From $20 billion to $15 million? CBS, Trump very close to settlement of lawsuit over 60 Minutes

The legal battle between US President Donald Trump and CBS over a contentious 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris could soon be over. After months of legal back and forth, both sides are now deep into settlement talks and a deal appears to be on the horizon.

President Trump and CBS are in "advanced" settlement negotiations, lawyers informed a judge on Monday. In an attempt to indicate that a settlement might be imminent, the parties asked that all case proceedings be halted until Thursday, July 3, as per a report by Variety.

According to the motion, "The Parties respectfully submit that good cause to stay all proceedings exists because the Parties are engaged in good faith, advanced, settlement negotiations.”


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What sparked Donald Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit against CBS?

Donald Trump claims that the segment was deceptively edited. President Trump sued the network for billions and has asked for an apology as well.

President Trump claims that the news program misrepresented an interview with Harris from the campaign last fall.

According to earlier reports, the parties were engaged in "active" settlement talks. The lawsuit was filed by Trump and Representative Ronny Jackson under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, which forbids consumer fraud, as per a report by Variety.

By providing an edited version of the Harris interview, they have also claimed that CBS unfairly competed with the president's social network, Truth Social.

What’s been offered in settlement talks so far?

The lawsuit sought $20 billion, but CBS has offered up to $15 million, which its own lawyers have called a "meritless assault on the First Amendment."

A mediator suggested a $20 million settlement, of which $17 million would go to Trump's presidential foundation, according to a Wall Street Journal story last week.

How has CBS responded internally to the lawsuit?

Two senior executives, Wendy McMahon and Bill Owens, left CBS as a result of the settlement talks, which have already caused internal strife within the organization.

CBS submitted a motion to compel discovery regarding Trump's allegations in April. Both parties are now requesting that all deadlines be postponed until at least Thursday, even though the plaintiffs were given until June 30 to reply.

FAQs

Why did Donald Trump sue CBS for the 60 Minutes interview?
He claims the Harris interview was misrepresented and harmed his reputation, and he also claims unfair competition with his platform, Truth Social.

How much is CBS offering to settle for?
According to reports, CBS has offered up to $15 million, while an earlier mediation proposal suggested a $20 million deal that primarily benefited Trump's foundation.