Paramount Global has agreed to a $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump to end his lawsuit over a “60 Minutes” interview.
Paramount said in a statement that the initial payout will be used for either Trump’s future Presidential library or a charity, along with legal fees, adding that the settlement does not include a statement of apology or regret.
An additional settlement, expected to be in the mid-eight figures, could be used to help fund advertisements and other public communications that support right-wing causes, as reported by Fox News.
In total, the settlement could exceed $30 million.
“No amount will be paid directly or indirectly to President Trump,” wrote Paramount in a statement, according to The LA Times.
“The settlement will include a release of all claims regarding any CBS reporting through the date of the settlement, including the Texas action and the threatened defamation action.”
Under the deal, future “60 Minutes” interviews with U.S. Presidential candidates will have transcripts released post-broadcast, which will also be “subject to redactions as required for legal or national security concerns.”
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Trump had accused CBS, owned by Paramount, of deceptively editing two versions of a Kamala Harris interview in October, alleging that it “scandalously” edited the interview for her benefit.
Trump also called for action to be taken by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), writing that “60 Minutes” took part in “illegal behavior” and should face fines and penalties as a result.
A spokesperson for the President wrote after the settlement that “Trump delivers another win for the American people as he, once again, holds the Fake News media accountable for their wrongdoing and deceit.”
“CBS and Paramount Global realized the strength of this historic case and had no choice but to settle. President Trump will always ensure that no one gets away with lying to the American People as he continues on his singular mission to Make America Great Again,” according to a statement sent to Fox News.
The settlement comes as Paramount is in the midst of a merger with Skydance Media, an $8 billion deal announced in July 2024.
Although the deal is widely expected to be completed by the October deadline, approval from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is still required for completion.
Paramount has clarified that the settlement is “completely separate from, and unrelated to, the Skydance transaction and the FCC approval process,” according to CNN.
While Paramount has stated that the two are unrelated, this settlement should now clear the way for the merger to take place without fear of retaliation from the FCC.