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In a developing saga that has perhaps flown under the radar, the venerable news program 60 Minutes finds itself navigating turbulent waters, grappling with pressures emanating from none other than former President Trump.
At the core of this narrative lies Trump’s dubious lawsuit against CBS News and 60 Minutes, which alleges that the program edited its interview with Vice President Kamala Harris to present her in a more favorable light during the crucial 2024 election campaign.
However, the real source of Trump’s ire appears to stem from his decision to skip the traditional pre-election interview that 60 Minutes typically conducts with presidential candidates. To add salt to the wound, the program publicly called him out for his absence, a move that likely left him seething.
Meanwhile, Paramount, the parent company of CBS, is in the midst of a merger that requires the blessing of the Trump administration. In a rather ironic twist, they seem inclined to placate Trump with a settlement over the unfounded defamation lawsuit, essentially attempting to buy peace.
Like many corporate media entities, Paramount has been accused of trying to exert control over the content that 60 Minutes produces. This corporate oversight has culminated in significant changes behind the scenes, including the recent resignation of the long-serving showrunner.
The situation was brought to light when Scott Pelley, in a bold move, used the closing moments of a recent episode to inform viewers of the unfolding drama behind the scenes.