Trump is waging war against the media – and winning
Senator Bernie Sanders condemned a $16 million settlement between Donald Trump and Paramount that ended a lawsuit over a 60 Minutes edit, calling it a blow to press freedom. The deal, linked to a pending $8 billion Paramount‑Skydance merger, highlights growing tensions between the Trump administrat…
Senator Bernie Sanders publicly denounced a recent $16 million settlement between former President Donald Trump and Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS News. The payment resolved Trump’s lawsuit claiming bias in a 60 Minutes interview with then‑Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election cycle. Sanders warned that the settlement exemplifies a broader assault on the media that the president appears to be winning.
Background of the Paramount settlement
Paramount, owned by the Redstone family, agreed to pay the sum to Trump’s presidential library fund, ending the legal dispute over the edited interview. While Trump alleged the edit was a partisan attack, journalists and independent observers said the trimming was standard practice for broadcast segments. The settlement coincided with the Redstones seeking regulatory approval for an $8 billion sale of Paramount to Skydance Media, a transaction that could net the family roughly $2.4 billion.
Legal scholar Bob Corn‑Revere of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression warned that the deal sets a dangerous precedent: it suggests the government could become the de‑facto editor of news content. Sanders echoed this sentiment, describing the settlement as a "dark day for independent journalism and freedom of the press."
Trump’s broader campaign against news outlets
Trump’s legal challenges extend beyond Paramount. Earlier, Disney settled a $16 million claim with the former president over a segment featuring George Stephanopoulos and the E. Jean Carroll sexual‑assault allegations. More recently, Trump sued Iowa pollster Ann Selzer and the Des Moines Register for alleged fraud after a poll showed Kamala Harris leading in the state. The administration also threatened to prosecute CNN over an app that alerts users to nearby immigration enforcement actions, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem promising to work with the Department of Justice on the matter.
In a separate episode, Trump labeled major outlets—including CNN, MSNBC, and The New York Times—as "scum," and hinted at investigating the network’s coverage of U.S. strikes on Iran. These statements illustrate a pattern of labeling the press as an enemy and using legal or regulatory pressure to silence criticism.
Corporate media owners’ response
Many large‑scale media owners have taken a pragmatic, if not acquiescent, stance. The billionaire proprietors of the Los Angeles Times (Patrick Soon‑Shiong) and The Washington Post (Jeff Bezos) have shifted editorial tones closer to Trump’s base, and staff resignations over perceived compromises have had limited impact. Reporters Without Borders’ head, Clayton Weimers, noted a growing divide between owners willing to defend press freedom and those who capitulate to presidential demands.
Brendan Carr, the Trump‑appointed FCC chair, indicated that the 60 Minutes dispute could be revisited during the FCC’s review of the Paramount‑Skydance merger, underscoring how regulatory levers are being used to influence media outcomes.
Political reaction and legal scrutiny
Democratic senators, including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Ron Wyden, have called for investigations into the Paramount settlement, suggesting it may constitute bribery under federal law. Warren emphasized the need for stricter rules on donations to presidential libraries, arguing that the settlement blurs the line between private philanthropy and political influence.
Despite these calls, Delaware prosecutors—where Paramount is incorporated—appear unlikely to pursue a criminal inquiry, leaving the matter largely in the political arena.
The state of American journalism
The media landscape is already under strain from declining advertising revenue, the rise of social‑media platforms, and the economic fallout of artificial‑intelligence‑driven content creation. Regional newspapers have shuttered, creating news deserts across the country. Digital outlets such as BuzzFeed, HuffPost, and Vice have downsized, while Fox News continues to thrive as a pro‑Trump outlet owned by Rupert Murdoch.
Amid these pressures, the Trump administration’s tactics—legal suits, regulatory threats, and public vilification—add a new layer of risk. The Associated Press, a cornerstone of election reporting, faced a White House ban after using the term "Gulf of Mexico" instead of the president‑preferred "Gulf of America," prompting a lawsuit that underscores the administration’s willingness to punish perceived dissent.
What lies ahead?
As the Paramount‑Skydance merger proceeds, the FCC’s decision will likely set a precedent for how corporate media transactions intersect with political pressure. Meanwhile, journalists and press‑freedom advocates continue to monitor lawsuits and settlement patterns that could erode editorial independence. The outcome will shape not only the business of news but also the broader health of American democracy.
Why it matters
The settlement and related lawsuits illustrate how political power and corporate interests can collude to undermine press independence, threatening democratic accountability.
Key points
- Paramount paid $16 million to settle Trump’s lawsuit over a 60 Minutes edit, linking the case to a pending $8 billion merger.
- Senator Bernie Sanders called the deal a "dark day" for press freedom, warning of authoritarian trends.
- Trump’s administration has pursued legal actions against CNN, pollsters, and the Associated Press, intensifying pressure on media outlets.
- Major media owners have shown limited resistance, with some shifting editorial tone to accommodate the president’s agenda.
- Democratic lawmakers are urging investigations into potential bribery and calling for stricter rules on presidential‑library donations.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Paramount agree to pay Trump $16 million?
Paramount settled to end a lawsuit claiming the network’s editing of a 60 Minutes interview was biased, and to avoid jeopardizing its $8 billion merger with Skydance, which requires regulatory approval.
What does the settlement mean for press freedom?
Critics argue it creates a precedent where political leaders can extract money from news organizations to silence criticism, eroding the independence of the press.
Are there any legal investigations into the settlement?
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders have requested a probe, suggesting the payment could violate federal bribery statutes, but Delaware prosecutors have not indicated plans to act.
How is the Trump administration targeting other news outlets?
Trump has sued pollsters, threatened to prosecute CNN over an immigration‑alert app, and banned the Associated Press from the White House after a naming dispute.
