Paramount Agrees to Pay $16 Million to Settle Trump Lawsuit Over CBS Interview

Paramount Global has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump over a CBS interview that aired during his 2024 campaign. The lawsuit, filed last year, claimed that the network defamed Trump by broadcasting what he described as a selectively edited segment that misrepresented his comments on foreign policy and domestic issues.

In the settlement, Paramount did not admit wrongdoing but agreed to the payment to resolve the dispute and avoid prolonged litigation during a sensitive period for the network and its news division. Trump’s legal team stated that the settlement represented a “significant victory” in holding media organizations accountable for what they described as unfair coverage during the presidential campaign.

The contested interview, which aired on CBS News in early 2024, featured excerpts from a longer conversation with Trump that included discussions on economic policy, border security, and international alliances. Trump’s lawyers argued that the network’s final edit excluded key context that altered the meaning of his remarks and presented a misleading portrayal of his positions.

Paramount indicated in a brief statement that it remains committed to journalistic standards while also emphasizing the importance of focusing on its broader operations without the distraction of ongoing legal challenges. The settlement funds are expected to be covered by the company’s legal reserves, and CBS News has affirmed it will continue its election coverage in line with editorial policies.

The agreement concludes one of the most high-profile legal disputes between Trump and a major media outlet since his return to the presidency, underscoring the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and segments of the press.

With input from Al Jazeera.