Lawyers for Paramount and President Trump agreed to appoint a mediator in the lawsuit of $ 20 billion against CBS, according to two people with knowledge of the decision.
The move to bring a mediator is another indicator that the two sides are trying to resolve the case while elaborating a “60 -minute” interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, out of court. A mediator could help them get to a settlement, but if they do so they stay away from certain.
Paramount refused to comment. Ed Paltzik, Mr Trump’s lawyer, said in a statement: “President Trump will interfere with this vital issue for his law and legal conclusion.”
Mr Trump sued CBS days before the 2024 elections, accusing the company to process the interview with his democratic opponent. He later modified the suit to include Paramount as a separate defendant.
Paramount, the CBS parent company, started the settlements of settlement with Mr Trump this year. These talks have made a disagreement in Paramount, with CBS News officials strongly opposed to any settlement. Bill Owens, the executive producer of “60 minutes”, told the demonstration staff this month that he would not apologize as part of any future settlement, as the New York Times reported that settlements with Mr Trump were ongoing .
The lawsuit is complicated by the merger of Paramount with Skydance, a deal that will unite a media outlet supported by technician Mogul Larry Ellison with the Gold Plated Hollywood studio behind “The Godfather” and “Baby Rosemary’s”. The many billion dollar deal, which hit last year, will end the decades of the Redstone family at the top of Paramount and the anointing of Mr. Ellison and his son, David, in place.
Settlement discussions have rejected fears between media lawyers that an agreement would excite Mr Trump and his allies to submit or threaten more differences against news equipment.
Many Paramount executives believe that arrangement will increase the chances that Trump’s administration did not prevent or delay the merger with Skydance. The resignation from the opportunity to settle could also lead to shareholder lawsuits, especially if Mr Trump prevails in court and gaining a major judgment.
However, Paramount executives are concerned that a settlement with Mr Trump could lead to legal obligations not covered by contractual corporate insurance policies, according to a person familiar with their concerns.
The Wall Street Journal mentioned possible legal obligations earlier.
A deposit last week at the Federal Court in Texas set a roadmap for the legal battle between Paramount and Mr Trump. According to the deposit, both parties should test mediation before December 20th. If they cannot agree on an mediator, they must ask the court to appoint at least one 14 days before the mediation deadline.
CBS provided a copy of the Harris interview to the Federal Committee of Communications, which later released it to the public. In a statement on the CBS News website, the company said the copy showed that the “60 -minute” show was not dosing or deceitful. ”
David enriched They contributed reports.
