CBS has released the unedited Kamala Harris 60 Minutes interview after FCC Chair Brendan Carr ordered the news network to turn over the transcript to investigate whether it violated the FCC’s “news distortion” policy.
“We are posting the same transcripts and videos of our interview with Vice President Kamala Harris that we provided to the FCC. They show – consistent with 60 Minutes’ repeated assurances to the public – that the 60 Minutes broadcast was not doctored or deceitful,” CBS News wrote. “In reporting the news, journalists regularly edit interviews – for time, space or clarity. In making these edits, 60 Minutes is always guided by the truth and what we believe will be most informative to the viewing public – all while working within the constraints of broadcast television.”
But not everyone is buying CBS’ explanation.
“CBS’ conduct is hard to explain,” Carr told Fox News Digital. “On the one hand, CBS immediately released the unredacted transcript of a recent interview with Vice President Vance. Yet for months they refused to release the one with Vice President Harris.”
“The FCC has now opened up a proceeding and is seeking public comment on the News Distortion complaint. Transparency here is important. The FCC’s review will continue, and we look forward to the public’s feedback,” Carr added.
A CBS source told The New York Post on Wednesday that the “60 Minutes” edit did Harris “a lot of favors and makes her seem more succinct.”
“You have to watch the video. A lot of ‘word salad,’” the source said. “Feels like a cleanup on Aisle 7. Not a technical foul but one could argue still news distortion.”
Trump and conservative critics have pointed to starkly different answers given by the Democratic presidential candidate on the Gaza war. One version aired in a Face the Nation promo, while a different version appeared on 60 Minutes the next day, Oct. 7—the first anniversary of the Hamas-led massacre of over 1,200 Israelis.
In one question about Israel, Bill Whitaker asked Harris what the US could do to stop the war from spinning out of control. Harris originally gave a 140-word answer; it was cut down to 56 words.
“Well, let’s start with October 7th. Because obviously, what we do now must be in the context of what has happened. And as I reflect on a year ago, and that 1,200 people were massacred, young people at a festival, at a music festival, 250 hostages were taken, including Americans, women were brutally raped,” Harris began.
“And as I said then, I maintain Israel has a right to defend itself. We would. And how it does so matters. And as we fast forward into what we have seen in the ensuing weeks and months, far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed. And we know that, and I think most agree, this war has to end. And that has to be our number one imperative, and that has been our number one imperative. How can we get this war to end?”
The version that was broadcast showed the shorter reply.
“Well, let’s start with October 7th. Twelve hundred people were massacred, 250 hostages were taken, including Americans. Women were brutally raped. And as I said then, I maintain Israel has a right to defend itself. We would. And how it does so matters. Far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed. This war has to end,” Harris said.
Users on social media blasted the edits — some calling it “propaganda.”
PROPAGANDA: 60 Minutes allows Kamala Harris to lie while the cameras are rolling. When they’re off they confront her asking her for the truth. pic.twitter.com/hZTb4tCVOH
— @amuse (@amuse) February 6, 2025
Watch the unedited interview below:
