White House press secretary warned CBS of lawsuit if Trump interview was cut

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt warned CBS Evening News that President Donald Trump's interview this week had to air in full or face another lawsuit, according to audio obtained by The New York Times.

Leavitt told anchor Tony Dokoupil after the Michigan interview on Tuesday: "He said, ‘Make sure you guys don’t cut the tape, make sure the interview is out in full… If it’s not out in full, we’ll sue your a-- off.'"

Some CBS staff present thought the remarks were a joke. Dokoupil replied humorously, "He always says that!" Executive producer Kim Harvey responded, "Oh, great, OK!"

A CBS News spokesperson said the decision to air the interview unedited was made independently when booking it. It aired in full that night.

Leavitt told the Times: "The American people deserve to watch President Trump’s full interviews, unedited, no cuts. And guess what? The interview ran in full."

Trump successfully sued CBS News over a 2024 "60 Minutes" interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris, claiming editing and airing across two nights was election interference. CBS settled before Paramount's merger with Skydance Media last year.

During Tuesday's interview, Trump told Dokoupil he might not have a job if Harris had won, after the host pressed on why Americans don't feel economic benefits. Trump said the US is now the "hottest country in the world," contrasting with a "dead" country a year and a half ago.

Trump referred to David Ellison, new owner of Paramount and son of billionaire ally Larry Ellison.

Dokoupil responded: "For the record, I do think I'd have this job even if the other guys won." Trump said: "Yeah – but at a lesser salary."