In an extended 60 Minutes interview aired on Sunday, United States President Donald Trump definitively ruled out seeking a third term in office, emphasising his respect for constitutional limits while addressing a broad range of policy and political issues. The conversation, conducted by veteran journalist Norah O’Donnell, marked Trump’s first appearance on the CBS newsmagazine since 2020 and followed a period of strained relations between the network and the Trump administration.
Trump’s remarks came one year to the day after he filed a lawsuit against CBS News concerning the editing of a 2024 pre-election interview with then–Vice President Kamala Harris. The case, widely regarded by legal observers as lacking merit, was settled in mid-2025 for $16 million, a sum directed to Trump’s future presidential library. Despite criticism that the settlement represented a capitulation by CBS’s parent company, Paramount, the network maintained that the decision was a pragmatic resolution rather than an admission of wrongdoing.
During the interview, Trump addressed questions on the economy, foreign policy, and domestic issues including immigration and healthcare reform. O’Donnell pressed him on persistent cost-of-living challenges, with Trump attributing economic strain to the policies of his predecessor, President Joe Biden. While asserting that his administration had made progress on energy and trade, Trump offered limited detail on new measures to address inflation or healthcare affordability.
In discussing his political future, Trump reiterated his commitment to serving only within the constitutionally mandated two-term limit. “Two terms are enough. I’ll leave it better than I found it,” he said, closing speculation among some supporters about whether he might seek an amendment to allow a third term. The statement, made in a notably reflective tone, was seen by political analysts as an attempt to assert statesmanship amid the controversies that have characterised his second term.
The interview also highlighted Trump’s evolving relationship with CBS following its recent change in ownership. He praised David Ellison, the new head of Paramount and son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, describing the company’s direction under its new leadership as “a revival for fair and open journalism.” He further commended the appointment of journalist Bari Weiss as CBS News editor-in-chief, characterising her as “a great person” with “a strong sense of fairness.”
O’Donnell’s interview drew attention for its direct but restrained tone. While liberal commentators such as Joy Reid argued that Trump’s claims were not sufficiently challenged, others noted that O’Donnell’s questioning remained consistently firm. Key exchanges included pointed inquiries on foreign intervention — “Are we going to war against Venezuela?” — and immigration enforcement, to which Trump responded, “We haven’t gone far enough.”
Despite occasional tension, Trump appeared conscious of how his remarks would be edited for broadcast, quipping, “You don’t have to use that one,” after a contentious moment regarding crime in Washington, D.C. CBS later clarified that approximately one-third of the 90-minute interview was aired on television, with the full transcript made publicly available online.
Trump’s comments on CBS’s settlement with his administration demonstrated his continued sensitivity toward media portrayals, though factual discrepancies were evident. He inaccurately stated that the network had been “forced to pay me a lot of money,” when in reality, the payment stemmed from a negotiated corporate settlement.
The 60 Minutes exchange underscored Trump’s enduring influence on American political discourse, as well as his complex rapport with mainstream media institutions. While he has remained a polarising figure internationally, Sunday’s interview — characterised by moments of candour and restraint — appeared to signal an effort to project steadiness as his administration enters its final phase.
