Former President Donald Trump’s case over a 2024 60 Minutes interview aired on CBS, its subsidiary, Paramount, a media titan, has agreed to pay $16 million to settle. Though Paramount stressed that none of the money would be given to him directly or indirectly, the funds will be used toward Trump’s projected presidential library.
The case arose from a segment with then–Vice President Kamala Harris, which Trump asserted had been falsely edited to support the Democratic Party before to the 2024 election. Initially asking for $10 billion in damages, Trump later raised his demand to $20 billion. CBS said the lawsuit was entirely without merit, yet in April it went to mediation.
Though the settlement did not include an apology or admission of guilt, CBS promised to start publishing complete transcripts of interviews with presidential hopefuls after they air unless legitimate or national security concerns arise.
In his legal action, Trump cited the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, claiming the altered Harris interview comprised false information. Advocates of press freedom have said that such lawsuits might be used to bypass First Amendment safeguards for journalists.
This is the most recent in a string of media settlements including Trump. ABC News apologized over allegations of defamation and gave $15 million in December. Meta promised in January to settle a lawsuit over Trump’s social media bans following the January 6 Capitol riot for $25 million.
The Paramount settlement has not been addressed by the White House or Trump’s attorneys.
