Paramount Global today filed two motions in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas to dismiss a $20 billion lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump, according to a report from The Hollywood Reporter. The legal battle stems from Trump’s October 2024 claim that CBS News and its flagship program 60 Minutes “deceptively edited” an interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 election. Paramount, CBS’s parent company, argues that the suit lacks legal grounding and infringes on First Amendment protections. This comes as the judge has already denied a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
The first motion labels Trump’s lawsuit “an affront to the First Amendment and without basis in law or fact.” It contends that the president’s demands—not only for $20 billion in damages but also for an order dictating future editorial decisions—overstep constitutional boundaries. Citing precedent, Paramount asserts that broadcasters possess “editorial control and judgment” over their content, a right upheld in prior court rulings. The filing accuses Trump of attempting to punish CBS for its journalistic choices, a move the company says threatens free press principles.
Trump’s initial suit alleged that 60 Minutes manipulated Harris’ responses, particularly on the war in Gaza, to favor her politically, violating Texas consumer protection laws. Last month, he amended the complaint, doubling his damage claim from $10 billion to $20 billion and adding a federal unfair competition charge, claiming CBS’s actions damaged his Truth Social platform. The controversy centers on an exchange with correspondent Bill Whitaker, which Trump says was edited to present Harris more favorably—an accusation CBS denies, maintaining its edits were standard practice.
Paramount’s second motion seeks dismissal on jurisdictional grounds, arguing that Texas is an improper venue. The company notes it isn’t subject to general jurisdiction in the state, and the Harris interview wasn’t filmed there or targeted specifically at Texan audiences. If the case persists, Paramount suggests transferring it to a more appropriate court, such as the Southern District of New York, where CBS operates.
The filings follow reports from The New York Times that Paramount had explored settling with Trump, partly to safeguard its pending merger with Skydance Media, which awaits approval from Trump’s administration. However, Thursday’s motions signal a shift to a more confrontational stance. “They’re not backing down now,” a legal analyst remarked to TheWrap, noting the First Amendment defense could resonate strongly in court.
As the case unfolds, it pits Trump’s claims of electoral interference against Paramount’s assertion of journalistic rights, with billions in damages—and a high-profile merger—hanging in the balance. For now, the Northern District of Texas holds the next move, as Paramount braces for a fight that could redefine the intersection of media, law, and politics.
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