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CBS withdraws 60 Minutes report on Salvadoran detention center
CBS News faced backlash after abruptly canceling a 60 Minutes investigation into the Trump administration's deportation of Venezuelan men to a high-security prison in El Salvador, sparking accusations of political interference.
Segment details and allegations
The pulled segment, titled "Inside CECOT," was set to air on Sunday and examine claims of "brutal and torturous conditions" at the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador. The Trump administration deported approximately 250 Venezuelan men to the facility earlier this year, alleging gang affiliations.
Reports from outlets including the BBC have previously documented abuse allegations at CECOT, though CBS stated the segment required "additional reporting" before broadcast.
Editorial conflict and internal fallout
CBS editor-in-chief Bari Weiss defended the decision in a statement, citing routine newsroom practices. "Holding stories that lack sufficient context or critical voices happens daily," she said, adding the segment would air once finalized.
However, correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi called the move "political" in a leaked internal note, arguing government refusals to participate should not justify killing the story. Alfonsi's team had sought interviews with the White House, State Department, and Department of Homeland Security, all of which declined.
"If the administration's refusal to participate becomes a valid reason to spike a story, we have effectively handed them a 'kill switch' for any reporting they find inconvenient."
Sharyn Alfonsi, CBS correspondent
Broader scrutiny of CBS leadership
The controversy deepens existing concerns about CBS News' editorial independence following its merger with Paramount earlier this year. The network is now led by David Ellison, son of tech billionaire and Trump ally Larry Ellison, whose media ambitions have drawn regulatory attention.
Paramount recently agreed to a $16 million settlement with Trump over a 2024 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, which Trump claimed was biased. As part of the merger approval, CBS committed to installing an independent ombudsman to review bias complaints and ensure diverse viewpoints.
Political reactions
Democratic Senator Brian Schatz criticized the decision on social media, calling it "a terrible embarrassment" and warning executives against avoiding journalism that might offend Trump. "If they think they can build shareholder value by appeasing the Mad King, they're about to learn a tough lesson," he wrote.
What's next
CBS confirmed the segment will air in a future broadcast but provided no timeline. Weiss told colleagues the story "did not advance the ball" and required more on-the-record interviews with key figures.
