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Senators Demand Bribery Probe Over Paramount’s $16M Trump Settlement

By  |  July 3, 2025

Scrutiny surrounding media giant Paramount intensified Wednesday as Senator Elizabeth Warren reiterated her call for a federal bribery investigation following the company’s $16 million settlement with former President Donald Trump. The agreement comes amid Paramount’s ongoing effort to finalize an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media — a deal that hinges on regulatory approval from the federal government.

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    According to a statement released by the Massachusetts senator, the timing and circumstances of the settlement raise serious concerns. Paramount agreed to pay Trump to resolve a $20 billion lawsuit he filed over a “60 Minutes” segment that he alleged was unfairly edited to benefit his 2024 election opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. The company initially labeled the case as “completely without merit.”

    “With Paramount folding to Donald Trump at the same time the company needs his administration’s approval for its billion-dollar merger, this could be bribery in plain sight,” Warren said in a statement, renewing demands for a formal investigation into whether the settlement violated federal anti-bribery laws.

    Warren, alongside Senators Bernie Sanders and one other Democratic colleague, had previously addressed their concerns in a letter to Paramount Global Chair Shari Redstone in May. That letter pressed for transparency around the company’s decision to enter mediation with Trump, per a statement issued at the time.

    Read more: Paramount Settlement Draws FCC Scrutiny Amid Skydance Merger Review

    The controversy has been further amplified by internal fallout. The departures of CBS News President Wendy McMahon and “60 Minutes” Executive Producer Bill Owens followed internal tensions over the handling of the lawsuit. Paramount has not commented publicly on whether those resignations were directly linked to the settlement.

    In a statement provided to AFP, Paramount maintained that the $16 million payout would not go to Trump personally, but would instead be directed toward his future presidential library. The company emphasized that the agreement included no admission of wrongdoing or apology. “Companies often settle litigation to avoid the high and somewhat unpredictable costs of legal defense,” Paramount said, noting that prolonged court battles can pose substantial financial and reputational risks.

    Senator Sanders echoed Warren’s concerns, stating that Paramount’s decision appeared motivated by financial gain rather than journalistic integrity. “It’s pretty obvious why Paramount chose to surrender to Trump,” Sanders said. He noted that the Redstone family, which holds significant ownership in Paramount, stands to gain an estimated $2.4 billion if the Skydance merger is approved — an approval that could fall under the influence of Trump or his allies.

    The calls for investigation may face headwinds in a Republican-controlled Congress, where Democrats lack the power to compel testimony or documents through subpoenas. Nonetheless, Warren insists the matter demands full examination by relevant authorities.

    Source: France 24