“This is propaganda”: Viewers react to 60 Minutes, CBS over latest interview with Pete Hegseth

60 Minutes on CBS has drawn a mixed reaction online after its latest interview with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth aired on September 13. While some viewers questioned the way the interview was presented, others responded positively to the report and its focus on the military rescue.

The report on the latest episode of this news magazine show was led by Norah O’Donnell, with a focus on the April rescue of two U.S. airmen after their F-15E was shot down over Iran. As it began, Hegseth talked about the military operation and the efforts to bring the crew members home.

Among the critical reactions, one user on X described the segment in strong terms, writing:

"This is propaganda, CBS News has just become a media propaganda arm of the current administration…. WOW."

Many of the reactions to this new episode of 60 Minutes are centered on the questions that were asked to Hegseth about the wider Iran conflict and his leadership. Viewers think CBS did not present the interview in a proper way.

More details are below.

Viewers react to 60 Minutes on CBS over its Pete Hegseth interview

Viewers had mixed reactions to the Pete Hegseth interview, both to the tone of the segment and how 60 Minutes portrayed the Defense Secretary. Some wondered if Hegseth was asked enough tough questions, while others defended the report and approach.

One viewer mocked the program, writing:

"Hahaha you’re fake news. They’re just getting the facts from these people, the kind of facts cnn, Fox News, oan, and newsmax FAIL to report or get lol."

On the other hand, one viewer praised the show and commented:

"Finally a good solid piece done by 60 minutes! Congratulations! Now let’s keep it up and perform solid journalism."

Another viewer commented:

"wow. riveting stuff from a bunch of sellouts. do yourself a favor y’all and turn this propaganda off."

Another user praised Norah O’Donnell and wrote:

"@NorahODonnell did a beautiful interview with this story. It showed us the bravery and the strength of our American soldiers God bless America."

As for the backlash, it extended beyond the interview itself. After CNN media analyst Brian Stelter asked his X followers for their views on the return of the Weiss-led 60 Minutes, some respondents said they would no longer watch the program.

A look at the Pete Hegseth interview on 60 Minutes

A look at the Defense Secretary(Image Source: Getty)

The 60 Minutes report centred on the rescue of two U.S. airmen after their F-15E was shot down over Iran. Both men ejected from the aircraft, but Alpha was recovered fairly quickly, while Bravo spent nearly two days alone with serious injuries before a large U.S. operation brought him out.

The report also included declassified footage from the mission and featured Hegseth discussing the military's response. The scale of the rescue, the effort to locate Bravo and the operation to bring him home formed a major part of the segment.

The report gave viewers a closer look at what happened during the rescue and the different efforts involved in recovering the two airmen. Hegseth's account provided the Pentagon's perspective on the operation and the decisions made during the recovery.

Bravo's experience was another major part of the story, as he had to survive alone while injured before U.S. forces were able to reach him. The segment therefore combined his survival account with details of the wider military operation.

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Edited by Debashri Roy

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“This is propaganda”: Viewers react to 60 Minutes, CBS over latest interview with Pete Hegseth

Viewers react to 60 Minutes on CBS over its Pete Hegseth interview

A look at the Pete Hegseth interview on 60 Minutes

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