In a high-stakes legal battle against one of America’s media titans, Donald Trump has emerged victorious — and the payout is nothing short of monumental.
Known for his relentless pursuit of justice (and deals), Trump recently won a settlement from Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS, over a controversial edited interview aired on the legendary news program 60 Minutes. The lawsuit centered on an interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris that Trump claimed was deceptively altered to make her appear sharper and more composed — tipping the scales unfairly during the heated presidential race.
Though CBS and Paramount stopped short of issuing any apology or admitting fault, they agreed to pay $16 million — a sum reported to cover Trump’s legal expenses and help fund his future presidential library.
A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team said, “CBS and Paramount Global recognized the strength of this landmark case and chose to settle.”
What sparked the lawsuit?
The controversy revolved around two versions of Harris’s interview — one aired on 60 Minutes and another on Face the Nation. Trump alleged that the 60 Minutes version edited out key moments where Harris struggled to answer a question about the Biden administration’s stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict, essentially masking her “word salad” and avoiding criticism.
Trump’s attorney went further, saying the network’s editing caused the former president “significant emotional distress” and “mental anguish.”
With this settlement, Trump not only claims a financial win but also a symbolic victory against media manipulation — sending a clear message that such tactics won’t go unchecked.
CBS insisted the interview edits were routine, done purely for time constraints — not to mislead viewers.
“The broadcast was not doctored or deceitful,” a CBS spokesperson firmly stated.
Notably, Trump himself declined to sit for a 60 Minutes interview during the campaign, but he fired back with a lawsuit that initially demanded a staggering $10 billion in damages — later upping the ante to $20 billion — accusing the network of trying to “tip the scales in favor of the Democratic Party.”
A Media Battle Goes Public
The legal showdown erupted last October and quickly intensified. Trump’s team framed the case as more than just one interview — it was about “holding the Fake News media accountable.”
Following the settlement, a Trump spokesperson hailed it as “a win for the American people,” adding, “President Trump will always ensure that no one gets away with lying to the American people.”
Paramount’s Settlement Tied to Merger Pressure?
Reports from The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times suggest Paramount’s decision to settle was influenced by its ongoing merger talks with Skydance Media. With the Federal Communications Commission reviewing the deal—and Trump technically holding power to complicate the process—Paramount executives were reportedly eager to resolve the lawsuit quickly.
Paramount pushed back on these claims, stating, “This lawsuit is completely independent and is not related to either the Skydance transaction or the Federal Communications Commission approval process. We will abide by the legal process to defend our case.”
New Transparency Measures
As part of the settlement, 60 Minutes will release full transcripts of interviews with future presidential candidates — a direct response to transparency concerns raised by Trump’s legal team.
Shockwaves at CBS
The fallout has been intense. Several top CBS executives, including CEO Wendy McMahon, exited amid the month-long negotiations. Insiders say their refusal to apologize to Trump played a major role. McMahon announced her resignation on May 19, following the earlier departure of 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens, who cited a lack of journalistic independence during the lawsuit.
Behind the scenes, there were also concerns about whether the payout could be seen as a potential bribe to a public official, given Trump’s media influence amid the merger talks.
A Broader Media Trend
While CBS stands by its editorial standards, it ultimately agreed to the settlement — part of a recent pattern of media companies making concessions to Trump. ABC News, owned by Disney, also recently settled a defamation case brought by the former president.
Whether viewed as a reckoning for the media or political pressure at play, one thing is clear: Donald Trump isn’t backing down from his war against what he calls the “Fake News media” — and this time, he walked away with millions.