Stephen Colbert condemns Paramount's $16 million settlement with Trump

In early July 2025, Paramount, the parent company of CBS, settled a lawsuit with former President Donald Trump concerning a '60 Minutes' interview involving Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump had accused CBS of election interference and sought damages upwards of $20 billion, claiming that the network had deceitfully edited his interview. Despite Paramount’s assertion that the lawsuit was meritless, they agreed to a financial settlement potentially reaching $30 million; specifically, they would pay $16 million towards Trump's claims while also covering his legal costs. This settlement is viewed by many, including Stephen Colbert, as a controversial maneuver tied to Paramount's desire to complete a multi-billion dollar sale of the network to Skydance, with speculation suggesting that the settlement was, in fact, a bribe to gain the Trump administration's approval. Colbert publicly expressed his offense at the settlement, categorizing it as a 'big, fat bribe,' and indicated that it severely damaged his trust in the corporation he works for. The decision has triggered backlash within media and political circles, with criticism from various individuals including lawmakers and media watchdogs who argue that the agreement raises serious questions about First Amendment rights and the integrity of journalism. There is concern that such actions undermine honest journalistic practices as companies appear to capitulate to political pressures in order to shield themselves from lawsuits.