Trump Demands Big Bucks in CBS Lawsuit Over Kamala’s ‘60 Minutes’ Edit – What’s His Angle?
Ah, Donald Trump is back at it again, this time aiming his legal artillery at CBS, claiming he deserves a staggering $20 billion after they allegedly bulldozed Kamala Harris’s interview on ‘60 Minutes’. During a lengthy session with reporters, the former president noted that his legal team was asking for “a lot” in settlement talks. It’s safe to say this lawsuit isn’t just about the money; it’s shaping up to be an outrageous saga involving the future of media integrity, regulatory oversight, and maybe even a bid for sympathy in the upcoming 2024 election.
In a case that screams more for headlines than substance, Trump accuses CBS of violating Texas’ Deceptive Trade Practices Act by selectively editing Harris’s answers, making the entire interview seem more coherent and impactful than it was. This all came to a head right around the same time CBS was under FCC scrutiny—talk about timing! Although CBS insists that typical editing practices are fair game in the fast-paced news environment, Trump claims this editing was part of a larger scheme to tip the scales of the election against him—despite the fact he’s the one who recently had a shot at getting back in the White House.
The lawsuit has been dismissed as frivolous by many legal experts and organizations, including the National Association of Broadcasters. Trump’s team even amended their suit this month to reflect new claims that the edited interview has hurt web traffic for his social media platform, Truth Social. Meanwhile, CBS has released unedited footage, trying to show that their editing choices were standard operating procedure.
Interestingly, this legal drama comes as CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, is in negotiations for an acquisition that needs Trump’s seal of approval. Some insiders are raising eyebrows, suggesting that a settlement could be a means to curry favor with the former president ahead of critical merger talks. In the wild world of media and politics, the lines are often blurred. It raises questions not just of ethics, but also what we might later call the “Trump Effect” on broadcast news. While it’s uncertain how this legal kerfuffle will play out, one thing’s for sure: Trump isn’t backing down, and CBS has a lot to lose if they can’t navigate this minefield.
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and Deadline, Variety, The Wall Street Journal
