Why did Donald Trump drop out of the recent “60 Minutes” special dedicated to interviewing the presidential candidates?

Not even 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley knows for sure.

“I don’t know why he pulled out. He gave some reason that didn’t seem to make a whole lot of sense,” Pelley told a nearly packed Saroyan Theatre in downtown Fresno on Wednesday morning.  “I’ve had some good interviews with him in the past. Maybe it’s me.”

That was one of several moments the audience laughed with Pelley.

He also told a funny story about getting locked out of the Oval Office with President Joe Biden.

Pelley appeared in Fresno as part of the San Joaquin Valley Town Hall series, which is sponsored by GV Wire.

Election Analysis: Pennsylvania Is the Key

Pelley, also a former anchor of the “CBS Evening News,” analyzed this year’s presidential election.

“It’s completely tied,” Pelley said. It will come down to seven swing states, noting how it is “breathtakingly” close.

Pelley said Pennsylvania is likely the key.

Notable Interviews With Inspirational Figures

Pelley went into detail about notable interviews he conducted on “60 Minutes” — all with a theme of hope.

“One of the most inspiring leaders I have ever met in my career is Vladimir Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine,” Pelley said.

He observed Zelenskyy using what Pelley called “the most formidable weapon in the entire Ukrainian army .. his cell phone.”

Zelenskyy recorded a video with the message, “I’m still here. Your army is still here and we are going to fight.”

Pelley also told about his interview with Samer Attar, a Chicago doctor who has volunteered medical services in Ukraine and Syria.

He also talked about his 2010 interview with Mike Williams, a survivor of the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Fishing boats helped rescue Williams and others who made a daring leap off the fiery platform.

“Look at yourself in the mirror as they do and ask, who are you in that moment that no one saw coming?” Pelley said.

Pelley’s most emotional moments came when talking about 9/11. He read a passage from his book “Truth Worth Telling,” about the heroics and tragedy.

He recalled seeing the first tower fall, saying it looked like it happened in slow motion.

Humanitarian Mook Next Up

Nate Mook, humanitarian and former CEO of World Central Kitchen, will deliver the next Town Hall lecture on Nov. 20, 10:30 a.m. at Saroyan Theatre.

“Nate collaborated closely with Chef José Andrés, providing meals to disaster-stricken communities and revolutionizing food resilience. With his blend of tech-savvy, filmmaking, and nonprofit expertise, Nate crafts compelling narratives that ignite action and unite communities,” Town Hall says on its website.