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According to CBS, Trump is withdrawing from the primetime interview on “60 Minutes.”

According to CBS, Trump is withdrawing from the primetime interview on “60 Minutes.”

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CNN

Former President Donald Trump has withdrawn from a previously scheduled interview with “60 Minutes,” the most-watched newsmagazine in the United States, CBS News said Tuesday evening.

CBS announced Trump's change of plans a few hours before the network hosted a vice presidential debate between Trump's running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, and Kamala Harris' running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

“For more than half a century, 60 Minutes has invited Democrats and Republicans to appear on our show as Americans go to the polls,” the network said in a statement. “This year, both the Harris and Trump campaigns agreed to sit down with 60 Minutes.”

Trump committed to the interview first, followed by Harris through campaign spokespeople, CBS said. Veteran CBS anchor and correspondent Scott Pelley was in line for an interview with Trump.

“After initially accepting 60 Minutes' request for an interview with Scott Pelley, former President Trump's campaign has decided not to participate,” CBS said.

The network was notified early Tuesday, throwing a wrench into its programming plans as the Harris and Trump interviews were scheduled to air on a special Monday night edition of “60 Minutes” next week.

With no further debates between Trump and Harris scheduled, the traditional “60 Minutes” session was one of the last opportunities before the November election for voters to see both candidates on a major television show.

CBS said the primetime special will continue with an interview with Harris. Correspondent Bill Whitaker will follow Harris on the campaign trail and interview her later this week.

“Our original invitation to former President Donald Trump to be interviewed on 60 Minutes stands,” the network said.

In a statement, the Trump campaign denied agreeing to the interview.

“Fake news. 60 Minutes begged for an interview even after they were caught lying about Hunter Biden's laptop in 2020. There were initial discussions, but nothing was ever planned or determined,” said Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung.

“They insisted on stopping the interview to check the facts,” he added.

Contrary to the Trump camp's claim that no interview is scheduled, two sources familiar with the matter said Pelley will sit with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club on Thursday and attend Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday should.

Asked by CNN if there was still a chance Trump could take part in the interview, Cheung said: “Now that they lied about the interaction, they've just kidded themselves.”

The Harris campaign immediately criticized Trump over the decision.

“Afraid of the debate stage. Fear of 60 Minutes. And his campaign team – after the last three days of increasingly erratic and unstable tirades at his rallies – is clearly afraid of exposing him outside comfortable boundaries.” said Harris senior adviser David Plouffe.

In October 2020, Trump sat down with “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl and abruptly ended the interview when he appeared to object to Stahl's questions.

The CBS newsmagazine is typically a popular stop for presidential candidates due to its large viewership.

CNN's Alayna Treene contributed reporting.

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