Former President Donald Trump canceled an interview with CBS News' "60 Minutes" election special, expressing dissatisfaction with the show's plan to fact-check his statements. Trump also demanded an apology for the program's handling of an interview with him in 2020.
CBS News correspondent Scott Pelley revealed the absence of an interview with former President Trump on the latest episode of "60 Minutes," a show that has traditionally featured interviews with presidential candidates in the month leading up to an election. Pelley explained that Trump initially agreed to participate but later backed out, citing objections to fact-checking and demanding an apology for a previous interview.
According to Pelley, the Trump campaign initially agreed to an interview on Thursday at Mar-a-Lago or in Butler, Pennsylvania. However, the campaign later declined the invitation, offering shifting explanations. Trump's campaign initially claimed that the show insisted on live fact-checking, which they considered unprecedented. They also criticized veteran "60 Minutes" correspondent Lesley Stahl for her handling of an interview with Trump ahead of the 2020 election.
Ex-President Trump Skips "60 Minutes" Interview, Citing Fact-Checking Concerns
Trump had accused Biden of being "in the midst of a scandal" related to his son, Hunter Biden's laptop, during Stahl's 2020 interview. Stahl dismissed Trump's claims, stating that the show could not report unverified information. CBS News eventually verified the existence of the laptop in 2022.
In response to Trump's decision to cancel the interview, Cheung, the Trump campaign communications director, accused CBS News of "begging" for an interview and "lying about Hunter Biden's laptop." He claimed that no interview was ever officially scheduled and that the campaign had already committed to an exclusive interview with another outlet.
Ex-President Trump Skips "60 Minutes" Interview, Citing Fact-Checking Concerns
CBS News has not responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Trump's reluctance to participate in the "60 Minutes" interview highlights concerns about the scrutiny and accountability he would face in a televised setting. His cancellation further underscores the challenges facing news organizations in holding powerful figures to account in a highly polarized political climate.
Ex-President Trump Skips "60 Minutes" Interview, Citing Fact-Checking Concerns
Meanwhile, "60 Minutes" proceeded with an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, who discussed a range of topics, including the state of the country and the challenges facing the Biden administration. The absence of an interview with Trump allowed Harris to present her views without direct challenge from her opponent.
The upcoming election promises to be one of the most closely watched in recent history. The absence of a "60 Minutes" interview with Trump may deprive voters of a direct side-by-side comparison of the candidates' views and policies. As the election draws near, it remains unclear whether Trump will participate in any further televised debates or interviews before Election Day.
