CBS has announced its decision to provide an unedited transcript of its October interview with Kamala Harris to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This action stems from an ongoing dispute initiated by President Donald Trump regarding the network’s portrayal of him and his opponent in the media.
According to reports, Trump has filed a $10 million lawsuit against CBS, alleging that the “60 Minutes” interview was misleadingly edited to cast Harris in a favorable light. There are indications that Paramount, CBS’s parent company, is engaging in discussions with Trump’s legal team in hopes of reaching a settlement.
On Friday, CBS revealed that they were prompted by Brendan Carr, the FCC chairman appointed by Trump, to submit both the interview transcripts and the accompanying camera footage for a separate investigation conducted by the commission. Historically, “60 Minutes” has resisted releasing transcripts from its interviews to maintain the integrity of its editing processes.
This case, particularly the possibility of a settlement, is garnering significant attention from advocates of press freedom and journalists within CBS. The network’s legal representatives have declared Trump’s lawsuit as “completely without merit” and have committed to mounting a vigorous defense against it since its filing.
The focus on the Harris interview was heightened after CBS News aired clips featuring her responding differently to a question from correspondent Bill Whitaker, which was shown on “Face the Nation” on October 6 and again on “60 Minutes” the following evening. The network explained that while the clips were derived from Harris’s lengthy responses, they were edited for time constraints applicable to both shows.
In his lawsuit submitted in Texas on November 1, Trump accused CBS of employing deceptive editing aimed at favoring Harris and described these actions as “partisan and unlawful acts of voter interference.” Even after the election results were announced just days following the lawsuit, Trump has maintained his stance against the network.
The network has not provided comments regarding the discussions of a potential settlement, which have been reported by major news outlets. Meanwhile, Paramount executives are pursuing Trump administration approval for an acquisition of the company by another entertainment entity, Skydance.
In related news, ABC News resolved a defamation suit brought by Trump against them involving statements from anchor George Stephanopoulos, agreeing to contribute $15 million towards Trump’s presidential library rather than face a public dispute. Additionally, Meta has allegedly paid $25 million to settle a lawsuit from Trump concerning the suspension of his social media accounts following the events of January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol.
