The controversy surrounding Vice President Kamala Harris’ interview with “60 Minutes” took center stage this week, with former President Donald Trump’s campaign calling for CBS News to release the full, unedited transcript of the sit-down. The demand followed claims that the network “deceptively” edited Harris’ response to a question about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, prompting questions about media transparency and journalistic integrity.
The incident began when “60 Minutes” aired an interview with Harris, during which correspondent Bill Whitaker noted that Netanyahu seemed unresponsive to U.S. efforts regarding the ongoing conflict in the region. In a preview clip shared on Sunday, Harris’ answer was rambling and unfocused: “Well, Bill … the work that we have done has resulted in a number of movements in that region by Israel that were very much prompted by or a result of many things, including our advocacy for what needs to happen in the region.” The awkward and convoluted nature of the response quickly attracted criticism on social media, with commentators accusing Harris of delivering yet another “word salad.”
KAMALA on ISRAEL: Well, Bill … the work that we have done has resulted in a number of movements in that region by Israel that were very much prompted by or a result of many things including our advocacy for what needs to happen in the region.
WHAT? 😳 pic.twitter.com/7PWQ0JcLAr
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 6, 2024
However, when the full interview aired on Monday night, Harris’ response was markedly different. In the broadcast version, she stated, “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.” The shift in tone and coherence did not go unnoticed, and the edit raised eyebrows, with many asking why the original response was cut.
Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump’s 2024 campaign, accused “60 Minutes” of misleading viewers by omitting the vice president’s initial rambling answer. Leavitt suggested that the change was made to “lessen Kamala’s idiotic response” and questioned whether there were other segments left on the cutting room floor that the American public deserved to see. She insisted that CBS owes viewers the full, unaltered transcript of Harris’ interview to ensure transparency and accountability.
Meanwhile, Trump himself chose not to participate in “60 Minutes'” presidential election special. His campaign disputed the claim made by correspondent Scott Pelley that an appearance had been agreed upon, citing Trump’s ongoing frustration with the program. The former president had already made clear that he would not engage with the network until it issued an apology for dismissing The New York Post’s Hunter Biden laptop story during the 2020 election.
Remember Kamala’s word salad answer about Israel on 60 Minutes? It’s gone.
This is what many Americans will now see. pic.twitter.com/H4w7btDv6x
— MAZE (@mazemoore) October 8, 2024
