Paramount has settled a lawsuit filed by former U.S. President Donald Trump over a 2023 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, agreeing to pay $16 million toward Trump’s future presidential library. No apology was issued, and the funds won’t go directly to Trump. 🚨
The lawsuit claimed CBS edited Harris’ interview to favor Democrats ahead of the 2024 election, alleging two versions aired with differing answers on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Trump initially sought $10 billion in damages, later raising it to $20 billion. CBS called the claims “without merit,” but the case settled after mediation. ⚖️
As part of the deal, 60 Minutes will release transcripts of future presidential candidate interviews post-broadcast, with redactions for legal or security reasons. Paramount’s move comes as it prepares for an $8.4B merger with Skydance Media. 💼
This follows Trump’s recent settlements with ABC News ($15M donation + apology) and Meta ($25M over account suspensions). Critics argue such cases could threaten press freedoms, but Trump vows more lawsuits, including against the Des Moines Register over a poll showing Harris leading in Iowa. 📉
Media advocates warn these tactics may bypass traditional defamation protections, raising questions about accountability in the “fake news” era. Stay tuned for updates as the 2024 election heats up! 🔥
