Trump Warns Media After $16 Million Victory Against CBS Over Kamala Harris Interview
New Jersey — July 23, 2025: Former President Donald Trump is celebrating a major legal win and sending a strong warning to mainstream media following a hefty settlement from Paramount Global. The $16 million payout stems from a lawsuit Trump filed over the editing of a “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump claimed that the interview, aired before the 2024 election, was intentionally edited in a way that misled voters and unfairly supported the Democratic campaign. Despite not admitting any wrongdoing, Paramount — the parent company of CBS — agreed to a multi-million dollar settlement.
Trump Declares Victory on Truth Social
Taking to Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump announced the victory in bold terms, calling it a “BIG AND IMPORTANT WIN” against CBS, Paramount, and the “Fake News Media.”
“Just like ABC and George Slopadopoulos, CBS and its Corporate Owners knew that they defrauded the American People, and were desperate to settle,” Trump wrote.
He added that, aside from the $16 million cash settlement, his legal team expects another $20 million in advertising value through Public Service Announcements (PSAs) or similar programming from Paramount’s future owners — totaling over $36 million in value.
A Pattern of Lawsuits Against Media Giants
This isn’t Trump’s first battle with the press. He previously filed a defamation lawsuit against ABC News and George Stephanopoulos, which reportedly ended in a $15 million settlement. Trump emphasized this new victory as part of a larger campaign to hold media outlets accountable for what he describes as “widespread fraud and deceit.”
In his post, Trump placed several major news outlets on notice — including CNN, MSNBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and others — saying their “days of deceiving the American people are over.”
CBS Faces Internal Backlash Over Settlement
The settlement has sparked major controversy not just among Trump critics but also inside CBS itself. One of the loudest voices has been late-night CBS host Stephen Colbert, who used his monologue to mock Paramount’s decision.
“Where could Paramount possibly have spent the other $16 million… oh wait,” Colbert joked, referencing the reported losses his show incurred, which allegedly ranged between $40 to $50 million a year.
Interestingly, just weeks after the settlement was announced, CBS confirmed the cancellation of Colbert’s show, adding more fuel to the fire.
Was the Settlement Tied to the SkyDance Merger?
Critics, including Colbert, have questioned the timing of the settlement, pointing fingers at Paramount’s ongoing merger deal with SkyDance Media. Some have speculated that the company may have settled with Trump to secure smoother approval from federal regulators — something Colbert previously referred to as a “big fat bribe.”
What’s Next for Trump and the Media?
After another significant triumph, Donald Trump says he will keep fighting “Fake News Media.” His tough legal strategy appears to be paying him, as major networks settle rather than fight long court battles.
This court win could change how major media firms cover public accountability and politics as Trump gains momentum.
NJ Recorder will keep you updated on this story.
