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In a move that could only be described as the latest dance in the long, bizarre ballet between now President Donald Trump and the legacy media, CBS, has decided to turn over an unedited transcript of its October interview with Vice President Kamala Harris to the FCC. This comes as part of Trump's ongoing, feud with the network over how it handled a story about his political adversary.
Trump, never one to shy away from a legal skirmish, has slapped CBS with a $10 million lawsuit, accusing them of "deceptively editing" the "60 Minutes" segment to paint Harris in a saintly light. The whispers around town suggest that CBS' parent company, Paramount, might be looking to settle out of court, perhaps eager to avoid further entanglement in Trump's web.
The network, under the stern gaze of Brendan Carr, Trump's FCC appointee, has been compelled to expose the raw footage and transcripts, a move that "60 Minutes" has historically resisted, valuing their editorial discretion like a dragon guards its treasure.
"60 Minutes" insists that the clips aired on "Face the Nation" and later on their show were from a single, extended response by Harris, edited for time rather than deceit. Yet, Trump's lawsuit, filed with the dramatic flair one might expect in Texas, claims this was not just editing but a "partisan and unlawful act of voter interference."
Interestingly, Trump himself dodged an interview with "60 Minutes" during the campaign, perhaps knowing too well the dance of media manipulation. His legal battles persist, even after clinching the election, demonstrating a tenacity that is either commendable or exhausting, depending on your viewpoint.
CBS has remained tight-lipped about any settlement talks, but the Wall Street Journal and New York Times have both reported on these potential backroom deals. This legal drama unfolds as Paramount seeks approval for a sale to Skydance, suggesting that business interests might just be the silent puppeteer here.
Meanwhile, ABC News has already tasted the bitter end of crossing Trump, settling for $15 million towards his presidential library over comments made by George Stephanopoulos. Meta, too, has reportedly paid a hefty sum for the sin of suspending Trump's social media accounts post-Capitol riot, showing that even giants must bow to the litigious might of Trump.
This case, watched eagerly by press freedom advocates and journalists alike, serves as a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play when media, politics, and law intersect. CBS's lawyers have labeled Trump's lawsuit "completely without merit," yet the fight continues, perhaps proving that in the world of media and politics, the battle is as much about the spectacle as it is about the substance.
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