Donald Trump “abruptly” cut short an interview with “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl this week.
CNN reported that the U.S. president was being interviewed by Stahl for a special election-themed edition of the long-running newsmagazine, slated to air this Sunday.
After Trump spoke with Stahl for approximately 45 minutes, reported two CNN sources, “he abruptly ended the interview and told the network he believed they had enough material to use.”
Trump was to have appeared on-camera with Vice President Mike Pence, but refused to return for that portion of the taping.
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On Thursday, Trump pre-empted the interview by sharing a 37-minute video of his interview on Facebook, showing the questions he faced, as well as the moment he cut the interview off.
Raw footage: Trump walks out of interview after complaining that Lesley Stahl's questions were too tough for him pic.twitter.com/5MplZffcF4
— Arlen Parsa (@arlenparsa) October 22, 2020
In a statement to ET Canada, CBS News was adamant that the interview segment will still air on the show this Sunday.
“The White House’s unprecedented decision to disregard their agreement with CBS News and release their footage will not deter ’60 Minutes’ from providing its full, fair and contextual reporting which presidents have participated in for decades,” CBS News said. “’60 Minutes’ the most-watched news program on television, is widely respected for bringing its hallmark fairness, deep reporting and informative context to viewers each week.”
The statement continued, “Few journalists have the presidential interview experience Lesley Stahl has delivered over her decades as one of the premier correspondents in America and we look forward to audiences seeing her third interview with President Trump and subsequent interview with Vice President Pence this weekend.”
In addition, The New York Times is reported on footage of Stahl dressing down Vice President for being evasive in his answers to her questions.
“This was not a rally, this was not just a campaign speech to the public — this was supposed to be an interview, and the same with the president,” Ms. Stahl tells Pence. “And I feel that you both have insulted ‘60 Minutes’ and me by not answering any of our questions.”
Pence, however, insists that he did answer. “Lesley, I appreciate the speech you just gave, and I’ve answered your questions and I’ve talked about what the American people care about.”
Former Vice President Joe Biden and California Sen. Kamala Harris were also interviewed by Stahl for Sunday’s episode.
According to a tweet from Kaitlan Collins, one of the authors of CNN’s report, “Apparently there was some drama while President Trump was taping his ’60 Minutes’ interview today.”
Apparently there was some drama while President Trump was taping his 60 Minutes interview today. He abruptly ended his solo interview after around 45 minutes & did not return for a scheduled walk & talk he was supposed to tape with Pence, @abdallahcnn and I are told by sources.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) October 20, 2020
Trump took to Twitter to share a video footage of Stahl “not wearing a mask in the White House after her interview with me,” also promising there is “Much more to come.”
Lesley Stahl of 60 Minutes not wearing a mask in the White House after her interview with me. Much more to come. pic.twitter.com/0plZG6a4fH
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 20, 2020
Trump then followed up with two more tweets, threatening to post video of the interview in advance of “60 Minutes” airing “for the sake of accuracy in reporting.”
His goal, Trump tweeted, was “so that everybody can get a glimpse of what a FAKE and BIASED interview is all about…”
In a second tweet, he wrote that “…Everyone should compare this terrible Electoral Intrusion with the recent interviews of Sleepy Joe Biden!”
…Everyone should compare this terrible Electoral Intrusion with the recent interviews of Sleepy Joe Biden!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 20, 2020
Here’s a sample of some of the Twitter reaction to Trump’s tweets about his aborted interview.
— GypsyRox (@GypsyRox1) October 20, 2020
Translation = There was drama when Trump abruptly ended his interview with 60 Minutes Lesley Stahl after 45 mins & didn’t return for a joint interview with Pence. So, now with help of Project Veritas (known for editing videos), Trump will release HIS version of the interview. pic.twitter.com/PKiy0edi16
— Dancer (@dancer39532) October 20, 2020
What is an “electoral intrusion”? Thanks to you, I cannot wait to watch 60 Minutes now! pic.twitter.com/ZURhjQmUBU
— J J (@Granjacke901) October 20, 2020
yes sir thank you sir yes please do make attacks on Lesley Stahl your closing argument, that's just what the remaining swing voters want to hear
— Matt Singer (@matthewjsinger) October 20, 2020
I think C̶l̶a̶r̶k̶ Superman might be onto something here… pic.twitter.com/YEn9X5aOEm
— Shawn Van Briesen (@van_briesen) October 20, 2020
Electoral Intrusion Alert 📢 pic.twitter.com/iasCOrld31
— 𝕄𝕖𝕣𝕣𝕪𝔾𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕖𝕕 (@merry_ghouled) October 20, 2020
— Catawampus (@pure_fox3) October 20, 2020
Guys, I think 60 Minutes' ratings are gonna be lit!
— Leslie (@diatribestress) October 20, 2020
— D. L. Hammond (@DiannaHammond90) October 20, 2020
— Justin Satzman (@jsatz23) October 20, 2020
I can’t wait for @60Minutes to air your meltdown. Gonna be epic ratings 🔥 pic.twitter.com/n5okzPryN4
— Karey🎃👻😷 (@karshaner) October 20, 2020