President Trump tweeted on Tuesday that he was considering posting his interview with CBS' "60 Minutes" prior to airtime in order to show "what a FAKE and BIASED interview" it was, following reports that he abruptly ended the interview after 45 minutes of taping.
Why it matters: Trump has escalated his war on the media in the final stretches of his re-election campaign, calling a Reuters reporter a "criminal" this week for not reporting on corruption allegations about Hunter Biden and disparaging CNN as "dumb b*stards" for the network's ongoing coronavirus coverage.
What he's saying: "I am pleased to inform you that, for the sake of accuracy in reporting, I am considering posting my interview with Lesley Stahl of 60 Minutes, PRIOR TO AIRTIME!" Trump tweeted.
- "This will be done so that everybody can get a glimpse of what a FAKE and BIASED interview is all about. Everyone should compare this terrible Electoral Intrusion with the recent interviews of Sleepy Joe Biden!"
Context: Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were participating in a "60 Minutes" episode with host Lesley Stahl set to air on Sunday. Joe Biden and his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris are expected to be featured in the same episode with CBS host Norah O'Donnell.
- CNN and the New York Times reported on Tuesday that the interview was at times combative, and that the president declined to participate in a “walk and talk” segment with Stahl and Pence after ending his sit-down.
- Trump later tweeted a video of Stahl conversing with two masked people at the taping with the caption: "Lesley Stahl of 60 Minutes not wearing a mask in the White House after her interview with me. Much more to come."