'60 Minutes' Segment on Trump Immigration Policy Leaks Online

Dec 25, 2025, 2:45 AM

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A segment from "60 Minutes" that focused on the Trump administration's immigration policy was mistakenly aired on a Canadian TV app after it was abruptly pulled from the broadcast schedule. This incident has ignited a public debate regarding journalistic independence and editorial integrity within CBS News.

The segment featured interviews with migrants who were deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador known as the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). Under President Trump's aggressive immigration policies, these individuals faced severe treatment, including reports of torture and abuse. One Venezuelan migrant described being subjected to sexual abuse and solitary confinement, while another, a college student, recounted being beaten by guards upon arrival, resulting in a knocked-out tooth. "When you get there, you already know you're in hell. You don't need anyone to tell you," he stated.

Although the segment was pulled from Global Television Network, one of Canada's largest networks, it inadvertently aired on the network's app. Global Television Network quickly corrected the error, but copies of the segment continued to circulate online before being taken down. A CBS spokesperson confirmed that Paramount's content protection team was actively issuing takedown orders for the unauthorized segment.

The decision to pull the story, which was critical of the Trump administration, led to accusations that CBS leadership was attempting to shield the president from unfavorable coverage. Sharyn Alfonsi, the journalist who reported the story, expressed her belief that the segment was factually correct and had been cleared by CBS lawyers and its standards division. In an email to her colleagues, she stated, "Our story was screened five times and cleared by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices. It is factually correct. In my view, pulling it now... is not an editorial decision, it is a political one".

CBS News chief Bari Weiss, who made the decision to pull the segment, indicated that the story did not "advance the ball" and emphasized the need for a more balanced perspective, including input from the Trump administration. She suggested that the segment should feature an interview with a senior Trump official, such as Stephen Miller, to provide a counterpoint to the migrants' experiences. Weiss expressed her intention to air Alfonsi's piece "when it's ready".

The controversy surrounding the segment has raised questions about the direction of CBS News under Weiss's leadership, particularly regarding its relationship with the Trump administration. Critics have pointed to Weiss's previous comments and actions as indicative of a shift towards a more Trump-friendly editorial stance. This situation has put CBS News, a respected brand in journalism, back in the spotlight, especially given its history of being a target of Trump's criticisms.

As the debate continues, the implications of this incident for journalistic practices and the integrity of news reporting remain significant. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by media organizations in balancing editorial independence with external pressures, particularly in a politically charged environment.

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