The news program “60 Minutes” recently aired a segment on Trump administration deportations that had been removed from its lineup a month earlier, sparking internal tensions over alleged political influences. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi did not mention her disagreement with CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss in the story, which focused on deportees sent to El Salvador’s CECOT prison. Alfonsi claimed that the segment’s removal was politically motivated rather than an editorial decision, as per Weiss’s directive.
Weiss contended that the story did not adequately represent the administration’s perspective or build upon existing reporting by other news outlets. The aired story on Sunday did not feature on-camera interviews with Trump administration officials but included statements from the White House and Department of Homeland Security that were not part of Alfonsi’s original piece.
Despite several attempts to secure on-camera interviews with key administration figures, Alfonsi noted that they had declined, suggesting a deliberate effort to suppress the story. CBS News asserted its commitment to airing the CECOT piece and highlighted its independence in storytelling.
Alfonsi’s report, the second on the show, was preceded by Cecilia Vega’s coverage of ICE enforcement actions in Minneapolis. The decision to pull Alfonsi’s story initially drew criticism, with some viewing Weiss’s appointment as an attempt to appease the Trump administration.
Although the segment was removed from the December broadcast, an online version was briefly accessible, allowing viewers to compare it with the final version that aired. The story content remained consistent, featuring quotes from President Trump and White House officials on the deportation issue.
The relationship between CBS and the administration has evolved since Weiss’s tenure, with increased visibility of Trump officials on the network. Notably, President Trump’s interviews on CBS have garnered attention, including recent incidents where administration officials threatened legal action if interviews were not broadcast in full. Trump has previously expressed concerns about the editing of his media interactions, including releasing unedited transcripts of interviews.
