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The legal conflict between CBS and former President Donald Trump continues as the two parties engage in a contentious battle that revolves around a $20 billion lawsuit concerning the editing of an interview featuring Vice President Kamala Harris that aired on “60 Minutes” on October 7. Recent court documents disclose that CBS is poised to request the president’s personal financial records should the case advance to the discovery phase.
According to a joint proposed scheduling order submitted in Texas court, CBS is also interested in accessing financial information related to Trump’s 2024 campaign and the Trump Media & Technology Group, which oversees programs such as Truth Social and the $TRUMP meme cryptocurrency project.
Additionally, CBS’s legal team is expected to explore whether Trump and Rep. Ronny Jackson purchased services or products from Paramount Global, and whether Jackson consented to arbitration regarding claims tied to CBS’s operations. They seek to clarify any confusion potentially caused by the “60 Minutes” interview, particularly if the plaintiffs acted based on alleged misrepresentation, and the justifications for the damages they claim.
On the other side, Trump’s legal representatives aim to obtain internal communications from CBS to investigate potential biases and distortions in the content provided to viewers. They plan to look into any collaboration with outside parties, efforts to profit from alleged manipulations, and any negative sentiment directed at Trump. Trump’s team will also seek details on CBS’s business dealings and consumer targeting in Texas.
The heart of Trump’s lawsuit hinges on claims that the editing of the interview was intended to enhance Harris’s public image in advance of the 2024 elections. The lawsuit particularly criticizes how Harris responded to a question regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attentiveness to the Biden administration; according to Trump, the aired version was misleading in its representation compared to earlier promotional materials on “Face the Nation.”
Trump articulates that the “60 Minutes” installment constituted “commercial speech” aimed at boosting profits and viewer engagement, claiming it deleted or modified crucial responses that altered the public’s perception of Harris. His attorneys argue that this manipulation contravenes the Lanham Act, as Trump competes within the same media environment alongside Defendants through platforms like Truth Social, asserting it also constitutes fraud against both Trump and Rep. Jackson under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
CBS has consistently defended itself, asserting that Trump’s claims are significantly undermined by the complete transcripts of the interview, which have been provided to the FCC and publicly released. The network contends that consumers have no authority over editing decisions made by news organizations and that the First Amendment protects their rights to editorial discretion.
In a statement, CBS’s legal team noted that both Trump and Jackson lack standing, as they fail to demonstrate any specific injury attributable to CBS’s actions. They emphasized that even if such an injury existed, it would pertain more to Trump Media & Technology Group rather than to Trump personally, and pointed out that Jackson’s inclusion in the suit seems to be an attempt to establish jurisdiction.
The latest legal filings indicate ongoing discussions between the parties regarding a potential settlement and highlight their willingness to explore alternative methods of dispute resolution. If the case proceeds to jury trial, it is scheduled for August 2026 and is expected to last two weeks.
Amidst this legal turmoil, Paramount Global is also navigating FCC scrutiny related to its proposed $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, which involves a necessary transfer of broadcast licenses connected to its owned television stations. The deal is expected to be finalized in the first half of 2025.
Furthermore, the FCC has initiated an investigation into the allegations of “news distortion” following a complaint from The Center for American Rights, a conservative legal organization. FCC chairman Brendan Carr noted that the investigation would likely intersect with the review of the mentioned merger.
In addition to making interview materials public, Carr indicated the agency will solicit public comments for the investigation, with submissions due on March 7 and responses required by March 24.
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www.thewrap.com