This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/01/trump-cbs-harris-interview-lawsuit

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Trump sues CBS News for $10bn, claiming Kamala Harris interview was edited Trump sues CBS News for $10bn, claiming Kamala Harris interview was edited
(31 minutes later)
Trump lashed out after interview featured more concise version of Harris’s answer to question on war in Gaza than had appeared in trailerTrump lashed out after interview featured more concise version of Harris’s answer to question on war in Gaza than had appeared in trailer
Donald Trump has sued CBS News for $10bn, alleging an interview with Kamala Harris on 60 Minutes was doctored to cast her in a positive light and amounted to “election interference”.Donald Trump has sued CBS News for $10bn, alleging an interview with Kamala Harris on 60 Minutes was doctored to cast her in a positive light and amounted to “election interference”.
The lawsuit seeking damages was filed in a US district court in Amarillo, northern Texas, which is presided over by a judge, Matthew Kacsmaryk, who has a track record of friendly rulings to rightwing legal filings.The lawsuit seeking damages was filed in a US district court in Amarillo, northern Texas, which is presided over by a judge, Matthew Kacsmaryk, who has a track record of friendly rulings to rightwing legal filings.
It came after Trump said that CBS should lose its license to broadcast news over the interview.It came after Trump said that CBS should lose its license to broadcast news over the interview.
The former president lashed out after the interview, which aired on 7 October, featured a different, more concise version of the vice-president’s answer to a question on Israel and the war in Gaza than had appeared in the trailer.The former president lashed out after the interview, which aired on 7 October, featured a different, more concise version of the vice-president’s answer to a question on Israel and the war in Gaza than had appeared in the trailer.
In the finalised interview, Harris – on being asked if Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, listened to US advice – answered: “We are not going to stop pursuing what is necessary for the United States – to be clear about where we stand on the need for this war to end.”In the finalised interview, Harris – on being asked if Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, listened to US advice – answered: “We are not going to stop pursuing what is necessary for the United States – to be clear about where we stand on the need for this war to end.”
An alternative edit, feature in earlier pre-broadcast promotions, had Harris giving a longer response.An alternative edit, feature in earlier pre-broadcast promotions, had Harris giving a longer response.
Trump’s court filing alleges that CBS is guilty of “partisan and unlawful acts of voter interference through malicious, deceptive and substantial news distortion”. It says the edit was intended to “confuse, deceive and mislead the public” and “tip the scales in favor of the Democratic party as the heated 2024 presidential election … approaches its conclusion.”Trump’s court filing alleges that CBS is guilty of “partisan and unlawful acts of voter interference through malicious, deceptive and substantial news distortion”. It says the edit was intended to “confuse, deceive and mislead the public” and “tip the scales in favor of the Democratic party as the heated 2024 presidential election … approaches its conclusion.”
The 19-page legal brief includes a catalogue of politically weighted assertions echoing public statement frequently made by Trump. For example, it states that Harris – whom it repeatedly refers to as Kamala, rather than by her last name – “ousted” Biden in an “anti-democratic political coup.” The 19-page legal brief includes a catalogue of politically weighted assertions echoing public statement frequently made by Trump. For example, it states that Harris – whom it repeatedly refers to as Kamala, rather than by her last name – “ousted” Biden in an “anti-democratic political coup”.
“CBS and other legacy media organizations have gone into overdrive to get Kamala elected,” it says.“CBS and other legacy media organizations have gone into overdrive to get Kamala elected,” it says.
It is not unusual for broadcast outlets to cut interview answers for reasons of timing and conciseness.It is not unusual for broadcast outlets to cut interview answers for reasons of timing and conciseness.
A CBS spokesperson dismissed Trump’s action as “completely without merit” in a statement issued to the Hill.A CBS spokesperson dismissed Trump’s action as “completely without merit” in a statement issued to the Hill.
Sign up to The Stakes — US Election EditionSign up to The Stakes — US Election Edition
The Guardian guides you through the chaos of a hugely consequential presidential electionThe Guardian guides you through the chaos of a hugely consequential presidential election
after newsletter promotionafter newsletter promotion
“The interview was not doctored; and 60 Minutes did not hide any part of the vice-president’s answer to the question at issue. 60 Minutes fairly presented the interview to inform the viewing audience, and not to mislead it,” the spokesperson said.“The interview was not doctored; and 60 Minutes did not hide any part of the vice-president’s answer to the question at issue. 60 Minutes fairly presented the interview to inform the viewing audience, and not to mislead it,” the spokesperson said.
“The lawsuit Trump has brought today against CBS is completely without merit and we will vigorously defend against it.”“The lawsuit Trump has brought today against CBS is completely without merit and we will vigorously defend against it.”
Trump’s call for the network to be stripped of its licence was condemned by the Federal Communications Commission, the US broadcast regulator, as a “threat against free speech”. It said licences could not be revoked because candidates disagreed with coverage.Trump’s call for the network to be stripped of its licence was condemned by the Federal Communications Commission, the US broadcast regulator, as a “threat against free speech”. It said licences could not be revoked because candidates disagreed with coverage.
Trump has similarly demanded that ABC be stripped of its license for fact-checking him in his September debate with Harris.Trump has similarly demanded that ABC be stripped of its license for fact-checking him in his September debate with Harris.