Trump boasts about $25m Paramount payday
This month, Paramount agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Trump claiming that the CBS news program 60 Minutes deceptively edited an interview with former vice president Kamala Harris that the network broadcast in October.
Paramount needs approval from the Federal Communications Commission for its $US8.4 billion ($A12.9 billion) merger with Skydance Media. The FCC did not make a decision by the 180-day informal deadline in mid-May and FCC Chair Brendan Carr has denied Trump's lawsuit was a factor.
Paramount declined comment.
Trump and CBS formally agreed on Tuesday to the dismissal of his lawsuit, according to a court filing.
"We have just achieved a BIG AND IMPORTANT WIN in our Historic Lawsuit against 60 Minutes, CBS, and Paramount... 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," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Skydance declined to comment on Trump's social media post.
Skydance and its investors plan to acquire National Amusements, which holds the family's controlling stake in Paramount. Skydance will subsequently be merged into Paramount, with its CEO, David Ellison, becoming Paramount's next chief executive.
The payment comes after CBS faced a barrage of criticism over its controversial decision to axe Stephen Colbert's Late Night talk show after he labelled Paramount's decision to pay the settlement to Trump a "big fat bribe".
The New York Post previously reported Ellison, son of billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, agreed to run up to $US20 million ($A31 million) in public service announcements to promote causes supported by the president.
Following publication, Paramount issued a statement that its settlement with Trump "does not include PSAs or anything related to PSAs".
Paramount also said it had no knowledge of any promises or commitments made to Trump other than those put forth by the mediator.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AU Financial Review
11 minutes ago
- AU Financial Review
AUKUS review focus on fixing subs ‘could favour Australia'
Washington | The US Navy's expanded focus on submarine maintenance rates as part of the Pentagon's review of the AUKUS pact could prove positive for the Albanese government if it acts faster to upgrade facilities in Western Australia, according to a former navy chief. Richard Spencer, who was secretary of the US Navy during President Donald Trump's first term, said a better maintenance network would help alleviate Pentagon concerns about building enough nuclear-powered submarines to meet domestic demand before delivering second-hand vessels to Australia by 2032.
Sky News AU
41 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Albanese government locks in ‘big win' after Trump holds 10 per cent tariff on Australia
Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell discusses the Albanese government's 'big win' regarding US President Donald Trump's tariffs. The Australian government has secured rare certainty, locking in a 10 per cent tariff rate from the US. 'The Prime Minister and Trade Minister are seeing this as a fantastic result,' Mr Clennell said.
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Ex-Trump prosecutor Jack Smith under investigation
US officials have opened an investigation into Jack Smith, the former special counsel who investigated then-candidate Donald Trump before his re-election, for alleged illegal political activity. The Office of Special Counsel, an independent federal agency, on Saturday confirmed the investigation after reporting by other news organisations. Smith was named special counsel to investigate Trump by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022. Trump and his Republican allies, including Senator Tom Cotton, have — without offering evidence of wrongdoing— accused Smith of violating the Hatch Act, a federal law that bans certain public officials from engaging in political activity. Smith prosecuted two federal cases against Republican candidate Trump in the lead-up to the November 2024 presidential election. Smith ultimately dropped the cases — neither one had gone to trial — after Trump was re-elected, which would have shielded him from prosecution according to longstanding Justice Department practice. Smith then subsequently resigned as special counsel. Cotton, on Wednesday asked the Office of Special Counsel to investigate Smith, alleging that his conduct was designed to help then-President Joe Biden and his vice president, Kamala Harris, both Democrats. Biden had dropped his own bid for re-election following his disastrous performance in a campaign debate against Trump and tapped Harris to succeed him on the ticket. Trump won the election. The White House had no immediate comment on the investigation. The New York Post was first to report on the investigation into Smith.
