Paramount Global is facing fresh heat from Capitol Hill for his talks to resolve a $ 20 billion defamation lawsuit filed by President Trump against CBS News-three left-wing US senators warning that a deal could potentially violate US laws against bribery.
In a letter sent to Tuesday evening to President SHARI REDSTONE, Sense. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mas.), Ron Wyden (D-E.) And Bernie Sanders (i-vt.) Paradise that Paramount “may be engaging in improper behavior involving the administration of Trump in exchange for its unification with the Skydance media.”
The letters and its content were first reported by Wall Street Journal.
Lawmakers are seeking detailed information on any omissions discussed with Trump, as well as any internal decision to change CBS programming – particularly related to “60 minutes”, displaying network flag investigative news.
Judicial proceedings stem from a 2024 “60 -minute” interview with the then President of Vice, Kamala Harris, whom Trump claims to have been edited with fraudulent to favor it during the campaign.
CBS has strongly denied the charge, calling the lawsuit “completely without merit”.
“The American people deserve to know if media companies are negotiating with public officials in ways that compromise the independence of journalism,” the senators write.
“Such actions can reach a violation of federal law.”
The time of the lawsuit is critical.
Paramount is seeking regulatory cleaning for his proposed $ 8 billion union with Skydance Media.
Redstone, Paramount Global – CBS parent company – stands personally to win approximately $ 2 billion if the union proposed with Skydance Media passes.
The Federal Communications Commission, which must approve the agreement, is currently chaired by the name Trump Brendan Carr, raising concerns within the company that the lawsuit may endanger the merger if not resolved.
Paramount has denied any link between the litigation and the process of adopting the Union.
When it was reached by the post, a Paramount spokesman previously stated that the company would “respect the legal process to protect our issue”, and refused to further comment on the senators’ letter.
The post has requested comment from Skydance, FCC and Trump.
The President and CEO of CBS News, Wendy McMahon, resigned on Monday following what the interior describes as weeks of internal tension on how to treat Trump’s lawsuit and its consequences.
As reported by The Post, McMahon had opposed the issue and was alarmed by what she saw as increasing pressure from Paramount to mitigate Trump’s CBS coverage.
Sources told the post that McMahon was asked to resign over the weekend from CEO CBS George Cheeks after months of strained relationships.
In a memorandum for the staff, she wrote: “‘It is clear that the company and I disagree on the road ahead.”
McMahon’s departure follows that of a long -term “60 -minute” executive manufacturer Bill Owens, who also resigned among concerns about editorial independence.
An internal of CBS told the post: “Wendy’s exit means that Trump’s lawsuit must move quickly and will become a deal.”
McMahon’s mandate in CBS had already been rocky. She overseeed a controversial adjustment of the news formation in the evening, removing Norah O’Donnell’s anchor in favor of less well-known journalists John Dickerson and Maurice Dubbois-decisions that coincided with a decline in ratings.
Night Newscast is reported to now on average less than 4 million viewers.
Since 2025, about 20 to 22 million people watch evening news in the three main broadcasting networks, with ABC’s “World News” leading to about 9 million viewers, followed by NBC’s NBC with 6 million and CBS “Evening News” with about 4 million.
McMahon also faced reactions after rebuiling the anchor Tony Dokoupil for a marked interview with the author TA-Nahisi Coates for Israel-Hamas-an incident reportedly withdrew to withdraw disapproval from Redstone.
Adrienne Roark, a senior editorial executive and close McMahon Ally, also resigned before McMahon’s appearance and is expected to take on a role in Tegna.
CBS General Director George Cheeks announced that McMahon’s duties would be divided between CBS News Tom Cibrowski President and CBS President Jennifer Mitchell.
In her farewell memorandum, McMahon described her time on CBS as “one of the most significant chapters in my career”, and praised “her colleagues’ commitment to truth, justice and the highest standards”.
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