Questions are swirling over what President Donald Trump received in a settlement with Paramount, CBS’s parent company. Paramount agreed to pay Trump $16 million to settle a lawsuit he filed over the network’s editing of a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris.
However, some reports suggest that a side deal may have been involved. Following the settlement announcement, President Trump told reporters a second agreement was on the table, worth more than the $16 million in free advertisement.
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According to a White House pool report, Washington Post reporter Cat Zakrzewski asked Trump on Thursday, July 3, about the settlement. He responded, “We did a deal for about $16 million plus 16 million, or maybe more than that in advertising.”
Report suggests Skydance offered PSA deal
The New York Post reported last week that Skydance—the company pursuing a merger with Paramount pending FCC approval—allegedly told Trump it would run between $15 million to $20 million worth of public service announcements promoting causes associated with him.
Skydance CEO David Ellison is the son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, a known ally of the president.
While Trump appeared to lump the advertising deal in with Paramount’s settlement, the company has denied any connection to a public service announcement arrangement with Skydance. The merger between Paramount and Skydance has not yet received regulatory approval.
Paramount denies side deal included in settlement
A Paramount spokesperson said in a statement, “Paramount has no knowledge of any promises or commitments made to President Trump other than those set forth in the settlement.”
Paramount says the $16 million payout covers Trump’s legal fees, as well as a donation to his future presidential library. The company also agreed to release transcripts of future “60 Minutes” interviews with presidential candidates — but made clear it will not issue an apology.
Skydance has not commented on the alleged public service announcement deal.
According to Paramount, even if a separate agreement exists between Skydance and the Trump administration—which has not been confirmed—Paramount says it is not involved.
Some Democrats and journalists are calling for an investigation into the $16 million settlement, labeling it a possible bribe to secure approval for Skydance’s $8 billion merger with Paramount. Paramount has denied the allegation.
