Donald Trump and CBS are reportedly close to resolving their legal dispute over a contested 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, with a mediator proposing a $20m settlement. The Wall Street Journal reported that the figure has been tabled to end the lawsuit, which accused the network of deceptive editing during last year's presidential campaign.
The lawsuit, initially filed in October and later amended to seek $20bn in damages, alleged that CBS engaged in election interference by selectively editing Harris's responses on the Israel-Gaza conflict to make her appear more coherent. CBS has consistently denied the claims, maintaining that it simply broadcast a more concise version of her answer.
Under the proposed terms, $17m would go to Trump's presidential foundation or museum, with additional funds covering legal costs and financing public service announcements against antisemitism on Paramount-owned networks. However, negotiations remain deadlocked over Trump's demand for an apology, which CBS has refused to give.
The dispute has cast a shadow over Paramount's $8.4bn merger with Skydance Media, with Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr indicating the controversy could influence regulatory approval. Settlement talks began in mediation this spring after Paramount initially offered $15m, according to the WSJ.
The proposed $20m figure mirrors recent agreements between Trump and other media companies. Disney paid $15m to Trump's foundation and $1m for legal fees in December over an ABC News case, while Meta agreed to a $25m settlement related to the suspension of Trump's social media accounts. The legal pressure has also prompted the departures of senior CBS figures, including 60 Minutes producer Bill Owens and news chief Wendy McMahon.
