US Senators Warn Paramount Over Trump Lawsuit Settlement, Anti-Bribery Risks

Paramount Global is facing significant legal and political pressure over its potential settlement of President Donald Trump's $20 billion defamation lawsuit related to a 2024 '60 Minutes' interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Key Democratic senators, including Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Ron Wyden, have warned Paramount chair Shari Redstone that settling the lawsuit could violate federal anti-bribery laws if it involves a quid pro quo arrangement to secure approval for Paramount's merger with Skydance Media. The senators demand transparency about any concessions made to the Trump administration and any changes to CBS programming, particularly regarding '60 Minutes.' CBS News staff and producers have expressed strong opposition to settling, calling the lawsuit baseless and criticizing the potential settlement as undermining journalistic independence. The controversy intensified following the abrupt resignation of CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon amid ongoing mediation talks. The situation highlights broader concerns about media integrity, political influence, and corporate mergers in the context of high-profile legal battles.