CBS News Embroiled in Another High-Profile Feud with White House
The White House is threatening to sue CBS News if the network doesn't air an interview between President Donald Trump and anchor Tony Dokoupil on its flagship program "CBS Evening News" without any editing. According to a report, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told producers and Dokoupil that Trump demanded the full unedited interview be broadcast, warning that if it wasn't, the network would face a lawsuit.
This isn't the first time the Trump administration has tried to flex its muscle over media outlets. Last year, Trump sued CBS News' parent company, Paramount, over an edited "60 Minutes" interview with former Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in 2024. The suit lacked merit but resulted in a $16 million settlement and the exit of two senior CBS News executives overseeing "60 Minutes".
Trump has been known to work media outlets into legal knots, including winning back fees from Walt Disney Co. and entangling The Wall Street Journal and BBC in disputes. Paramount's decision to settle with Trump came as part of its efforts to secure regulatory approval after being sold to Paramount Skydance.
Despite the White House threat, CBS News claims it made a conscious decision to air Dokoupil's interview with Trump without editing, saying they "made the independent decision to air it unedited and in its entirety". The incident has raised questions about the limits of journalistic independence and whether media outlets are willing to stand up to government pressure.
The White House is threatening to sue CBS News if the network doesn't air an interview between President Donald Trump and anchor Tony Dokoupil on its flagship program "CBS Evening News" without any editing. According to a report, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told producers and Dokoupil that Trump demanded the full unedited interview be broadcast, warning that if it wasn't, the network would face a lawsuit.
This isn't the first time the Trump administration has tried to flex its muscle over media outlets. Last year, Trump sued CBS News' parent company, Paramount, over an edited "60 Minutes" interview with former Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in 2024. The suit lacked merit but resulted in a $16 million settlement and the exit of two senior CBS News executives overseeing "60 Minutes".
Trump has been known to work media outlets into legal knots, including winning back fees from Walt Disney Co. and entangling The Wall Street Journal and BBC in disputes. Paramount's decision to settle with Trump came as part of its efforts to secure regulatory approval after being sold to Paramount Skydance.
Despite the White House threat, CBS News claims it made a conscious decision to air Dokoupil's interview with Trump without editing, saying they "made the independent decision to air it unedited and in its entirety". The incident has raised questions about the limits of journalistic independence and whether media outlets are willing to stand up to government pressure.
theyre basically sayin Trump gets away with anything he says...like what if hes spewin some conspiracy theory? at least 60 Minutes made it seem like they were investigatin Kamala Harris' claims but now hes just demandin full unedited interview and CBS News is just lettin him get all the airtime...i think media outlets need to rethink their strategy here
This whole thing is so crazy! I mean, who does the White House think they are? Trying to dictate what gets airtime on CBS News? It's like, come on guys, you can't just strong-arm a news network into doing your bidding. 
That's not how democracy works.
It's a tough decision, but at least they're sticking to their principles.
He thinks he can just sue people into submission? I don't think so. The fact that CBS News ended up settling last year with Kamala Harris just makes it look like another example of him using his power to get what he wants.
what's going on here?! Trump is trying to strong-arm CBS News into airing his interview without any editing? Like, come on! 
. I'm all for a free press, but this dude Trump is making it so hard to trust the media anymore 
This whole thing stinks 
That's like trying to muzzle a journalist in a free society! 
I mean, what's next? Will they try to dictate the content of The New York Times or CNN too? 
#JournalisticIntegrityIsKey 