Trump Expects $36 Million from CBS Lawsuit
Former President Trump has stated that he anticipates receiving $36 million from a legal case against CBS News related to a “60 Minutes” segment featuring Kamala Harris. This follows a $16 million settlement he reached with CBS’s parent company, Paramount, regarding the controversial interview.
In a social media update posted late Tuesday, Trump mentioned the addition of $20 million in advertising and public service announcements expected from Skydance Media. “This is another step in our long victory against the fake news media, where we can demonstrate their widespread fraud and deception,” he wrote.
He continued, “We’re also looking at an additional $20 million from new owners for a grand total exceeding $36 million when factoring in advertising and similar programming.” Earlier reports had indicated that Skydance, known for producing “Top Gun: Maverick,” was set to air public service announcements as part of discussions to resolve the lawsuit.
CBS previously indicated that the settlement does not include any extra compensation or agreements related to public service announcements. Both Paramount and Skydance have opted not to comment on Trump’s social media remarks.
A spokesperson for Paramount refuted any claims connecting the settlement to PSAs, citing, “Contrary to some reports, our settlement with President Trump includes nothing about public service announcements.” They emphasized that Paramount had no additional commitments beyond what was outlined in the mediator’s proposal.
Trump’s lawsuit, filed last October, accused CBS News of misrepresenting an interview with Harris. CBS has denied any wrongdoing, with the network asserting that the editing of Harris’s comments was standard practice.
Additionally, Skydance is currently seeking approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a potential merger with Paramount. Recently, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, and Bernie Sanders reached out to Skydance’s CEO David Ellison, inquiring about any arrangements with Trump beyond the initial settlement.
In a regulatory submission related to their discussions with the FCC, Skydance emphasized a commitment to fair journalism and embracing diverse viewpoints, reflective of American ideological diversity. Reports suggest that if the merger proceeds, Skydance may allocate $15-20 million for public service ads that align with Trump’s interests.
Despite these developments, Paramount has distanced itself from any potential “side deals,” with a spokesperson asserting that the company had no knowledge of any unofficial agreements with Trump.
Lastly, Trump also settled a defamation case against Disney’s ABC for $16 million concerning misleading comments made by anchor George Stephanopoulos.
