Today Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS, has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump. The lawsuit, lodged in the Northern District of Texas, alleged that an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s Democratic opponent in the 2024 presidential race, aired on CBS’s “60 Minutes” was deceptively edited. The settlement, proposed by a mediator, was announced by Paramount in a statement late Tuesday, marking a notable resolution in a case that sought $20 billion in damages.
The agreement includes plaintiffs’ fees and costs, with the remaining funds allocated to President Trump’s future presidential library, Paramount confirmed. “The settlement will include a release of all claims regarding any CBS reporting through the date of the settlement, including the Texas action and the threatened defamation action,” the statement read. Notably, neither President Trump nor Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-TX, who was added as a plaintiff in February, will receive direct or indirect payments under the settlement terms, according to Paramount.
A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team hailed the settlement as a victory, stating, “With this record settlement, President Donald J. Trump delivers another win for the American people as he, once again, holds the Fake News media accountable for their wrongdoing and deceit. CBS and Paramount Global realized the strength of this historic case and had no choice but to settle.” CBS News did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The settlement also includes a commitment from Paramount to enhance transparency at “60 Minutes.” The program will release transcripts of interviews with eligible U.S. presidential candidates after airing, “subject to redactions as required for legal or national security concerns.” However, Paramount emphasized that the agreement does not include an apology or statement of regret.
The lawsuit’s resolution comes at a pivotal time for Paramount, which is navigating an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media. The company was quick to clarify that the settlement is “completely separate from and unrelated to the Skydance transaction and the FCC approval process,” according to NBC News adding, “We will abide by the legal process to defend our case.” The merger, which requires approval from the Trump administration, has reportedly contributed to internal tensions at CBS News.
These tensions have been evident in recent leadership changes. In May, Wendy McMahon resigned as head of CBS News, citing disagreements with the company’s direction in a memo to staff. Her departure followed that of Bill Owens, a top “60 Minutes” producer, who left in April, stating that his journalistic independence had been compromised in recent months. The high-profile exits underscore the challenges facing CBS News amid legal and corporate pressures.
The settlement marks a significant moment in Trump’s ongoing battles with media outlets, reflecting his administration’s focus on challenging perceived biases in reporting. For Paramount, the resolution avoids a protracted legal fight while reinforcing commitments to transparency in its flagship news program. As the Skydance merger progresses, the company will likely face continued scrutiny, particularly given the political implications of regulatory approvals under the Trump administration.
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