Full Transcript: 60 Minutes Interview with President Trump - What You Need to Know

On October 31, 2025, 60 Minutes correspondent Norah O'Donnell conducted a comprehensive 90-minute interview with President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. The historic sit-down covered critical issues ranging from U.S.-China relations to immigration policy, marking Trump's first appearance on the show since 2020 and coming exactly one year after his controversial lawsuit against CBS.

The interview generated significant headlines across America, with CBS News publishing the complete transcript online while airing approximately one-third of the conversation during the broadcast. This transparency allows Americans to see the full context of Trump's responses on pressing national issues.

Key Topics Covered in the 60 Minutes Interview

China Relations and Trade Policy

President Trump opened the interview discussing his recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump emphasized his administration's success in negotiating what he described as a favorable one-year trade deal, highlighting the elimination of rare earth mineral threats and substantial tariff revenues flowing into U.S. coffers.

"We got sort of everything that we wanted," Trump stated, noting that tariffs approaching 50% were generating "billions and billions of dollars" for America. He defended his use of tariffs as essential tools for national security, explaining how the threat of increased tariffs brought China to the negotiating table.

Nuclear Weapons Testing Announcement

In a significant policy revelation, Trump confirmed that the United States would resume nuclear weapons testing after more than three decades. When O'Donnell pressed him on this decision, Trump argued that Russia and China were already conducting tests, though experts dispute some of these claims.

"We're going to test nuclear weapons like other countries do," Trump declared, defending the decision as necessary to verify America's nuclear arsenal remains operational and effective.

Immigration and Border Security

Trump touted his administration's immigration enforcement as a major achievement, claiming zero illegal border crossings for five consecutive months—a stark contrast to what he characterized as Biden's "open border" policies. He credited tariff threats with convincing Mexico and other nations to cooperate with U.S. immigration enforcement.

The president also discussed his approach to Venezuela, declining to rule out military action while emphasizing that every drug-smuggling boat destroyed "kills 25,000 Americans" through narcotics trafficking.

Middle East Peace Efforts

Trump highlighted his administration's success in securing the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza and establishing a ceasefire, though he acknowledged that Russia-Ukraine remains the one conflict he hasn't yet resolved. He maintained that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "has never been pushed before" until working with the Trump administration.

The Context: CBS Settlement and New Ownership

The interview carries special significance given that it occurred exactly one year after Trump sued CBS over editing decisions made during a Kamala Harris interview. Paramount Global, CBS's parent company, ultimately settled the lawsuit for $16 million paid to Trump's future presidential library, though the network maintained it admitted no wrongdoing.

Following Skydance Media's acquisition of Paramount, Trump praised new leadership including David Ellison and recently appointed CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss, expressing optimism about the network's editorial direction.

Economic Policy and Stock Market Performance

Throughout the interview, Trump repeatedly emphasized economic achievements, noting that the stock market had hit all-time highs 48 times during his first nine months back in office. He projected that over $20 trillion would be invested in the United States by the end of his term, attributing this to his tariff policies encouraging companies to manufacture domestically.

When O'Donnell challenged him about rising grocery prices affecting Americans without stock market investments, Trump insisted inflation was primarily a Biden-era problem that his administration was actively resolving.

O'Donnell's Interview Approach

Correspondent Norah O'Donnell conducted the interview with persistent follow-up questions, particularly when Trump made claims about economic performance or foreign policy successes. She challenged several of his assertions, including statements about stock market benefits and immigration statistics, demonstrating the journalistic scrutiny expected of 60 Minutes interviews.

The interview style drew mixed reactions, with some commentators praising O'Donnell's persistence while others argued she should have provided more real-time fact-checking of Trump's statements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I read the full 60 Minutes Trump interview transcript?

CBS News published the complete transcript on their official website at CBSNews.com. The full 90-minute conversation is available for public access, providing comprehensive coverage beyond what aired on television.

When was the 60 Minutes interview with President Trump conducted?

The interview was conducted on October 31, 2025, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, and aired on November 2, 2025.

What was the most controversial statement Trump made during the interview?

Trump's announcement that the U.S. would resume nuclear weapons testing after more than 30 years generated significant controversy and debate among national security experts.

How long was the actual interview versus what aired on TV?

The complete interview lasted 90 minutes, but only approximately 30 minutes aired during the television broadcast. CBS published the full transcript and additional video content online.

Why This Interview Matters

The 60 Minutes interview with President Trump provides Americans with crucial insights into the administration's policy priorities during his second term. From trade negotiations with China to nuclear weapons strategy, from immigration enforcement to Middle East diplomacy, the conversation covers the full spectrum of presidential decision-making.

The availability of the complete transcript ensures transparency, allowing citizens, journalists, and historians to examine Trump's statements in full context rather than relying solely on edited soundbites. This comprehensive documentation serves the public interest by enabling informed civic engagement and political discourse.