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CBS insisted the editing was standard practice done for time and denied any malicious intent.
“The broadcast was not doctored or deceitful,” a CBS spokesperson said.
Trump chose not to participate in a 60 Minutes interview during the campaign.
But Trump’s lawsuit — which initially demanded a jaw-dropping $10 billion in damages before being increased to $20 billion — accused the network of trying to “tip the scales in favor of the Democratic party.”
A media battle
The legal fight went public last October and intensified as Trump’s legal team pushed the narrative that this wasn’t just about one interview — it was about “holding the Fake News media accountable.”
“A win for the American people,” Trump’s spokesperson declared after the settlement. “President Trump will always ensure that no one gets away with lying to the American people.”
According to both the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, Paramount’s decision to settle was influenced by its ongoing merger negotiations with Skydance Media. With the Federal Communications Commission reviewing the deal — and Trump technically having the power to complicate it — sources told The Wall Street Journal that executives were eager to resolve the issue swiftly.
However, the company pushed back on the speculation. “This lawsuit is completely independent and is not related to either the Skydance transaction or the Federal Communications Commission approval process. We will abide by the legal process to defend our case,” they stated.
As part of the agreement, 60 Minutes will also release full transcripts of interviews with future presidential candidates — a move seen as a direct response to transparency concerns raised by Trump’s team.
Fallout at CBS
The case has already sent shockwaves through CBS.
Several high-level executives, including CEO Wendy McMahon, are said to have exited during the month-long negotiations. Insiders claim their refusal to issue an apology to Trump contributed to the shake-up.
McMahon announced her resignation on May 19 and her departure comes months after 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens also resigned, citing a lack of journalistic independence amid Trump’s lawsuit.
Behind the scenes, there was also growing concern about whether the payout could be viewed as a potential bribe to a public official, considering Trump’s influential position in the media merger.
CBS has stood by its editorial standards but ultimately agreed to the settlement — one of several recent media concessions to Trump. In a similar move, ABC News, owned by Disney, also recently settled a defamation case brought by the president.
Whether you view it as a media reckoning or a political pressure play, one thing’s clear: Donald Trump isn’t backing down from his war with what he calls the “Fake News media” — and this time, he walked away with millions
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