CBS News is facing criticism after it was revealed that the network edited out a segment of Vice President Kamala Harris’ recent interview on 60 Minutes, which many referred to as a “word salad.” The original, unedited clip showed Harris struggling through a response to a question from correspondent Bill Whitaker about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, but this portion has since been noticeably omitted from the final aired segment.
Recently, Israel has intensified its military campaign in southern Lebanon, focusing on Hezbollah, while airstrikes continue in Beirut. Israeli forces raised their flag near a Lebanese village, and Israel’s Prime Minister announced the death of Hezbollah’s new leader. In retaliation, Hezbollah fired over 100 rockets at Haifa and Galilee and is now backing ceasefire efforts.
Whitaker asked, “But it seems that Prime Minister Netanyahu is not listening.” In response, Harris said, “Well, Bill, the work that we have done has resulted in a number of movements in that region by Israel that were very much prompted by or a result of many things, including our advocacy for what needs to happen in the region… We are not going to stop pursuing what is necessary for the United States to be clear about where we stand on the need for this war to end.”
Her answer, which some deemed incoherent, received a surge of backlash on social media, with many accusing the vice president of evading the question and not providing any substantial insight into the administration’s plans for resolving the conflict. However, the version of the interview that aired omitted this entire segment, replacing it with a much shorter and more polished response from Harris.
Remember Kamala’s word salad answer about Israel on 60 Minutes? It’s gone.
This is what many Americans will now see. pic.twitter.com/H4w7btDv6x
— MAZE (@mazemoore) October 8, 2024
It’s well-known that Harris has faced challenges with clear messaging in the past, having made several convoluted or unclear statements during interviews. However, CBS’ decision to remove what many viewers considered a revealing moment appears to be a calculated effort to shield the Democratic candidate from criticism. This decision comes as the Harris campaign increases its media appearances in preparation for the 2024 election.
Harris has been actively making appearances on platforms that typically offer a more favorable atmosphere. Just this past weekend, she sat down with Alex Cooper, host of the popular Call Her Daddy podcast, in an effort to connect with younger female voters.
This isn’t the first time Harris’ interview responses have generated controversy. In recent months, she has faced accusations of dodging direct answers and relying on filler statements that lack substance. This week marked a shift, as Americans witnessed Harris making a series of media appearances designed to boost her visibility. She began her day on ABC’s The View and plans to follow up with an interview on Howard Stern’s radio show, along with a segment on Stephen Colbert’s late-night show.