President Donald Trump and media conglomerate Paramount Global are making headlines again, with high-stakes legal maneuvers and boardroom drama fueling the latest media firestorm. CBS News, “60 Minutes,” and even a major corporate merger are all caught in the crosshairs as both camps refuse to back down.

According to Fox News, Trump has rejected a $15 million offer from Paramount to settle his $20 billion lawsuit against the company and its news division. The president’s legal team is reportedly holding the line, demanding at least $25 million and a public apology from CBS News, signaling the dispute is far from over.

Sources familiar with the ongoing mediation say Trump’s team is ready to escalate further, even floating the possibility of another lawsuit if their demands aren’t met. Paramount, for its part, is tight-lipped, declining to comment publicly on the negotiations.

Kamala Harris interview at center

The controversy centers on an October lawsuit filed by Trump, who accused CBS News and Paramount of election interference related to a “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump’s lawsuit initially sought $10 billion in damages, but that number has since doubled to $20 billion as tensions escalated.

At the heart of the case is the allegation that CBS News deceitfully edited Harris’ response to a critical foreign policy question about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Critics claim the network aired a rambling, mock-worthy “word salad” answer during a preview on “Face the Nation” but later swapped in a more polished response for the primetime special, allegedly to shield Harris and the Democratic ticket from public backlash ahead of the election.

CBS News has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing, insisting both clips came from the same answer and that their reporting was accurate and fair. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) later released raw footage and transcripts confirming that Harris’ full response was split between the two airings, but critics remain unsatisfied, arguing the edits were intentionally misleading.

Corporate drama and resignations

The legal battle has spilled over into Paramount’s boardroom, causing waves throughout the company’s leadership ranks. Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder, recused herself from settlement talks in February, hoping to clear the way for Paramount’s multibillion-dollar planned merger with Skydance Media—a move that requires approval from the Trump administration’s FCC.

Recent months have seen high-profile resignations shake CBS News, including the abrupt exit of “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens. Owens reportedly left because he felt unable to maintain editorial independence under the cloud of the Trump lawsuit. CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon was also ousted, citing disagreements with the company as the lawsuit and settlement rumors swirled.

Insiders say newsroom morale has taken a hit, with staffers rattled by the leadership shakeups and the looming threat of legal and financial repercussions. Still, many at CBS remain defiant, vowing to stand by their reporting and resist pressure from corporate and political interests.

Media and political reactions

The legal standoff has sparked intense reactions across the media landscape. Late-night host Stephen Colbert mocked his Paramount bosses for considering what he called a “shady” settlement with Trump, skewering the situation on his show. Colbert’s satirical take reflects the broader skepticism many in the media feel about the network’s handling of the lawsuit.

Meanwhile, prominent CBS News journalist Scott Pelley went viral after delivering a commencement address at Wake Forest University in which he slammed Trump and his lawsuit. Pelley warned about the dangers of attacking journalism and universities, suggesting such tactics serve to undermine truth and empower authoritarianism.

Scott Pelley told graduates, “Why attack universities? Why attack journalism? Because ignorance works for power. First, make the truth seekers live in fear, sue the journalists and their companies for nothing. Then, send masked agents to abduct a college student who wrote an editorial in her college paper defending Palestinian rights and send her to a prison in Louisiana charged with nothing. Then move to destroy the law firms that stand up for the rights of others.”

The president’s supporters argue that the lawsuit is a legitimate attempt to hold powerful media organizations accountable for what they see as blatant bias and interference in the democratic process. They point to the selective editing of Harris’ comments as evidence that mainstream outlets are willing to manipulate coverage to protect favored candidates.

What’s next for Trump and Paramount

With settlement talks stalled, both Trump and Paramount appear entrenched in their positions. Trump’s legal team remains firm on their demand for at least $25 million and a formal apology from CBS News, threatening further legal action if negotiations break down.

Paramount’s leadership, meanwhile, faces mounting pressure to resolve the dispute, not only to protect their bottom line but also to secure the company’s future merger plans. The ongoing legal uncertainty casts a long shadow over the company, with investors and staff alike watching closely for the next move. CBS News continues to deny allegations of bias or wrongdoing, but the controversy has already caused significant upheaval within the organization.