Donald Trump, for all his anti-media bluster, got through his first term without making any serious move toward government censorship of any news outlet. He seems to be threatening that in his second term.
Last year, Trump filed a frivolous lawsuit against CBS for “editing” an interview with his opponent, Kamala Harris. The Trump Administration has also implied that the merger between CBS’ parent company, Paramount, and Skydance could be blocked unless CBS settles the lawsuit on favorable terms. In reality, the “edit” on the Harris interview was nothing out of the ordinary for a broadcaster to do.
Last night’s full 60 Minutes with Zelensky pic.twitter.com/BR1nXqjxZm
— Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) April 14, 2025
On Sunday night, Trump watched CBS’ 60 Minutes and complained about two segments: one about the war in Ukraine — featuring an interview with President Zelensky — and the other about the Trump Administration’s attempts to take over Greenland. He then threatened CBS’ broadcast license, calling for FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to “impose the maximum fines and punishment.”
After watching 60 Minutes tonight, Trump calls on FCC Chair Brendan Carr to revoke CBS’s broadcast license. pic.twitter.com/Gu9ScAM5Sl
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 14, 2025
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It’s not generally seen as within the FCC’s power to fine a news outlet or threaten its broadcast license over a news segment that the president disliked.
Clearly, there’s nothing wrong with either segment. The Ukraine segment merely includes Zelensky arguing with Trump’s position on the Russia/Ukraine war while also criticizing Vice President J.D. Vance following their confrontation in the Oval Office last month. However, Zelensky said he would welcome Trump on a visit to Ukraine to “understand what Putin did.”
Should 60 Minutes have not broadcast an interview with Zelensky because the president of the United States might find himself offended?
There were some shocked reactions to Trump’s threats.
Imagine being the most powerful person on the planet and losing your shit because of a 60Minutes segment. Get a grip.
— Sam Stein (@samstein) April 14, 2025
Watching 60 Minutes now to see what set him off. So far it’s purely factual. pic.twitter.com/tPNzJtfGVt
— Frank Wells (@FrankTracy) April 14, 2025
That’s an old lawsuit, you moronic Russian tool, over an interview that everybody knows by now was not inaccurately reportedhttps://t.co/cjOuwvPeYE https://t.co/LEyoryRLjX
— Cathy Young 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇮🇱🇬🇪 (@CathyYoung63) April 14, 2025
Trump doesn’t like the coverage he gets, so instructs his FCC head, the guy who wears a Trump pin instead of like an American flag, to go after CBS and announces he is suing the network. Besides the labor camps and crashing the economy, we also have a free speech emergency. pic.twitter.com/EgX38Z0AmD
— Richard Hanania (@RichardHanania) April 14, 2025
Photo courtesy of the Political Tribune media library.
