Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) is pressing CBS and its parent company, Paramount, to explain how the network handled edits to a President Trump interview that aired on “60 Minutes” on Nov. 2 — raising new questions about media transparency, newsroom accountability, and whether political pressure is being applied behind the scenes.
In a letter to newly appointed CBS News ombudsperson Ken Weinstein, first shared with The Hill, Raskin accused the network of yielding to what he called the “improper influence President Donald Trump wielded over CBS News’s editorial decisions” in recent weeks.
“President Trump increasingly appears to be exercising direct control over CBS’s editorial decisions, destroying CBS’s ‘journalistic integrity’ while violating its right to be free from governmental coercion and manipulation,” Raskin wrote.
At the center of the dispute is CBS’s decision not to include a portion of Trump’s on-camera remarks to journalist Norah O’Donnell in which he referenced a past settlement involving Paramount and his presidential foundation. That omission, Raskin argued, undercuts the network’s responsibility to air relevant context — especially at a moment when many conservatives have long criticized legacy media for selective editing and narrative framing.
In the transcript CBS posted online after the broadcast, Trump’s comments appeared, even though they weren’t included during the televised segment:
“And, actually, ’60 Minutes’ paid me a lot of money,” Trump said. “And you don’t have to put this on, because I don’t want to embarrass you, and I’m sure you’re not … I think you have a great, new leader, frankly, who’s — the young woman that’s leading your whole enterprise is a great, from what I know.”
Raskin’s complaint comes against the backdrop of a separate editing fight involving CBS and a “similar interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 election,” which drew heavy criticism from Trump allies and prompted CBS to change its approach. After that blowback, CBS pledged to publish full transcripts of “60 Minutes” interviews with presidents and presidential candidates — a move some conservatives applauded as a step toward transparency.
The letter also points to a major leadership shakeup inside Paramount and CBS. The transcript indicates Trump’s reference to a “new leader” was aimed at Bari Weiss, described as “the former New York Times columnist and a controversial figure in media,” who was installed as CBS’s editor in chief under new CEO David Ellison — son of tech billionaire Larry Ellison.
Raskin’s letter further notes broader corporate and regulatory developments surrounding Paramount, including federal approval for its merger with Skydance and reported plans for additional media deals. He also claimed CBS News “is just one victim in President Trump’s systematic campaign of intimidation against media organizations,” and referenced Trump’s reported threats involving the BBC over editing in a Jan. 6 documentary.
In practical terms, Raskin is asking for internal detail on how CBS handles complaints and how editorial choices get made. He is requesting a written explanation of CBS’s complaint-review standards, an assessment of whether “Trump’s requests to CBS to omit portions of his interview violates CBS News’s editorial independence standards,” and “all documents, communications, and editorial guidance provided to ‘60 Minutes’ producers regarding the Trump interview.”
In his message to Weinstein, Raskin framed the ombudsman’s role as a check on management and outside influence:
“Mr. Weinstein: news ombudsmen serve as independent advocates for the public, investigating complaints and publicly critiquing their organizations when those organizations fall short,” Raskin wrote. “You have a duty to defend CBS’s editorial independence, rather than ratify President Trump’s influence over the organization’s coverage.”
