Leavitt Warns: Air Full Uncut Broadcast or Face Legal Action
The White House demanded CBS air President Donald Trump’s January 13, 2026, CBS Evening News interview completely unedited. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warned producers post-taping: “If it’s not out in full, we’ll sue your ass off.” A leaked audio recording captured the exchange with anchor Tony Dokoupil at a Michigan Ford plant.
The Heated Post-Interview Exchange
Leavitt relayed Trump’s directive immediately after cameras stopped. “Make sure you guys don’t cut the tape. Make sure the interview is out in full,” she stressed. Some CBS staff thought she joked. Leavitt insists she was serious. The full 13-minute segment aired unchanged January 17, 2026.
CBS insists the decision predated her comments. “From the moment we scheduled this interview, we made the independent decision to air it unedited,” a spokesperson told The New York Times.
Trump’s Media Battle History
This echoes Trump’s October 2024 lawsuit against CBS over a 60 Minutes Kamala Harris edit. Paramount settled for $16 million amid its Skydance merger. Legal experts called the case weak but noted FCC license risks.
Trump frequently sues media outlets. He won fees from Disney and battles WSJ, BBC. CBS faces internal turmoil too. New execs nixed an El Salvador migrant story.
Reactions and Broader Implications
Leavitt defended transparency: “Americans deserve Trump’s full interviews unedited.” Critics slam it as bully tactics. CBS journalists worry about independence.
The clash highlights Trump’s 2026 media strategy. Full interviews sidestep “fake news” claims. CBS complied but tensions simmer. Paramount’s merger adds stakes.
As midterms approach, expect more showdowns. Trump’s unfiltered style dominates discourse.
