Exclusive | Trump legal team, Paramount mull proposal for CBS to run PSAs for causes favored by prez to break quagmire over $20B lawsuit: sources
A proposal to break the legal quagmire between CBS News parent Paramount and President Trump involves the Tiffany Network running millions of dollars in public service ads for causes that appeal to the administration, On The Money has learned.The idea was floated in recent days by people involved in the explosive legal dispute as part of a long anticipated settlement, sources said. The PSAs would involve Paramount’s CBS news subsidiary — the defendant in Trump’s controversial $20 billion lawsuit — running what would be paid ads across its platforms that address issues such as the rise of antisemitism in American society that followed the Oct.7 massacre of Jews by Hamas terrorists, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter.The spots would also promote issues that support US veterans, these people add.
Sources close to the matter say the Trump legal team likes the idea.It’s unclear if the Paramount legal team is supportive.Reps for Paramount and the White House declined comment.
The two sides are in mediation over Trump’s lawsuit against the media giant over alleged deceptive editing of a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris.In order for the mediator in the case to consider the proposal and make it part of the bargaining discussions, both sides need to officially vet the idea and get a sign-off from management.The settlement plan comes as parties involved seek common ground to bring the litigation to an end. Trump has taken steps to stamp out antisemitism, particularly on college campuses, since returning to the White House.Paramount’s controlling shareholder Shari Redstone also has spoken out against antisemitism since Oct.7 and has even been critical of how CBS has covered the matter.As On The Money first reported, Redstone is willing to pay Trump up to $50 million to settle the matter and get a deal done.She has so far recused herself from the negotiations, leaving the decision-making to her senior management team.But man...