The White House warned CBS News to air President Trump's full interview conducted on Tuesday with "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil, threatening legal action if the network edited the footage, according to The New York Times. The threat, delivered by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the media.

Moments after the 13-minute interview concluded in Michigan, Leavitt approached Dokoupil and his colleagues to convey the president's message. "He said, Make sure you guys dont cut the tape, make sure the interview is out in full," Leavitt stated in an even tone, according to a recording of the exchange obtained by The New York Times. Dokoupil responded, "Yeah, were doing it, yeah." Leavitt then added, "He said, If its not out in full, well sue your ass off."

The White House's demand echoes a prior $16 million settlement Trump secured from Paramount, CBS's parent company, regarding the editing of a 2024 "60 Minutes" interview with Kamala Harris, Variety reported. This raises questions about media autonomy and the influence of content manipulation in shaping public perception of political figures.

The New York Times noted that in 2024, Mr. Trump did sue CBS. The current warning underscores the administration's sensitivity to how President Trump is portrayed in the media and its willingness to take legal action to ensure its message is delivered unedited. The incident serves as a reminder of the uneasy relationship between the White House and news organizations.