The Federal Communications Commission under President-elect Donald Trump is expected to bring heightened scrutiny to CBS, with concerns over the network’s alleged liberal bias. Sources close to Trump’s transition team suggest that CBS may be held accountable for its coverage of the 2024 election.
A “60 Minutes” interview with Vice President Kamala Harris is at the center of the controversy. Critics claim the network edited the interview in a way that benefited Harris. Journalist Charles Gasparino reported that Trump’s team may push CBS to release the full transcript to address these allegations.
CBS Hit With FCC Complaint Charging "Significant And Intentional News Distortion" Over Edited Kamala Interview https://t.co/n9o59yLiZZ
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) October 18, 2024
The scrutiny coincides with Paramount Global’s $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, which requires regulatory approval. Brendan Carr, Trump’s pick to lead the FCC, is reportedly focused on ensuring CBS adheres to neutrality standards as required by its broadcast license.
Concerns extend beyond news programming. Late-night shows like “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” are being criticized for their alleged partisanship. “They call it comedy, but public airwaves can’t be used for political activism,” a source told Gasparino.
CBS also faced criticism for its handling of debates during the election. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance accused CBS moderators of bias, particularly during his exchange with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
Neither Carr nor Skydance representatives have commented, but the Trump administration’s plans signal a potential overhaul of how media outlets are regulated, with neutrality becoming a key focus.
