A new poll shows that almost 90% of voters want CBS to release the unedited version of Vice President Kamala Harris's recent "60 Minutes" interview, amid accusations that the network deceptively edited her responses to critical questions. The controversy centers around Harris's remarks on U.S. support for Israel and immigration, with critics claiming the edits were made to protect her from political fallout.
The interview, which aired in early October, has sparked widespread criticism, particularly from the Trump campaign. CBS is accused of removing a portion of Harris’s answer regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his response to U.S. pressure in the ongoing Middle East conflict. In a preview clip aired prior to the full episode, Harris gave a long, somewhat incoherent explanation of U.S. diplomatic efforts. However, when the full segment aired, that response was missing, replaced with a more concise and coherent statement, raising suspicions of deliberate editing.
Anyone that was surprised Kamala ‘the Kameleon’ Harris was caught using a teleprompter during an ‘unscripted’ town hall hasn’t been paying attention.
I mean CBS news edited her answers on a ‘60 Minutes’ interview so she didn’t look like a total idiot, and is now refusing to… pic.twitter.com/4coLG4gPKW
— Tony Seruga (@TonySeruga) October 11, 2024
The Trump campaign immediately pounced on the discrepancy, calling it a clear attempt by CBS to manipulate public perception. A campaign spokesperson demanded the release of the full, unedited interview, accusing the network of “election interference” and “protecting Harris from embarrassment.” Former President Donald Trump took to social media to amplify the issue, calling the edits part of a broader effort by mainstream media to shield the Biden-Harris administration from scrutiny. Trump stated that the American people deserved transparency, especially as Harris continues to face scrutiny over her role in the administration’s policies on immigration and foreign affairs.
Conservative media outlets also expressed outrage, with some commentators likening the edits to “propaganda” and calling CBS’s actions “Stalin-like.” The backlash was intense on social media, where users circulated the before-and-after clips of Harris’s responses. Many questioned why CBS would omit Harris’s original statements, with some suggesting it was because her initial answer was a “word salad” that would have damaged her credibility.
🚨 JUST IN: CBS's 60 Minutes Scandal is not going away like they had hoped
60 Minutes didn't just edit Kamala Harris's answer, they changed her answer completely
Heads should roll for their Election Interference. Imagine the outrage if it was Trumppic.twitter.com/DcqHiWnImX
— Cash Loren (@CashLorenShow) October 10, 2024
The particular moment that drew attention involved Harris’s response to a question about the U.S. support for Israel, in which she initially gave a vague, rambling answer. That answer was replaced by a more polished and coherent response in the final aired version, leading critics to accuse CBS of “cleaning up” Harris’s mistakes. This incident has fueled broader conversations about media bias, with many conservatives viewing it as yet another example of how mainstream outlets favor liberal politicians.
In addition to the Israel-related question, Harris was also pressed on the administration’s handling of immigration, an issue that has become increasingly problematic for the Biden-Harris team. During the interview, CBS anchor Bill Whitaker noted that illegal immigration numbers had skyrocketed under their watch. Harris, appearing flustered, struggled to answer effectively. This part of the interview, too, was allegedly edited to portray her in a more favorable light, according to critics.
Voter frustration with media handling of political figures is reflected in the recent poll, where 87% of respondents indicated they want to see the full, unedited interview. Many voters expressed concern that the media’s role is to provide accurate information, not to alter it for political purposes. The overwhelming majority believe that CBS’s decision to edit out parts of Harris’s response raises serious questions about journalistic ethics.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, such incidents are likely to play a significant role in shaping voter perceptions. With Vice President Harris positioned as a key figure in the Biden administration, her interviews and media appearances are being scrutinized more closely than ever. For many, the CBS controversy represents a deeper issue of media accountability and the need for transparency in reporting.
