Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has called for an investigation of Paramount Global’s settlement of Donald Trump‘s 60 Minutes lawsuit, while vowing to introduce legislation that “rein in corruption” via donations to presidential libraries.
Paramount announced late Tuesday that it was settling Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit for $16 million, with the money going to the president’s future library and attorneys fees. The settlement is similar to one that Disney reached in December to resolve a Trump defamation lawsuit against ABC News. Disney’s payout, also $16 million, went to the Trump library and attorneys fees.
In a statement, Warren said, “With Paramount folding to Donald Trump at the same time the company needs his administration’s approval for its billion-dollar merger, this could be bribery in plain sight. Paramount has refused to provide answers to a congressional inquiry, so I’m calling for a full investigation into whether or not any anti-bribery laws were broken.”
She added, “This settlement exposes a glaring need for rules to restrict donations to sitting presidents’ libraries. I will soon introduce new legislation to rein in corruption through presidential library donations. The Trump administration’s level of sheer corruption is appalling and Paramount should be ashamed of putting its profits over independent journalism.”
Warren, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) sent a letter to Paramount’s Shari Redstone in May, warning her that a settlement could be in violation of anti-bribery laws.
Given GOP control of the Senate, Warren’s call for an investigation and proposed legislation may not get very far. But last week, The Wall Street Journal editorial board, which leans conservative, warned that Paramount executives may be hauled before Congress should Democrats retake control in the midterms.
