President Trump says he scored a $16 million win in his lawsuit against CBS, admits “they paid me a lotta money” during un-aired part of 60 Minutes interview
President Donald J. Trump stunned the media world this week when he revealed that the parent company of 60 Minutes paid a $16 million settlement to resolve his lawsuit alleging the network deceptively edited a 2024 interview featuring then-Vice President Kamala Harris. The suit accused CBS News and its parent, Paramount Global, of manipulating the broadcast to favour Harris ahead of the campaign. In a newly-aired interview with correspondent Norah O’Donnell, Trump leaned in and declared, “Actually 60 Minutes paid me a lotta money. And you don’t have to put this on, because I don’t wanna embarrass you.”
Even more provocative was his post-interview claim that the amount could balloon to over $36 million, including advertising or public service announcements from the new owners of Paramount. Paramount however publicly stated the deal does not include further payments beyond the $16 million and denies any arrangement for programming value or PSAs in support of the former president’s causes. Legal filings confirm the $16 million is earmarked for Trump’s future presidential library and legal fees, rather than direct payment to Trump himself.
Industry insiders view the settlement as a strategic capitulation by Paramount. The company has been pursuing regulatory approval for its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media — a deal that hinges on the approval of the Federal Communications Commission, now led by Trump appointee Brendan Carr. Some analysts argue the timing and structure of the settlement raise questions about media independence and the treatment of lawsuits against news giants. One former top producer at 60 Minutes left his role in April citing a loss of editorial autonomy.
Trump’s legal team hailed the deal as “another win for the American people” in his ongoing campaign to hold what he terms “fake news media” accountable. Meanwhile, press-freedom advocates warned the settlement sets a troubling precedent: major networks may now face pressure or choose to settle rather than continue editorially independent journalism. Paramount’s settlement does not include any apology or admission of wrongdoing, a fact that only deepens the divide between legal victory and reputational cost.
The story has rippled through the industry. At CBS, internal morale has reportedly taken a hit. Some staff fear the settlement compromised the network’s independence. As for Trump, the interview boasts and lawsuit win reinforce his positioning as a disruptor of media norms and a defender of conservative viewpoints. Whether the payout ultimately delivers Trump tangible influence, or simply symbolizes a shifting media-power landscape, the deal’s long-term implications for journalism remain in focus.
