CBS News criticized for withholding Trump clip about not targeting minorities

CBS News is being criticized for not releasing an early clip of Donald Trump telling his supporters to stop targeting minorities, reports The Hill.

On Sunday, he appeared on "60 Minutes" in his first post-victory televised interview, and correspondent Leslie Stahl brought up accounts of Muslims and Latinos being harassed since the election.

Trump responded by saying, "I am so saddened to hear that. And I say, 'Stop it.' If it — if it helps, I will say this, and I will say right to the cameras: 'Stop it.'"

See more on Trump's first days after the election:

60 Minutes reiterated this statement on Sunday evening, posting on Twitter, "Donald Trump says he's 'saddened' to hear some of his supporters are inciting violence: 'If it helps. I will say this...Stop it.'"

This led many, including journalists like Marketplace's Kai Ryssdal and the New Yorker's Amy Davidson, to question why the program did not release the clip for two days even though reports of attacks against minorities have surged since the election.

CNN's Brian Stelter tweeted that he had asked for a comment and provided an update soon after that – "CBS's underwhelming answer: 'We chose to release a quote on the issue that affects the most Americans & that was his statement on Obamacare.'"

While some have criticized CBS News for trying to drive up ratings, others have pointed out that Trump could have broadcast the message earlier himself.