NEW YORK (AP) — CBS News said Tuesday that the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has declined to participate in an interview with “60 Minutes” for its election special next Monday with Democratic opponents Kamala Harris alone.

Television’s top-rated news program regularly invites the two presidential candidates for separate interviews, airing back-to-back in a program just before the election. This year the event will take place on Monday instead of the usual Sunday.

The former president’s campaign spokesman was contacted for comment Steven Cheung said: “Fake news,” adding that there were discussions but nothing was ever recorded.

“60 Minutes” said Trump’s campaign initially agreed to an interview before telling CBS that the former president would not appear. The broadcaster announced that its invitation to an interview remains valid and correspondent Scott Pelley will explain Trump’s absence to viewers.

Vice President Harris will appear in a pre-recorded interview Bill Whitaker.

There are currently no other planned opportunities for voters to compare the two candidates. Harris and Trump debated on September 10th. Although Harris accepted an invitation from CNN to a second debate later this month, Trump did not accept it.

The interview special is scheduled to air Monday instead of the usual “60 Minutes” time slot because CBS is showing that American Music Awards on Sunday.

Cheung said “60 Minutes” insisted on conducting a live fact check for the interview, “which is unprecedented.” CBS had no immediate comment on his claim.

Trump’s interview with the “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Steel before the 2020 election proved controversial, with the former president ending the session early and his campaign team releasing unedited minutes of the session.

CBS News hosted the vice presidential debate on Tuesday between Ohio’s Republican senator. JD Vance And Tim WaltzDemocratic governor of Minnesota.