Paramount, CBS forced to pay eight-figures, change editorial policy in settlement with Trump
Paramount Global and CBS agreed on Tuesday to pay President Donald Trump a sum that could reach north of $30 million to settle the president’s election interference lawsuit against the network.Trump will receive $16 million upfront.This will cover legal fees, costs of the case, and contributions to his library or charitable causes, to be determined at Trump’s discretion.There is an expectation that there will be another allocation in the mid-eight figures set aside for advertisements, public service announcements, or other similar transmissions, in support of conservative causes by the network, Fox News Digital has learned.
Sources close to the situation told Fox News Digital that CBS has agreed to update its editorial standards to install a mandatory new rule.Going forward, the network will promptly release full, unedited transcripts of future presidential candidates’ interviews.People involved in the settlement talks have referred to this as the “Trump Rule.” Trump was seeking $20 billion in his lawsuit against CBS over its handling of a “60 Minutes” interview last year with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing the network of election interference leading up to the 2024 contest.CBS is not acknowledging any journalistic wrongdoing with the settlement. The lawsuit alleged CBS News deceitfully edited an exchange Harris had with “60 Minutes” correspondent Bill Whitaker, who asked her why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasn’t “listening” to the Biden administration.Harris was widely mocked for the “word salad” answer that aired in a preview clip of the interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” However, when the same question aired during a primetime special on the network, Harris had a different, more concise response.
Critics at the time accused CBS News of deceitfully editing Harris’ “word salad” answer to shield the Democratic nominee from further backlash leading up to Election Day.The raw transcrip...