Paramount, Trump Agree on Mediator for ’60 Minutes’ Lawsuit
Lawyers representing Paramount Global and President Donald Trump have come to an agreement to appoint a mediator to explore the possibility of settling a lawsuit filed by Trump against CBS News. The lawsuit, which demands $20 billion in damages, stems from a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris. According to a report by the New York Times, the mediator’s identity has not been disclosed, and representatives for Paramount and Trump have remained silent on the matter.
The legal battle began a few days before the November 2024 presidential election when Trump accused CBS News of violating a Texas consumer protection law through deceptive editing of the interview with Vice President Harris. Trump later expanded the lawsuit by adding a claim under the federal Lanham Act, further pushing for the substantial $20 billion in damages.
Paramount responded to the lawsuit by filing motions to dismiss, citing the First Amendment and arguing that consumer fraud laws should not govern editorial speech. The company’s pending merger with Skydance Media is being closely monitored by the FCC, with Trump-appointed commissioner Brendan Carr indicating that the “60 Minutes” case will be considered during the merger review process.
In a separate legal battle, Trump sued ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos after Stephanopoulos inaccurately stated on-air that Trump had been found liable for rape. Although Trump was found liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll by a New York jury, Disney and ABC News agreed to settle the defamation lawsuit by paying $15 million in December 2024.
These high-profile legal disputes highlight the complex intersection of media, politics, and the law. As the mediation process unfolds in the CBS News lawsuit, the outcome could have significant implications for both parties involved. Stay tuned for further developments on this ongoing legal saga.
