Paramount Settles Trump Lawsuit for $16 Million, Future 60 Minutes Transcripts to Be Released
Paramount Settles Trump Lawsuit for $16 Million, Future 60 Minutes Transcripts to Be Released
Paramount has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit brought by former President Donald Trump concerning the editing of a CBS “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. The settlement, which directs funds to Trump’s future presidential library and includes no apology, concludes a high-profile case that raised questions about free-speech principles and corporate dealings with the Trump administration.
The media giant, which owns CBS, stated the settlement allows it to avoid costly litigation and focus on business objectives, despite previously calling Trump’s case “completely without merit.” The agreement also stipulates that “60 Minutes” will release transcripts of future interviews with presidential candidates, subject to necessary redactions.
The lawsuit stemmed from Trump’s claims of “mental anguish” over the interview’s editing, which he alleged was designed to favor Harris. While CBS maintained the editing made Harris’s lengthy responses more succinct, the controversy prompted strong reactions within the network. Notably, CBS News President Wendy McMahon and “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens, who opposed the settlement, resigned in recent weeks. The Freedom of the Press Foundation, a Paramount shareholder, had indicated it would sue in protest if a settlement was reached.
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