Overview
Former President Donald Trump declined an invitation to sit down for a “60 Minutes” interview, citing unresolved issues from a previous interview in 2020. Trump is demanding an apology from CBS News, which he claims mishandled the 2020 interview by dismissing allegations regarding Hunter Biden’s laptop. The network had reached out to both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the upcoming election for interviews, with Harris accepting.
Why It Matters
This situation underscores ongoing tensions between former President Trump and mainstream media, highlighting concerns about media bias and accountability that resonate with many Americans.
Who It Impacts
This impacts media consumers and voters, particularly those interested in media transparency and fair reporting practices.
Former President Donald Trump has refused an invitation to participate in an upcoming “60 Minutes” interview, citing a lingering dispute from a 2020 interview with the program. Trump, speaking at a press conference in Milwaukee, explained that CBS News still owes him an apology over what he described as an unfair and biased interview regarding Hunter Biden’s laptop and foreign business dealings related to the Biden family.
In the 2020 interview, Trump was repeatedly fact-checked by journalist Leslie Stahl, particularly on the issue of the infamous “laptop from hell.” Trump maintains that Stahl and CBS dismissed the allegations, claiming the laptop was tied to Russian disinformation, a claim that has since been called into question. Trump walked out of that interview, and now, three years later, he says he won’t return to “60 Minutes” until CBS issues a formal apology.
Trump’s campaign team has reinforced this position, with Communications Director Steven Cheung accusing CBS of dishonesty, particularly surrounding their coverage of Hunter Biden’s laptop story. According to Cheung, CBS “begged” for an interview with Trump despite their past behavior. He also noted that the network had pushed for live fact-checking during the interview, which he described as an “unprecedented” demand.
Fake News. 60 Minutes begged for an interview, even after they were caught lying about Hunter Biden’s laptop back in 2020. There were initial discussions, but nothing was ever scheduled or locked in.
They also insisted on doing live fact checking, which is unprecedented. https://t.co/l7xIacc1JK
— Steven Cheung (@TheStevenCheung) October 1, 2024
CBS News had extended an invitation to both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris for interviews ahead of the 2024 election. While Harris accepted the invitation, Trump refused, pointing to the unresolved issues with the network. Harris’s interview, scheduled to air on October 7, is expected to focus on key issues such as the economy, immigration, and global conflicts.
This ongoing tension between Trump and the media is emblematic of broader concerns about bias in reporting and the treatment of conservative figures. Trump’s insistence on an apology from CBS, coupled with his rejection of live fact-checking, signals a continued distrust of mainstream media outlets. Many of his supporters share this sentiment, feeling that certain news organizations have a track record of skewing coverage in favor of left-leaning figures and policies.
