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NPR: Why CBS stands at the epicenter of Trump's assault on the media
NPR - Why CBS stands at the epicenter of Trump's assault on the media
February 6, 2025
5:00 AM ET
By David Folkenflik
The television news magazine 60 Minutes — the most storied and profitable show in the history of CBS News — currently finds itself as the avatar of President Trump's onslaught against the media in the courts and the court of public opinion.
Despite brave talk from the news division, CBS's parent company appears to be inching toward capitulation, as its controlling owner wants to drag CBS out of the headlines and wrap up a corporate sale.
Before becoming president, Trump sued CBS over 60 Minutes' interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris shortly before the election. Now, Trump's newly elevated Federal Communications Commission chairman, Brendan Carr, is using the levers of government to put pressure on the network.
On Monday, at Carr's request, CBS News sent the raw footage and the full transcripts of the interview to the FCC. On Wednesday, the FCC posted it publicly. Carr announced the agency would proceed with a formal investigation, tweeting "The people will have a chance to weigh in."
CBS published the videos and transcripts shortly after, along with a statement defending its journalism. It did not comment in response to NPR's questions for this story.
/snip
February 6, 2025
5:00 AM ET
By David Folkenflik
The television news magazine 60 Minutes — the most storied and profitable show in the history of CBS News — currently finds itself as the avatar of President Trump's onslaught against the media in the courts and the court of public opinion.
Despite brave talk from the news division, CBS's parent company appears to be inching toward capitulation, as its controlling owner wants to drag CBS out of the headlines and wrap up a corporate sale.
Before becoming president, Trump sued CBS over 60 Minutes' interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris shortly before the election. Now, Trump's newly elevated Federal Communications Commission chairman, Brendan Carr, is using the levers of government to put pressure on the network.
On Monday, at Carr's request, CBS News sent the raw footage and the full transcripts of the interview to the FCC. On Wednesday, the FCC posted it publicly. Carr announced the agency would proceed with a formal investigation, tweeting "The people will have a chance to weigh in."
CBS published the videos and transcripts shortly after, along with a statement defending its journalism. It did not comment in response to NPR's questions for this story.
/snip