President Donald Trump issued a strong critique of CBS and its parent company, Paramount, on Sunday, April 13, 2025, demanding “maximum fines and punishment” following a “60 Minutes” broadcast.
Trump’s criticism focused on the program’s coverage concerning Ukraine and Greenland, as well as a prior interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris; that interview is now involved in a $20 billion lawsuit.
In two posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused the news program of being “a dishonest Political Operative simply disguised as ‘News'” and suggested CBS “should lose their license” for what he termed “unlawful and illegal behavior” in its reporting.
Trump specifically called on FCC Chair Brendan Carr, whom he appointed, to enforce “substantial” penalties. “CBS is out of control, at levels never seen before, and they should pay a big price for this,” Trump stated.
The president’s anger partly stemmed from a “60 Minutes” segment featuring an interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During the interview, correspondent Scott Pelley highlighted Trump’s promise to end the war in Ukraine “immediately” before taking office, a promise yet unfulfilled. Pelley also questioned Zelenskyy regarding Trump’s claim that Ukraine initiated the conflict, not Russia.
Zelenskyy responded to Trump’s assertions by stating, “I believe, sadly, Russian narratives are prevailing in the U.S.”
Trump has previously questioned Zelenskyy’s competence and suggested Ukraine bears responsibility for initiating the conflict with Russia, despite widespread international consensus that Russia’s invasion in February 2022 was unprovoked. In earlier statements, Trump blamed the conflict on Russian President Vladimir Putin, former President Joe Biden, and Zelenskyy, “in that order.”
Trump also criticized a segment on Greenland, a Danish territory he has expressed interest in acquiring for the United States. In a recent address to Congress, Trump stated that the U.S. would “get it one way or another,” prompting sharp criticism from Greenlandic officials.
The “60 Minutes” broadcast featured Aqqaluk Lynge, an Inuit elder statesman, who described Trump’s congressional address as “ugly.” Lynge added, “We all noticed that in Greenland. All of us.”
Greenland’s leadership has firmly rejected Trump’s overtures. Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede previously stated that “Greenland is ours” and stressed that the Greenlandic people do not wish to become part of the United States. According to Greenlandic government representatives, Trump’s acquisition claims reflect a “fundamental lack of respect” for the Greenlandic people and their democratic institutions.
Trump’s criticism of CBS also involves an ongoing legal battle over a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign. Trump has filed a $20 billion lawsuit against CBS, alleging the network deceptively edited the interview to portray Harris positively.
The Federal Communications Commission is involved in the dispute, with CBS required to provide the unedited transcript and camera feeds of the Harris interview as part of an investigation. CBS has resisted releasing transcripts to avoid setting a precedent that could lead to second-guessing of its editorial process. However, the network is reportedly in settlement discussions with Trump’s legal team.
Press freedom advocates have expressed concerns about the case, with many CBS journalists describing Trump’s lawsuit as without merit. This dispute arises amid broader tensions between Trump and major news organizations, as he has increased his criticism of mainstream media outlets since taking office in January.
The president’s attacks on “60 Minutes” represent one of his most direct challenges to a specific news program since his inauguration. Trump’s suggestion that the network should lose its license raises questions about the limits of presidential influence over media regulation, as the FCC is designed to function as an independent agency.
FCC Chair Carr has previously opened investigations into several news networks over their coverage of the Trump administration, actions that have intensified debates about the agency’s role in regulating news content. Critics have characterized these investigations as unprecedented in the FCC’s history and potentially threatening to journalistic independence.
