


Senators Urge Paramount to Reject Trump's $20 Billion Lawsuit Settlement
Bernie Sanders and Democratic senators implore Paramount Global not to settle Trump’s lawsuit, citing threats to press freedom and the Constitution.
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Overview
Senator Bernie Sanders, along with eight Democratic colleagues, strongly urged Paramount Global against settling a $20 billion lawsuit from Donald Trump regarding a '60 Minutes' interview with Kamala Harris. They described Trump’s lawsuit as a constitutional affront, accusing it of being an attempt to intimidate the media. The senators asserted that capitulating to Trump would only encourage further aggressive actions against news organizations. Paramount previously condemned the lawsuit, labeling it without merit. As mediation talks proceed, the senators called for a defense of press freedom and democratic values.
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FAQ
Senator Bernie Sanders and other Democrats are concerned that settling the lawsuit would embolden Donald Trump to further intimidate, extort, and silence media organizations, representing an attack on the First Amendment and press freedom.
Donald Trump's $20 billion lawsuit against CBS and its parent company Paramount centers on an alleged minor alteration made to a '60 Minutes' interview with Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign, which Trump claims was unfavorable to him.
Paramount has described Trump's lawsuit as without merit and unconstitutional, initially filing motions to dismiss it but has since entered into mediation talks about a potential settlement, reportedly supported by Paramount's chairwoman Shari Redstone to facilitate a merger approval.
The coalition urging Paramount to resist settling includes Senators Chris Murphy, Richard Durbin, Elizabeth Warren, Sheldon Whitehouse, among others, who have all endorsed the letter to Paramount's leadership.
Paramount is considering a settlement to avoid antagonizing Donald Trump as it seeks approval for its merger with entertainment firm Skydance, which requires Federal Communications Commission consent; chairwoman Shari Redstone reportedly supports settling to clear the way for this deal.
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