July 22, 2025 · Information Integrity, Press & Democratic Norms
· settlement
Confirmed
Paramount and CBS Pay $16 Million to Settle Trump's '60 Minutes' Suit
On July 2, 2025, Paramount Global, CBS's parent company, agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit Trump filed alleging that a "60 Minutes" interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris had been deceptively edited. Trump had originally sought $20 billion in damages; the settlement did not include any apology or admission of wrongdoing, and the funds were directed toward Trump's future presidential library rather than paid to him directly.
As part of the deal, "60 Minutes" agreed to release transcripts of future interviews with presidential candidates. Trump publicly celebrated the payout and suggested he might obtain an additional sum from Paramount's incoming owner, Skydance Media.
Media analysts and press freedom groups characterized the settlement as a strategic retreat by a major news organization facing regulatory and business pressures, warning that it validated a tactic of using litigation and public attacks to extract concessions from media companies rather than litigating press-freedom defenses to a conclusion.
As part of the deal, "60 Minutes" agreed to release transcripts of future interviews with presidential candidates. Trump publicly celebrated the payout and suggested he might obtain an additional sum from Paramount's incoming owner, Skydance Media.
Media analysts and press freedom groups characterized the settlement as a strategic retreat by a major news organization facing regulatory and business pressures, warning that it validated a tactic of using litigation and public attacks to extract concessions from media companies rather than litigating press-freedom defenses to a conclusion.