Paramount Global Considers Settling Trump Lawsuit Ahead of Merger

Paramount Global is reportedly considering settling Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against CBS News, which claims that the network edited a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris to misrepresent her statements. Trump's lawsuit, filed in late October, alleges that CBS engaged in 'deceitful manipulation of news,' a claim that CBS has dismissed as lacking merit and protected by the First Amendment. The potential settlement discussions appear to be influenced by concerns over an upcoming merger with Skydance Media, which requires Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval that could be complicated by Trump's dissatisfaction with CBS. Incoming FCC chair Brendan Carr has indicated that CBS's editorial decisions might be scrutinized during the merger review process. This situation reflects a broader trend of media companies adjusting their strategies in anticipation of Trump's return to power, as seen with other corporations settling lawsuits or altering policies to mitigate backlash. Paramount's actions seem to echo recent settlements by Disney and others that have capitulated to Trump's demands in various contexts.