In the early part of 2023, seasoned journalist Catherine Herridge arranged an exclusive conversation with leading tech mogul Elon Musk. This interview was intended to shed light on Musk’s recent takeover of Twitter (X) and the unveiling of the “Twitter Files.” However, CBS News management put a halt to Herridge’s plans. They cited Musk’s unpredictability as a concern and insisted on recording and editing the interview prior to airing. Herridge revealed this in a video posted on X on November 26, 2024.
Herridge, who had been delving into the Hunter Biden laptop case for CBS, approached the network’s executives with a proposal to conduct a live interview with Musk.
She suggested that the interview be broadcast live on X, in line with Musk’s preference for unabridged communication. “I went to the CBS executives and said, ‘This is the opportunity that we have.’ He’s saying, ‘I want to do it live and on my platform,'” Herridge reminisced. “Elon Musk on CBS News! He’s one of the most influential people on the planet, and the response from the executives was, ‘Well, we can’t do it live.’”
The network’s management expressed hesitation about the idea of a live interview with Musk, due to fears about his potential comments. Herridge found this decision perplexing, as the value of an interview typically stems from its unrestricted nature. She questioned the network’s reasoning behind not allowing a live interview, recalling that the executives cited Musk’s unpredictable remarks as a concern. Herridge expressed frustration, reflecting that the fundamental aim of journalism is to reveal the unexpected.
Besides insisting on a pre-recorded and edited format, CBS executives also opposed broadcasting the interview on Musk’s platform X. Herridge outlined her plan to the executives to simultaneously air the interview on both X and CBS’s streaming platform, enabling both mediums to broadcast it concurrently.
Nonetheless, the executives categorically rejected the proposal. Herridge, feeling disheartened, confessed she never pursued the matter further with Elon Musk. She also observed that CBS had stipulated numerous conditions for the interview, which she felt Musk would probably refuse.
This incident is indicative of a larger trend of obstacles faced by Herridge at CBS. Her coverage of the Hunter Biden laptop controversy was met with internal resistance, resulting in a delay in its broadcast until after the 2022 midterm elections.
Earlier this year, Herridge was among a number of employees who were let go by CBS amid network downsizing. Following her exit, CBS retained her reporting materials, which were eventually returned after the union representing her exerted pressure.
Presently, Herridge continues to publish investigative reports through her newsletter and on X. Her experiences highlight concerns about editorial autonomy and the difficulties journalists encounter when covering high-profile individuals and sensitive issues. CBS News chose not to comment on the issue.