Trump hails $16 million settlement with CBS, says 'fake news days are over'

UPDATED: Jul 23, 2025 02:53 IST

US President Donald Trump announced that he had secured a USD 16 million settlement from CBS, Paramount, and their flagship programme 60 Minutes, claiming the deal as part of a broader legal triumph against the "Fake News Media."

The President shared the news in a Truth Social post, calling the payout a “BIG AND IMPORTANT WIN” in his campaign to hold major media outlets accountable.

“Just like ABC and George Slopadopoulos, CBS and its Corporate Owners knew that they defrauded the American People, and were desperate to settle,” Trump declared.

Trump said the lawsuit settlement will ultimately total over USD 36 million, with an additional USD 20 million coming in the form of advertising, public service announcements, or similar programming from the network’s new owners.

Paramount Global has agreed to pay USD 16 million to settle a legal dispute with President Trump over a 60 Minutes interview aired on CBS featuring former Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump filed the lawsuit in October, accusing the network of deceptively editing the segment to favour Harris, his presidential election rival, and "tip the scales in favour of the Democratic Party."

While Paramount has not confirmed the terms, the White House touted the settlement as yet another example of Trump’s success in pushing back against legacy media institutions.

“This is another in a long line of VICTORIES over the Fake News Media,” Trump wrote, adding, “The Wall Street Journal, The Failing New York Times, The Washington Post, MSDNC, CNN, and all other Mainstream Media Liars, are ON NOTICE.”

“The days of them being allowed to deceive the American People are OVER. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

While experts note that such settlements don’t amount to admissions of guilt, Trump’s team is touting it as a major PR victory — the latest in a string of wins over the press.

This isn’t his first. In December 2024, ABC News settled a defamation lawsuit by Trump over statements made by anchor George Stephanopoulos, agreeing to pay USD 15 million toward Trump’s presidential library rather than engage in a public fight.

Meta reportedly paid USD 25 million to settle Trump’s lawsuit against the company over its decision to suspend his social media accounts following the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol.

- Ends

Tune In