Paramount’s blockbuster settlement bid: Millions offered to Trump to quash $20 billion suit and clear Skydance merger

Paramount is hoping that a hefty financial offer might help resolve one of its biggest roadblocks to a long-anticipated merger with Skydance: US President Donald Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit, as per a report.

Trump Lawsuit Demands Sky-High Settlement

While there’s no deal yet, sources close to the negotiations told Deadline that the Shari Redstone-controlled media company has made an “eight-figure” offer to the president in an effort to put the case behind them, according to the Deadline report.

The lawsuit, filed by Trump late last year, centers on claims that CBS’ 60 Minutes deceptively edited an interview with then-Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the final stretch of the 2024 election, according to the report.


A source familiar with the talks between Trump’s lawyers and Paramount’s attorneys and executives told Deadline, “It’s very early days,” adding that, “An opening offer has been made, but more negotiations are underway,” quoted Deadline.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Paramount has offered $15 million so far, but Trump’s legal team is reportedly wanting $25 million and a public apology from CBS News.

ALSO READ: Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas to finally sail in August — destination, departure date, and bookings nearly full

Merger Pressure Builds Behind the Scenes

This lawsuit came at a time when Paramount is in the process of trying to finalise an $8 billion merger with David Ellison’s Skydance Media, an effort backed by Ellison’s father, tech billionaire Larry Ellison, and RedBird Capital, according to Deadline.

The merger, announced in July, still requires federal approval, and the progress has slowed as the FCC, led by Chair Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, reviews the deal, as per the report.

Deadline reported that, before Carr started his role as FCC chair, he had mentioned that the 60 Minutes complaint, which also is the subject of Trump’s lawsuit, was “likely to arise” as part of the merger review. However, Carr later said that Trump’s lawsuit is on a totally separate track from the merger consideration, reported Deadline.

FAQs

Why is Trump suing CBS and Paramount?
He claims CBS’ 60 Minutes misrepresented an interview with Kamala Harris.

How much is Paramount offering to pay?
Paramount reportedly offered $15 million to settle.