Veteran 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl anticipates a settlement in Donald Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit against CBS News but expresses deep concern about what could follow for the long-running news program and journalistic freedom.
Trump’s Lawsuit: “Frivolous” Yet Impactful
In an interview on The New Yorker Radio Hour with editor David Remnick, Stahl called the lawsuit “frivolous” but acknowledged its likely outcome:
“I know there’s going to be a settlement,” Stahl said. “I know there’s going to be some money exchanged.”
Stahl suggested that a financial settlement may be inevitable, especially considering Shari Redstone’s need for government approval of Paramount Global’s pending merger with Skydance. Although Deadline reported that Paramount offered an eight-figure deal, Trump rejected it.
The Lawsuit’s Origins
Trump filed the lawsuit over a 60 Minutes episode aired before the 2024 election, despite winning re-election against Kamala Harris. He alleged that CBS edited the Harris interview differently for various outlets — a common industry practice.
Legal experts widely agree that the lawsuit lacks merit. Still, several media companies have opted to settle with Trump under similar pressure.
Internal Unrest and Leadership Departures
Stahl’s concerns extend beyond the lawsuit. The departure of executive producer Bill Owens in April — reportedly due to pressure from Redstone and other executives — triggered internal turmoil.
“It was a punch in the stomach,” Stahl said. “One of those punches where you almost can’t breathe.”
Owens encouraged the team to stay strong and push for journalistic integrity, even amid fears of corporate interference. However, some employees reportedly discussed leaving en masse.
Additionally, CBS News chief Wendy McMahon also exited recently, adding to the show’s instability.
Concerns Over Skydance’s Influence
As Skydance Media, led by CEO David Ellison, prepares to take the reins, Stahl remains cautiously hopeful:
“I’m hoping Skydance holds the freedom of the press up as a beacon,” she said. “I want that, I’m praying for that.”
Asked whether there is optimism within 60 Minutes, Stahl replied:
“No. But there’s also not a lot of dark thinking, either.”
A Thought-Out Media Strategy
Stahl also revealed a chilling conversation she once had with Trump:
“He told me he attacks the press so that no one will believe them. That sent a chill through me. It was a strategy, not just anger.”
She reflected on the decline of public trust in journalism, saying:
“The public doesn’t seem to want what we do to be part of public life… They don’t understand that we have a function to fulfill.”
A Journalist’s Reflection
With over 50 years in journalism, Stahl joined CBS in 1972 to cover Watergate and became a 60 Minutes correspondent in 1991. Today, she expresses sadness for what journalism — and the public’s perception of it — has become.
