Senator Warren Urges Bribery Probe Into Paramount-Trump $16M Settlement

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren has called for a full investigation into Paramount Global's $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump over a defamation lawsuit related to a '60 Minutes' interview. Warren and fellow lawmakers Bernie Sanders and Ron Wyden allege that the payment, which coincides with Paramount seeking federal approval for its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, could constitute bribery aimed at influencing the Trump administration. Paramount initially deemed the lawsuit meritless but opted to settle, with the settlement funds directed to Trump's future presidential library and legal fees, sparking bipartisan concerns about press freedom and corporate influence. Warren has criticized the settlement as a blatant example of corruption and announced plans to introduce legislation to restrict donations to sitting presidents' libraries to curb such potential abuses. Additionally, Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez urged for a transparent review of the merger approval process, emphasizing the importance of protecting a free and independent press. Despite Republican control of Congress limiting immediate investigative power, the controversy has drawn significant attention to the intersection of media, politics, and corporate mergers.