A mediator has proposed a $20 million settlement for President Trump’s lawsuit against Paramount Global over a CBS News “60 Minutes” interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris, sources have told The Wall Street Journal.
The deal includes a $17 million donation to Trump’s presidential foundation or museum, plus legal fees and public service announcements on Paramount networks to combat antisemitism.
Trump’s team has pushed for an apology, which Paramount refuses to offer. It’s unclear if an apology remains a demand. Settlement talks are ongoing, and no agreement is guaranteed.
Paramount, owner of CBS News, entered mediation this spring but hit a deadlock. The company offered $15 million, while Trump sought over $25 million, per prior Wall Street Journal reports. Trump’s October lawsuit claimed CBS edited Harris’ interview to make her appear more favorable, alleging election interference and seeking $20 billion in damages. CBS maintains it aired a concise version of her response, not a doctored one.
Paramount has grappled with settling without exposing executives to future shareholder lawsuits or criminal charges for bribing a public official. The company recently hired Gibson Dunn to evaluate offering more than $15 million while minimizing risks. A $20 million settlement aligns with payments from other companies, like Disney’s $16 million ($15 million donation, $1 million legal fees) for an ABC News defamation suit, Meta’s $25 million for a 2021 account suspension case, and X’s $10 million for a similar lawsuit.
The CBS suit has loomed over Paramount’s planned Skydance Media merger, frustrating some CBS News staff. CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon, who opposed apologizing to Trump, announced her departure last month, the second major exit from the news division. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is investigating CBS’ handling of the interview edit, citing a third-party complaint about news distortion.
This could impact the merger, as CBS’ broadcast licenses are under FCC review. Carr has demanded and received the full transcript and raw footage.
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