Trump Demands CBS Face Penalty Over ‘60 Minutes’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump lashed out at CBS and its flagship program “60 Minutes,” accusing the network of defamation and political bias. He called for FCC penalties after the show aired reports on Ukraine and Greenland that mentioned him. Trump also referenced his ongoing $20 billion lawsuit against the newsmagazine.
Trump vs. CBS: Quick Looks
- Target of Criticism: Trump blasts CBS and “60 Minutes” after latest episode
- Social Media Rant: Says network should “pay a big price”
- Legal Action: Ongoing $20B lawsuit over Kamala Harris interview
- FCC Involvement: Trump calls for maximum fines from FCC Chairman
- Ukraine Report: “60 Minutes” aired Zelenskyy interview on Russian attacks
- Greenland Segment: Report featured criticism of Trump’s territorial ambitions
- CBS Response: Network has not commented on Trump’s latest accusations
- Broader Trend: FCC also investigating other major U.S. news networks
Trump Demands CBS Face Penalty Over ‘60 Minutes’
Deep Look
President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on CBS News and its flagship show “60 Minutes” late Sunday, accusing the network of being a political weapon disguised as journalism. The rebuke came just hours after the long-running news program aired two high-profile stories that mentioned Trump critically—one focused on Ukraine, the other on Greenland.
“Almost every week, 60 Minutes mentions the name ‘TRUMP’ in a derogatory and defamatory way, but this Weekend’s ‘BROADCAST’ tops them all,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump further demanded action from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr, calling for maximum fines and penalties against CBS, which he accused of “unlawful and illegal behavior.”
Ongoing Lawsuit Against CBS and ‘60 Minutes’
The president’s feud with “60 Minutes” is not new. Trump currently has a $20 billion lawsuit pending against the show, alleging that it intentionally edited an interview with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in a misleading way during the 2024 campaign. He claims the editing was designed to favor Harris, a charge the network strongly denies.
Reports suggest that while CBS has not officially commented, settlement negotiations may be underway between Trump’s legal team and the parent company of CBS.
Meanwhile, the FCC has launched a separate investigation into CBS regarding the Harris interview—part of a broader probe that reportedly includes other media outlets like ABC News, NBC, PBS, NPR, and Disney.
Recent ‘60 Minutes’ Coverage Draws Trump’s Ire
This weekend’s episode appears to have reignited the controversy. One segment, led by veteran correspondent Scott Pelley, included an on-location interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, filmed at the site of a recent Russian missile strike that killed nine children.
Zelenskyy made headlines during the interview by stating he has “100% hatred” for Russian President Vladimir Putin and invited Trump to visit Ukraine and see the war’s devastation firsthand.
In a second segment, correspondent Jon Wertheim reported from Greenland, where he examined local sentiment toward Trump’s previously stated interest in acquiring the territory. Some residents criticized the idea, describing it as colonial overreach.
Trump: CBS ‘No Longer a News Show’
In his Truth Social post, Trump denounced “60 Minutes” as “a dishonest political operative simply disguised as ‘news,’” and warned that CBS must be held “responsible for what they have done, and are doing.”
He claimed the network was “out of control” and had transformed into an attack platform against his presidency.
Trump’s complaints reflect a long-standing pattern of tension with traditional media. Throughout both his presidential terms, he has frequently accused networks like CNN, NBC, and CBS of bias and has promoted alternate platforms like Fox News and Newsmax.
Broader FCC Investigations Into Media
Trump’s call for FCC intervention highlights his administration’s ongoing efforts to challenge media coverage through regulatory means. According to officials, the FCC under Chairman Brendan Carr is currently examining not just CBS but also multiple national news organizations for alleged editorial misconduct.
Whether these investigations will lead to formal penalties remains unclear. Presidents typically do not influence FCC enforcement directly, but Trump’s pressure raises questions about the boundaries between government oversight and press freedom.
A Familiar Media Strategy
Trump’s latest media clash comes at a politically sensitive moment, as the 2028 campaign season heats up and attention on both Trump’s administration and his rivals intensifies. By positioning himself as a victim of media bias, Trump continues to galvanize support among his base, many of whom share his distrust of legacy media outlets.
While the legal proceedings against CBS unfold and the FCC’s investigations continue, Trump’s public attacks are likely to keep the spotlight on media accountability—a central theme of his presidency and re-election platform.
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