Dems float FCC probe of "60 Minutes" trimming Trump interview
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President Trump takes a question from a reporter aboard Air Force One on Oct. 27. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
An exchange from President Trump's interview with CBS News' "60 Minutes" about accusations of corruption involving his family's crypto empire was not included in the extended version the network shared online.
The big picture: The sit-down came after Trump sued and settled with the network over the program's editing of an interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris and as Trump's FCC chair threatened broadcasters with claims of "news distortion."
Driving the news: The portions of the roughly 90-minute interview aired on "60 Minutes" Sunday totaled around 28 minutes. An extended 73-minute version posted online did not include parts of the full transcript posted to CBS News' website.
What was included: The extended video shows CBS News anchor Norah O'Donnell asking about Trump pardoning Binance founder Changpeng Zhao and Trump's initial defense that he didn't know him.
What was omitted: The video cut O'Donnell's final question: "So not concerned about the appearance of corruption with this?"
Also omitted was Trump's stammering reply: "I can't say, because — I can't say — I'm not concerned. I don't — I'd rather not have you ask the question."
- He continued in the omitted portion, "But I let you ask it. You just came to me and you said, 'Can I ask another question?' And I said, yeah. This is the question."
- O'Donnell replied, "And you answered," to which Trump said, "I don't mind. Did I let you do it? I coulda walked away. I didn't have to answer this question. I'm proud to answer the question."
- Trump concluded, "We are number one in crypto and that's the only thing I care about. I don't want China or anybody else to take it away. It's a massive industry."
Zoom out: Some sections of the interview that Trump suggested did not need to be included did not make it to air, but were included in the extended version.
- "60 Minutes paid me a lotta money," he said at one point. "And you don't have to put this on, because I don't wanna embarrass you, and I'm sure you're not — you have a great — I think you have a great, new leader," seemingly in reference to editor-in-chief Bari Weiss.
Friction point: Jonathan Uriarte, the spokesperson for the sole Democratic commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission, wrote in a post that under "the standard set by the Trump FCC, this could qualify as news distortion and deserves an investigation."
- But FCC commissioner Anna Gomez said in a statement to Axios, "Just as it was inappropriate for the FCC to revive the complaint against 60 minutes for the interview of Vice President Harris, it would be inappropriate for the FCC to initiate a complaint against 60 minutes for editing the interview of the President."
- She added: "The Communications Act prohibits the Commission from censoring broadcasters and the First Amendment protects journalistic decisions against government intimidation. Our country needs a press free from interference from regulators like me."
Zoom out: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) wrote in an early-morning post, "Maybe I should file a complaint with the FCC against the Trump White House for editing his unhinged 60 Minutes interview."
- CBS News did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comments.
- On X, FCC Chair Brendan Carr responded to Schumer by saying, "Due to the Schumer Shutdown, even your frivolous filing could not be processed by the FCC."
What they're saying: White House communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement provided to Axios that Trump "gave a powerhouse interview for over an hour that covered a wide range of topics, including the historic 10 months America has had under his leadership."
Catch up quick: Months after Trump brought his voter interference suit, CBS parent Paramount Global agreed to pay a $16 million settlement — clearing the way for the company to merge with Skydance Media.
- In a statement at the time, Paramount said that "in the future, 60 Minutes will release transcripts of interviews with eligible U.S. presidential candidates after such interviews have aired, subject to redactions as required for legal or national security concerns."
- The company emphasized that the settlement did "not include a statement of apology or regret."
More from Axios:
- "60 Minutes" top producer resigns amid Trump lawsuit
- Read: Trump interview transcript on crypto corruption claims that "60 Minutes" cut
Editor's note: This story has been updated throughout with additional context and comments from the White House and Anna Gomez.
