Senior White House officials have reportedly favored a Paramount-Skydance acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, with discussions including potential programming changes at CNN. Larry Ellison, Paramount’s largest shareholder, allegedly discussed removing CNN hosts disliked by Donald Trump, like Erin Burnett and Brianna Keilar, and replacing them with CBS assets. These informal conversations, though not in any official capacity, highlight the intense interest in the deal, and Paramount’s bid could be smoothed by White House support, and current regulatory scrutiny is considered unlikely. Other contenders in the deal include Netflix and Comcast.
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CBS omitted a section of Donald Trump’s “60 Minutes” interview where he boasted about receiving a multi-million dollar payout from Paramount, the network’s parent company, potentially to avoid embarrassment. This omission followed a settlement where CBS paid Trump $16 million to settle a suit alleging deceptive editing of a previous interview. The merger of Paramount-Skydance, now led by the son of a Trump ally, was approved shortly after the settlement, sparking criticism of CBS’s actions. The network has since undergone restructuring, including the appointment of conservative figures and an ombudsman, raising concerns about potential bias and a shift in editorial direction.
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In a recent episode of South Park, a character, likely representing a show creator, expressed reluctance but acknowledged the necessity of returning due to a lawsuit and an agreement with Paramount. This episode also satirizes Trump with a sexually explicit depiction. The episode’s release is considered audacious given Paramount’s previous concessions to Trump, including the cancellation of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and a financial settlement. This context is further complicated by South Park Digital Studios’ recent $1.5 billion licensing deal with Paramount.
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In a Truth Social post, President Trump announced Paramount had paid a $16 million settlement regarding a lawsuit over a 60 Minutes interview. He also anticipates an additional $20 million from new owners in advertising, PSAs, or similar programming. While the settlement was announced amid Paramount’s merger with Skydance, Trump has alluded to a side deal involving advertising. Democratic senators have inquired with Skydance about a separate agreement, with CBS denying any connection to Trump or the Skydance deal when announcing the end of Stephen Colbert’s show.
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The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is urging the New York state attorney general to investigate Paramount, alleging the cancellation of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” may be a bribe intended to influence former President Donald Trump’s decision on Paramount’s pending acquisition. The union expressed significant concern that the cancellation, which came shortly after Colbert criticized a recent $16 million settlement with Trump, was a move to appease the former president. The WGA further states that Paramount’s action occurs against the backdrop of relentless attacks on a free press, and calls on leaders to hold those responsible accountable. The WGA is also exploring all potential legal and political avenues to fight for their members after the decision.
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On Monday, Stephen Colbert criticized Paramount’s $16 million settlement with Donald Trump, stemming from a 60 Minutes interview dispute. Colbert expressed offense, suggesting the settlement was a “Big Fat Bribe” aimed at securing approval from the Trump administration for Paramount’s sale to Skydance. He highlighted concerns that the merger could jeopardize the future of his show and The Daily Show, citing reports that suggest Skydance’s desire to appease Trump could pressure late-night hosts critical of him. While acknowledging Paramount’s lack of apology, Colbert ultimately viewed the settlement as a move motivated by financial interests.
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Paramount Global has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Donald Trump related to a “60 Minutes” interview, a settlement that does not include an apology. As part of the agreement, “60 Minutes” will release transcripts of interviews with eligible U.S. presidential candidates after airing, with potential redactions. The settlement has been met with strong criticism from press organizations, who decry it as a threat to press freedom and an act of capitulation. The lawsuit accused CBS of election interference and sought $10 billion in damages, but the company initially denied the claims before initiating settlement talks.
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Paramount Global agreed to pay $16 million to settle President Trump’s lawsuit over edits to a “60 Minutes” interview, allocating the funds to his future presidential library. The settlement avoided a potentially costly legal battle, though it prompted criticism from First Amendment experts. This deal was seen as a way to facilitate Paramount’s sale to Skydance Media, a deal that still requires FCC approval. As part of the agreement, “60 Minutes” will release interview transcripts with presidential candidates after airing, with redactions for legal or national security.
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President Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit against Paramount Global over a “60 Minutes” segment featuring Kamala Harris alleges deceptive editing that violated Texas consumer protection laws. Paramount’s motion to dismiss, citing First Amendment protection, was opposed by Trump’s legal team, arguing the editing constituted commercial speech damaging to Trump’s businesses. Settlement talks, involving a Paramount offer of $15 million rejected by Trump, are ongoing, amidst threats of further lawsuits from Trump’s lawyers. The case’s complexities intersect with Paramount’s pending merger with Skydance Media, raising concerns among some senators despite assurances of separation from the lawsuit by the FCC.
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In short, CBS News President Wendy McMahon resigned, citing disagreements over the company’s future direction. This follows the recent departure of “60 Minutes” top producer Bill Owens, who cited concerns about journalistic independence. The turmoil coincides with Paramount Global’s pursuit of an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media and its efforts to resolve a $20 billion lawsuit filed by Donald Trump. These events suggest significant internal pressures and uncertainty within the organization.
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John Q. Hosedrinker