Dan Rather Calls ’60 Minutes’ Settlement A ‘Sell-Out To Extortion By The President’
Journalist Dan Rather Expresses Disappointment in Paramount Global’s Settlement with Trump Administration
Renowned journalist Dan Rather voiced sincere disappointment on Wednesday towards Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS News, for agreeing to settle a lawsuit with President Donald Trump’s administration for $16 million.
“It’s a sad day for journalism,” Rather told Variety in an interview. “It’s a sad day for ’60 Minutes’ and CBS News.”
“I hope people will read the details of this and understand what it was,” he continued. “It was distortion by the president and a kneeling down and saying, ‘yes, sir,’ by billionaire corporate owners.”
Trump sued CBS last fall over what he claimed was a deceptively edited “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
Despite high-profile resignations at CBS and public concern, Paramount Global agreed to pay Trump $16 million, allocating the funds to a future presidential library.
Rather criticized the decision, stating that Paramount Global didn’t have to settle and that “60 Minutes” did nothing wrong.
The settlement came at a critical time for Paramount Global as they are pursuing an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, requiring approval from the Trump administration’s FCC.
Rather expressed his disappointment with the decision, stating that big businesspeople prioritize money over principles.
He highlighted the current threats to press freedom, noting that even major law firms and universities are settling with Trump.
Rather concluded by calling the settlement a “sell-out to extortion by the president.”
