President Donald Trump threatened to file a second civil lawsuit against Paramount Global and its broadcast network CBS on the basis of alleged news bias, according to a report published on Wednesday.
The report, from the Wall Street Journal, said the threat comes at a time when attorneys representing Paramount and Trump are actively engaged in discussions on a settlement concerning the president’s first lawsuit, which centers around allegations of news distortion and election interference.
Trump sued Paramount and CBS last November, alleging the broadcaster improperly edited a “60 Minutes” interview with his then-political rival, former Vice President Kamala Harris.
The basis of the lawsuit centered around an answer given by Harris that was shorter in the 60 Minutes version when compared to a clip broadcast earlier in the day by the political affairs program “Face the Nation.” CBS airs both shows.
Shari Redstone, the largest Paramount shareholder, has pushed for both sides to settle the matter, but has recused herself from discussions with Trump’s team, the Journal said.
Over the past few days, Paramount has offered to end the lawsuit by paying $15 million to Trump, the Journal reported. Trump is holding out for a payment of at least $25 million, and also wants an apology from CBS News.
Paramount and Redstone are eager to put the matter to rest. The lawsuit is the main reason why Paramount has been unable to close on its proposed merger with Skydance Media.
An element of the transaction involves the transfer of some CBS broadcast licenses from Paramount to Skydance, which requires the approval of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Brendan Carr, the Chairman of the FCC, says his agency has not decided the matter either way, but it is more than clear that the lawsuit must be resolved before the FCC approves or rejects the transfer of licenses.
Meanwhile, Redstone and some Paramount executives have encouraged CBS News to tone down its coverage of Trump in recent months, according to numerous reports. Since then, at least two high-profile CBS News executives have left the company: 60 Minutes Executive Producer Bill Owens and CBS News & Stations President Wendy McMahon.
At least one advocacy group, the Freedom of Press Foundation, has threatened to bring a shareholder lawsuit against Paramount’s executives and board of directors if the company settles its lawsuit with Trump.
