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The disgraced “60 Minutes” is publicly complaining after former President Trump broke a 50-year tradition by refusing to participate in the outlet’s election special.
In a tweet, the show announced: “A Programming Note: 60 Minutes is scheduled to air a primetime election special on Monday, October 7, at 8 PM. For over half a century, 60 Minutes has invited both the Democratic and Republican tickets to appear as Americans head to the polls.”
The tweet continued, “[B]oth the Harris and Trump campaigns agreed to sit down with 60 Minutes. Vice President Harris will speak with correspondent Bill Whitaker. After initially accepting 60 Minutes’ request for an interview with Scott Pelley, former President Trump’s campaign has decided not to participate. Pelley will address this Monday evening.”
The show added, “Our original invitation to former President Donald Trump to be interviewed on 60 Minutes stands.”
The Trump campaign responded by labeling the tweet “fake news.” According to a campaign spokesperson, “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 confirmed. They also insisted on doing live fact-checking, which is unprecedented.”
When asked directly about it on Tuesday, Trump reiterated his position.
Trump revealed that 60 Minutes approached him for an interview, but he’s holding out for an apology. “They came to me and would like me to do an interview, but first I want an apology,” Trump said. He reminded reporters of the last interview where the program challenged him about Hunter Biden’s laptop, calling it “Russian disinformation.” Trump responded at the time, saying, “It wasn’t from Russia, it was from Hunter [Biden].” He added, “I never got an apology, so I’m waiting. I’d love to do 60 Minutes… but they owe me an apology.”
Trump is right to stand firm. During his 2020 appearance on 60 Minutes, Lesley Stahl joined the rest of the media in dismissing the laptop story, falsely claiming it couldn’t be verified. Here’s a transcript from that interview:
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Take a look at what’s going on, Lesley. And then you say that —
LESLEY STAHL: I think…
PRESIDENT TRUMP: It’s the biggest scandal out there, Lesley.
STAHL: And you think it’s the biggest issue to campaign on?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I think it’s — I think it’s one of the biggest scandals I’ve ever seen, and you don’t cover it. You won’t talk about it.
STAHL: Well, because it can’t be verified —
PRESIDENT TRUMP: You want to talk about insignificant things.
STAHL: I’m telling you —
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Of course it can be verified. Excuse me. They found the laptop. Lesley, listen.
STAHL: Can’t be verified.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: What can’t be verified?
STAHL: The laptop.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Why do you say that? Even the family has — the family, on the laptop, he’s gone into hiding. For five days he’s gone into hiding.
STAHL: He’s preparing for your debate.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Oh, it’s taken him five days to prepare. I doubt it. I doubt it.
Everyone in the media knew the laptop was authentic, but Stahl and others claimed it couldn’t be authenticated, labeling it “Russian disinformation” to suppress the story.
Trump would be wise to avoid 60 Minutes again. It’s no different from sitting down with the Democratic National Committee. The biased treatment of JD Vance in the recent vice presidential debate, where CBS anchors clearly sided against Trump’s running mate, is further proof. With 60 Minutes losing credibility and relevance, Trump’s time is better spent engaging with podcasters and alternative media.
