Scott Perry Discusses Trump’s Lawsuit Against CBS
On Saturday, “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Perry addressed President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against CBS and its parent company, asserting that the settlement could have serious repercussions for the network.
“This is going to hurt CBS significantly and tarnish the reputation of those involved,” Perry remarked during a discussion with CNN’s Anderson Cooper.
Trump initiated legal action against Paramount Global, CBS News’ parent company, in October 2024 following a “60 Minutes” interview featuring former Vice President Kamala Harris.
According to Fox News Digital, Trump has turned down a $15 million settlement offer and is seeking an apology from CBS News.
Cooper, who also works for “60 Minutes,” inquired about former producer Bill Owens, who will be leaving the program in April.
Perry mentioned, “For Bill, resigning may have felt more like a necessity than a choice, as he always championed ’60 Minutes’ independence.” He expressed some concerns about Owens’ priorities, stating he didn’t always focus on the audience.
Perry added that he desires to see CBS News thrive, although he feels his contributions remain significant to the show.
He expressed a yearning for public backing, saying, “You’d like to think the top brass fully supports you, especially given that ’60 Minutes’ is touted as a leading force in American journalism. But, well, that’s not exactly the case. I appreciate the continuing airtime, but…”
Perry recently delivered a powerful speech at Wake Forest University, underscoring the current threats to the rule of law and journalism. “We are witnessing attacks on free speech, and this pervasive fear stifles voices in schools, workplaces, and even homes,” he asserted. “If the government truly represents ‘the people,’ why are we so hesitant to speak out?”
In a separate interview with CNN, Pelley noted the gravity of his comments, stating that he did not directly reference Trump or the administration but felt there was excessive concern about discussing free speech. “What does it say about our country if we react with hysteria when someone talks about freedom of speech?” he added.
