Paramount to pay $16 million in settlement with Trump over '60 Minutes' interview
Share this @internewscast.com

In a case perceived as a significant test of free speech boundaries, Paramount has agreed to a $16 million settlement regarding a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump. The lawsuit concerned the editing of CBS’ “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris conducted in October.

According to Paramount, the settlement funds will be directed towards Trump’s forthcoming presidential library and not to him personally. The company also stated that the agreement did not include an apology.

Trump’s legal representative claimed that the president experienced “mental anguish” due to CBS News’ handling of the interview edits, while Paramount and CBS dismissed the assertion that the edits were made to make Harris appear more favorable. They had aimed to have Trump’s lawsuit thrown out.

President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable at “Alligator Alcatraz,” a new migrant detention facility at Dade-Collier Training and Transition facility, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Ochopee, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

There was no immediate word from the White House about the settlement of the case, which Trump filed in Amarillo, Texas.

The case has been closely watched by advocates for press freedom and by journalists within CBS, whose lawyers called Trump’s lawsuit “completely without merit” and promised to vigorously fight it after it was filed.

In early February, “60 Minutes” released a full, unedited transcript of the interview.

Under the settlement reached with help of a mediator, Paramount agreed that “60 Minutes” will release transcripts of future interviews of presidential candidates, “subject to redactions as required for legal and national security concerns,” CBS News cited the statement as saying.

Trump, who did not agree to be interviewed by “60 Minutes” during the campaign, protested editing where Harris is seen giving two different answers to a question by the show’s Bill Whitaker in separate clips aired on “60 Minutes” and “Face the Nation” earlier in the day. CBS said each reply came within Harris’ long-winded answer to Whitaker, but was edited to be more succinct.

The president’s lawyer, Edward Andrew Paltzik, said that caused confusion and “mental anguish,” misleading voters and causing them to pay less attention to Trump and his Truth Social platform.

Paramount and controlling shareholder Shari Redstone were seeking the settlement with Trump, whose administration must approve the company’s proposed merger with Skydance Media. CBS News President and CEO Wendy McMahon and “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens, who both opposed a settlement, have resigned in recent weeks.

The Freedom of the Press Foundation, a media advocacy group that says it is a Paramount shareholder, has said that it would file a lawsuit in protest if a settlement was reached.

In December, ABC News settled a defamation lawsuit by Trump over statements made by anchor George Stephanopoulos, agreeing to pay $15 million toward Trump’s presidential library rather than engage in a public fight. Meta reportedly paid $25 million to settle Trump’s lawsuit against the company over its decision to suspend his social media accounts following the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Tragic Tractor Accident Claims Toddler’s Life: Father Allegedly Flees Scene

BRISTOL, Virginia. (WJHL) — A tragic accident claimed the life of a…

Unicoi County Sheriff Hopefuls Address Surge in Campaign Sign Theft and Vandalism Ahead of Primary

In Unicoi County, Tennessee, both candidates vying for the sheriff position in…

Urgent Investigation: Malnourished Cows in Apopka Spark Concern Among Orange County Authorities

APOPKA, Fla. – This week, a stir was caused online by a…

Rhode Island’s Offshore Wind Revolution: Defying Trump’s Opposition to Clean Energy

Off the coast of Rhode Island, towering offshore wind turbines, nearly three…

Lebanon Condemns Israeli Home Demolitions in Ceasefire Zones: Tensions Rise Over Occupied Territories

BEIRUT – Following a recent ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, the Israeli military…

Harbor House of Central Florida Empowers Domestic Violence Survivors to Keep Beloved Pets Safe

ORLANDO, Fla. – For countless survivors of domestic violence, the decision to…

Turkey Enacts New Law Limiting Social Media for Teens Under 15

ISTANBUL – In a significant move, Turkish legislators approved a new bill…

Valencia College Pays Tribute: Honoring 10 Fallen Officers Who Once Trained in Our Halls

ORLANDO, Fla. – Recently, I was privileged to participate in a truly…

Unlocking the Future: Former Sen. Bill Frist Explores Environmental Innovation at ETSU Earth Day Event

Former Senator Bill Frist, a Republican from Tennessee, recently addressed a gathering…