CBS's flagship news program aired a controversial segment about President Donald Trump's executive orders targeting law firms, even as parent company Paramount faces a $20 billion lawsuit and crucial merger negotiations.
According to the Daily Mail, 60 Minutes dedicated its final 14 minutes on Sunday to criticize Trump's efforts to pressure law firms that have opposed him, despite warnings from network executives that it could further antagonize the president amid ongoing legal battles.
The segment featured host Scott Pelley describing Trump as the "first felon in the Oval Office" while examining his administration's executive orders targeting law firms deemed unethical. This controversial broadcast comes as CBS and Paramount Global face a lawsuit from Trump over alleged deceptive editing of an October interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Former Perkins Cole partner Marc Elias appeared on the program to denounce Trump's actions against law firms. He compared the president's tactics to mob-style intimidation, suggesting firms are being coerced into compliance through threats.
The executive orders have led to some firms agreeing to provide $600 million in free legal work for causes Trump supports. Five major law firms, including Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, have already committed to these arrangements.
Attorney John Keker argued that the president's actions constitute bribery, claiming the exchange of legal services for favorable treatment violates federal law. A federal judge recently blocked one such executive order against Perkins Cole, declaring it unconstitutional retaliation.
The segment aired amid significant internal tension at CBS News following the resignation of 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens. In his departure letter, Owens cited increasing corporate interference in editorial decisions.
Former executive producer Owens stated:
It has become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it - to make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience. The show is too important to the country.
Paramount owner Shari Redstone reportedly requested delays in sensitive Trump coverage during merger discussions, creating friction with newsroom staff committed to editorial independence.
Host Scott Pelley openly addressed the mounting pressure from parent company Paramount during last week's broadcast. He acknowledged the company's attempts to supervise content more closely as it seeks approval for an $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media.
The Federal Communications Commission, under Trump's administration, must approve the proposed merger. They are also investigating whether CBS violated news distortion rules in their October Harris interview.
Parent company Paramount has been actively working to settle the lawsuit with Trump's legal team, hoping to resolve the Harris interview controversy and smooth the path for merger approval.
The controversial 60 Minutes segment highlights the ongoing tension between corporate interests and journalistic independence in American media. Paramount Global faces pressure from multiple directions as it attempts to balance its news division's editorial freedom with business objectives. President Trump's $20 billion lawsuit against CBS and Paramount Global stems from allegations of deceptive editing in Vice President Harris's October interview. The case coincides with the network's parent company seeking crucial regulatory approval for its merger with Skydance Media, while also facing an FCC probe into potential news distortion violations.
