On Sunday, CBS’s 60 Minutes aired a 14-minute segment focused on former President Donald Trump’s use of executive authority to target law firms engaged in litigation against his administration. The episode, hosted by veteran journalist Scott Pelley, coincided with ongoing legal and regulatory disputes between Trump and CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, as both parties continue to navigate a $20 billion lawsuit and a pending merger involving Paramount and Skydance Media.
ELECTION INTERFERENCE: 60 Minutes deceived the American people in an attempt to change the outcome of the 2024 election. Their deceptive editing of Kamala Harris’ interview prompted Trump to sue the network for $20 billion – they have decided to settle instead of facing the… pic.twitter.com/Wx0Ft7iPd1
— @amuse (@amuse) April 30, 2025
During the segment, Pelley addressed the difficulty the show encountered in securing on-camera interviews regarding Trump’s executive actions against legal firms. The episode featured commentary from Marc Elias, a prominent Democratic attorney formerly with Perkins Coie, who described Trump’s executive orders as “an assault on the entire legal profession.” Elias, known for his legal efforts during the 2016 and 2020 election cycles, likened Trump’s tactics to organized crime strategies designed to intimidate dissenters.
The legal controversy stems in part from executive orders Trump issued that directed the Department of Justice to pursue sanctions against certain law firms. These firms, according to administration officials, engaged in litigation that was considered frivolous or politically motivated. Among the directives, Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to refer some firms to the White House, with the aim of stripping them of security clearances and revoking their eligibility for federal contracts.
While some firms have responded by filing lawsuits against the Trump Administration, others have reached settlements. According to the report, five firms agreed to provide approximately $600 million in pro bono legal services aligned with causes supported by the administration. This agreement reportedly pushes the total value of Trump-aligned legal work to close to $1 billion, and stipulates that these services are to continue beyond the duration of the Trump presidency.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, one of the world’s largest law firms, is among those that entered into such an agreement. The firm’s involvement prompted the resignation of attorney Brenna Frey, who voiced concern over perceived compromises in legal independence. Frey stated that her departure stemmed from discomfort with the firm’s approach to the administration’s directives.
A federal judge recently ruled one of Trump’s executive orders targeting law firms to be unconstitutional, characterizing it as retaliatory. Despite this, Trump has not commented publicly on the 60 Minutes segment or the court’s decision. The legal and political dynamics surrounding the executive orders continue to play out in the courts and the media.
The 60 Minutes segment also explored internal tensions at CBS and Paramount, particularly in light of the Trump lawsuit and the proposed $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media. Paramount requires regulatory approval from the Federal Communications Commission, which is currently chaired by a Trump appointee. Trump’s lawsuit claims CBS engaged in “news distortion” by editing an October interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris in a way that allegedly promoted her as a more presidential figure.
“Diabolical – intended to bankrupt us.”
60 Minutes was chilling tonight. Grateful for the work they’re doing for a massive audience. Scott Pelley leading tonight’s segment – without fear or favor – on law firms bending a knee. Please make sure to share widely. This matters. pic.twitter.com/CkE3609F4V— Jason Kint (@jason_kint) May 5, 2025
Shari Redstone, chairwoman of Paramount Global, reportedly inquired whether CBS executives could delay sensitive coverage of Trump during the ongoing merger negotiations. This request reportedly caused frustration among 60 Minutes staff and leadership, culminating in the resignation of executive producer Bill Owens. In his farewell letter, Owens cited corporate interference as the reason for his departure, emphasizing that it had become impossible to run the program independently.
Scott Pelley addressed Owens’s resignation directly in a recent broadcast, stating that while no stories had been blocked outright, increasing oversight had created editorial constraints. Pelley praised Owens’s leadership and stated that 60 Minutes would continue its mission of investigative journalism under new leadership.
HOLY SHIT! Did you see the end of @60Minutes tonight?pic.twitter.com/9ylHAVlfaE
— Don Winslow (@donwinslow) April 28, 2025
Paramount has not issued a public response to the report, and representatives for CBS News declined to comment following Sunday night’s broadcast. The segment, along with the surrounding legal and corporate developments, underscores ongoing friction between the Trump camp and major media entities. The outcomes of these disputes remain unresolved as both legal and regulatory proceedings continue.
