CBS reached a settlement with Trump over the Harris interview.

CBS owner Paramount has paid $16 million to Donald Trump's presidential library fund in connection with his lawsuit over the editing of an interview with Kamala Harris. The settlement is highly controversial, and the company has been accused of paying Trump a "bribe" in exchange for approving the merger.

Trump announced the receipt of $16 million in a post on the Truth Social platform, announcing that the station's new owners, Skydance Media, a company associated with Trump-friendly billionaire Larry Ellison, would pay him another $20 million in advertising or similar programs.

"This is another VICTORY against the Fake News Media as we hold them accountable for their widespread deception and fraud. The Wall Street Journal, the Failing New York Times, the Washington Post, MSDNC, CNN and all other mainstream liar media outlets are WARNED that their days of being allowed to deceive the American people are over," Trump wrote.

The Paramount-Trump settlement was announced last week. It concerns Trump's lawsuit accusing CBS of election interference by allegedly misleadingly editing an interview with Kamala Harris before last year's election. The lawsuit alleges that the entire interview was not broadcast, but rather omitted a fragment of one of Trump's opponent's responses, in which she spoke unclearly.

The money received by the Trump Foundation is the latest similar case after ABC paid 20 million in connection with a lawsuit against its journalist George Stephanopoulos, who stated on air that Trump was found guilty by a jury of raping columnist E. Jean Carroll, and not – as was actually the case – of sexual assault.

The settlement with CBS comes amid additional controversy surrounding Paramount's planned merger with Skydance, which must be approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), controlled by Trump's close ally, Brandon Carr. Critics have accused the company of bribery. Among those critics was the famed comedian Stephen Colbert, who was employed by CBS and host of "The Late Show," who accused his employer of paying a "big, fat bribe."

Three days later, CBS announced it would not renew his late-night show for another season, citing financial reasons. On Monday, the comedian mocked CBS's explanation, while Trump himself expressed satisfaction and hope that he was the reason for Colbert's firing. Commenting on the president's tweets, the comedian told Trump on air to "get lost" (he used a vulgar word).

From Washington, Oskar Górzyński (PAP)

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