CBS News’ 60 Minutes has released the full, unedited transcript and raw video of its October 2024 interview with Kamala Harris after facing public scrutiny and a lawsuit from President Donald Trump. The move comes as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) investigates claims of deceptive editing practices that allegedly misrepresented Harris’ responses on critical issues.
Background on the Controversy
The interview, conducted during Harris’ final months as Vice President, initially raised eyebrows due to inconsistencies between the broadcast and leaked versions of her responses. Critics, including Trump and Republican lawmakers, accused 60 Minutes of selectively editing her answers to portray her more favorably on topics such as U.S. relations with Israel and the economy.
A particularly contentious example involved Harris’ comments on Israel. The broadcast condensed her 179-word response to a brief 20-word soundbite, omitting key context that Republicans claim revealed her indecisiveness on the issue.
FCC Investigation Underway
The release of the raw footage is part of an ongoing FCC investigation into CBS, initiated under Chairman Brendan Carr. The FCC is examining whether the edits violated federal regulations, specifically those regarding “news distortion,” which prohibit the intentional broadcasting of misleading information.
“The American people deserve the truth,” Carr said in a statement. “If a major network deliberately misrepresented facts to protect a political figure, that would be a serious violation of journalistic ethics and federal law.”
The investigation coincides with CBS parent company Paramount Global’s $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media, which is also under FCC review. Analysts suggest that findings of misconduct could impact the merger’s approval and damage CBS’ credibility.
CBS Defends Its Editing
CBS News has pushed back against accusations of bias or deception, defending its editing decisions as standard industry practice meant to streamline interviews for clarity and time constraints. “The edits were made for time and conciseness, and not to alter the meaning of the content,” a CBS spokesperson said.
However, critics aren’t buying the explanation. Trump’s legal team claims the edits were politically motivated, further arguing that media organizations should be held accountable for misrepresenting public officials. “This isn’t about just editing for brevity,” said Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. “This is about shaping a narrative to protect a political ally.”
Trump’s Lawsuit Against CBS
President Trump’s lawsuit against CBS and Paramount alleges that the network deliberately omitted damaging responses from Harris to present a more favorable image of her during a critical election cycle. The lawsuit seeks damages and demands public accountability for what Trump has described as “an intentional act of disinformation.”
“This is about truth and integrity,” Trump said. “The media has too much power, and when they abuse it to push a political agenda, the American people are the ones who suffer.”
What’s Next?
The FCC is expected to review the full transcript and video to determine whether CBS’ editing practices crossed legal or ethical boundaries. If the investigation finds violations, CBS could face fines and reputational damage that may affect the success of the Paramount-Skydance merger.
The case also adds fuel to ongoing debates about media bias and the role of government oversight in ensuring fairness in news reporting. With Trump’s lawsuit moving forward and the FCC tightening its scrutiny, the implications could be far-reaching.
As Trump put it, “This isn’t just about me or Kamala Harris—this is about the future of media accountability in America.”
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW UNEDITED BELOW
The FULL UNEDITED 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris during the 2024 campaign has been released…
It’s worse than we thought.
Here it is… If you dare: pic.twitter.com/b17sjYRzte
— Shawn Farash (@Shawn_Farash) February 5, 2025