Paramount Global and CBS have reached a settlement with former President Donald Trump related to a lawsuit concerning election interference, which could total over $30 million. Trump will receive an upfront payment of $16 million. This amount will cover legal fees, case expenses, and his future contributions to his presidential library or charitable initiatives, based on his discretion.
To support conservative initiatives, further amounts are anticipated to be allocated for advertising, public service announcements, or similar formats. This reflects a history of CBS making substantial payments, including more than $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit with ABC last year.
A source mentioned that CBS has committed to revising its editorial standards and implementing new mandatory rules. Under these new guidelines, the network will provide unedited transcripts of interviews with future presidential candidates more swiftly. Those familiar with the settlement have started referring to these changes as “Trump rules.”
Trump had previously pursued $20 billion in damages over the network’s management of his interview with Vice President Kamala Harris on “60 Minutes.” CBS, however, does not claim any wrongdoing in the settlement.
The lawsuit contended that CBS News misrepresented and edited the conversation between Harris and correspondent Bill Whitaker. In a preview for “Face the Nation,” Harris’s comments were ridiculed, leading critics to argue that the editing was misleading and aimed at protecting Democratic candidates just ahead of Election Day.
It was revealed that both segments of her response to similar questions came from the same interview, but CBS aired just a part of it during a preview while presenting the full response later on a separate special. CBS News has consistently denied any allegations of fraud connected to the broadcast.
A mediation process was initiated to facilitate an agreement between Paramount and Trump’s legal representatives. Shari Redstone, a key figure at Paramount, aimed to resolve the lawsuit before a major merger with Skydance Media, likely to avoid any regulatory pushback from Trump’s FCC.
In a previous statement, Redstone clarified that the lawsuit was distinct from the Skydance merger and that legal protocols would be followed to address the issue.
Nonetheless, Trump proclaimed his lawsuit against CBS a “winner,” alleging deceptive practices that misled Americans on a significant scale. He remarked that the questions directed at Harris during early voting moments were designed to trap her.
Meanwhile, a group of Democratic senators, including Bernie Sanders, expressed concern, urging Redstone not to settle. They labeled the settlement as a potential “serious mistake” and a transparent attempt to undermine media adversaries.
Earlier this year, the FCC chair requested CBS News to disclose unedited transcripts due to investigations into possible violations of news distortion policies, but CBS had initially refused until FCC involvement.
Trump’s lawyers have added excerpts from unedited transcripts to the lawsuit, further asserting that CBS selectively withheld favorable exchanges to assist Democratic candidates.
The ongoing legal issue has created tension within CBS News, highlighted by the resignation of “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens over decisions about editing Harris’s interview. Owens had fought against offering apologies regarding the edits.
Significantly, the settlement does not include any formal apologies, nor will any payments go directly to Trump. CBS News leadership, including president Wendy McMahon, is perceived to be resistant to aligning with Trump and announced her departure, citing organizational disagreements.
Some of CBS’s prominent journalists have criticized the settlement, claiming it undermines the integrity of CBS and Paramount’s reputations.
Previously, ABC settled their own lawsuit with Trump for $15 million over defamation claims.
