Staff Reports
CBS News and its parent company Paramount are embroiled in a legal nightmare they likely wish would just disappear. Former President Donald Trump has fired off a lawsuit against the network, claiming election interference stemming from a heavily edited episode of “60 Minutes” featuring Kamala Harris, the now-former Vice President and replacement nominee for the Democratic Party. The plot thickened recently as Trump didn’t just stick to his original claim; he decided to double down by adding Congressman Ronny Jackson from Texas as a plaintiff, and more shockingly, he increased the damages claim from a paltry $10 billion to a jaw-dropping $20 billion.
According to Fox News, the increased pressure for Paramount to settle this lawsuit is palpable. The legal storms have intensified, especially after a U.S. District Judge expressed his unwillingness to dismiss the case, effectively stating it wasn’t “moot.” Yes, that’s right—CBS thought they could just sweep this under the rug, but it looks like Texas courts have other ideas, keeping the drama exactly where it belongs: in good ol’ Texas.
Trump's Lawsuit Against CBS News Gets Much Worse for Network As Judge Refuses to Dismiss
https://t.co/YVwhQQMFQ9— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 14, 2025
In a dramatic twist, CBS News hastily released the unedited transcript and full clip of Harris’ interview, likely expecting miraculous damage control. Unfortunately for them, the result was far worse. Harris comes off looking even more like a deer caught in the headlights than most conservatives already assumed, which, let’s be honest, is quite the accomplishment. This revelation prompted Trump to make changes to his lawsuit, adding more ammunition to his legal arsenal against CBS and their not-so-esteemed reputation.
As the legal saga unfolds, it appears CBS has hitched their wagon to a failing star by trying to argue that Texas is not the right venue. The judge firmly shot down their attempt to transfer the case to New York, meaning CBS is stuck riding this rollercoaster in Texas for the foreseeable future. CBS and Paramount now have a mere 21 days to regroup and throw together a new motion to dismiss, but given the current path they’re on, it would be shocking if they managed to wiggle out of this one.
Adding to the urgency for a settlement is the fact that CBS is potentially eyeing a merger that could be put in jeopardy if Trump’s legal push continues to gain traction. The New York Times revealed that settling the lawsuit could effectively grease the wheels for CBS to sidestep any roadblocks the Trump administration might throw in their way. So, as it stands, the stakes for Paramount couldn’t be higher: settle or continue to face the prospect of a financial fallout that could cripple them even more than the already show’s ratings.
As a cherry on top of this muddy sundae, Trump has recently bagged victories against other media outlets that have tried to take him down. ABC News settled for $15 million after hosting the infamous George Stephanopoulos segment, and Meta recently handed over $25 million after Trump’s social media suspension debacle. If nothing else, it’s clear that Trump is on a roll, and CBS’s bull in a china shop attempts to take him down could be what leads them to their own financial demise. The whole episode is a potent reminder that the liberal media may not always get the last laugh—especially when they’re caught with their hands in the edit room.
