Trump Makes Shocking Claim His Settlement With Paramount Is Actually For $36 Million — And Threatens Other Outlets to Get in Line
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump claimed in a Truth Social post on Tuesday that his settlement with Paramount, the parent company of CBS News, is actually worth $36 million – not the previously reported $16 million. Trump claimed the $20 million difference will come in “advertising” promised to him by Paramount.
“BREAKING NEWS! We have just achieved a BIG AND IMPORTANT WIN in our Historic Lawsuit against 60 Minutes, CBS, and Paramount. 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, adding:
Paramount/CBS/60 Minutes have today paid $16 Million Dollars in settlement, and we also anticipate receiving $20 Million Dollars more from the new Owners, in Advertising, PSAs, or similar Programming, for a total of over $36 Million Dollars. This is another in a long line of VICTORIES over the Fake News Media, who we are holding to account for their widespread fraud and deceit. The Wall Street Journal, The Failing New York Times, The Washington Post, MSDNC, CNN, and all other Mainstream Media Liars, are ON NOTICE that the days of them being allowed to deceive the American People are OVER. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
Paramount announced in early July it would settle the lawsuit Trump brought against 60 Minutes over its interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump’s suit against the company was widely seen as frivolous, but came amid Paramount’s bid to merge with Skydance, which requires the administration’s approval.
Critics have denounced the settlement as akin to a bribe to help push the mega-merger through. “With Paramount folding to Donald Trump at the same time the company needs his administration’s approval for its billion-dollar merger, this could be bribery in plain sight. Paramount has refused to provide answers to a congressional inquiry, so I’m calling for a full investigation into whether or not any anti-bribery laws were broken,” announced Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) following the settlement being made public.
Trump’s announcement of free advertising from Paramount as part of the settlement is likely to add fuel to the fire for critics already crying foul.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
