Workflow
Paramount infighting stalls Shari Redstone's push to settle $20B Trump suit: ‘Decision constipation'
PGREParamount (PGRE) New York Post·2025-05-21 23:40

Core Viewpoint - Paramount, controlled by Shari Redstone, is considering a settlement in a legal dispute with President Trump over alleged deceptive editing of a "60 Minutes" interview, but internal conflicts are delaying the decision [1][3][6]. Financial Implications - Paramount is reportedly willing to spend up to 50milliontosettlethe50 million to settle the 20 billion lawsuit filed by Trump, which is affecting Redstone's plans to sell Paramount and its CBS News subsidiary to Skydance for 8billion[2][17].−Ifthesalegoesthrough,Redstoneandherfamilycouldreceiveapproximately8 billion [2][17]. - If the sale goes through, Redstone and her family could receive approximately 2 billion, a significant drop from Paramount's previous valuation of nearly 40billion[20].InternalConflicts−InfightingwithinParamounthasledtoindecisionregardingthesettlement,withmanagementandboardmembersexperiencing"decisionconstipation"duetoconflictingadvice[5][11].−Thereissignificantinternalpressureagainstsettling,withsomearguingthatitwouldunderminepressfreedomandbeseenascapitulatingtoTrump′sdemands[6][7][10].LegalContext−TheTrumplawsuitisviewedasacriticalfactorinfacilitatingRedstone′splannedsaletoSkydance,asregulatorychallengesfromTrump′sadministrationarecomplicatingthemerger[17][18].−Afederaljudgehasrefusedtodismissthecase,andevenapotentialvictoryonFirstAmendmentgroundscouldincurcostsexceeding40 billion [20]. Internal Conflicts - Infighting within Paramount has led to indecision regarding the settlement, with management and board members experiencing "decision constipation" due to conflicting advice [5][11]. - There is significant internal pressure against settling, with some arguing that it would undermine press freedom and be seen as capitulating to Trump's demands [6][7][10]. Legal Context - The Trump lawsuit is viewed as a critical factor in facilitating Redstone's planned sale to Skydance, as regulatory challenges from Trump's administration are complicating the merger [17][18]. - A federal judge has refused to dismiss the case, and even a potential victory on First Amendment grounds could incur costs exceeding 50 million in legal fees [13][19]. Industry Reactions - Prominent figures, including Senator Bernie Sanders, have publicly urged Redstone not to settle, framing the lawsuit as an attack on press freedom [10]. - Settling with Trump would align Paramount with other media companies that have previously paid him to resolve legal disputes [19].