CBS '60 Minutes' producer says he will not apologize for controversial Harris edit

The producer of the CBS "60 Minutes" program told his staff on Monday that he would not apologize as part of a settlement with President Donald Trump, even as the network's parent company Paramount considers a settlement in the $10 billion lawsuit.

Trump sued the network in October over allegations that the program deceptively doctored its interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris. The answer shown in a clip promoting the "60 Minutes" interview differed from the answer in the full interview that aired, prompting accusations from Republicans that it was edited to make Harris appear better. 

Bill Owens, the executive producer of "60 Minutes," said an apology was off the table and has maintained that the edits were done within standard journalistic practice. News networks often trim interviews for timing purposes, but those edits do not usually include nixing important context or rearranging answers.

“There have been reports in the media about a settlement and/or apology,” according to two sources who spoke to The New York Times. “The company knows I will not apologize for anything we have done.”

Although Owens has remained adamant about having acted ethically, CBS News sent the unedited transcript of the show to the Federal Communications Commission. Insiders at the network have also predicted that Owens could be ousted as the executive producer of "60 Minutes" if Trump wants a head to roll, according to the New York Post.

If Owens is booted, the insiders speculated that legendary news producer Susan Zirinsky could replace him. Zirinsky was named the interim executive editor of CBS News last month, with the stated intention of attempting to bring balanced reporting back to the network.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.