Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS, agreed on Tuesday to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit brought by President Trump last October, which alleged interference in the 2024 election. The settlement comes as the media company continues its efforts to finalize a planned merger with Skydance Media, a deal valued at more than $8 billion and viewed as a strategic exit for Shari Redstone, who has faced pressure to sell the company while it still holds value.
The settlement resolves claims related to the editing of a “60 Minutes” interview featuring former Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s opponent in the 2024 election. According to Paramount’s statement, the settlement does not include any admission of wrongdoing, apology, or regret. However, the company did agree to a new policy that will require “60 Minutes” to release transcripts of interviews with eligible U.S. presidential candidates after they air, with allowances for necessary redactions tied to legal or national security concerns.
Paramount emphasized that no part of the settlement would be paid directly or indirectly to Trump or co-plaintiff Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas. Instead, the funds will cover legal expenses and future costs associated with Trump’s presidential library.
Trump initially filed the lawsuit seeking $10 billion in damages, later amending his claim to $20 billion. CBS denied the allegations and filed motions to dismiss the suit earlier this year. However, the case took a new turn in January when Brendan Carr, the Trump-appointed chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), announced an investigation into WCBS New York. The probe questioned whether the “60 Minutes” segment violated FCC rules against news distortion. CBS responded by turning over unedited transcripts of the interview.
Media watchdogs and press freedom advocates expressed concern over the lawsuit and the subsequent settlement. Organizations such as the Freedom of the Press Foundation warned the case could set a troubling precedent and accused the FCC of using its authority to intimidate and pressure editorial decision-making. One advocacy group even threatened legal action against Paramount for what it saw as caving to political pressure.
In response, Paramount maintained that the lawsuit was entirely separate from its ongoing merger with Skydance and unrelated to the FCC’s approval process. Though the FCC lacks jurisdiction over national broadcast networks, it does oversee local affiliates, and the proposed merger would require regulatory approval for the transfer of those licenses. Historically, such deals have been viewed favorably by regulators, particularly under pro-business administrations.
Trump’s legal team framed the settlement as a victory. A spokesperson stated the outcome represented “another win for the American people,” claiming the case had held the media accountable for its actions. The statement further asserted that CBS and Paramount recognized the legal strength of the complaint and opted to settle rather than risk further litigation.
