On Thursday, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump filed a lawsuit against CBS, alleging that the network’s “60 Minutes” program intentionally aired a misleading segment of an interview with Democratic opponent Kamala Harris. The lawsuit, submitted to the federal court in the Northern District of Texas, argues that CBS selectively edited Harris’s responses regarding the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict to create a more favorable impression of her stance.
According to Trump’s legal team, the “60 Minutes” episode aired on October 6 included an edited version of Harris’s answer, omitting what they call a “word salad” response she made about the Biden administration’s influence over Israel’s military strategy. The omission, the suit claims, was intended to downplay Harris’s difficulties in articulating the administration’s position, thus allegedly misleading the public. Trump’s legal counsel asserts that the exclusion of her full remarks obscured critical aspects of her position on foreign policy and the administration’s approach to the Middle East conflict.
CBS swiftly responded to the allegations. A spokesperson for CBS News issued a statement, calling Trump’s claims “false” and describing the lawsuit as “without merit.” The network has vowed to defend itself against what it considers baseless accusations, adding that “60 Minutes” made editorial decisions in line with journalistic standards. CBS also noted that Trump had previously canceled his own scheduled interview with the program.
The lawsuit demands a jury trial and $10 billion in damages, citing a Texas law prohibiting deceptive practices in business activities. Trump has also criticized CBS on the campaign trail, suggesting that, if elected, he would seek to revoke the network’s broadcasting license due to what he views as a pattern of biased reporting.
As both candidates gear up for a closely contested presidential race, the lawsuit underscores Trump’s ongoing efforts to spotlight media bias as a central campaign theme. The case will likely draw significant attention in the coming months, potentially impacting both public perception of media coverage and the legal responsibilities of broadcasters in handling political content.
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