Paramount Global and President Donald Trump are locked in mediation over a colossal $20 billion lawsuit, as the issue casts a long shadow on Paramount’s merger with Skydance Media.
Quick Takes
- Trump is suing Paramount for alleged deceptive editing in a “60 Minutes” segment.
- The lawsuit complicates an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media.
- The FCC is reviewing the case due to “news distortion” claims.
- Mediation is required to conclude by December 20, 2025.
The Lawsuit
Donald Trump has filed a significant lawsuit against Paramount Global, citing deceptive editing in a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris. Trump holds that the segment manipulated Harris’s response on the Israel-Hamas conflict, rendering her comments more cohesive and coherent than they were. CBS News, however, maintains that the editing adheres to First Amendment protections.
A chosen mediator remains unable to assure a settlement, reflecting the case’s complex legal nature. The federal court in Texas has mandated mediation be concluded by December 20, 2025. Trump’s lawsuit goes further, adding claims under the federal Lanham Act, and CBS similarly filed for a dismissal, stressing the editing does not breach consumer fraud laws.
🚨🇺🇸 CBS MOVES TO DISMISS TRUMP’S $20B LAWSUIT OVER ‘60 MINUTES’ INTERVIEW
CBS has filed a motion to dismiss Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit over its Kamala Harris interview, calling it an “affront to the First Amendment” and arguing it has no legal basis.
Trump alleges the segment… https://t.co/LQiBP2lL31 pic.twitter.com/smeoLUq1Gr
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 7, 2025
Merger Complications
The lawsuit surfaces as an impediment to Paramount’s impending $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) scrutinizing the “60 Minutes” case for potential “news distortion” breaches. Paramount acknowledges that the segment’s legal implications might impact merger proceedings, though it’s trying to keep the lawsuit separate from the Skydance deal.
“The Complaint filed against CBS for ‘news distortion’ envisions a less free world in which the federal government becomes a roving censor — one that second guesses and even punishes specific editorial decisions that are an essential part of producing news programming,” CBS said.
This merger extension is now delayed by 90 days, adding additional pressure on Paramount to resolve outstanding legal disputes. Controlling shareholder Shari Redstone is pushing for mediation to bring the merger to fruition swiftly.
CBS News and Legal Reactions
Bill Owens, “60 Minutes” executive producer, refuses to issue an apology as part of any settlement, underscoring strong internal opposition to conceding publicly. Some “60 Minutes” team members worry about reputational damage to CBS should a settlement occur. Meanwhile, the FCC’s nod remains a requisite for the merger, with funding and shareholder concerns amplifying stakeholder urgency.
“President Trump will pursue this vital matter to its just and rightful conclusion,” said Ed Paltzik, a lawyer representing Trump in this case.
CBS News, responsive to contentions of potential “news distortion,” insists they provided the FCC with comprehensive materials countering any deceitful broadcast allegations. Paramount has signified, in court filings, that lengthy litigations clash with its operational interests, though it remains ready to “abide by the legal process.”
