It Would Seem Freedom of the Press Isn't Paramount When It Comes to Trump

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Well, so much for freedom of the press.

Paramount, the parent company of CBS, has settled President Trump's frivolous $20 billion lawsuit for $16 million.

Not that this comes as any surprise. This was expected before Trump returned to the White House in January. Here were my thoughts at the time:

Whatever does come, it will be a very long four years and it may be longer than that should Trump see fit to remain in office beyond 2028. The 22nd Amendment might very well become a dead letter just like 14th amendment where it concerns presidential immunity. 

The same might also hold true for the First Amendment. It appears CBS (which is due to merge with Paramount) is going to settle with Trump regarding his frivolous suit about 60 Minutes editing its interview with Kamala Harris. All news entities have editors, and it is none of Trump's goddamn business nor that of the government as to how CBS edits its stories. 

Nevertheless, CBS will likely follow ABC's lead which amounted to an in-kind donation to the Trump Presidential Library (an oxymoron if there ever was one). 

And this is precisely what happened.

But why?

There was no factual nor legal basis for Trump's lawsuit. None. 

If freedom of the press was of any importance to Paramount, then they would have had the back of CBS and 60 Minutes. 

Alas, when it comes to Trump, freedom of the press isn't, shall we say, paramount.

What is paramount to Paramount is approval of its merger with Skydance. So, Paramount is willing to throw CBS and 60 Minutes under the bus to curry Trump's favor.

Of course, don't be surprised if it isn't enough and Trump wants more from Paramount.

And all it will cost is the First Amendment.