Former President Donald Trump is set to return to the iconic news program “60 Minutes” this weekend, marking his first appearance since settling a lawsuit against CBS News. The interview, conducted by CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, will air on October 15, 2023. The lawsuit stemmed from a controversial interview with Kamala Harris, where Trump alleged editorial bias on the part of CBS.
Trump’s history with “60 Minutes” has been fraught, punctuated by his abrupt exit from an interview with correspondent Lesley Stahl shortly before the 2020 election. During that encounter, Trump accused the program of bias, leading to the release of an unedited transcript of their discussion by his team. His absence from “60 Minutes” during the 2024 election campaign raised eyebrows, particularly following critical remarks about CBS’s portrayal of Harris.
Following the lawsuit, CBS News has largely remained tight-lipped regarding the specifics of the interview’s arrangement and whether any conditions were imposed. In a significant development, Paramount, CBS’s parent company, settled the lawsuit by agreeing to pay Trump $16 million. This settlement occurred just before the Federal Communications Commission approved Paramount’s merger with David Ellison’s Skydance Media.
Shifting Dynamics at CBS
The leadership change at Paramount has been viewed as a turning point in the network’s relationship with Trump. Following the settlement, Bill Owens, the executive producer of “60 Minutes,” resigned, citing an inability to maintain the program’s independence. Since assuming the role of CEO, Ellison has made moves that suggest a more amicable relationship with Trump, including hiring Kenneth Weinstein, a conservative donor, to investigate claims of bias at the network.
In a recent statement, Trump expressed positive sentiments about Ellison and his father, Larry Ellison, describing them as “friends” and “big supporters.” He emphasized confidence that they will “do the right thing” in their dealings with CBS.
The network’s strategy has also included a notable shift in editorial leadership. In October, Paramount acquired the Free Press website, appointing its founder, Bari Weiss, as the new editor-in-chief of CBS News. Weiss has been instrumental in booking key figures for “60 Minutes,” including Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who recently discussed the peace deal in Gaza.
As the landscape of political media continues to evolve, the upcoming interview may provide deeper insights into Trump’s current perspectives and the dynamics between his administration and mainstream media outlets. Given the historical tension between Trump and CBS, viewers will likely be keen to see how this latest engagement unfolds.
