CBS News’ “60 Minutes” opened with a detailed account by correspondent Scott Pelley on the lead up to former President Donald Trump backing out of the show’s traditional interview with presidential candidates. Trump’s campaign had agreed to film an interview at his Mar-a-Lago home, but backed out a week ago, citing concerns about fact-checking and demanding an apology for a previous interview with Lesley Stahl. Pelley explained that both campaigns understood the interview would proceed even if one candidate backed out.
Pelley highlighted the shifting explanations from the Trump campaign for why the interview was canceled, including complaints about fact-checking and demands for an apology. Trump has previously stated that his opponent, Kamala Harris, does not do interviews because she cannot handle them. Pelley noted that Trump’s decision not to participate in the interview on “60 Minutes” may have been the largest audience he would have until election day. The segment then switched to an interview with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris where she criticized Trump’s refusal to participate in meaningful conversations with voters on the show.
During her interview, Harris criticized Trump’s decision not to participate in the “60 Minutes” interview, stating that he was not giving viewers the ability to have a meaningful conversation and question-and-answer session with her. She suggested that viewers watch Trump’s rallies instead, where he talks about himself and his personal grievances rather than addressing important issues facing the country. Harris emphasized that Trump’s refusal to participate in interviews reflects his lack of interest in bringing the country together and finding common ground with voters.
The segment on “60 Minutes” highlighted the importance of presidential candidates sitting down for interviews with the show in the months leading up to the election. Trump’s decision to back out of the interview was seen as a missed opportunity for him to connect with voters and address important issues facing the country. Harris used the opportunity to criticize Trump’s approach to communication and highlight the importance of having open and meaningful conversations with voters.
Overall, the segment on “60 Minutes” provided insight into the lead up to Trump’s decision to back out of the traditional interview with the show’s presidential candidates. The segment highlighted the importance of candidates engaging in interviews with major news outlets to communicate their platform and connect with voters. Harris used the opportunity to criticize Trump’s communication style and emphasize the importance of having meaningful conversations with voters. Trump’s decision not to participate in the interview was seen as a missed opportunity for him to address important issues and connect with a large audience leading up to the election.
