CBS finally responds to criticism over editing VP Harris' answer during '60 Minutes' interview

Earlier this month, CBS News was blasted from all angles and especially from former President Donald Trump for airing what appeared to be a heavily edited version of an answer Vice President Kamala Harris provided during a 60 Minutes interview.

Her original answer was nothing less than an embarrassing word salad, as usual. But the final version aired by the network was markedly shorter and different.

Trump slammed the network for airing her cleaned-up answer instead of the original and according to the Daily Mail, the network has responded to Trump's criticism.

The network, which many believe has been more than friendly to the Biden-Harris administration, denied Trump's claims but admitted that it aired a more "succinct" version of Harris' answer to a question about the Israel-Hamas war.

The former president slammed the network at the time, accusing CBS of "fraud" by editing her "horrible, incompetent answer."

The Mail noted:

Host Bill Whitaker asked Harris about whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was listening to the US, and whether the administration had any sway over his decision making during its attack on Gaza.

'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,' Harris replied.

Her answer was riddled with pauses and hesitations, unlike the final version, which was much shorter and more precise.

"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," Harris said in the answer that was aired.

On Sunday, CBS finally responded to the allegations, which were widespread far beyond Trump's opinions, as many others slammed the network for what appeared to be an obvious attempt at making Harris look less unqualified for the job.

"Former President Donald Trump is accusing 60 Minutes of deceitful editing of our Oct 7 interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. That is false," the network said on Sunday.

It added, "60 Minutes gave an excerpt of our interview to Face the Nation that used a longer section of her answer than that on 60 Minutes."

"Same question. Same answer. But a different portion of the response. When we edit any interview, whether a politician, an athlete, or movie star, we strive to be clear, accurate and on point," the network added.

"The portion of her answer on 60 Minutes was more succinct, which allows time for other subjects in a wide-ranging 21-minute-long segment," it continued.

Not surprisingly, the network immediately took a subtle shot at Trump and his campaign, noting that Trump had "pulled out" of his 60 Minutes interview, though his campaign denied that it ever formally accepted an invitation for one.