Veteran journalist Dan Rather expressed deep disappointment on Wednesday towards Paramount Global, the parent company of his former employer CBS News, for agreeing to settle a lawsuit with President Donald Trump’s administration for $16 million. In an interview with Variety, Rather lamented the decision, calling it a “sad day for journalism,” as well as for ’60 Minutes’ and CBS News.
The lawsuit stemmed from a contentious ’60 Minutes’ interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s opponent in the 2024 election. Trump accused CBS of voter interference and deceptive editing, leading to the legal battle. Despite widespread criticism and concerns, Paramount Global decided to settle the lawsuit, much to Rather’s dismay.
Rather, who served as a correspondent for ’60 Minutes’ and anchored CBS News for 24 years, criticized the billionaire owners of Paramount Global for caving to Trump’s pressure. He argued that ’60 Minutes’ had followed journalistic practices and had done nothing wrong, making the settlement unnecessary.
The $16 million settlement, which will be allocated to a future presidential library and not paid directly to Trump, comes at a critical time for Paramount Global as they pursue an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media. The company’s decision to settle has raised questions about their commitment to press freedom in the face of political threats.
In his interview, Rather reflected on the current challenges facing journalism, noting that even prestigious law firms and universities are capitulating to Trump’s demands. He emphasized the importance of free and independent reporting, highlighting the constitutional protection of journalists’ work.
Rather concluded by condemning the settlement as a “sell-out to extortion by the president,” underscoring the dangerous precedent it sets for press freedom. His remarks serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing threats to journalistic integrity and the need for media organizations to stand firm in the face of political pressure.
