As everyone long expected, Shari Redstone caved to the Administration, settling a completely meritless $10 billion lawsuit against 60 Minutes over its editing of an interview with Kamala Harris for television—something every news program has done with every President and presidential candidate (including Trump) since editing became possible. It was an unwinnable case for the White House, even in the friendliest court in the nation.
CBS ultimately agreed to pay $16 million, which the network will put toward the President’s library. If there’s any silver lining, it’s that 60 Minutes won’t have to issue an apology or admit wrongdoing. That’s a small consolation for a news program that has already lost several of its top producers over the ordeal, leaving its reputation in tatters through no fault of its own. Paramount also agreed to release full transcripts of any future presidential interviews.
A spokesperson for the President called it “another win for the American people,” crediting the White House with holding “the fake news media accountable.”
The settlement also clears the way for Paramount’s merger with Skydance. David Ellison, son of multibillionaire and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, is poised to take over. It’s unclear how he’ll steer 60 Minutes, but he has reportedly met with Bari Weiss to discuss the possibility of giving her a role on the show (it’s not known whether Weiss is interested).
It’s one more hole in the sinking ship of legacy media, and the most prominent voice on Paramount — the so-called libertarian Taylor Sheridan — said nothing as his bosses capitulated. Every one of his characters, except Wes Bentley’s weaselly lawyer in Yellowstone, would hang their heads in shame.
