Trump puts media ‘on notice’ in push against ‘mainstream media liars’
President Donald Trump has escalated his efforts to challenge how major news organizations report on him, turning to the courts to address what he calls false and misleading coverage. Following previous lawsuits and recent settlements with prominent media companies, Trump is signaling a continued push to hold these outlets accountable for what he calls “widespread fraud and deceit.”
Paramount settlement adds fuel to Trump’s media battle
On Tuesday, July 22, President Trump called his recent settlement with Paramount a victory over the mainstream media. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the agreement stemmed from a “60 Minutes” interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris that aired during the 2024 presidential race, a segment he claims was deceptively edited. Trump stated that Paramount, the parent company of CBS News, agreed to pay $16 million to resolve the dispute, with an additional $20 million expected through advertising, public service announcements or related programming. He said the total value of the settlement would exceed $36 million.
The post also included a warning to other major media companies, with Trump declaring that outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, CNN, The New York Times and The Washington Post were “on notice.”
Paramount’s settlement followed a wave of changes at CBS, including the cancellation of “The Late Show” and the exit of longtime host Stephen Colbert. The company said the move was based on financial concerns, however, critics point to a segment that aired shortly before the cancellation in which Colbert claimed Paramount was bribing Trump.
Behar comment continues White House-media tensions
ABC News became the first company to settle with President Donald Trump in December 2024. The lawsuit focused on coverage aired during the network’s Sunday show, “This Week.” The $15 million settlement was directed to the presidential foundation. During the week of July 20, Trump’s scrutiny returned after “The View” cohost Joy Behar said the president is only targeting former President Barack Obama because he is jealous of him. The comment came after Trump’s claims that Obama is guilty of treason over election interference.
“The thing about him is he’s so jealous of Obama, because Obama is everything that he is not: Trim, smart, handsome, happily married,” she said.
A White House spokesperson responded to Behar’s comments in a statement sent to Fox News and other outlets, calling the TV personality “a loser” with a severe case of “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” The spokesperson also claimed that ratings for “The View” have declined and suggested Behar should “check her own jealousy” before the show is taken off the air completely.
FCC chairman warns of consequences for ‘media gatekeepers’
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr responded to Behar’s comments during an appearance on Fox News Thursday morning, July 24, saying President Trump is exposing “media gatekeepers” and warning that there will be consequences, some “that aren’t quite finished.”
Later that day, Carr clarified his remarks during a press conference, telling reporters his comments referred to broader concerns about media accountability and transparency. He said declining ratings and profits reflect a growing lack of public trust in the media, especially as President Trump exposes the facade they are creating.
“It’s the erosion of trust that undermines the business case for these institutions,” he said.
Since taking over as FCC chairman, Carr has opened multiple investigations into major media companies. He launched a review into how “60 Minutes” edited an interview with Harris and revisited earlier complaints about her appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” Carr also raised concerns about how ABC News moderated the presidential debate in September 2024.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
