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President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that CBS News and parent company Paramount Global have paid a $16 million settlement to resolve a lawsuit over the editing of a “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Trump filed the $10 billion defamation suit in October, alleging the network manipulated footage in a way that misled viewers about the Democratic nominee. While the final settlement was reached earlier this month, Trump confirmed the payment had been made, formally closing the case.
The settlement includes coverage of plaintiffs’ legal fees and will be allocated to Trump’s future presidential library. None of the funds will go directly to Trump personally, according to the agreement.
“We have just achieved a BIG AND IMPORTANT WIN in our Historic Lawsuit against 60 Minutes, CBS, and Paramount,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Just like ABC and George Slopadopoulos, CBS and its Corporate Owners knew that they defrauded the American People, and were desperate to settle.”
Trump claimed that the settlement includes not only the $16 million payment but an additional $20 million in advertising, public service announcements, or similar programming commitments from the companies’ new ownership, bringing the total value to more than $36 million.
“This is another in a long line of VICTORIES over the Fake News Media, who we are holding to account for their widespread fraud and deceit,” Trump continued. “The Wall Street Journal, The Failing New York Times, The Washington Post, MSDNC, CNN, and all other Mainstream Media Liars, are ON NOTICE that the days of them being allowed to deceive the American People are OVER.”
The agreement does not include an admission of wrongdoing by CBS or Paramount, nor does it feature an apology or statement of regret. CBS has not publicly commented on the settlement.
The case follows a similar settlement Trump reached with Disney-owned ABC News in December 2024 over comments made by anchor George Stephanopoulos. Trump has also filed suit against The Wall Street Journal for a report involving a birthday note allegedly tied to Jeffrey Epstein in a claim Trump has called false.
