Paramount Global is facing a new investigation in California over claims that it may have offered a $15 million payment to former President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign.
The payment was reportedly meant to settle a lawsuit tied to a CBS interview involving Trump's political rival, Kamala Harris.
According to a report by Semafor on Friday, the California State Senate has launched an inquiry to determine whether the media company violated state laws against bribery and unfair competition.
The case centers around an edited "60 Minutes" interview aired by CBS in October that featured then–Vice President Kamala Harris.
According to TheWallStreetJournal, CBS, part of the Paramount network, had reportedly offered Trump a $15 million settlement.
He declined the offer, reportedly seeking a higher amount—$25 million—and a public apology instead.
Two state Senate committees — the judiciary and communications panels — are leading the inquiry.
Two former CBS News executives, Bill Owens and Wendy McMahon, have been invited to provide testimony as part of the ongoing proceedings, SeekingAlpha said.
Scoop: California legislature is investigating Paramount over the company’s proposed settlement with Trump. CA committees are asking former network president Wendy McMahon and 60 Minutes producer Bill Owens to testify pic.twitter.com/ReJICIRWKH
— Max Tani (@maxwelltani) May 30, 2025
Paramount Under Fire for $15M Offer Amid Merger Push
Lawmakers are especially concerned that the offer may not have been made for legal reasons, but instead to gain Trump's favor as Paramount seeks regulatory approval for a possible merger with Skydance Media, Deadline said.
"If Paramount is entertaining settlement primarily to secure favorable regulatory treatment, this raises deeply troubling implications not just for journalism, but for the rule of law and the integrity of corporate governance," wrote California State Senators Josh Becker and Thomas Umberg in a letter shared with reporters.
Lawmakers believe that if the $15 million offer was made to influence Trump's actions as a candidate or future president, it could violate both federal anti-bribery laws and California's Unfair Competition law.
The inquiry also questions whether Paramount's board may have misused company funds or failed to act in the best interests of shareholders.
Paramount has yet to issue any public comment regarding the ongoing investigation. The company's stock, listed under the tickers PARA and PARAA, dropped late Friday following news of the inquiry.
This is not the first legal challenge the media giant has faced, but it may be one of the most serious.
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