In a bold and unfiltered interview, former President Donald Trump sat down with CBS News’ Norah O’Donnell on 60 Minutes, where he didn’t hold back on praising Paramount’s new leadership, slamming political opponents, and addressing the elephant in the room: the possibility of a third presidential term. But here’s where it gets controversial—Trump doubled down on his claims of election fraud in 2020, stating, ‘The 2020 election was rigged, and a lot of people say when it’s rigged, you’re allowed to do it again.’ Is this a hint at future plans, or just political posturing? And this is the part most people miss: Trump also heaped praise on CBS’s new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, despite her appointment sparking internal backlash. ‘I think you have a great, new leader,’ he said, adding, ‘I see good things happening in the news.’ Could this mark a shift in Trump’s relationship with the media, or is it just strategic flattery? Let’s dive in.
The interview, taped at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, and aired on Sunday night, covered a wide range of topics—from the government shutdown and nuclear testing to immigration and tariffs. Yet, it was Trump’s comments on the future of the Republican Party and his own political ambitions that stole the spotlight. When O’Donnell pressed him on a potential third term, Trump played it coy: ‘I don’t even think about it. A lot of people want me to run, but it’s too early.’ However, he couldn’t resist taking a swipe at the Democrats, claiming, ‘We have a strong bench. They don’t.’ Bold claim or political reality? You decide.
Trump also name-dropped potential successors, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Mario Rubio, though he was quick to add, ‘We could run two people together. We have an unbelievable bench.’ But here’s the kicker: Trump’s praise for Paramount’s leadership and Bari Weiss comes just months after CBS settled a $16 million lawsuit with him over the editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris. Is this a genuine olive branch, or a calculated move to curry favor with the network’s new leadership?
Speaking of Weiss, her appointment as editor-in-chief of CBS News by Paramount CEO David Ellison has been met with skepticism—both internally and among media watchers. Yet, Trump seems to approve: ‘I hear she’s a great person,’ he said. But is this endorsement a sign of changing times, or just another chapter in Trump’s complex relationship with the media?
Trump didn’t stop at praising allies; he also took aim at prominent Democrats, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, whom he accused of ‘ruining the state.’ He also criticized Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, calling the latter ‘like a crazy person.’ Is this just political theater, or a genuine critique of his opponents?
As the interview wrapped up, Trump reflected on the state of the media: ‘You can’t have fake news. You’ve gotta have legit news. And I think it’s happening.’* But with his history of labeling unfavorable coverage as ‘fake news,’ is this a call for accountability or a thinly veiled threat?** We’ll leave that for you to debate in the comments. One thing’s for sure: Trump’s 60 Minutes appearance was anything but dull, and it’s left us with more questions than answers. What do you think? Is Trump’s praise for Paramount and Weiss genuine, or just another move in his political playbook? Let us know below!
