Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has criticized 60 Minutes for excluding critical details in its Dec. 8 segment on crypto's role in the 2024 U.S. elections. The report, led by journalist Margaret Brennan, explored Ripple's funding of pro-crypto candidates and the ongoing U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) lawsuit against the company. However, Garlinghouse claimed significant context was "shockingly left out."

The segment highlighted Ripple's involvement in Fairshake, a political action committee supporting crypto-friendly candidates, and reiterated the SEC's allegations that Ripple's XRP sales constituted unregistered securities. Yet, Garlinghouse argued that 60 Minutes omitted a pivotal ruling: a federal judge declared in July that XRP was not a security when sold programmatically on digital asset exchanges.

Counterpoints from former SEC official John Reed Stark, who asserted that XRP still met securities criteria, were also featured. Garlinghouse dismissed Stark's claims, accusing the program of misrepresentation: “[Stark] knows better despite his comments that 60 Minutes chose to air,” the Ripple CEO wrote on social media.

The SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple began in December 2020, leading to a $125 million penalty ruling in August. Both parties have since filed appeals, keeping the legal battle unresolved. Despite this, XRP saw a temporary resurgence, reclaiming its spot as the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.

The case has reignited debates about whether digital tokens fall under SEC securities regulations. Garlinghouse suggested that if SEC leadership under Gary Gensler had taken a more progressive stance, initiatives like Fairshake might not have been necessary. For now, the fight over XRP’s regulatory status remains central to shaping the future of U.S. crypto policy.