Raskin to investigate Trump's influence on edited ‘60 Minutes’ interview

If Democrats regain control of the House in next years midterm elections, the influence of former President Trump on American media is expected to become a key focus for congressional oversight. With subpoena authority, Democratic lawmakers could intensify investigations into the former president and his administrations attempts to shape press coverage. However, House Democrats are already taking action.

In late November, Representatives Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Frank Pallone of New Jersey accused CBS parent company, Paramount Skydance, of obstructing their inquiry into alleged bribery related to the Trump administrations approval of the companys merger earlier this year. On Wednesday, Raskin revealed a new investigation targeting CBS recently appointed conservative ombudsman, Kenneth Weinstein, over selective editing in a 60 Minutes interview with Donald Trump.

The interview, broadcast in early November, was heavily trimmed, excluding segments in which Trump discussed CBS paying him millions to settle a lawsuit over edits to a 2024 interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris. Additional cuts removed Trump praising CBS News pro-MAGA editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and highlighting pro-Trump billionaires Larry Ellison and his son, who largely control Paramount Skydance.

Transcripts indicate that Trump instructed the network to omit some of his answers, which were excluded from the final broadcast. Segments left out also included Trumps evasive response regarding alleged corruption tied to his pardon of a Chinese crypto executive with business links to his family.

In a letter to Weinstein, Raskin wrote that Trump forced CBS to install a monitor to police newsroom decisions and guard against anti-Trump biasthe farcical Orwellian role you now fill as CBS News Ombudsman. He added, It now seems President Trump has successfully influenced CBS to edit his own 60 Minutes interview in a misleading and corrupt manner.

Raskins letter requests all documents and communications regarding the Trump interview, including input from Paramount executives, CBS corporate leadership, or external parties. It also seeks a briefing on CBS News editorial policies and independence.

CBS News has not responded to requests for comment.

Beyond the federal investigation, California state lawmakers are examining Paramount Skydances settlement with Trump and whether it may have violated state bribery and unfair competition laws.

Author: Ethan Caldwell