Trump reveals his ‘60 Minutes’ interview hit 'highest' ratings since 2021

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump’s interview on CBS’s '60 Minutes' generated significant buzz. Following the broadcast, Trump revealed that the segment was the “highest-rated 60 Minutes in years.”

This marked Trump’s first interview with CBS since he filed a lawsuit against the network and its parent company over a segment that featured former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 campaign.

Trump’s '60 Minutes' interview on CBS draws highest ratings in years

Donald Trump’s conversation with CBS host Norah O’Donnell on '60 Minutes' drew widespread attention as soon as it aired. On Wednesday, November 5, Trump shared the news himself on Truth Social, writing, “JUST OUT: The 60 Minutes interview of Donald J. Trump, on CBS, Sunday night, was the highest rated 60 Minutes IN YEARS!”

The interview attracted an impressive 14 million viewers, according to Deadline, making it the most-watched 60 Minutes episode in nearly five years.

CBS reported, citing Nielsen data, that 3 million viewers came from the key 25–54 age group, helping the newsmagazine top the week’s non-sports programming. Overall viewership rose 71 percent from last year, with a 133 percent increase in the 25–54 demographic. CBS noted it was the show’s largest audience since January 10, 2021.

Although the full interview lasted about 90 minutes, only 28 minutes aired on television. CBS later released additional content, including a full transcript and an extended 73-minute version. Trump’s interview was conducted on Friday, October 31, and aired on Sunday, November 2.

Five key takeaways from Trump’s '60 Minutes' interview

President Donald Trump’s 60 Minutes interview on CBS drew massive attention, not only for its record-breaking ratings but also for a series of headline-making remarks. From nuclear testing to New York politics, Trump used the platform to reaffirm his policy positions and air fresh criticisms of his rivals.

1. Ahead of the interview, Trump announced that the United States would resume testing nuclear weapons for the first time in decades. During the segment, he claimed that Russia, China, and North Korea have conducted weapons tests, and said the US should do the same, according to The Hill.

2. Trump also shared his opinions on the New York City mayoral race, saying he would pick Andrew Cuomo over Zohran Mamdani, whom he called a “communist.”

3. He additionally addressed the role of ICE agents and the Department of Justice’s indictments.

4. The president mentioned the lawsuit he filed against CBS and its parent company, which he said resulted in a $16 million settlement. “60 Minutes paid me a lot of money. And you don’t have to put this on, because I don’t want to embarrass you, and I’m sure you’re not,” he said.

5. Trump added that he plans to continue asking Democrats to vote on reopening the government.

Trump’s wide-ranging comments reflected his determination to remain a dominant voice in national politics. Whether discussing global security, media battles, or party strategy, the former president made it clear he has no plans to retreat from the spotlight.