Why President Donald Trump walked out of a ’60 Minutes’ interview?

Team Udayavani, Oct 27, 2020, 2:17 PM IST

Footage of the US president abruptly walking out of a CBS 60 Minutes interview has been released by the network

As reported by BusinessInsider, The tense interview had been the subject of much discussion since it was recorded on Tuesday, especially after the president took the unusual step of posting the entire interview on Facebook before CBS aired it

In the clip, Trump is seen visibly irritated with Stahl’s line of questioning, and the testy exchange ended with the president cutting short the interview.

According to The Guardian, After a question about whether his use of social media and name-calling was “turning people off”, Trump brought the recording to an end. He answered: “No, I think I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have social media. The media is fake. And frankly, if I didn’t have social media, I’d have no way of getting out my voice.”

A few moments later, he told his aide Hope Hicks: “I think we have enough of an interview here, Hope. OK? That’s enough. Let’s go.”

This was Trump’s epic meltdown on 60 Minutes and it was even worse than reported. Trump literally ran away because he didn’t like the questions. pic.twitter.com/48Xu2TiI1o

— Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) October 26, 2020

However, He posted clips on his own social media, in an effort to show he had been mistreated by the interviewer

I am pleased to inform you that, for the sake of accuracy in reporting, I am considering posting my interview with Lesley Stahl of 60 Minutes, PRIOR TO AIRTIME! This will be done so that everybody can get a glimpse of what a FAKE and BIASED interview is all about…

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 20, 2020

Look at the bias, hatred and rudeness on behalf of 60 Minutes and CBS. Tonight’s anchor, Kristen Welker, is far worse! #MAGA https://t.co/ETDJzMQg8X

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2020

The CBS network reacted by issuing a statement that called Trump’s decision to release the video “unprecedented”, and defended Stahl, calling her “one of the premier correspondents in America”.

CBS News Statement:

The White House’s unprecedented decision to disregard their agreement with CBS News and release their footage will not deter 60 Minutes from providing its full, fair and contextual reporting which presidents have participated in for decades. (1/4)

— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) October 22, 2020