President Donald Trump appeared on 60 Minutes for a wide-ranging interview covering China, immigration, cryptocurrency, and the government shutdown. Here’s everything to know about the Trump 60 Minutes interview 2025 and the fallout from his previous Trump 60 Minutes lawsuit.
Trump Discusses China Relations and Global Trade
During the much-anticipated Trump 60 Minutes interview 2025, President Donald Trump discussed his recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, emphasizing their “strong relationship” despite past tensions.
Trump claimed that the new trade deal had brought “billions of dollars” into the U.S. through tariffs, eliminating what he called the “rare earth threat.” He added that tariffs serve as a powerful tool for both national security and economic stability.
“Tariffs give us national security and great wealth,” Trump said. “Without them, we wouldn’t have had the leverage to make this deal.”
The president also noted the creation of partnerships with Japan, Australia, and the U.K. to develop independent rare earth mineral supplies, asserting that within two years, the U.S. would no longer rely on China for such resources.
Trump on AI and Semiconductor Dominance
Trump highlighted America’s dominance in artificial intelligence, crediting deregulation and private energy initiatives for accelerating innovation. He confirmed that China would be allowed to work with Nvidia on limited terms, but not on “the most advanced” chips.
“We are leading the AI race right now by a lot,” he said. “That’s the new internet — the new everything all put together.”
Immigration, Venezuela, and National Security
Pressed by O’Donnell about aggressive immigration enforcement, Trump said ICE “hasn’t gone far enough.” He defended agents accused of excessive force, arguing that “many of the people being deported are criminals.”
On foreign policy, Trump hinted at military options in Venezuela but avoided confirming any direct actions. “I would be inclined to say that I would do that,” he said, adding that he doesn’t disclose military decisions publicly.
When asked about Taiwan, Trump claimed that China “would never invade while I’m president,” saying Xi understands the consequences “would be significant.”
Trump Addresses 60 Minutes Lawsuit and CBS Ownership
The 2025 Trump 60 Minutes interview came a year after he settled a lawsuit over the show’s editing of a Kamala Harris interview. The $16 million CBS settlement sparked controversy. It also cleared the path for a Paramount–Skydance Media merger.
Trump praised new ownership at CBS, saying, “They’re going to revitalize the network and bring back fairness.” He also complimented incoming CBS News leadership, calling it “a great move for free and open press.”
Cryptocurrency and the CZ Pardon
In a viral interview moment, Trump said he didn’t know Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, even though he pardoned him earlier this year.
“I don’t know who he is,” Trump said. “I was told it was a witch hunt by the Biden administration.”
The president defended his pro-crypto stance. He said the U.S. must lead in digital finance or risk China controlling the future of money.
Trump’s Message on Domestic Issues
When asked about cost-of-living pressures, Trump reiterated that inflation and high gas prices were “Biden’s fault.” He promised to lower healthcare costs and energy prices, though O’Donnell reminded him that similar promises date back to 2015.
On the ongoing government shutdown, Trump urged Senate Republicans to abolish the filibuster, saying Democrats were blocking recovery efforts.
FAQs
Trump spoke about U.S.-China relations, AI dominance, cryptocurrency, immigration, and the government shutdown. He also revisited his previous lawsuit with 60 Minutes.
The lawsuit concerned alleged unfair editing of a Kamala Harris interview before the 2024 election. The parties settled the case for $16 million without admitting wrongdoing.
Yes. Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao in 2025, citing overreach by the prior administration. He denied knowing Zhao personally during the interview.
It was Trump’s first major sit-down in years, providing insight into his second-term policies on trade, AI, and global security — and his evolving relationship with the media.
Disclaimer: The news and information presented on our platform, Thriver Media, are curated from verified and authentic sources, including major news agencies and official channels.
Want more? Subscribe to Thriver Media and never miss a beat.
