CBS’s flagship news program 60 Minutes is under intense scrutiny after choosing to air a special episode focused on the January 6 Capitol riots—just hours after former President Donald Trump survived a second assassination attempt. The network’s timing has drawn fierce backlash from Trump supporters and political commentators alike, accusing CBS of deliberately inflaming tensions.
Social Media Erupts in Criticism
The segment, which premiered Sunday night as part of the show’s 57th season debut, featured interviews with Capitol rioters, police officers, and federal prosecutors. However, critics say airing such a politically charged topic so soon after a violent attack against Trump was inflammatory.
“Just hours after an attempted assassination of Trump, CBS airs a hit piece portraying him as a threat to democracy?” tweeted former Trump adviser Steve Cortes. “This is why people don’t trust the media.”
Trump Jr. also chimed in, demanding accountability from both 60 Minutes and CBS News, while other users on X (formerly Twitter) accused the network of bias and “media manipulation” during a crucial election season.
The Segment’s Content
Hosted by veteran journalist Scott Pelley, the episode explored the legal fallout from the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol—an event prosecutors have labeled one of the most extensive criminal investigations in American history. With over 1,000 convictions and hundreds of trials still pending, the segment aimed to provide a detailed look into the U.S. justice system’s handling of the event.
However, critics saw the episode as one-sided. Some pointed to Trump’s repeated claims that the Capitol attackers were “patriots” and his vow to pardon them if reelected. Others questioned the intent behind airing this narrative on the same day Trump narrowly avoided another attack, this time involving a man armed with an AK-47 near his golf property.
Media Ethics Under Fire
CBS had reported on the assassination attempt earlier in the day, even interrupting NFL coverage with a breaking news bulletin. But when 60 Minutes aired without a shift in programming, many accused the network of poor judgment.
“If someone tried to kill a Democratic leader, do you think the networks would air pre-scheduled political content that evening?” asked one social media user. “The double standard is glaring.”
CBS has not issued an official response regarding its editorial decision, and the segment remains available on-demand.
The Bigger Conversation
The controversy speaks to a broader national conversation about the media’s role in shaping public sentiment during politically volatile moments. With political violence on the rise, some argue that news networks should reevaluate their programming decisions more cautiously in real time.
As the nation inches closer to the 2024 election, both media institutions and political leaders are under pressure to temper rhetoric and avoid content that could stoke further division. Whether CBS’s decision was ill-timed or simply a coincidence, the public reaction has been anything but neutral.