Trump Rejects $15M Paramount Settlement in CBS Lawsuit

President Donald Trump has rejected a $15 million settlement offer from Paramount Global to end his $20 billion lawsuit against CBS News, which accuses the network of deceptively editing a '60 Minutes' interview with Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential race. Trump is demanding more than $25 million and a public apology, while Paramount is eager to settle the dispute to facilitate its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, currently under Federal Communications Commission review. CBS News denies wrongdoing, maintaining that the edits were standard and that the full remarks were available online, but internal tensions have risen at CBS, with notable executive departures, including CEO Wendy McMahon, reportedly due to disagreements over the settlement. Trump has also threatened a separate defamation lawsuit against CBS and has pushed to have the network's broadcast license revoked, citing biased coverage. Paramount's chairwoman, Shari Redstone, has recused herself from direct negotiations, and the company's board is expected to undergo changes to ensure stability amid the dispute and merger process. The lawsuit and its settlement negotiations are seen as pivotal to the future of Paramount's business strategy and regulatory approvals, highlighting the intersection of media, politics, and corporate transactions.