
Trump’s $10B Lawsuit Against CBS Puts Paramount In Difficult Position
Paramount Global is reportedly exploring a settlement to resolve President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit, which accuses CBS of distorting an interview with Kamala Harris. Trump’s legal team contends that the 60 Minutes segment deliberately altered Harris’ remarks to improve her public image during the election season.
The controversy stems from an October 2024 interview where CBS allegedly replaced Harris’ original answer with a more refined version in a later Face the Nation broadcast. Trump’s attorneys argue that the changes misled viewers and constituted media bias designed to harm his campaign. CBS insists that its editorial decisions were routine and did not misrepresent the interview.
Breaking: Paramount Eyeing Settlement With Trump Over CBS News $10 Billion Lawsuit for Election Interference.https://t.co/rik7UIiOgz pic.twitter.com/KTPnSIm1fC
— This is Trump Country! (@TrumpCountry47) January 31, 2025
Shari Redstone, Paramount’s majority stakeholder, appears inclined to settle the lawsuit, especially as her company works toward merging with Skydance Media. The deal requires regulatory approval from the FCC, now under the leadership of Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee. Resolving the lawsuit could potentially smooth the merger process and remove an obstacle to the transaction.
CBS employees have reacted negatively to reports of settlement talks, with many journalists and executives viewing it as a capitulation to political pressure. Some within the network, including 60 Minutes executives, worry that a settlement would damage CBS News’ reputation and undermine the press’s ability to challenge public figures.
CBS News's parent company, Paramount, is engaging in settlement discussions with President Trump regarding his $10 billion lawsuit. The lawsuit accuses CBS of deceptively editing an interview with Kamala Harris aired on '60 Minutes' before the 2024 election. SUE them big! pic.twitter.com/ZMgQZgff11
— Scott Strick (@mailopened) January 31, 2025
The FCC has recently requested full transcripts and raw footage of Harris’ interview, signaling that the regulatory body is taking an interest in the case. Meanwhile, legal experts have characterized Trump’s lawsuit as legally weak but politically significant, given his administration’s influence over media and corporate affairs.
Trump’s track record of legal battles with major corporations suggests that this may not be the last case of its kind. ABC and Meta previously agreed to settlements to resolve separate lawsuits with Trump, with ABC contributing to his presidential library fund and Meta paying millions in legal costs. Whether Paramount will follow their lead remains to be seen.
Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS, is currently in settlement negotiations with President Trump regarding a lawsuit filed over the alleged deceptive editing of Kamala Harris's interview on '60 Minutes' before the 2024 election.
The lawsuit, seeking $10 billion, has… https://t.co/zEqUYUI82u
— Truth Seeker ✝️🙏 🇺🇸 🇮🇱🇹🇼 (@truthi1seek) January 31, 2025