During a Donald Trump interview on 60 Minutes, the president made controversial remarks about the network’s handling of his legal case. Trump claimed that CBS News and its parent company, Paramount, had paid him a large sum of money as part of a lawsuit settlement. The remarks were made during the interview, which was posted in full on CBS’s YouTube channel but did not air live on the show.
Trump explained that the lawsuit stemmed from an interview he had with former Vice President Kamala Harris, where he alleged that the network had selectively aired parts of the interview to damage his reputation. He accused CBS of deliberately editing the content to make Harris appear more coherent, a claim he said led to the network being forced to settle the case. The legal battle, which began in late 2024, reportedly concluded with a $16 million settlement, which was used to pay for legal fees, court costs, and potential contributions to Trump’s presidential library or charitable causes.
In addition to discussing the legal dispute, Trump praised the new editor-in-chief of CBS News, Bari Weiss, stating that she is a ‘great person’ despite her known pro-Israel views and criticism of the liberal press. His comments on Weiss were met with mixed reactions from media progressives, who have expressed concern over her leadership at the network. Trump also addressed the New York City mayoral race, criticizing Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani as a ‘communist’ and suggesting that he would be unlikely to send public funds to a city led by a communist.
The controversy surrounding the settlement has led to widespread debate, with some critics suggesting it was a result of Paramount’s merger with Skydance Media, a move that has been perceived as an attempt to align with Trump’s media interests. The allegations highlight the broader tensions between the Trump administration and major media outlets, as well to the increasing influence of corporate media in political affairs.