Trump Declines “60 Minutes” Interview for Election Special
CBS News announced on Tuesday that Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, will not participate in an interview with “60 Minutes” for its upcoming election special. As a result, the program, set to air next Monday, will feature only his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris.
Traditionally, “60 Minutes,” the highest-rated news program on television, invites both presidential candidates for separate interviews that are broadcast back-to-back leading up to the election. This year, however, the special will air on Monday instead of its usual Sunday slot due to CBS airing the American Music Awards on that day.
Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, responded to inquiries about the decision by labeling the reports as “fake news.” He noted that while there had been discussions regarding the interview, nothing had been finalized.
According to “60 Minutes,” Trump’s campaign had initially agreed to participate in the interview but later informed CBS that the former president would not appear. The network clarified that the invitation for Trump to join the special remains open, and correspondent Scott Pelley will address Trump’s absence during the broadcast.
In contrast, Vice President Harris will appear in a pre-recorded interview conducted by Bill Whitaker. Currently, there are no other scheduled opportunities for voters to see both candidates together. Harris and Trump had previously faced off in a debate on September 10. While Harris has accepted an invitation for a second debate with CNN later this month, Trump has yet to respond.
The upcoming special will be particularly significant since it is one of the few occasions for voters to engage with the candidates directly ahead of the election. Trump’s contentious interview with “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl before the 2020 election remains memorable, as he ended the session abruptly and his campaign later released an unedited transcript of the conversation, highlighting their disagreements over the interview’s portrayal.
On the same day CBS announced the details of the interview special, they also hosted a vice presidential debate featuring Republican Senator JD Vance of Ohio and Minnesota’s Democratic Governor Tim Walz.
As the election approaches, the absence of a joint interview raises questions about transparency and accessibility for voters seeking to compare the candidates directly. The decision not to participate may also reflect broader strategies as Trump navigates his campaign in a challenging political landscape.
Overall, this situation underscores the evolving dynamics of the election process and the significance of media appearances in shaping public perceptions of the candidates. As “60 Minutes” prepares for its special, it remains to be seen how Trump’s absence will impact viewer engagement and the overall narrative of the election cycle.
