President Donald Trump’s firm stance against mainstream media misrepresentation continues as he refused a $15 million settlement from Paramount over a CBS News segment.
Instead, the President is demanding $25 million and a public apology from the network that attempted to influence the 2024 election through biased journalism.
The lawsuit centers on a “60 Minutes” segment featuring then-Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Trump’s legal team alleges the network deliberately edited the interview to cast radical Harris in a favorable light while portraying Trump negatively at a crucial moment in the election race.
Despite CBS and “60 Minutes” denying any wrongdoing and claiming First Amendment protections, Paramount executives have been eager to settle the matter.
Their $15 million offer reveals the seriousness with which they view Trump’s claims, but the President is not backing down from holding the mainstream media accountable.
Paramount’s urgency to settle comes amid its pending merger with Skydance, raising questions about whether corporate interests are driving its willingness to pay millions rather than defend its journalistic practices in court.
Some executives are reportedly concerned about potential shareholder lawsuits or even criminal charges if the settlement appears to avoid regulatory action.
The case has already caused internal upheaval at CBS, with CEO Wendy McMahon resigning over her opposition to apologizing to Trump as part of any settlement.
This resistance to acknowledging potential bias underscores the deep-rooted anti-Trump sentiment that has long pervaded mainstream media organizations.
While legal experts allied with the network claim such editorial decisions would be protected under the First Amendment, Paramount executives’ willingness to offer millions in settlement money suggests they recognize the vulnerability of their position.
Sources familiar with the negotiations revealed that Paramount executives hope to resolve the matter within the range of what other companies have paid to settle litigation with Trump.
According to sources who spoke to the Wall Street Journal, “By settling within the range of what other companies have paid to end litigation with Trump, some Paramount executives hope to minimize such liability.”
Meanwhile, President Trump’s refusal to accept what many would consider a substantial settlement demonstrates his commitment to holding media companies accountable for biased coverage.
By insisting on a larger financial penalty and a public apology, Trump is fighting for personal vindication and the principle of fair and honest reporting in American media.
