The Trump administration and Paramount Global have reached a $16 million settlement to resolve a lawsuit over a 60 Minutes interview that aired during the 2024 election cycle.
The settlement ends a legal dispute that centered on the news program’s interview techniques and editing practices. President Trump had filed the lawsuit claiming the show misrepresented his statements through selective editing.
Paramount agreed to the payment without admitting wrongdoing in the case.
The lawsuit stemmed from a 60 Minutes segment that Trump’s legal team argued presented his comments in a misleading context. The interview had focused on key policy positions during the final weeks of the presidential campaign.
Trump’s attorneys had sought damages claiming the editing harmed his reputation and electoral prospects. They argued the network violated journalistic standards by presenting responses out of context.
“This settlement allows both parties to move forward without the uncertainty of prolonged litigation,”
according to a joint statement from the legal teams.
Paramount’s legal team had defended the interview as standard journalistic practice. They maintained that all editing decisions followed established news industry protocols for television interviews.
The $16 million figure represents one of the larger settlements involving a major news network and political figure in recent years.
Both sides agreed to confidentiality terms that limit public discussion of the case details.
The settlement doesn’t establish any precedent for future cases involving news interview practices. Legal experts note that media law cases often result in settlements to avoid the costs and unpredictability of trial proceedings.
*60 Minutes* continues its regular programming schedule. The show has faced various legal challenges over its decades-long run, with most cases being dismissed or settled out of court.
The resolution comes as news organizations navigate increased scrutiny over their coverage of political figures and campaign-related content.