A brewing battle between a media giant and a populist firebrand has drawn the attention of a progressive icon. Bernie Sanders, the senator known for his fiery rhetoric and unwavering stance against corporate power, has sounded the alarm over Paramount’s potential settlement with former President Donald Trump in a defamation lawsuit stemming from a contentious 60 Minutes interview.
The Senator’s Plea
Bernie Sanders and his Democratic colleagues are urging Paramount Global not to cave in to Donald Trump’s lawsuit against 60 Minutes, stating that such a move would “capitulate to this dangerous move to authoritarianism”.
In a letter co-signed by eight senators, Sanders urged controlling shareholder Shari Redstone and Paramount Global’s board to reconsider settling with Trump for as much as $75m to end his lawsuit against CBS News over its editing of last year’s 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris.
The letter: a united front against Trump’s lawsuit
The senators praised Paramount Global’s initial decision to file two motions to dismiss Trump’s case, which the company said “is without basis in law or fact”.
However, the senators said that the company’s reported decision to settle with Trump is “unfortunately … a grave mistake”.
“Rewarding Trump with tens of millions of dollars for filing this bogus lawsuit will not cause him to back down on his war against the media and a free press. It will only embolden him to shake down, extort and silence CBS and other media outlets that have the courage to report about issues that Trump may not like,” the senators wrote.
“Stand up for freedom of the press and our democracy,” they added.
The Lawsuit: An Attack on the First Amendment
Trump sued CBS News last November, alleging that the network’s interview with Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign was edited to frame her in a positive light and thus amounted to “election interference”.
During the finalized interview, Harris was asked whether Benjamin Netanyahu listened to US advice. She replied of the Israeli prime minister: “We are not going to stop pursuing what is necessary for the United States – to be clear about where we stand on the need for this war to end.”
An alternative edit shown in pre-broadcast promotions showed Harris delivering a longer response.
In Trump’s court filing, his lawyers alleged that “CBS and other legacy media organizations have gone into overdrive to get Kamala elected”.
In Tuesday’s letter, Sanders, alongside the Democratic senators including Dick Durbin, Sheldon Whitehouse, Richard Blumenthal, Peter Welch, Chris Murphy, Jeffrey Merkley, Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey called Trump’s lawsuit “an attack on the United States Constitution and the First Amendment”.
“It has absolutely no merit and it cannot stand,” they said, condemning Trump’s lawsuit as “a blatant attempt to intimidate the media and those who speak out against him”.
Condemning Trump’s Lawsuit: A Blatant Attempt to Intimidate
The senators have condemned Trump’s lawsuit as an attack on the United States Constitution and the First Amendment, stating that it has “absolutely no merit” and cannot stand.
In their letter, Sanders and his colleagues described Trump’s lawsuit as a “blatant attempt to intimidate the media and those who speak out against him”. They emphasized that the lawsuit is a mistake that will embolden Trump to silence the media and undermine the freedom of the press.
The Senators’ Stance: No Merit, No Basis in Law or Fact
The senators have praised Paramount Global’s initial decision to file two motions to dismiss Trump’s case, which the company said is “without basis in law or fact”. They have urged the company to stand firm against Trump’s lawsuit and not to settle.
The senators have also criticized Trump’s lawsuit, stating that it is a “war on the media” and a “dangerous precedent” that could lead to the silencing of critical voices.
Implications of a Settlement
A settlement would reward Trump for filing a bogus lawsuit and embolden him to continue his attacks on the media. It would also set a dangerous precedent for the media and democracy, as it would signal that media outlets can be intimidated and silenced by powerful individuals.
The senators have urged Paramount Global to stand up for freedom of the press and democracy, and not to settle the lawsuit. They have also emphasized that a settlement would not stop Trump’s attacks on the media, but would only embolden him to continue his efforts.
- A settlement would reward Trump for filing a bogus lawsuit
- A settlement would embolden Trump to continue his attacks on the media
- A settlement would set a dangerous precedent for the media and democracy
The senators’ letter comes as the Trump administration has escalated its attacks against US media, with the president denouncing CNN and MSNBC as “illegal” while ordering the US Agency for Global Media – the parent company of Voice of America – to be eliminated.
The senators have urged Paramount Global to stand firm against Trump’s lawsuit and not to settle, and to prioritize the freedom of the press and democracy.
Conclusion
In a recent development, Senator Bernie Sanders has stepped into the fray surrounding the lawsuit filed by Paramount against 60 Minutes, urging the company not to “capitulate” to former President Donald Trump. The article highlights Sanders’ assertion that Paramount should stand firm in its pursuit of truth and not be swayed by Trump’s threats. This stance is rooted in Sanders’ long-standing commitment to press freedom and his disdain for Trump’s attempts to muzzle the media.
The significance of this development lies in the broader implications for press freedom and the role of investigative journalism in holding those in power accountable. Sanders’ involvement serves as a testament to the importance of this issue, underscoring the need for media outlets to resist pressure from those seeking to silence them. The outcome of this lawsuit will have far-reaching implications for the future of investigative journalism, as it sets a precedent for how media outlets respond to threats and intimidation from those in power.
As this saga unfolds, it is essential to remember that the stakes are high, and the consequences of capitulation could be far-reaching. By standing firm, Paramount and other media outlets can send a powerful message that truth and accountability will not be silenced. As Sanders so aptly put it, the press must “not be intimidated or cowed by the likes of Donald Trump.” In this moment, the future of press freedom hangs in the balance, and the world is watching.