Donald Trump said he will only appear on CBS’ legendary “60 Minutes” program if he receives an apology from the network.
The former president confirmed an ongoing feud with the program while answering questions in Milwaukee on Tuesday night, minutes before his running mate JD Vance was set to face Tim Walz in the vice presidential debate.
Trump referred to his controversial sit-down in 2020 with CBS’ Leslie Stahl — which he walked out of during a White House meeting — saying the attack had to do with his demand for an apology.
“First I want to get an apology,” Trump said when asked about the nixed sit-down. “They said the laptop from hell came from Russia. I said it didn’t come from Russia, it came from Hunter [Biden]Trump said.
The interview, combined with an interview with Kamala Harris, was scheduled to air in a Monday night special.
“They really owed me an apology,” Trump said.
‘They really owed me an apology’: Donald Trump said CBS had to apologize for a conversation about Hunter Biden’s infamous laptop after the network said he canceled a planned appearance on the show
Trump’s demands could give him some leverage over the debate itself. Trump has complained for days about his treatment during his debate with Kamala Harris on ABC News, complaining it was “three against one.”
“After initially accepting 60 Minutes’ request for an interview with Scott Pelley, former President Trump’s campaign has decided not to participate,” the network said in a statement.
“For more than half a century, 60 Minutes has invited Democratic and Republican ticket holders to appear on our broadcast as Americans head to the polls,” CBS said. “This year, both the Harris and Trump campaigns agreed to host 60 Minutes.”
During his 2020 dogfight on “60 Minutes,” Trump claimed that “they were spying on my campaign” regarding the Russia investigation, complaining that the network had done a softball interview with Joe Biden and calling it “a joke.”
After Stahl pushed back against him, Trump ended the interview early and consulted with former aide Hope Hicks.
“I think we have enough interviews here, Hope. Okay? That’s enough. Let’s go. Let’s go.’
Then former press secretary Kayleigh McEnany Stahl brought a stack of documents and sent former Vice President Mike Pence.
“The president has given you a lot of time,” she said.
Stahl asked Trump if his tweets turned people off. “You have discredited yourself,” Trump said in one of several swipes at her.