House Speaker Mike Johnson is accusing CBS News of deceptively editing his Face the Nation interview, claiming the network cut out crucial answers, leaving viewers with a distorted perspective. Johnson shared side-by-side clips on social media, highlighting the differences between what aired on CBS and his full responses. This controversy comes just a week after CBS faced backlash over allegedly favorable edits in Vice President Kamala Harris’s 60 Minutes interview, which drew criticism for portraying her in a positive light by trimming her responses.
In the clips Johnson posted, he accuses CBS of omitting his extended discussion on Hurricane Helene relief efforts, during which he criticized the Biden administration for slow fund distribution. In his full response, Johnson urged CBS to “bring cameras and talk to people there,” underscoring the hardships still facing affected residents. Johnson’s team also recorded additional answers from the studio that CBS cut, including his comments on immigration and election integrity.
“Wow, this is active deception by CBS!” posted Elon Musk on X, echoing the frustration of many online. Johnson alleges CBS cut his remarks on Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s efforts to clean state voter rolls, as well as his mention of the SAVE Act, which aims to secure voting rights for U.S. citizens amid concerns over non-citizen voting.
Johnson’s accusations come at a time when CBS is facing mounting pressure to produce unedited transcripts of recent interviews, with former President Trump joining other lawmakers in demanding transparency. The ongoing debate raises questions about media accountability and transparency, leaving CBS under fire for its editorial practices as both sides call for a clearer picture in an election season rife with scrutiny.
