In a significant political move, Senator Bernie Sanders and eight Democratic colleagues have urged Paramount Global not to settle Donald Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit against CBS’s 60 Minutes. The lawsuit stems from Trump’s allegations that CBS edited an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris to present her in a favorable light during the 2024 presidential campaign, which he claims constitutes "election interference." The senators’ letter, dated May 6, 2025, calls for the media giant to resist what they describe as a dangerous capitulation to authoritarianism.
Trump’s lawsuit, filed last November, claims that CBS’s editing of the interview was designed to mislead voters. During the interview, Harris was asked about whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu listened to U.S. advice. She responded, "We are not going to stop pursuing what is necessary for the United States – to be clear about where we stand on the need for this war to end." Trump’s legal team argues that media organizations like CBS are actively working to ensure Harris’s election, stating that "CBS and other legacy media organizations have gone into overdrive to get Kamala elected."
In their letter, Sanders and the coalition of senators labeled Trump’s lawsuit as "an attack on the United States Constitution and the First Amendment," stressing that it has "absolutely no merit and cannot stand." They condemned the lawsuit as a blatant attempt to intimidate the media and those who dare to speak out against Trump. The letter further commends Paramount Global for its earlier decision to file two motions to dismiss the case, which the company described as "without basis in law or fact." However, the senators expressed concern over reports that Paramount might settle with Trump for as much as $75 million.
"Rewarding Trump with tens of millions of dollars for filing this bogus lawsuit will not cause him to back down on his war against the media and a free press," the senators wrote. They warned that such a settlement would only embolden Trump to continue his efforts to silence media outlets that report on issues he finds unfavorable. Their message was clear: "Stand up for freedom of the press and our democracy."
As the senators rallied behind Paramount, investors responded positively, leading to a modest increase in the company’s stock prices on May 7, 2025. The political backing from the Senate comes at a time when Paramount is also navigating its own corporate challenges, including efforts to merge with Skydance.
In an unexpected twist, Stephen Colbert, the host of CBS’s Late Show, commented on the situation during an interview with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow. Colbert stated, "There are reports that the owner of this company called the president – or called the chairman of this company – and said, ‘Yeah, you’ve got to get the news to lay off any bad Trump stories.’ And the word is that that was not passed on to the news division, I’m happy to say." This comment adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing battle between Trump and the media, highlighting internal tensions within CBS.
Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has escalated its attacks against various media outlets. Recently, he denounced CNN and MSNBC as "illegal" and ordered the elimination of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees Voice of America. Additionally, Trump signed an executive order aimed at cutting public funding for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, further intensifying the ongoing conflict between his administration and the media.
As the situation unfolds, the coalition of senators remains firm in their stance against Trump’s lawsuit, viewing it as part of a broader pattern of intimidation against the press. They argue that the lawsuit threatens not only CBS but all media organizations that dare to report critically on Trump and his administration.
The senators’ letter reflects a growing concern among Democratic lawmakers regarding Trump’s influence over the media landscape. By urging Paramount Global to stand firm, they hope to send a clear message that the First Amendment must be protected at all costs. Their call to action resonates with advocates of press freedom, who fear that capitulating to Trump’s demands could set a dangerous precedent for future interactions between the media and political figures.
As Paramount navigates this complex landscape, the company faces mounting pressure from both the public and its shareholders. Analysts have recently assigned a Moderate Sell consensus rating on Paramount’s stock, with the average price target set at $11.92 per share, suggesting only a modest upside potential of 2.67%. This reflects the uncertainty surrounding Paramount’s future, not only in its corporate dealings but also in its ability to withstand political pressures.
In conclusion, the unfolding drama between Trump and Paramount Global highlights the intersection of media, politics, and corporate governance. As the senators stand firm against Trump’s lawsuit, the outcome remains uncertain, but the implications for press freedom and corporate responsibility are profound. The stakes are high, and the coming weeks will likely determine whether Paramount will take a stand for journalistic integrity or bow to political pressure.
