Paramount Settles Trump Lawsuit for $16 Million Over 60 Minutes Interview
Paramount Settles Trump Lawsuit for $16 Million Over 60 Minutes Interview
Paramount, the parent company of CBS, has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Donald Trump. The lawsuit stemmed from an interview broadcast on 60 Minutes in October, which Trump alleged was deceptively edited to favor the Democratic party and then-vice president Kamala Harris.
The settlement, announced on a recent Wednesday, allocates the funds directly to Trump’s future presidential library and explicitly states that no money will be paid to Trump directly or indirectly. Paramount also clarified that the agreement does not include any statement of apology or regret. The company further committed that 60 Minutes would release transcripts of future interviews with US presidential candidates after airing, subject to necessary redactions for legal or national security reasons.
Trump had initially filed a $10 billion lawsuit against CBS in October, escalating his claim to $20 billion in an amended complaint in February. He alleged violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act. CBS had previously dismissed the lawsuit as meritless. The case entered mediation in April.
This settlement marks another instance of a media company conceding to the former president, who has frequently targeted outlets over perceived false or misleading coverage. It follows similar agreements, including Walt Disney-owned ABC News settling a defamation case with a $15 million donation to Trump’s library and an apology in December, and Meta Platforms (Facebook and Instagram’s parent company) settling a lawsuit for approximately $25 million in January over the suspension of Trump’s accounts post-January 6, 2021. Trump has publicly vowed to pursue more claims against media organizations.
The settlement also comes as Paramount prepares for an $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media, which requires approval from the US Federal Communications Commission.
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