60 Minutes CBS “China’s Spies, The IRS, The Future of Warfare, Children of War, Notre Dame, Timothée Chalamet” May 18 2025

This Sunday, May 18, 2025, 60 Minutes presents its 2024-2025 season finale with two compelling hours of investigative journalism and captivating stories. Airing from 7:00-9:00 PM ET/PT on CBS, the program dives into the most pressing global and domestic issues, including espionage, warfare, and cultural preservation. Don’t miss this exceptional conclusion to the season.

China’s Spies

60 Minutes opens the evening with a deep dive into the espionage activities of Chinese covert agents. Correspondent Norah O’Donnell reports on how Chinese hackers have infiltrated U.S. government systems, the private sector, and critical infrastructure. However, hacking alone has not replaced the traditional method of human intelligence gathering. O’Donnell explores how China continues to use spies to monitor events outside its borders, influence global politics, and intimidate dissidents, including those in the United States. Keith Sharman and Roxanne Feitel are the producers behind this eye-opening segment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-fzzEMCD6s

The IRS

In an investigative report, Anderson Cooper looks into recent large-scale firings at the Internal Revenue Service, a consequence of President Trump’s push to reduce the size of the federal workforce. Cooper examines how these cuts could affect the IRS’s ability to collect taxes effectively and crack down on tax fraud. This segment sheds light on the broader implications of workforce reductions and their potential impact on U.S. tax systems. Sarah Koch is the producer.

The Future of Warfare

Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi travels to Costa Mesa, California, to meet Palmer Luckey, the 32-year-old tech billionaire and founder of Anduril, a company that specializes in defense products, including autonomous weapons. Some of these systems are already in use by the U.S. military and in the ongoing war in Ukraine. Alfonsi explores how artificial intelligence powers Anduril’s innovations, such as a submarine that operates without sailors. As some international groups label these systems as “killer robots,” Luckey argues that they represent the future of warfare. Lucy Hatcher is the producer of this fascinating look into military technology.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlzAhX6GgP8

8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT Segment:

Children of War

In a poignant report, Scott Pelley brings attention to the often-overlooked children of U.S. military veterans. These young Americans are deeply impacted by their parents’ service, living with veterans who suffer from physical and emotional wounds. Pelley highlights the struggles these children face as they navigate their own childhoods while helping their families cope with the aftermath of post-9/11 wars. The segment also features Senator Elizabeth Dole, who founded a foundation to support military caregivers. Aaron Weisz and Ian Flickinger are the producers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNNch2PZJ3c

Notre Dame

In a hopeful update, Bill Whitaker takes viewers inside the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which recently reopened to the public for the first time since the devastating 2019 fire. Whitaker explores the incredible restoration efforts that made French President Emmanuel Macron’s ambitious pledge to rebuild the cathedral in five years a reality. Through interviews with workers and artisans involved in the restoration, the segment reveals how France has managed to preserve its cultural heritage while embracing modern technology. Rome Hartman is the producer of this inspiring story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFggWfdZrFE

Timothée Chalamet

In the final segment of the season, 60 Minutes profiles the young actor Timothée Chalamet. When Chalamet was offered the role of Bob Dylan in a film, many advised him against it. Despite not knowing much about Dylan or playing instruments like the guitar or harmonica, Chalamet took on the challenge. Correspondent Anderson Cooper spends time with the actor as he prepares for his role in A Complete Unknown, which earned him a second Oscar nomination for Best Actor. Cooper visits Chalamet’s childhood home and explores Dylan’s old haunts in New York City, uncovering parallels between the two artists. Nichole Marks is the producer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj5MvD1bpMU

Join 60 Minutes for a riveting season finale that covers espionage, technological advancements in warfare, the emotional impact of war on children, the restoration of a cultural icon, and an intimate profile of one of Hollywood’s brightest young stars. Tune in this Sunday, May 18, from 7:00-9:00 PM ET/PT on CBS.