According to several media outlets, Paramount stated that the money will go to Trump’s future presidential library and not to the president himself. The company also said that the settlement does not involve an apology.
Trump’s lawyer, Edward Andrew Paltzik, said the president suffered “mental anguish” over the editing of the interview by CBS News. Paramount and CBS continually disputed Trump’s allegations that the interview was edited to enhance how Harris sounded. They had sought to dismiss Trump’s lawsuit.
The White House has yet to respond about the settlement of the case, a lawsuit which Trump filed in Amarillo, Texas.
In early February, “60 Minutes” released a full, unedited transcript of the interview after being compelled by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The case was closely watched by advocates for press freedom and by journalists within the news outlet, whose lawyers called Trump’s lawsuit “completely without merit” and promised to fight it after it was filed.
Under the settlement agreement reached with the aid of a mediator, Paramount agreed that going forward “60 Minutes” will release transcripts of future interviews with presidential candidates, “subject to redactions as required for legal and national security concern.”
Paramount and controlling shareholder Shari Redstone were seeking a settlement with Trump as his administration must approve the company’s proposed merger with Skydance media.
In recent weeks following the lawsuit, CBS News President and CEO Wendy McMahon and “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens, who both opposed a settlement, have resigned.
The Freedom Press Foundation, a media advocacy group that is also allegedly a Paramount shareholder, has said it would file a lawsuit in protest if a settlement was reached.
