Overview

• Paramount Global and CBS News agreed on July 1 to pay $16 million to President Trump’s future presidential library to resolve his $20 billion election-interference suit over a ’60 Minutes’ interview with Kamala Harris.
• The settlement omits any apology or admission of wrongdoing and requires the release of full transcripts for future presidential-candidate interviews, with redactions allowed for legal or national security concerns.
• Paramount has denied President Trump’s claim of an additional $16 million in public service announcements under a side deal with Skydance’s David Ellison, stating no such arrangement was approved by its board or mediator.
• Critics from the ACLU, the Freedom of the Press Foundation and other press-freedom advocates warned that the payoff sets a dangerous precedent by undermining editorial independence and encouraging meritless lawsuits.
• The Federal Communications Commission led by Chairman Brendan Carr extended its review of Paramount’s proposed $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, heightening regulatory scrutiny over any links between the settlement and merger approval.