President Donald Trump’s legal team has issued a warning to CBS News, indicating the possibility of an additional defamation claim as settlement discussions continue over a $20 billion lawsuit concerning a “60 Minutes” interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris. The lawsuit alleges that CBS deceptively edited the interview to favor Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign.
The legal dispute has intensified internal tensions at CBS and its parent company, Paramount Global. Reports suggest that Paramount is considering a settlement to facilitate an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, which requires approval from the Trump administration. This potential settlement has drawn criticism from various quarters.
The Freedom of the Press Foundation, a Paramount shareholder, has threatened legal action if the company proceeds with the settlement, arguing it could violate First Amendment protections and constitute a breach of fiduciary duty. Seth Stern, the foundation’s director of advocacy, stated, “Corporations that own news outlets should not be in the business of settling baseless lawsuits that clearly violate the First Amendment.”
Internally, CBS has experienced upheaval, including the resignation of “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens, who cited a loss of journalistic independence amid the ongoing lawsuit. Owens reportedly told staff, “The company knows I will not apologize for anything we have done,” reflecting resistance to a settlement that might include an apology.
Public figures have also weighed in on the matter. Senator Bernie Sanders, along with other Democratic senators, urged Paramount not to settle, warning that doing so could undermine press freedom and set a dangerous precedent.
As the situation develops, the outcome of these settlement talks could have significant implications for media independence and corporate governance.
