President Donald Trump has reportedly rejected a $15 million settlement offer from Paramount Global, demanding at least $25 million and a public apology instead.
The dispute stems from a lawsuit Trump filed last year against CBS News, a Paramount-owned network. Trump accused the outlet of doctoring a “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris to make her appear more competent.
CBS News denied any wrongdoing, claiming the segment was not manipulated. But Trump’s legal team insists the edits interfered with the 2020 election.
Negotiations between the two sides have stretched on for a month. The Wall Street Journal reported Trump isn’t budging unless Paramount offers more money and takes responsibility.
Meanwhile, the legal battle is complicating Paramount’s planned $8 billion merger with Skydance Media. The controversy comes as the deal undergoes federal review by Trump’s administration.
Earlier this month, CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon announced her departure. Sources say she disagreed with executives over how to handle the lawsuit and refused to issue an apology.
“It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward,” McMahon wrote in a memo. “It’s time for me to move on.”
Paramount chair Shari Redstone has distanced herself from the Trump dispute to focus on the merger. She has reportedly delegated handling of the lawsuit to company lawyers.
Other tech giants have recently settled lawsuits with Trump. Meta paid $25 million in a separate case involving his banned accounts, and X (formerly Twitter) agreed to a $10 million settlement the next month.