Lesley Stahl Braces for Grief After Paramount Settles “Frivolous” Trump Lawsuit

Veteran 60 Minutes reporter Lesley Stahl anticipates a conclusion to Donald Trump’s “baseless” $20 billion lawsuit, though she is not looking forward to what comes next.

“In truth, I’m already bracing for a period of mourning,” Stahl expressed during a podcast conversation with New Yorker editor David Remnick. She believes a settlement is inevitable, mentioning, “Compensation will definitely be involved,” especially since Shari Redstone, the principal shareholder at CBS’s parent company Paramount Global, is seeking government clearance for an upcoming merger with Skydance. (Deadline recently reported that Paramount’s nine-figure settlement proposal was turned down by Trump.)

Following the settlement, Stahl speculated on the future, “Hopefully, we’ll still be here, ready to start a fresh chapter and see what unfolds.”

Trump initiated legal action regarding an episode of 60 Minutes aired before his re-election victory over Kamala Harris last November. He accused CBS News of manipulating the content across different platforms to promote the segment, a common practice in the broadcast industry. Legal authorities are in consensus that Trump’s claims are unfounded, yet recent trends show other media conglomerates settling with Trump under pressure.

During her appearance on The New Yorker Radio Hour, Stahl noted the growing uncertainty at the top-rated CBS news magazine. The departure of longtime executive producer Bill Owens in April, who cited pressure from Redstone and other executives over the program’s Trump coverage, was particularly hard-hitting. CBS News President Wendy McMahon also stepped down recently.

Describing Owens’ departure as “a gut punch,” Stahl recounted how he implored the staff to stay and continue pushing for rigorous journalism despite Trump’s suppressive tactics. His departure sparked talks among employees about a potential collective exit from the show.

When asked about potential drastic changes under Skydance’s ownership, Stahl voiced her hopes for Skydance CEO David Ellison and his team to “uphold press freedom as a guiding light, recognizing the critical need for our editorial independence.” She added, “That’s my expectation, my hope, my prayer.”

Responding to Remnick’s question about optimism at 60 Minutes, Stahl replied, “Not really. But we aren’t harboring a lot of negative thoughts either.”

Throughout the discussion, Stahl shared her concerns about the dwindling public trust in media, exacerbated by Trump’s confrontational approach. She recalled a chilling moment when Trump explained his tactics, designed so “no one will believe you” when negative stories emerge. “It was a planned strategy, not just a spur-of-the-moment anger,” she reflected.

After over five decades with CBS News, starting her journey covering Watergate, Stahl remarked, “There’s a pain in my heart concerning the current state of our profession.” She lamented the public’s lack of appreciation for the vital role of a robust, free press in democracy, noting, “They don’t realize the critical function we serve.”