CBS Reportedly Considering Settling $10 Billion Lawsuit with Donald Trump [WATCH]

Former President Donald J. Trump’s ongoing legal battles with major media networks have intensified as CBS News faces a $10 billion lawsuit over alleged election interference.

Trump’s legal team claims that CBS edited a 60 Minutes interview with then-vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris during the final weeks of the 2024 election to portray her more favorably.

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The case has added to a challenging period for traditional media as Trump’s re-election looms and their influence continues to decline.

Trump’s lawsuit accuses CBS of airing two separate versions of Harris’s interview—one on 60 Minutes and another on Face the Nation—each containing edited answers that favored her campaign.

The lawsuit alleges these edits misrepresented her comments on key issues, including U.S.-Israel relations, to boost her image as a competent leader.

CBS responded by stating that the 60 Minutes version was a more concise edit of Harris’s interview.

Remember Kamala’s word salad answer about Israel on 60 Minutes? It’s gone.

This is what many Americans will now see. pic.twitter.com/H4w7btDv6x

— MAZE (@mazemoore) October 8, 2024

The network has yet to comment on settlement discussions, but reports indicate that executives at Paramount, CBS’s parent company, are considering ways to minimize friction with Trump’s incoming administration.

Complicating matters for CBS is its planned merger with Skydance Media, a deal that requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Incoming FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has reportedly warned Paramount executives that Trump’s dissatisfaction with CBS News could lead to a tougher review process.

Sources familiar with the situation suggest Paramount may need to offer concessions to gain approval for the merger.

The FCC has jurisdiction over the transaction due to its involvement with broadcast licenses held by CBS-owned stations.

Andrew Jay Schwartzman, a senior counselor at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, noted that Trump’s actions could serve as a warning to other networks. “What’s going on here is a lot of bluster to discipline the future operations of CBS,” Schwartzman said.

CBS is not the only network facing legal challenges from Trump. Earlier this year, ABC News reached a $15 million settlement after This Week host George Stephanopoulos incorrectly stated that Trump was found liable for rape in the E. Jean Carroll civil case.

The error violated internal guidance against using the term “rape” in coverage of the trial, leading to an apology from ABC and a commitment to cover Trump’s legal fees.

Reports suggest the settlement funds will be allocated to Trump’s future presidential library.

The lawsuits come at a time when traditional media outlets are grappling with declining viewership and credibility.

Many Americans have turned to alternative platforms such as podcasts and independent streaming channels for news, further weakening the influence of legacy networks.

Trump’s re-election, coupled with his legal battles against major outlets, has only amplified scrutiny on the mainstream media.

As CBS navigates its legal troubles and the challenges posed by its merger plans, the broader implications for media accountability and editorial transparency remain a topic of national conversation.

For Trump, these legal victories over networks accused of bias reinforce his long-standing critiques of the press, solidifying his position as a central figure in the battle over media influence and political narratives.

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