Former President Donald Trump has reached a $16 million settlement with Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS News, ending a high-profile legal dispute that began during the 2024 presidential campaign. The agreement marks another significant outcome in Trump’s ongoing efforts to challenge what he describes as media bias from major news organizations.
The lawsuit was filed in October 2024, when Trump was actively campaigning for a return to the White House. His legal team accused CBS News and its long-running program 60 Minutes of selectively editing an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris in a way that favored her and misled viewers. Specifically, Trump alleged that the network cut a segment in which Harris gave a confusing response about the Israel–Hamas conflict.
Originally seeking $20 billion in damages, Trump ultimately agreed to the $16 million settlement. According to Paramount, the funds will not go directly to Trump but will instead support the future construction of his presidential library. The media company also made clear that the settlement does not include any admission of fault or a public apology.
CBS News defended its editorial practices throughout the case, saying the editing process was routine and aimed at fitting the program’s time constraints while maintaining journalistic standards. Nevertheless, the lawsuit gained traction, especially among Trump supporters who argue that mainstream media outlets have consistently shown bias against the former president.
The timing of the settlement is notable, as Paramount is engaged in merger talks with Skydance, a prominent film and television production company. Some executives within Paramount viewed the lawsuit as a potential roadblock to the deal and sought to resolve it to avoid further complications.
Political figures also weighed in. In May 2025, seven Democratic and independent senators urged Paramount Chairwoman Shari Redstone to resist pressure from Trump’s legal team, warning that capitulating could threaten press freedom and editorial independence.
The case triggered leadership changes at CBS News. In April, 60 Minutes producer Bill Owens resigned, expressing frustration over what he described as a loss of editorial independence. A month later, CBS News President Wendy McMahon also stepped down, further highlighting the internal unrest caused by the controversy.
This case is part of a broader pattern of legal challenges Trump has launched against media outlets. In past years, he has filed defamation lawsuits against organizations such as The Des Moines Register and ABC News. In one instance, ABC’s parent company, Disney, reportedly paid $15 million to settle a case involving defamation claims.
Known for his outspoken criticism of the press, Trump has continued to pursue legal action against media companies he accuses of misrepresenting him or suppressing critical coverage of his political opponents. The CBS settlement is one of the most significant financial outcomes of his media-related legal efforts to date.
