Trump Sues CBS, 60 Minutes, and Paramount for Billions: A Growing Controversy

A Bombshell Lawsuit Hits the Headlines

President Donald Trump sent shockwaves through the media world on April 14, 2025, when he announced a massive lawsuit against CBS, 60 Minutes, and their parent company, Paramount Global, demanding billions of dollars. He shared the news in a fiery post on Truth Social, his social media platform, sparking heated discussions about media bias and free speech. The lawsuit, now seeking $20 billion, accuses the network of manipulating a key interview during the 2024 election, but a recent 60 Minutes episode has added fuel to the fire.

What Sparked the Lawsuit?

The legal battle began with a 60 Minutes interview featuring Vice President Kamala Harris, aired on October 7, 2024, just weeks before the presidential election. Trump claims the show edited Harris’s responses to make her seem more articulate, hiding what he calls her “word salad” answers. He argues this was a deliberate move to boost Harris’s campaign and undermine his own, labeling it “election interference.” Initially demanding $10 billion, Trump doubled the amount in February 2025, adding Texas Congressman Ronny Jackson as a co-plaintiff. Jackson, a Texas resident, claims the interview misled voters like himself, keeping the case in a Texas court.

Trump’s Truth Social Tirade

In his Truth Social post, Trump didn’t mince words, calling 60 Minutes a “dishonest political operative disguised as news.” He accused the program of fraud and demanded harsh penalties from Brendan Carr, his appointed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair. Trump also claimed the interview hurt his media ventures, like Truth Social, by drawing viewers away. His post came right after a 60 Minutes episode on April 13, 2025, which included an interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, further stoking his anger.

Zelenskyy’s 60 Minutes Interview Adds Tension

The April 13 episode featured correspondent Scott Pelley speaking with Zelenskyy in Ukraine about Russia’s ongoing war. Zelenskyy criticized Trump’s stance, saying Russian narratives were gaining traction in the U.S. and inviting Trump to visit Ukraine to see the conflict’s impact firsthand. The segment noted Trump’s false claim that Ukraine started the war and highlighted his praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump reacted swiftly, calling Zelenskyy a “dictator” on Truth Social and suggesting 60 Minutes was attacking him with this coverage. Some see this as another reason for his intensified legal push against CBS.

CBS and Paramount Push Back

CBS and Paramount are fighting back, arguing that their editing of the Harris interview was standard journalistic practice, protected by the First Amendment. They’ve asked a Texas judge to dismiss the case, calling Trump’s claims an attack on their editorial freedom. However, Paramount’s planned merger with Skydance Media, which needs FCC approval, has led to settlement talks. Some reports suggest Paramount’s chairwoman, Shari Redstone, is eager to settle to smooth the merger’s path, despite protests from CBS journalists who say they did nothing wrong.

A Heated Debate Unfolds

This lawsuit has ignited a firestorm. Supporters of Trump argue he’s exposing media bias, while critics see it as an attempt to bully news outlets into silence. The Zelenskyy interview has only deepened the divide, with some viewing it as 60 Minutes standing firm and others as proof of the show’s agenda. As mediation begins, the case raises big questions about journalism, politics, and the power of the media in shaping public opinion.