US President Donald Trump attacked actor George Clooney on Truth Social, criticizing a 60 Minutes interview where Clooney linked challenges faced by reporters to the actions of the Trump administration.
Clooney highlighted Trump's large lawsuits against CBS and ABC, citing these as examples of using government power to intimidate journalists. He specifically mentioned Trump's $10 billion (later doubled to $20 billion) lawsuit against CBS over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris and the $15 million settlement with ABC related to an on-air claim about E. Jean Carroll rape allegations. Clooney argued this was an attempt to “scare or fine or use corporations – to make journalists smaller.”
Trump called the 60 Minutes piece on Clooney a “puff piece” and described Clooney as a “second-rate movie ‘star’ and failed political pundit”.
Following increased pressure on CBS, Bill Owens, executive producer of 60 Minutes, resigned, citing a loss of journalistic independence and inability to make independent decisions.