White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered an ultimatum to CBS News that epitomizes the Trump administration’s no-nonsense approach to media manipulation: air the president’s interview in full or face a lawsuit.
Story Overview
- Leavitt threatened CBS with litigation immediately after Trump’s 13-minute interview taping in Michigan
- CBS had already planned to air the interview unedited before the threat was issued
- The warning follows Trump’s previous $16 million settlement victory against CBS over deceptive editing
- Audio obtained by The New York Times reveals CBS staff initially thought Leavitt was joking
The Blunt Warning That Caught CBS Off Guard
Karoline Leavitt wasted no time sending CBS a crystal-clear message after Trump completed his interview with Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil. “If it’s not out in full, we’ll sue your ass off,” she declared, according to audio obtained by The New York Times. The direct approach left CBS employees initially wondering if she was serious, with some chuckling nervously at what they assumed was banter.
But Leavitt’s stone-faced response made it clear this was no joke. When Dokoupil attempted to lighten the mood by saying “He always says that!” Leavitt didn’t crack a smile. CBS Evening News executive producer Kim Harvey could only manage a surprised “Oh, great, OK!” The awkward exchange revealed a network unprepared for the Trump administration’s straightforward communication style.
Trump’s Previous CBS Victory Sets the Precedent
Leavitt’s threat carries weight because Trump already proved he means business with CBS. The network’s parent company Paramount agreed to a $16 million settlement over Trump’s lawsuit regarding deceptive editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris. That victory demonstrated Trump’s willingness to hold media outlets accountable for editorial manipulation through the courts.
The settlement sent shockwaves through CBS’s newsroom, with journalists expressing alarm at the network’s capitulation. Critics questioned whether the payout represented a dangerous precedent of media companies bowing to legal pressure rather than defending editorial independence. However, Trump supporters viewed the settlement as long-overdue accountability for biased news practices.
CBS’s New Leadership Under Scrutiny
The network’s response to Trump’s media strategy has been complicated by recent leadership changes. Skydance CEO David Ellison hired opinion journalist Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief, a move that alarmed veteran network journalists who questioned her broadcast news credentials. Weiss, founder of the neoconservative site The Free Press, faces accusations of attempting to make CBS more Trump-friendly.
Weiss recently courted controversy by pushing a story about an ICE agent’s alleged injuries despite internal network skepticism. Her editorial decisions continue drawing scrutiny from both inside and outside the newsroom. The tension reflects broader questions about whether CBS is genuinely pursuing balanced journalism or simply avoiding costly litigation.
The Administration’s Media Strategy Pays Off
CBS ultimately aired Trump’s interview in full, exactly as the network claimed it had planned all along. Network spokesperson statements emphasized that CBS made an “independent decision” to run the content unedited, though the timing of Leavitt’s warning suggests the administration wanted to ensure compliance. The approach reflects Trump’s understanding that clear expectations prevent later disputes.
Leavitt’s confirmation of the exchange reinforced the administration’s position: “The American people deserve to watch President Trump’s full interviews, unedited, no cuts. And guess what? The interview ran in full.” Her matter-of-fact response highlights how the Trump team views media accountability as a fundamental responsibility, not an optional courtesy.
Sources:
The Independent – White House Press Secretary Threatens CBS with Lawsuit
NBC Right Now – White House Threatened to Sue CBS Over Interview Editing
