Donald Trump Declines ’60 Minutes’ Interview, Seeks Apology from CBS Over 2020 Lesley Stahl Encounter

Former President Donald Trump declines ’60 Minutes’ interview, leaving viewers without a direct comparison to Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election special.

At a Glance

Trump initially accepted but later withdrew from the ’60 Minutes’ interview invitation
CBS maintains that their invitation to Trump still stands
Vice President Kamala Harris will be featured in the special, airing Monday, October 7th
Trump’s team cites issues with CBS’s previous reporting and demands an apology
The special will proceed with only the Democratic ticket represented

Trump’s Decision to Decline ’60 Minutes’ Interview

In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has decided not to participate in the upcoming ’60 Minutes’ pre-election special. This decision comes after initial acceptance of the invitation, leaving the long-standing tradition of featuring both major party candidates before elections unfulfilled. The special, set to air on Monday, October 7th at 8 p.m. Eastern, will now proceed with only Vice President Kamala Harris representing the Democratic ticket.

The Trump campaign’s withdrawal from the interview has sparked controversy and raised questions about the relationship between the former president and major news outlets. Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, claimed that CBS “begged” for the interview and that nothing was ever officially scheduled. However, CBS maintains that their original invitation to Trump still stands, emphasizing their commitment to presenting both sides of the political spectrum.

CBS News said on Tuesday that Donald Trump had declined to participate in an interview with “60 Minutes” that would have been broadcast during a prime-time election special next week. https://t.co/bNTB9tvTes

— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 2, 2024

Demands for Apology and Fact-Checking Concerns

At the heart of Trump’s decision to decline the interview lies a demand for an apology from CBS. The former president has expressed dissatisfaction with the network’s previous reporting, including coverage of Hunter Biden’s laptop and crime rates. This request for an apology highlights the ongoing tensions between Trump and mainstream media outlets.

Another point of contention raised by Trump’s team was CBS’s alleged insistence on live fact-checking during the interview. Steven Cheung, Trump’s campaign spokesperson, described this as “unprecedented,” suggesting it was a factor in their decision to withdraw from the interview.

Impact on Voter Information and Comparison

The absence of Trump from the ’60 Minutes’ special raises concerns about voters’ ability to directly compare the two potential candidates. With no other scheduled opportunities for such a comparison, the electorate may find it challenging to assess both candidates side by side. This situation underscores the importance of balanced media coverage in informing the public during election seasons.

News: Trump has declined to do a 60 Minutes interview—a 50 year tradition for the candidates—after originally accepting https://t.co/oXBD7l7YpH

— Caitlin Huey-Burns (@CHueyBurns) October 1, 2024

Despite Trump’s absence, the special will feature an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, conducted by Bill Whitaker. Additionally, Scott Pelley is expected to address Trump’s absence during the broadcast, potentially providing context to viewers about the situation.

“CBS confirmed that Scott Pelley will address Trump’s absence during the broadcast.” – Ground News

As the 2024 election approaches, this incident serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between political figures and the media. It also highlights the challenges faced by news organizations in providing comprehensive coverage of all candidates in an increasingly polarized political landscape.