President Donald Trump and Paramount Global have requested a pause in all legal proceedings in their $20 billion lawsuit until Thursday, telling a Texas court they are engaged in "advanced settlement negotiations" to resolve the dispute over CBS News' editing of a Kamala Harris interview.
The parties filed a joint motion Monday stating that "good cause to stay all proceedings exists because the Parties are engaged in good faith, advanced, settlement negotiations," suggesting a resolution could be imminent.
The development follows a mediator's recent proposal for a $20 million settlement that would direct $17 million to Trump's presidential foundation or museum, with Paramount also funding anti-semitism public service announcements and covering legal fees, according to the Wall Street Journal12.
However, Trump continues to demand a formal apology from CBS, which Paramount has reportedly refused to provide2. The president previously rejected a $15 million settlement offer in May, seeking at least $25 million plus the apology13.
Settlement talks have faced complications, with reports in mid-June that a potential $35 million agreement stalled after Paramount management hesitated, prompting Trump's legal team to revert to their original demand of $50 million45.
The lawsuit's resolution carries implications beyond the courtroom. Paramount needs Federal Communications Commission approval to transfer CBS station licenses as part of its planned $8 billion sale to Skydance Media12. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has opened a formal investigation into CBS over the Harris interview and signaled support for Trump's lawsuit1.
Paramount executives privately believe settling Trump's suit is necessary before federal regulators approve the Skydance deal, according to multiple reports12. However, the company faces mounting political pressure, with three U.S. senators warning that paying Trump could constitute bribery32.
Trump's lawsuit stems from CBS's October 2024 "60 Minutes" interview with then-Vice President Harris, where the network aired different portions of her response to a question about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in separate broadcasts12. Trump claims this constituted election interference, while CBS maintains the editing was routine and has asked the court to dismiss the case as a "meritless assault on the First Amendment"32.
The Freedom of the Press Foundation, which owns Paramount shares, has threatened to sue the company if it settles, arguing the lawsuit is "frivolous" and represents "an abuse of power"45.
