President Trump and CBS are in “advanced” settlement talks in the lawsuit over a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris, attorneys told a judge Monday.
The parties requested a stay in all proceedings in the case until Thursday, July 3, suggesting that a settlement could come soon.
“The Parties respectfully submit that good cause to stay all proceedings exists because the Parties are engaged in good faith, advanced, settlement negotiations,” the motion states.
Trump is suing the network for $20 billion, claiming that the news show misleadingly edited an interview with Harris during the campaign last fall. CBS has reportedly offered as much as $15 million to settle the case, which its own attorneys have said is a “meritless assault on the First Amendment.”
The parties previously reported they were in “active” settlement negotiations. Trump and Rep. Ronny Jackson sued under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, which outlaws consumer fraud. They have also alleged that CBS unfairly competed with Truth Social, the president’s social network, by offering an edited version of the Harris interview.
The Wall Street Journal reported last week that a mediator proposed a $20 million settlement, with $17 million of that going to Trump’s presidential foundation. Trump has also sought an apology.
The settlement discussions have already caused internal turmoil at CBS, as two top executives — Wendy McMahon and Bill Owens — departed the network.
In April, CBS filed a motion to compel discovery related to Trump’s claims. The plaintiffs were given until June 30 to respond, but now both parties are seeking to suspend all deadlines at least until Thursday.
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