Paramount’s Trump Settlement Alarms Press Freedom Advocates

Paramount Global, owner of CBS News, has agreed to pay $16 million to Donald Trump to settle a lawsuit widely considered frivolous. Trump claimed a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris was deceptively edited to favor her—an allegation legal experts across the political spectrum dismissed as meritless and politically motivated.

Despite the weakness of the case, Paramount chose to settle rather than fight in court. The deal includes a $15 million contribution to Trump’s presidential library and $1 million for legal fees, along with a new commitment from 60 Minutes to publish full transcripts of all presidential candidate interviews going forward.

The settlement has drawn sharp criticism from press freedom advocates and lawmakers. Senator Elizabeth Warren and others have called for a bribery investigation, citing Paramount’s pending multibillion-dollar merger as a likely motive for appeasing Trump. Critics say the agreement sets a dangerous precedent: media companies may now face pressure to soften coverage or avoid tough reporting to protect business interests and avoid costly litigation.

Inside CBS News, the fallout has been severe, with top editorial staff resigning in protest. Many warn that the settlement undermines the core function of a free press—holding power to account—and could embolden political figures to use baseless lawsuits as a tool to intimidate journalists.

This is not an isolated incident. The Los Angeles Times reportedly directed its editorial board to “take a break” from writing about Trump, suppressed editorials critical of his cabinet picks, and marginalized columnists known for holding him accountable. Across the media landscape, outlets like ABC News, CBS, and Meta have quietly settled or softened coverage following Trump’s defamation threats. The White House press corps is increasingly being filled with sycophants and partisan influencers, replacing seasoned journalists who ask tough, essential questions. Instead of challenging power, many reporters now echo it—undermining not just journalism, but the democratic function of a free press.

Trump’s relentless attacks on the free press—and the willingness of powerful corporations to capitulate—follow a familiar authoritarian playbook: discredit, intimidate, and ultimately control the flow of information.