe he'd realize that he has more in common with the monarchy than the people. Probably not. But maybe. Follow USA TODAY columnist Sara Pequeño on X, formerly Twitter, @sara__pequeno
