Topline
Paramount on Tuesday said it has agreed to pay President Donald Trump $16 million to settle a lawsuit filed over a CBS News 60 Minutes interview aired last year of former Vice President Kamala Harris, which Trump alleged was edited to make the Democratic Presidential candidate appear more competent.
Paramount’s settlement will be paid directly to Trump’s future presidential library and will not … More
Key Facts
Paramount told various outlets that the $16 million settlement would be paid to Trump’s future presidential library and would not include any “statement of apology or regret.”
As part of the settlement, Paramount has agreed that 60 Minutes will release transcripts of all interviews it conducts with Presidential candidates in the future.
CBS’ lawyers had previously argued that Trump’s case, claiming $20 billion in damages, was “completely without merit,” however, Paramount’s Chair Shari Redstone was reportedly keen to settle the case as the company needed federal approval to complete its multibillion-dollar merger with Skydance Media.
Trump has not yet commented on the settlement, but his legal team told the New York Times that this was another example of the president holding “the fake news media accountable.”
What Did Trump’s Lawsuit Allege?
Trump filed the suit in October after CBS aired its interview with the former vice president and Democratic Presidential candidate. The president alleged CBS had “deceptively” edited Harris’s response to a question about the Israel-Hamas conflict during the 60 Minutes interview in an “attempt to tip the scales in favor of the Democratic Party.” The president had initially sought $10 billion in damages, but later raised the claim to $20 billion after filing an amended complaint in February. CBS lawyers argued that the president’s claim lacked standing and “The First Amendment prevents holding CBS liable for editorial judgments the President may not like.”
What Do We Know About Trump’s Attacks On Cbs And 60 Minutes?
While the case was ongoing, Trump criticized the “60 Minutes” program coverage of various matters, including his handling of the Russia-Ukraine war and his bid to take control of Greenland. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said CBS should lose its broadcast license and added: “ the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as headed by its Highly Respected Chairman, Brendan Carr, will impose the maximum fines and punishment, which is substantial, for their unlawful and illegal behavior.”
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2025/07/02/paramount-agrees-to-pay-16-million-to-settle-trumps-60-minutes-interview-lawsuit/