Former CBS News employees are calling for an independent investigation into "60 Minutes" as controversy brews over its interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, the New York Post reported.
The program has been accused of editing Harris' response to a question about Israel, with discrepancies between the broadcast version and a promotional clip that appeared on "Face the Nation" the previous day.
In the promo, Harris gave a lengthy, vague response; but on "60 Minutes" her answer appeared more concise and direct. This has led critics, including former President Donald Trump, to accuse CBS News of manipulating the interview to make Harris look better.
Trump on Thursday posted on Truth Social: "A giant Fake News Scam by CBS & 60 Minutes. Her REAL ANSWER WAS CRAZY, OR DUMB, so they actually REPLACED it with another answer in order to save her or, at least, make her look better. A FAKE NEWS SCAM, which is totally illegal. TAKE AWAY THE CBS LICENSE. Election Interference. She is a Moron, and the Fake News Media wants to hide that fact. An UNPRECEDENTED SCANDAL!!! The Dems got them to do this and should be forced to concede the Election? WOW!"
One former CBS staffer told the Post, "I think there should be an outside investigation. Obviously, there's a problem here. If they care about journalistic integrity, they would conduct an investigation or release the full transcript."
Another said, "Their credibility has been called into question and their impartiality has been called into question. Don't you need a full-throated review of what went wrong?"
CBS has so far declined to release the unedited interview or comment on if it plans to investigate the matter.
Two clips circulating on social media show Harris giving different answers to the same question.
A former CBS employee asked why, saying, "This needs to be answered. Was this answer the continuation of a longer answer or was it an answer that came much later in the interview?"
The network has said the interview was edited for timing and clarity, but it doesn't explain where Harris' response came from.
Harris' campaign has attempted to distance itself from the scandal, telling Variety, "We do not control CBS's production decisions and refer questions to CBS."
Kate McManus ✉
Kate McManus is a New Jersey-based Newsmax writer who's spent more than two decades as a journalist.
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