Seasoned journalist Catherine Herridge obtained an exclusive interview with the tech mogul Elon Musk in early 2023. The key points to be discussed were Musk’s recent takeover of Twitter (X) and the unveiling of the “Twitter Files.” However, her plans were derailed by CBS News executives who were skeptical about Musk’s unpredictable disposition. They insisted on pre-recording and editing the interview. Herridge revealed this in a video on X, dated November 26, 2024.
Working on the Hunter Biden laptop story for CBS, Herridge initiated talks with the network chiefs for a live interview with Musk.
She suggested the interview be aired live on X to match Musk’s inclination towards unfiltered exchanges. “I went to the CBS executives and said, ‘This is the opportunity that we have.’ He’s saying, ‘I want to do it live and on my platform,'” Herridge narrated. “Elon Musk on CBS News! He’s one of the most influential human beings on the planet, and the reaction from the executives was, ‘Well, we can’t do it live.’”
The network’s top brass voiced concerns about a live interview with Musk, fearing his potential comments. Herridge was perplexed by the decision, as interviews typically thrive without content restrictions. She challenged the reasoning behind denying a live interview, pointing out the network chiefs’ apprehension about Musk’s unpredictable remarks. Finding it frustrating, she felt that the crux of journalism is to discover the unexpected in interviews.
CBS executives also opposed airing the interview on Musk’s platform X, and demanded a pre-recorded and edited format. Herridge had suggested to her superiors that the interview should be broadcast simultaneously on both X and CBS’s streaming platform, enabling both platforms to air it concurrently.
But her proposal was outrightly dismissed. She confessed that she didn’t follow up with Elon Musk, feeling dispirited. She also acknowledged that CBS had set numerous conditions for the interview, which she thought Musk would probably not accept.
This episode sheds light on the wider issues Herridge encountered at CBS. Her coverage of the Hunter Biden laptop scandal faced internal roadblocks, postponing its broadcast until after the 2022 midterm elections.
Herridge was among the casualties of CBS’s layoffs earlier this year amidst network reductions. After her exit, CBS held onto her reporting materials, which were later returned following union intervention.
Now, Herridge disseminates her investigative reports through her newsletter and on X. Her experiences call into question editorial autonomy and the obstacles journalists encounter when covering high-profile personalities and sensitive subjects.
