The Network Significantly Trims Donald Trump's 60 Minutes Interview, Omitting Boast About Network Paying The President Large Funds

This broadcast network show 60 Minutes heavily edited a conversation with Donald Trump broadcast on Sunday evening, marking the initial one-on-one with the program in five years.

Trump sat down alongside journalist Norah O’Donnell for 90 minutes, yet merely approximately 28 minutes aired on television. A complete text version from the discussion was later published, alongside a 73-minute digital cut from the interview.

These cuts are notable since, precisely 12 months before Trump's appearance with O’Donnell at his Mar-a-Lago resort, he had sued the network regarding the editing from another 60 Minutes interview featuring the vice president, claiming it was manipulated to benefit her chances during the race.

Although many attorneys largely rejected the lawsuit calling it baseless and unlikely to succeed on free speech grounds, CBS reached an agreement with Trump for $16m this past summer. Under the settlement, CBS had agreed that it would release full records of future interviews with candidates.

During the opening of Sunday’s show, O’Donnell informed the audience that Paramount settled Trump’s lawsuit, adding that the resolution lacked any admission or admission of wrongdoing”.

In the conversation, in one segment that did not air, the president needled the network about the agreement and repeated his claims toward the broadcaster.

“Actually the program gave me a lotta money. You need not put this on, since I do not wish to cause you discomfort, and I trust you’re not,” Trump said. “But 60 Minutes had to compensate me a large amount since they took her answer out which was damaging, it proved decisive, 48 hours before the election. And they put a different response in. And they paid me handsomely for that. We cannot tolerate fake news. We must have truthful journalism. I believe this is occurring.”

In a separate un-aired portion of the interview, the president praised the sale of CBS to the Ellison family noting the network’s new editor-in-chief, the journalist, was a “excellent addition”.

Trump admitted he was not acquainted with Weiss, but told the interviewer: “People say she is impressive.

“I think you've acquired a talented director, frankly, who’s the young woman that’s leading your whole enterprise, is superb – from what I know,” he said.

Trump was especially effusive in complimenting David Ellison and his parent, Larry Ellison, the new owner of the network's parent firm, Paramount Global, through their company Skydance Media.

“I think a very positive development recently involves this program and the change in ownership, the network under new management,” Trump commented. “I think it is a major improvement that has occurred for years toward a transparent and reliable media.”

O’Donnell did not directly respond to the president’s comments about Weiss and the owners.

Included in Trump’s many answers that were edited out were multiple statements doubting the legitimacy of the last election, which he said “was rigged and unlawfully taken”.

During one exchange in the interview, in a part omitted from the broadcast, Trump attempted to persuade O’Donnell to admit that safety had improved in the capital, where she lives.

“You reside in DC. You know that too,” Trump remarked, inquiring of O’Donnell: “Have you noticed any change?”

“I believe I have been occupied excessively,” O’Donnell responded. “I haven’t been out and about that much … I get in my car and go to work and return home.”

The president responded “that’s not a fair answer” and insisted that the journalist noticed an improvement.

Trump then implied that the exchange need not to be aired on the show.

“It is unnecessary to use that one,” he said. “No concerns, don’t worry, I don’t want to embarrass her.”