CBS News Significantly Trims Donald Trump's TV Program Interview, Removing Claim Regarding Broadcaster Compensating Him Substantial Money

The CBS News program the long-running news magazine heavily trimmed a conversation featuring the former president that aired Sunday night, representing the initial sit-down on the show in five years.

Trump spoke with correspondent the CBS anchor over an hour and a half, yet merely about 28 minutes were broadcast. A complete transcript of the interview was later published, together with a 73-minute digital cut from the interview.

The edits are notable because, precisely 12 months prior to the president's appearance on the program at his Mar-a-Lago resort, he filed suit against CBS over post-production changes from another 60 Minutes interview with then-Vice President the vice president, claiming it was manipulated to help her chances in the presidential election.

While many attorneys largely rejected the legal action calling it baseless and unlikely to succeed under the first amendment, the broadcaster reached an agreement with Trump for millions in July. Under the agreement, CBS committed that it would publish full records from upcoming discussions with candidates.

At the beginning of Sunday’s show, the correspondent reminded viewers that the parent company resolved Trump’s lawsuit, but noted that “the settlement did not include any admission or admission of wrongdoing”.

During the interview, in one segment omitted from broadcast, the president teased CBS over the settlement restating his claims against the network.

“Actually the program gave me a lotta money. You need not put this on, since I do not wish to embarrass you, and I’m sure you’re not,” Trump said. “However the show had to compensate me a lot of money because they took Harris’s response out which was damaging, it proved decisive, 48 hours prior to voting. They inserted a different response into the broadcast. They compensated me a lot of money for that. You can’t have fake news. You’ve gotta have legit news. I believe this is occurring.”

During another un-aired portion of the interview, the president praised the acquisition of CBS to the Ellison family noting the broadcaster's recently appointed head, the journalist, is a “excellent addition”.

The US president said he didn’t know Weiss, but told O’Donnell: “People say she is impressive.

“In my view you've acquired a talented director, honestly, that individual that’s leading your entire organization, is a great – from what I know,” he remarked.

Trump was especially enthusiastic in praising the executive and his parent, Larry Ellison, the recent purchaser of the network's parent firm, Paramount Global, through their company Skydance.

“I think a very positive development to happen involves this program and the change in ownership, CBS under new management,” the president commented. “I believe it’s the greatest thing that’s happened in a long time toward a transparent and reliable media.”

The correspondent offered no direct reply to the president’s comments concerning the editor and the owners.

Among Trump’s many answers which were cut were several comments doubting the legitimacy of the last election, which he said “was rigged and unlawfully taken”.

During one exchange in the conversation, in a segment omitted from the broadcast, Trump tried to get the journalist to admit that crime was down in Washington DC, where she lives.

“You live here. You know that too,” the president said, asking the correspondent: “Have you noticed any change?”

“I think I’ve been working too hard,” O’Donnell replied. “I haven’t been outside that much … I drive to the studio and return home.”

The president responded “that’s not a fair answer” and insisted that the journalist noticed a difference.

The president then implied that the exchange need not be included on the show.

“It is unnecessary to use that one,” he said. “No concerns, don’t worry, I don’t want to embarrass her.”