President Donald Trump is no stranger to litigation as well as deals, and it seems like he may very well take a deal when it comes to his lawsuit against CBS and “60 Minutes.”
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, the mediator in President Trump’s lawsuit against CBS and “60 Minutes” has proposed a settlement worth $20 million, just days after court documents filed by the network called the action “meritless” and an attack on the First Amendment.
In October 2024, Trump filed a high-profile lawsuit against CBS and its flagship news program, “60 Minutes,” in a Texas federal court. The lawsuit centers on a segment with former Vice President Kamala Harris aired last year that Trump claims was edited deceptively, being defamatory and misleading in nature.
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The “60 Minutes” report examined allegations related to Trump’s business dealings and personal conduct, which he asserts contained false statements damaging his reputation and career.
Trump argues that CBS intentionally broadcasted information he says was fabricated or distorted. The suit seeks substantial damages and demands a formal retraction and apology from CBS.
CBS, meanwhile, has defended its reporting as accurate and protected under the First Amendment’s freedom of the press. The network maintains that the “60 Minutes” segment was thoroughly researched, fact-checked, and in the public interest, especially given Trump’s ongoing influence in politics and media. Legal experts see the case as a significant test of defamation law involving public figures, particularly concerning how news organizations cover controversial political personalities.
The lawsuit has drawn widespread attention, igniting debates about media accountability, free speech, and the boundaries of investigative journalism. As the case unfolds, it is expected to have lasting implications for both Trump’s legal battles and the future conduct of political reporting in the United States.
The proposal is said to include a $17 million donation to Trump’s presidential foundation or museum and $3 million in legal fees and public service announcements on Paramount Global-owned networks to fight antisemitism, the WSJ said, citing people familiar with the situation.
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For CBS, settling the lawsuit means avoiding a lengthy and costly legal battle that could damage its reputation and distract from its core journalism. Financially, the proposed settlement, though significant, is likely less damaging than ongoing litigation. However, refusing to issue a public apology helps CBS maintain its editorial independence and protect its credibility as a news organization.
The case highlights the challenges media outlets face when reporting on high-profile figures, emphasizing the balance between investigative reporting and legal risks. Ultimately, settling allows CBS to move forward while defending its journalistic standards and freedom of the press.
However, a statement to Deadline from a Trump attorney today said the President “is committed to holding those who traffic in fake news, hoaxes, and lies to account. CBS and Paramount targeted the President in an attempt to harm his reputation while committing the worst kind of election interference and fraud in the closing days of the most important presidential election in history. President Trump will pursue this vital matter to its just and rightful conclusion.”