What exactly did Karoline Leavitt say to Tony Dokoupil after the Trump interview?

Karoline Leavitt told Tony Dokoupil, quoting Trump, 'Make sure you guys don’t cut the tape, make sure the interview is out in full,' and added, 'If it’s not out in full, we’ll sue your ass off.'

Did CBS air the Trump interview unedited?

Yes, CBS aired the entire 13-minute interview unedited, stating it was their independent decision from the start.

What was the context of Trump's previous lawsuit against CBS?

Trump sued CBS in 2024 over editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, and Paramount settled for $16 million amid its Skydance merger.

Where and when did the interview take place?

The interview took place at the Ford Truck Plant in Dearborn, Michigan, after Trump's appearance there on Wednesday.

How did CBS staff perceive Leavitt's threat?

Some CBS personnel viewed Leavitt’s remark as a joke, though she insisted viewers deserved Trump’s full remarks.

4 sources

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1M ago

White House Threatens Lawsuit if CBS Edits Trump Interview, Recording Shows

Audio shows White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt warned CBS that it would be sued if Trump's interview were edited; CBS aired the interview unedited.

Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

Karoline Leavitt told CBS anchor Tony Dokoupil, quoting President Trump, to air his interview unedited and warned, “If it’s not out in full, we’ll sue your ass off.”

Recording obtained by The New York Times captured the exchange after Trump’s roughly 13‑minute interview at a Ford plant in Dearborn, Michigan; CBS aired the segment that evening.

CBS said it had independently decided to broadcast the interview unedited; some staff viewed Leavitt’s remark as a joke, while Leavitt insisted viewers deserved Trump’s full remarks.

Context: Trump previously sued CBS over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris; Paramount settled for $16 million amid its Skydance merger, intensifying scrutiny of CBS leadership changes.

Legal threats and past settlements have altered newsrooms’ calculus, with outlets noting litigation from the Trump administration and allies as a recurring tactic to deter unfavorable coverage.

Written using shared reports from

4 sources

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Analysis

Compare how each side frames the story — including which facts they emphasize or leave out.

Center-leaning sources frame the story as one of pressure on CBS and its anchor, emphasizing legal threats and corporate vulnerability. They highlight litigation history, the Paramount settlement, conservative hires (Kenneth Weinstein, Bari Weiss), and question Dokoupil’s robustness with Trump — choices that tilt attention toward institutional risk and editorial caution.

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Sources (4)

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White House Threatened Trump Would Sue CBS If Tony Dokoupil’s POTUS Interview Didn’t Air In Full On ‘Evening News’

Deadline•1M ago

Karoline Leavitt warned CBS 'we’ll sue your a-- off' if Trump interview didn't air in full

FOX News•1M ago

CBS Surrendered to Leavitt Over Trump Interview Threat

Daily Beast•1M ago

Leavitt To CBS: "We'll Sue Your Ass Off" If You Edit

Joe.My.God.•1M ago

FAQ

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: Karoline Leavitt told Tony Dokoupil, quoting Trump, 'Make sure you guys don’t cut the tape, make sure the interview is out in full,' and added, 'If it’s not out in full, we’ll sue your ass off.'
Sources:
Mediaite
: Yes, CBS aired the entire 13-minute interview unedited, stating it was their independent decision from the start.
Sources:
Mediaite
: Trump sued CBS in 2024 over editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, and Paramount settled for $16 million amid its Skydance merger.
Sources:
Mediaite
: The interview took place at the Ford Truck Plant in Dearborn, Michigan, after Trump's appearance there on Wednesday.
Sources:
Mediaite
: Some CBS personnel viewed Leavitt’s remark as a joke, though she insisted viewers deserved Trump’s full remarks.
Sources:
Mediaite

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