CBS Pulls ‘60 Minutes’ Critical Trump Deportation Story/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ CBS News’ “60 Minutes” delayed a scheduled report on Trump-era deportations to El Salvador just hours before airing. The decision, made by newly appointed editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, has sparked accusations of political interference. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi says the piece was fully vetted and met all editorial standards.
’60 Minutes’ Trump Deportation Segment Delay – Quick Looks
- CBS News pulled a segment critical of Trump immigration policy.
- The story featured deportees sent to El Salvador’s CECOT prison.
- New CBS editor-in-chief Bari Weiss made the decision to delay.
- Reporter Sharyn Alfonsi says the piece had full legal clearance.
- Weiss says the report lacked sufficient Trump administration context.
- Trump has long criticized “60 Minutes” and CBS News.
- CBS did not confirm when the report would air.
- Media and political watchdogs are closely watching editorial shifts under Weiss.
Deep Look
CBS Delays ‘60 Minutes’ Report on Trump Deportation Policy Following Editorial Review by Bari Weiss
NEW YORK — A highly anticipated “60 Minutes” segment investigating the Trump administration’s deportation policies was pulled from CBS’s Sunday broadcast lineup just hours before airtime, a decision that has raised concerns about editorial independence under the network’s new leadership.
The segment, led by veteran journalist Sharyn Alfonsi, centered on deported immigrants from the U.S. who were sent to El Salvador’s controversial CECOT prison, known for housing alleged gang members and human rights abuses. According to CBS insiders, the decision to delay the piece was made by Bari Weiss, the recently appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News.
Weiss, the former New York Times columnist and founder of the Free Press, was installed after the Paramount Global acquisition, marking a significant ideological and leadership shift at the network. She cited the need for additional context from the Trump administration as the reason for the last-minute editorial decision.
“My job is to make sure that all the stories we publish are the best they can be,” Weiss told The New York Times. “Holding stories that aren’t ready for whatever reason — that they lack sufficient context, say, or that they are missing critical voices — happens every day in every newsroom.”
Reporter Pushes Back: ‘Not an Editorial Decision – A Political One’
Alfonsi, a longtime “60 Minutes” correspondent known for in-depth reporting, disagreed strongly with the decision to delay. In an internal email shared with colleagues and later reported by multiple media outlets, Alfonsi noted the report had passed through CBS attorneys and the network’s news standards process without issue.
“In my view, pulling it now — after every rigorous internal check has been met — is not an editorial decision, it is a political one,” she wrote.
The report was widely expected to air during the December 21 broadcast but was abruptly shelved just two hours before airtime, causing confusion among staff and audiences.
Trump’s Ongoing Feud with ’60 Minutes’
The decision comes at a time when President Donald Trump continues to feud publicly with CBS and “60 Minutes.” Trump has long accused the program of biased coverage. Last year, he filed a lawsuit over its interview with Kamala Harris, his 2024 opponent, which was settled privately during the summer.
More recently, Trump publicly criticized an interview the show aired with former GOP ally Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has broken with Trump on several policy fronts.
Weiss’ appointment and the editorial direction she brings are being closely watched, as CBS News attempts to rebrand itself amid shifting political and media landscapes.
CECOT Prison and the Focus of the Story
The now-delayed “60 Minutes” segment reportedly featured first-hand accounts from deported immigrants describing conditions inside El Salvador’s CECOT prison. The facility has drawn international criticism for its harsh conditions and mass incarceration practices, particularly under President Nayib Bukele’s crackdown on crime.
The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies, including deportations to nations with known human rights concerns, have remained a flashpoint for both humanitarian organizations and political opponents.
Editorial Standards or Political Pressure?
While Weiss maintains the decision was based on journalistic standards and the need for balance, Alfonsi’s pushback has sparked concerns about editorial integrity under new leadership.
Media experts say the incident reflects a growing tension between journalism and political polarization, particularly in the lead-up to the 2026 midterm elections, where immigration policy is once again expected to dominate headlines.
Weiss said she hopes to air the segment once it includes perspective from Trump officials or additional context regarding policy decisions and national security concerns.
As of now, CBS has not provided a new air date for the Alfonsi piece.
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