CBS Seeks Dismissal of Trump’s $20 Billion Lawsuit Over Interview Editing

FORT WORTH, Texas — CBS has filed a motion to dismiss President Donald Trump‘s $20 billion lawsuit against the network regarding the editing of an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris, describing the suit as an “affront to the First Amendment without basis in law or fact.” The lawsuit, filed in October, claims the edited interview misrepresented Trump, potentially interfering with the upcoming election.

The editing in question took place during an interview that aired shortly before the 2024 presidential election. Trump alleges that CBS manipulated the footage to paint him in a negative light. In response, CBS publicly released the unedited video in February, asserting that the edits were standard practice.

Trump’s attorneys argue that CBS’s actions violated the Texas Deceptive Practices Trade Act, claiming that the network’s editing practices constitute “partisan and unlawful acts of election interference.” In their motion to dismiss, CBS’s legal team countered that the lawsuit lacks personal and subject-matter jurisdiction, suggesting that Trump chose the Northern District of Texas as a venue capable of granting him a favorable ruling.

According to CBS attorneys, the lawsuit aims not only for $20 billion in damages but also seeks to dictate how the network exercises its editorial judgment in the future. “This lawsuit is an affront to the First Amendment and is without basis in law or fact,” the lawyers wrote.

Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr has initiated an investigation related to the matter. In an earlier statement, Trump’s attorney Ed Paltzik emphasized that the president is determined to hold those accountable who “traffic in fake news, hoaxes, and lies.” Paltzik accused CBS of committing “the worst kind of election interference and fraud” just before the crucial presidential election.

Legal experts have pointed out that news organizations typically have wide discretionary power over their editorial choices, and the legal precedent supports news outlets’ rights to edit content to fit program formats. All interviews undergo some level of editing to ensure they meet broadcasting time constraints.

The network’s stance has raised eyebrows among First Amendment advocates, with many arguing that Trump’s allegations overlook the critical journalistic freedoms. CBS’s willingness to consider an out-of-court settlement has led some to speculate about implications for its pending merger with Skydance Media, valued at $8 billion and awaiting regulatory approval.

Trump had previously declined an invitation to participate in a separate 60 Minutes interview but did appear on the program in 2020. As this case unfolds, the legal ramifications surrounding editorial practices in news media remain under significant scrutiny.