’60 Minutes’ Sets Presidential Candidates Interview Special, Only for Donald Trump to Bail

Looks like tonight’s vice presidential debate between Democrat Tim Walz and Republican J.D. Vance won’t be the last marquee TV event prior to the historic Nov. 5 election. With no more presidential debates on the horizon, 60 Minutes announced plans to air a special telecast that initially had agreements for separate sit-downs with both presidential candidates. But now only one is scheduled to show.

According to CBS News, Donald Trump first agreed to an interview with Scott Pelley — after which Vice President Kamala Harris said yes to doing the same with correspondent Bill Whitaker. The former president, however, has since backed out. His campaign decided not to participate after all, something Pelley plans to address during the telecast.

The special Monday edition of 60 Minutes will air Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. — following the half-century tradition of the storied CBS newsmagazine inviting both the Democratic and Republican tickets to appear on the broadcast before Americans cast their votes.

A CBS News spokesperson confirmed that the special will air as planned — and, should Trump reconsider, their offer for him to be interviewed on the program stands. As for Vice President Harris, 60 Minutes is scheduled to interview her and film her on the campaign trail this week. Walz is expected to participate in some fashion.

With a follow-up to the heated and frequently chaotic Sept. 10 debate between Harris and Trump off the table, few non-rally opportunities remain for the candidates to get on TV. Once another debate fell off the table, however, both agreed to separate Univision town halls for Hispanic voters that will air over the course of next week.

Harris, who’s been criticized for her few TV sit-downs with journalists since she became the Democratic nominee, most recently sat down on MSNBC for a 25-minute interview with Stephanie Ruhle.