President Trump is continuing his attacks on CBS News’ “60 Minutes” interview with then-Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, after the interview was nominated for an Emmy Award.
The president railed on social media Wednesday against what he calls the “election interfering” interview with Ms. Harris that took place in October.
“On top of that, in a total slap in the face to anyone who believes in TRUTH and Honest Journalism, this Fake News Puff Piece has now been nominated for an award by the totally discredited Emmys. Did 60 Minutes and its Corporate Parents apply to get an Emmy for an illegally falsified interview, or did other Fake Outlets nominate them for this dubious ‘honor?’” he wrote.
He said the interview was “much worse than expected, with her answers being unlawfully fixed, manipulated, and doctored throughout by CBS, in order to try and make Kamala appear at least somewhat coherent.”
Earlier this year, the network released the uncut transcript of the interview. The Trump team and Republicans questioned the editing of the interview because some clips showed her answers heavily cut down, or answering the same question with different responses.
Mr. Trump said the transcript showed that the interview was “nothing but fake, corrupt, anti-Trump propaganda.”
He said it’s an example of why Americans “have no trust in the press and demand that the Media, very much including 60 Minutes, CBS, and its owners, be held responsible for their corruption and lies.”
When CBS News posted the transcript on its website, the network defended the interview, saying that the uncut transcript shows that the interview was “not doctored or deceitful.”
“In reporting the news, journalists regularly edit interviews — for time, space or clarity. In making these edits, 60 Minutes is always guided by the truth and what we believe will be most informative to the viewing public — all while working within the constraints of broadcast television,” the network said.
Mr. Trump filed a lawsuit for damages last November against CBS over the interview. His lawyers say the interview tried to “mislead the public” with its “partisan and unlawful acts of election and voter interference.”
The president’s lawyers and Paramount, the parent company of CBS News, were reportedly set to begin mediation over the lawsuit last week.
