Trump says '60 Minutes' lawsuit settlement is more than Paramount claims
Share and Follow

President Donald Trump confirmed that his settlement with Paramount Global exceeds the company’s reported amount of $16 million, as revealed by an exclusive report from The Post.

Last week, Trump and Paramount Global resolved their legal dispute regarding the alleged misleading editing of a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris. The parent company of CBS agreed to pay the same sum that was settled in a defamation lawsuit against Trump by ABC News, a subsidiary of Disney, last year.

The settlement with Paramount also involves an additional agreement involving Skydance CEO David Ellison and Trump, which entails the production of public service announcements valued between $15 million and $20 million to promote causes endorsed by the president, according to The Post’s Charles Gasparino.

The long-stalled $8 billion merger between Paramount and Skydance is awaiting regulatory approval from the Federal Communications Commission.

“We did a deal for about $16 million plus 16 million, or maybe more than that in advertising,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews late Thursday night according to a White House pool report.

“So it’s a combination of 16 plus 16 plus. So it’s like $32 [million] to maybe $35 million.”

Sources close to the deal told Gasparino: “There is an anticipation of a mid-eight-figure sum that will be allocated by the network to PSA advertisements and other broadcast transmissions that support conservative causes supported by President Trump.”

Paramount has firmly denied this characterization.

In a statement issued last Wednesday, the company said: “Contrary to some news reports or media speculation, Paramount’s settlement with President Trump does not include PSAs or anything related to PSAs.”

“Paramount has no knowledge of any promises or commitments made to President Trump other than those set forth in the settlement proposed by the mediator and accepted by the parties.”

A Paramount spokesperson referred The Post to its previous statement.

The Post has sought comment from Skydance.

Paramount confirmed that the $16 million settlement covers a payment to Trump’s future presidential library and legal fees, and that “60 Minutes” will release interview transcripts with presidential candidates after they have aired. The company also emphasized that it will not issue an apology.

Paramount has also denied any connection between the settlement and the pending merger with Skydance Media, the independent studio behind recent hits like “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Mission: Impossibe — The Final Reckoning.”

David Ellison — the son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, a longtime Trump ally — has been in contact with Trump’s legal team in recent weeks, The Post previously reported.

The president’s legal team did not reference public service announcements in its own July 1 statement, which called the settlement “another win for the American people.”

“CBS and Paramount Global realized the strength of this historic case and had no choice but to settle,” a spokesperson for the president said.

Trump’s original lawsuit, filed late last year, sought $10 billion in damages, later doubled, over the “60 Minutes” sitdown with Harris shortly before the election.

CBS has denied wrongdoing, stating that the edits followed standard journalistic practice. The network eventually released full transcripts and video to the FCC.

High-level negotiations surrounding the settlement played out over several months and included two senior CBS News executives parting ways with the company.

Paramount first offered a $15 million settlement in May, in line with other legal payouts made by media companies in cases involving Trump. But Trump initially demanded over $100 million and later reduced his ask to around $50 million, according to people familiar with the talks.

Paramount executives, wary of facing Democratic-led investigations into possible bribery charges, consulted legal counsel from Gibson Dunn as they weighed a final deal, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Behind the scenes, pressure to settle was mounting. Paramount’s controlling shareholder, Shari Redstone, recused herself but pushed directors to end the uncertainty, according to the Journal.

Hollywood executive Ari Emanuel, a close associate of Redstone and Ellison, reportedly also intervened to urge a resolution.

The Redstone family is expected to walk away with around $2 billion if the merger is approved.

The agreement was announced late Wednesday.

George Cheeks, who oversees CBS as one of Paramount’s three CEOs, told investors at Paramount’s annual shareholder meeting last week that the decision to resolve the dispute was to avoid, “the high and somewhat unpredictable cost of legal defense.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Shocking moment Queen Mary winces in pain and begins limping

Startling Scene as Queen Mary Shows Distress and Starts Limping

Queen Mary has been rushed indoors after being struck by a painful ailment…
Trump proposes repeal of landmark finding that greenhouse gases harm the public

Trump Suggests Reversing Key Decision on Greenhouse Gases’ Public Health Impact

The Trump administration is proposing a repeal of the landmark finding that…
DOT chief Sean Duffy 'concerned' about aviation near-misses

DOT Leader Sean Duffy Worried About Close Calls in Aviation

() In light of a spate of recent aviation near-misses, Transportation Secretary…
Tsunami alert for Hawaii and West Coast after 8.8 earthquake

Hawaii and West Coast Brace for Tsunami Following 8.8 Earthquake Alert

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…
Hawley introduces bill to provide $600 tariff rebates to adults and children

Hawley Proposes Legislation for $600 Tariff Rebates for Individuals and Families

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has introduced legislation to provide $600 tariff rebates…
Jennifer Aniston's 'common ground' with new beau Jim Curtis revealed

Jennifer Aniston’s Connection with New Partner Jim Curtis Uncovered

Jennifer Aniston’s “common ground” with her new beau, Jim Curtis, has been…
Downtown Cincinnati violent brawl videos go viral

Cincinnati Police Urge Brawl Suspects to Surrender

() Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge announced that five people face charges…
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Christopher O'Connell odds, predictions, picks

Odds, Predictions, and Picks for Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Christopher O’Connell Match

Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission…