US senators warn Shari Redstone over ‘bribery’ in – Business News
Paramount Global is dealing with contemporary heat from Capitol Hill over its talks to settle a $20 billion defamation lawsuit introduced by President Trump in opposition to CBS News — with three left-leaning US senators warning that a deal may doubtlessly violate US anti-bribery legal guidelines.
In a letter despatched Tuesday night time to Paramount Chair Shari Redstone, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) warned that Paramount “may be engaging in improper conduct involving the Trump administration in exchange for approval of its merger with Skydance Media.”
The letter and its contents have been first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Shari Redstone, chair of CBS mother or father company Paramount Global, is reportedly desirous to settle a $20 billion defamation lawsuit introduced by President Trump. FilmMagic
The lawmakers are looking for detailed details about any concessions mentioned with Trump, in addition to any inside selections to change CBS programming — particularly associated to “60 Minutes,” the community’s flagship investigative information show.
The lawsuit stems from a 2024 “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, which Trump claims was deceptively edited to favor her during the marketing campaign.
CBS has vigorously denied the accusation, calling the swimsuit “completely without merit.”
“The American people deserve to know whether media companies are negotiating with public officials in ways that compromise journalistic independence,” the senators wrote.
“Such actions could amount to a violation of federal law.”
The timing of the lawsuit is crucial.
Trump filed swimsuit in opposition to Paramount after CBS aired a “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. AP
Paramount is looking for regulatory clearance for its proposed $8 billion merger with Skydance Media.
Redstone, chair of Paramount Global — CBS’s mother or father company — stands to personally gain roughly $2 billion if the proposed merger with Skydance Media goes by means of.
The Federal Communications Commission, which should approve the deal, is presently chaired by Trump appointee Brendan Carr, raising considerations within the company that the lawsuit may jeopardize the merger until resolved.
Paramount has denied any hyperlink between the litigation and the merger’s approval course of.
Wendy McMahon, CEO of CBS News, resigned on Monday. McMahon reportedly resisted company interference in “60 Minutes” editorial selections. REUTERS
When reached by The Post, a Paramount spokesperson beforehand acknowledged that the company would “abide by the legal process to defend our case,” and declined additional touch upon the senators’ letter.
The Post has sought remark from Skydance, the FCC and Trump.
CBS News’ president and CEO, Wendy McMahon, resigned on Monday following what insiders describe as weeks of inside pressure over how to deal with the Trump lawsuit and its fallout.
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As reported by The Post, McMahon had opposed settling the case and was alarmed by what she noticed as growing stress from Paramount to melt CBS’s protection of Trump.
Sources instructed The Post that McMahon was requested to resign over the weekend by CBS CEO George Cheeks, after months of strained relations.
In a memo to workers, she wrote: “It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward.”
Trump claims “60 Minutes” deceptively edited an interview with Kamala Harris to make her sound more succinct. 60 Minutes / CBS
McMahon’s departure follows that of longtime “60 Minutes” government producer Bill Owens, who additionally resigned amid considerations about editorial independence.
One CBS insider instructed The Post: “Wendy’s exit means the Trump lawsuit mediation must be moving quickly and a deal will be done.”
McMahon’s tenure at CBS had already been rocky. She oversaw a controversial overhaul of the night information lineup, eradicating anchor Norah O’Donnell in favor of lesser-known journalists John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois — selections that coincided with a rankings hunch.
The nightly newscast reportedly now averages fewer than 4 million viewers.
As of 2025, about 20 to 22 million people watch the night information throughout the three main broadcast networks, with ABC’s “World News Tonight” main at round 9 million viewers, adopted by NBC’s “Nightly News” with 6 to 7 million and CBS’s “Evening News” trailing with about 4 million.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and two different lawmakers despatched a letter to Redstone earlier this week. ZUMAPRESS.com
McMahon additionally confronted backlash after reprimanding anchor Tony Dokoupil for a pointed interview with creator Ta-Nehisi Coates concerning the Israel-Hamas battle — an incident that reportedly drew disapproval from Redstone.
Adrienne Roark, a prime editorial government and close McMahon ally, additionally resigned shortly earlier than McMahon’s exit and is anticipated to take a position at TEGNA.
CBS CEO George Cheeks introduced that McMahon’s duties could be break up between CBS News president Tom Cibrowski and CBS Stations president Jennifer Mitchell.
In her farewell memo, McMahon described her time at CBS as “one of the most meaningful chapters in my career,” and praised her colleagues’ “commitment to truth, fairness and the highest standards.”
