White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered an ultimatum that sent shockwaves through CBS News: air Trump’s interview in full or face a lawsuit that would make the network’s $16 million settlement look like pocket change.
Story Highlights
- Leavitt warned CBS “we’ll sue your ass off” if they edited Trump’s 13-minute interview
- The threat came immediately after Trump’s interview taping with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil
- CBS had already planned to air the interview unedited before the warning was issued
- Trump previously secured a $16 million settlement from CBS over alleged deceptive editing practices
The Ultimatum That Stunned a Newsroom
Karoline Leavitt didn’t mince words when she cornered CBS News staff after President Trump’s interview taping in Michigan. Audio obtained by The New York Times captured her blunt warning: “If it’s not out in full, we’ll sue your ass off.” The threat targeted any potential editing or cuts to Trump’s 13-minute sit-down with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil.
CBS employees initially thought Leavitt was joking, but her stone-faced delivery made clear this was no laughing matter. Executive producer Kim Harvey responded with surprise, saying “Oh, great, OK!” while Dokoupil attempted to defuse tension by claiming “He always says that!” Leavitt’s silence in response spoke volumes about her seriousness.
CBS’s $16 Million Lesson Still Fresh
The threat carries weight because Trump already proved he’ll follow through on media litigation. CBS’s corporate parent Paramount agreed to a $16 million settlement over Trump’s lawsuit regarding alleged deceptive editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris. That settlement drew sharp criticism from newsroom staff who viewed it as capitulation to political pressure.
The financial hit prompted significant changes at CBS. Trump subsequently approved Paramount’s sale to Skydance, led by CEO David Ellison. Ellison then hired Bari Weiss, founder of The Free Press, as editor-in-chief despite her lack of broadcast news experience. Internal journalists remain skeptical about whether these changes represent an attempt to make CBS more Trump-friendly.
Editorial Independence Under Fire
Leavitt confirmed the Times report, stating “The American people deserve to watch President Trump’s full interviews, unedited, no cuts.” Her position reflects a broader White House strategy of using legal threats to influence media coverage. CBS News maintained they had already decided to air the interview unedited before any threats were made.
The incident highlights growing tensions between traditional media outlets and an administration willing to weaponize litigation. When news organizations face potential multi-million dollar settlements, editorial independence becomes a costly principle to maintain. CBS’s compliance, whether voluntary or coerced, demonstrates how legal pressure can effectively shape media coverage without explicit censorship.
Sources:
White House Threatened to Sue CBS if Evening News Interview Was Edited – NBC Right Now
