Former President Donald Trump is set to receive a $16 million payout from Paramount Global following a legal dispute over an interview aired by CBS’s “60 Minutes.” Trump had filed a lawsuit alleging that the network deceptively edited a 2024 segment featuring then-Vice President Kamala Harris, portraying her in an overly favorable light during the election season.
According to sources familiar with the negotiations, both legal teams confirmed earlier this week that a settlement was nearing completion. The agreement was officially reported by The New York Times on Wednesday, revealing that Trump will receive compensation for what his team described as personal and reputational damage stemming from the broadcast.
This development comes at a pivotal moment for Paramount. The company is currently seeking regulatory approval from the Trump administration for a high-stakes merger with Skydance Media. Insiders say Paramount executives feared that dragging out the lawsuit could complicate the government’s review of the deal, which some critics view as potentially monopolistic.
As part of the settlement terms, the funds will be used first to cover Trump’s legal fees, with the remainder reportedly earmarked for the construction of his future presidential library.
Legal analysts initially viewed the case as one Paramount could have fought, citing strong First Amendment protections that allow media outlets editorial discretion. Importantly, no part of the Harris interview was proven factually incorrect. Still, Shari Redstone, the longtime controlling shareholder of Paramount, reportedly favored a quiet settlement—partly due to the looming acquisition talks with Skydance.
Two people with knowledge of the final weekend of negotiations said attorneys on both sides were preparing for discovery proceedings that would have compelled CBS to release internal documents related to the interview’s production and editorial decisions.
Further complicating matters, Paramount is undergoing a shake-up on its board of directors this week. The new leadership could potentially challenge the direction of the company’s business deals and legal strategy.
A spokesperson for Trump called the outcome “a win for the American public,” claiming it demonstrated Trump’s commitment to challenging what he calls “fake news.”
“CBS and Paramount Global recognized the gravity of this situation and chose to resolve it rather than face what could have been a lengthy and revealing legal battle,” the statement said.
Interestingly, the $16 million payout matches a previous settlement Trump received from ABC News. That case involved anchor George Stephanopoulos, who repeatedly stated that Trump had been convicted of rape—when in fact, Trump was found liable in a civil case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll.
Paramount executives were said to be cautious about setting a precedent with an even larger payout, fearing potential backlash from shareholders who might view such a move as financially reckless or politically motivated.
This settlement also marks a significant turning point for the Redstone family, who are preparing to cede control of Paramount to David Ellison—Skydance’s founder and a key Trump supporter, as well as the son of tech billionaire Larry Ellison.
Brendan Carr, Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Communications Commission, insisted that the lawsuit had no bearing on his evaluation of the Skydance acquisition. Paramount also denied that the settlement was tied to its ongoing business negotiations.
