“60 Minutes” is in the process of organizing its special interview segment with the presidential candidates, set to be broadcast in less than a month. This comes after a tumultuous session with former President Donald Trump in 2020. Following the debate in Philadelphia, there are currently no other planned debates between Trump and his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, making the “60 Minutes” sitdown a crucial opportunity for voters to evaluate the candidates side by side.
The renowned Sunday newsmagazine aims to schedule the interview for Monday, Oct. 7, due to CBS airing the American Music Awards the night before. While neither candidate has confirmed their appearance, discussions are ongoing between their campaigns and CBS, as confirmed by Bill Owens, the executive producer of “60 Minutes.” Trump’s campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, hinted to “stay tuned” regarding Trump’s participation. The Harris campaign has yet to respond to inquiries.
The vice presidential candidates, Tim Walz and JD Vance, have also been extended invitations to join the special interview. Reflecting on the previous interview where President Trump left early, Owens expressed hope for a serious conversation this time. Correspondent Scott Pelley, not Lesley Stahl, is assigned to interview Trump this year, a decision unrelated to the events of four years ago.
During the previous interview, Stahl challenged Trump on several issues, leading to his early departure and subsequent criticism of her interviewing style. Stahl later accused Trump and Vice President Mike Pence of using the platform for campaign purposes rather than answering questions. In contrast, Bill Whitaker is set to interview Harris in the traditional “60 Minutes” style, where interviews are pre-recorded and edited into a comprehensive narrative.
As “60 Minutes” kicks off a new season, the show will delve into the U.S. Capitol insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021, in its opening episode. The upcoming season will feature six extended 90-minute editions, continuing an experiment from the previous year. The traditional format of “60 Minutes,” with meticulously crafted interviews, stands out amidst the trend of live interviews and appearances by political candidates during campaigns.
