FOX News Digital breaks down @DonaldTrump's October 2024 lawsuit against @CBSNews and @ParamountPics over an allegedly deceptively edited @60Minutes interview with @KamalaHarris, the settlement payout, why Paramount agreed to pay, and the backlash that followed.
What happened?
Former VP Kamala Harris was mocked by conservatives when footage of her offering a lengthy "word salad" response when asked why it seemed like Israeli @IsraeliPM wasn’t listening to the U.S. was aired on CBS' @FaceTheNation on a Sunday to promote a special "60 Minutes" sit-down. However, Harris' lengthy answer didn’t make the version that aired on "60 Minutes" Monday night and a shorter, more focused answer to the same question was shown instead.
foxnews.com/media/cbs-60-m…
Former VP Kamala Harris was mocked by conservatives when footage of her offering a lengthy "word salad" response when asked why it seemed like Israeli @IsraeliPM wasn’t listening to the U.S. was aired on CBS' @FaceTheNation on a Sunday to promote a special "60 Minutes" sit-down. However, Harris' lengthy answer didn’t make the version that aired on "60 Minutes" Monday night and a shorter, more focused answer to the same question was shown instead.
foxnews.com/media/cbs-60-m…
October 18, 2024
The Center for American Rights argued that the discrepancies by CBS "amount to deliberate news distortion — a violation of @FCC rules governing broadcasters' public interest obligations," and formally complained to the FCC. Former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Nathan Simington — appointed by Trump in 2020 — said his priority was to make sure the public was not misled.
foxnews.com/media/fcc-comm…
The Center for American Rights argued that the discrepancies by CBS "amount to deliberate news distortion — a violation of @FCC rules governing broadcasters' public interest obligations," and formally complained to the FCC. Former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Nathan Simington — appointed by Trump in 2020 — said his priority was to make sure the public was not misled.
foxnews.com/media/fcc-comm…
October 20, 2024
After Trump called for the network to lose its broadcasting license over the editing, CBS put out a statement saying that any accusation of deceitful editing from "60 Minutes" was "false," and that then-candidate Trump pulled out of an interview — which the Trump campaign denied. CBS also stated that, "'60 Minutes' gave an excerpt of our interview to ‘Face the Nation’ that used a longer section of her answer than that on ‘60 Minutes.' Same question. Same answer. But a different portion of the response."
foxnews.com/media/cbs-news…
After Trump called for the network to lose its broadcasting license over the editing, CBS put out a statement saying that any accusation of deceitful editing from "60 Minutes" was "false," and that then-candidate Trump pulled out of an interview — which the Trump campaign denied. CBS also stated that, "'60 Minutes' gave an excerpt of our interview to ‘Face the Nation’ that used a longer section of her answer than that on ‘60 Minutes.' Same question. Same answer. But a different portion of the response."
foxnews.com/media/cbs-news…
October 31, 2024
- News broke that Trump was suing CBS News for $10 billion in damages, stating the network practiced "deceptive conduct" for the purpose of election interference in its Harris interview. The amount was later bumped to a whopping $20 billion.
- Trump attorneys said the suit was filed over "CBS’ partisan and unlawful acts of election and voter interference through malicious, deceptive, and substantial news distortion calculated to confuse, deceive, and mislead the public." Trump attorneys also argued the edits were done in an effort to "attempt to tip the scales in favor of the Democratic Party as the heated 2024 Presidential Election — which President Trump is leading — approaches its conclusion."
foxnews.com/politics/trump…
- News broke that Trump was suing CBS News for $10 billion in damages, stating the network practiced "deceptive conduct" for the purpose of election interference in its Harris interview. The amount was later bumped to a whopping $20 billion.
- Trump attorneys said the suit was filed over "CBS’ partisan and unlawful acts of election and voter interference through malicious, deceptive, and substantial news distortion calculated to confuse, deceive, and mislead the public." Trump attorneys also argued the edits were done in an effort to "attempt to tip the scales in favor of the Democratic Party as the heated 2024 Presidential Election — which President Trump is leading — approaches its conclusion."
foxnews.com/politics/trump…
February 5, 2025
Shortly after Trump was inaugurated, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) released the unedited transcript and video handed over by CBS News of its interview with Harris. The raw transcript showed CBS News had aired only the first half of her response to "60 Minutes" about Netanyahu not "listening" to the Biden administration in a preview clip that aired on "Face the Nation," but aired only the second half of her response during the primetime special.
foxnews.com/media/fcc-rele…
Shortly after Trump was inaugurated, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) released the unedited transcript and video handed over by CBS News of its interview with Harris. The raw transcript showed CBS News had aired only the first half of her response to "60 Minutes" about Netanyahu not "listening" to the Biden administration in a preview clip that aired on "Face the Nation," but aired only the second half of her response during the primetime special.
foxnews.com/media/fcc-rele…
April 14, 2025
Trump shared on Truth Social that he was "honored" to be suing "60 Minutes" over reporting he deemed "fraudulent," and said the network should "pay a big price for this." Trump then went on to say that the network "did everything possible to illegally elect Kamala, including completely and corruptly changing major answers to Interview questions, but it just didn’t work for them."
foxnews.com/media/trump-la…
Trump shared on Truth Social that he was "honored" to be suing "60 Minutes" over reporting he deemed "fraudulent," and said the network should "pay a big price for this." Trump then went on to say that the network "did everything possible to illegally elect Kamala, including completely and corruptly changing major answers to Interview questions, but it just didn’t work for them."
foxnews.com/media/trump-la…
April 23, 2025
"60 Minutes" executive producer Bill Owens abruptly quit the long-running CBS News program and put out a statement that it was clear he would not be able to run the show as he had previously done. "So, having defended this show – and what we stand for – from every angle, over time with everything I could, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward," Owens said. foxnews.com/media/60-minut…
"60 Minutes" executive producer Bill Owens abruptly quit the long-running CBS News program and put out a statement that it was clear he would not be able to run the show as he had previously done. "So, having defended this show – and what we stand for – from every angle, over time with everything I could, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward," Owens said. foxnews.com/media/60-minut…
May 9, 2025
Lawyers for Trump and Paramount entered mediation, signaling the company's potential willingness to resolve the lawsuit filed by Trump. The interview received an Emmy nomination the week prior for "Outstanding Edited Interview." Democratic lawmakers made a direct plea to Shari Redstone, Paramount's controlling shareholder, to not settle the lawsuit, saying it would be a "grave mistake."
foxnews.com/media/paramoun…
Lawyers for Trump and Paramount entered mediation, signaling the company's potential willingness to resolve the lawsuit filed by Trump. The interview received an Emmy nomination the week prior for "Outstanding Edited Interview." Democratic lawmakers made a direct plea to Shari Redstone, Paramount's controlling shareholder, to not settle the lawsuit, saying it would be a "grave mistake."
foxnews.com/media/paramoun…
May 29, 2025
Trump rejected a $15 million offer to settle the lawsuit with Paramount. The president's legal team demanded another $25 million and an apology from CBS News. Redstone had made it clear in prior months that she wanted to settle Trump's lawsuit in hopes of clearing the pathway for Paramount's multibillion-dollar planned merger with Skydance Media, which needed approval from Trump's FCC.
foxnews.com/media/trump-re…
Trump rejected a $15 million offer to settle the lawsuit with Paramount. The president's legal team demanded another $25 million and an apology from CBS News. Redstone had made it clear in prior months that she wanted to settle Trump's lawsuit in hopes of clearing the pathway for Paramount's multibillion-dollar planned merger with Skydance Media, which needed approval from Trump's FCC.
foxnews.com/media/trump-re…
July 1, 2025
- Paramount Global and CBS agreed to pay Trump a sum that could reach north of $30 million to settle the president’s lawsuit against the network. Trump received $16 million upfront. That was for covering legal fees, costs of the case, and contributions to his future presidential library or charitable causes, to be determined at Trump’s discretion.
- There is anticipation that there will be another allocation in the eight figures set aside for advertisements, public service announcements or other similar transmissions, in support of conservative causes by the network in the future.
- Sources shared with FOX News Digital that CBS 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."
foxnews.com/media/paramoun…
- Paramount Global and CBS agreed to pay Trump a sum that could reach north of $30 million to settle the president’s lawsuit against the network. Trump received $16 million upfront. That was for covering legal fees, costs of the case, and contributions to his future presidential library or charitable causes, to be determined at Trump’s discretion.
- There is anticipation that there will be another allocation in the eight figures set aside for advertisements, public service announcements or other similar transmissions, in support of conservative causes by the network in the future.
- Sources shared with FOX News Digital that CBS 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."
foxnews.com/media/paramoun…
July 7, 2025
- Paramount Global and CBS’ eight-figure settlement caused widespread outrage across the legal and journalism communities. Many legal experts and Paramount’s own attorneys insisted the lawsuit was meritless, but CBS’ parent company settled it anyway.
- Figures under Paramount's umbrella like @jonstewart, @StephenAtHome, Scott Pelley and John Dickerson have not been hiding their mockery and disdain throughout the process. Insiders also told FOX News Digital they were furious and felt betrayed by company executives surrendering to Trump.
- In an interview with Stewart on Monday night, longtime "60 Minutes" correspondent Steve Kroft said Paramount had essentially capitulated to a "shakedown."
foxnews.com/media/paramoun…
- Paramount Global and CBS’ eight-figure settlement caused widespread outrage across the legal and journalism communities. Many legal experts and Paramount’s own attorneys insisted the lawsuit was meritless, but CBS’ parent company settled it anyway.
- Figures under Paramount's umbrella like @jonstewart, @StephenAtHome, Scott Pelley and John Dickerson have not been hiding their mockery and disdain throughout the process. Insiders also told FOX News Digital they were furious and felt betrayed by company executives surrendering to Trump.
- In an interview with Stewart on Monday night, longtime "60 Minutes" correspondent Steve Kroft said Paramount had essentially capitulated to a "shakedown."
foxnews.com/media/paramoun…
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