Paramount settlement in the ridiculous lawsuit against CBS News is a shameful bribe paid to Trump's extortion racket, and yet another indictment of the corporate media industry
Thank you for this overview on what happened, Jim. I still believe there's power in boycotting news outlets and media that bow to Trump. Freedom of expression is our right as Americans, and it's being taken away from us. The least we can do is withdraw our viewership.
What I keep coming back to with all of these corporations, universities and law firms bending the knee is the fact that there is no actual danger to them here should they choose to fight back - MAYBE they will lose some profit, but not really, and not for long. Legal challenges are going overwhelmingly against Trump. The country despises him. The world despises him. These companies are operating in an international context. Do they think anyone actually respects these acts of greed and cowardice? Do they think nobody will remember once the dust clears on this administration? They are simply showing exactly who they are. They are giving in because they are actually in step with this administration. They talk a good game, but at the end of the day, they like the fact that Trump is telling them they don’t need to be accountable to anyone but their shareholders. They are obeying in advance. And they are destroying their own companies with this behavior. Short term gains, long term loss.
This was never about the lawsuit. It was always about the pending merger that needed tRump's approval. The biggest shareholder made it happen. A nonprofit model would be a better host for independence in reporting.
These six words say it all: “Behavior that gets rewarded gets repeated.”
Trump’s multitude of frivolous lawsuits have served his purpose: Wearing down the “opposition” and capitulation.
We’ll see more of this as he continues to grab more and more power.
Our elected legislators refuse to stand up to him and the 10 House members that were against the final passage of the Big Bullshit Bill are caving in. If they, and the Supreme Court, won’t hold the line against Trump, I have little hope.
It’s a depressing, horrendous time for our country, and one that I believe will have an impact for years to come.
"Trump won’t stop. He will continue his attacks on journalists. Enabling his unconstitutional behavior does damage to our First Amendment and the free press."
Principled journalists know that absolutely no one is too powerful to report on, and they should never pull a punch out of fear, but "to give the news impartially without fear or favor."
I see it as a let’s just move on from this. No apology by CBS or paramount. Trump is evil and they know it. Lawsuits are costly and in this case a huge waste of time bc Trump would keep dragging it out.
They could have used the money from the lawsuit and fought him and probably won. They took the easy way out with no guarantee that he would approve the merger. He is famous for taking your money and turning his back and his word means zero.
I'd rather see them in Florida - in the tents, no running water, on air conditioning, no one to fix their meals, and watch them when they see the alligator eyes staring at them.
Trump will never let up. Behavior rewarded is behavior repeated. This wasn't about money for him, it was about controlling and diminishing the media and allowing him to claim the winning (though false) narrative that CBS paid for its wrongdoing.
Thanks for your spot-on commentary, Jim. I am reminded of the wonderful quote in the February 2025 Atlantic article, “THE OLIGARCHS WHO CAME TO REGRET SUPPORTING HITLER.”
Industrialist Alfred Hugenberg is contemplating making a deal with Hitler. As article author Timothy Ryback recounts it, “Before Hugenberg sealed his pact with Hitler, a close associate had warned Hugenberg that this was a deal he would come to regret: “One night you will find yourself running through the ministry gardens in your underwear trying to escape arrest.”
Thank you, Jim, not only for this very powerful piece, but also for taking the high road, as well as courage, to go independent. You speak truth to power and so completely honest, as well as so much integrity. I always liked you on CNN, however, we stopped watching corporate media. I jumped right on over here and am a proud paid member. It all comes down to money, to greed and now, bending to Trump. It’s a disgrace to our country. I grew up when Conkrite was on and my parents had the news on each night. Dan Rather picked up right where Cronkite left off, on our screen each evening. They were honest journalists, so,revered and respected. Sadly, those days are over
Thank you. Well written and powerful. Every day is a precipitous backslide now.
Continue to be truth tellers.
We will rebuild from the grassroots up.
Thank you for this overview on what happened, Jim. I still believe there's power in boycotting news outlets and media that bow to Trump. Freedom of expression is our right as Americans, and it's being taken away from us. The least we can do is withdraw our viewership.
What I keep coming back to with all of these corporations, universities and law firms bending the knee is the fact that there is no actual danger to them here should they choose to fight back - MAYBE they will lose some profit, but not really, and not for long. Legal challenges are going overwhelmingly against Trump. The country despises him. The world despises him. These companies are operating in an international context. Do they think anyone actually respects these acts of greed and cowardice? Do they think nobody will remember once the dust clears on this administration? They are simply showing exactly who they are. They are giving in because they are actually in step with this administration. They talk a good game, but at the end of the day, they like the fact that Trump is telling them they don’t need to be accountable to anyone but their shareholders. They are obeying in advance. And they are destroying their own companies with this behavior. Short term gains, long term loss.
History is kind to those who stand up to bullies, and brutal to those who knuckle under.
This was never about the lawsuit. It was always about the pending merger that needed tRump's approval. The biggest shareholder made it happen. A nonprofit model would be a better host for independence in reporting.
These six words say it all: “Behavior that gets rewarded gets repeated.”
Trump’s multitude of frivolous lawsuits have served his purpose: Wearing down the “opposition” and capitulation.
We’ll see more of this as he continues to grab more and more power.
Our elected legislators refuse to stand up to him and the 10 House members that were against the final passage of the Big Bullshit Bill are caving in. If they, and the Supreme Court, won’t hold the line against Trump, I have little hope.
It’s a depressing, horrendous time for our country, and one that I believe will have an impact for years to come.
I think "our country" is becoming an antiquated concept, no longer really an applicable term.
I think we need to reclaim it. ✌🏼
"Trump won’t stop. He will continue his attacks on journalists. Enabling his unconstitutional behavior does damage to our First Amendment and the free press."
TRUTH
Principled journalists know that absolutely no one is too powerful to report on, and they should never pull a punch out of fear, but "to give the news impartially without fear or favor."
thanknyou Jim Acosta. this is so incredibly disgusting for the evil orange thing to be able to get these corporations to CAVE TO HIS PATHETIC EGO.
I appreciate your input and ideas and personal experience and perspective. Hat’s off to you! Thank you!
I see it as a let’s just move on from this. No apology by CBS or paramount. Trump is evil and they know it. Lawsuits are costly and in this case a huge waste of time bc Trump would keep dragging it out.
They could have used the money from the lawsuit and fought him and probably won. They took the easy way out with no guarantee that he would approve the merger. He is famous for taking your money and turning his back and his word means zero.
judy, you are so right! the evil orange thing gets high on winning ... but he also seems to get high on cruelty.
I totally agree. I wish we could extend that cruelty to him and his regime.
yes. they wouldn't last one hour in that torture prison in el salvador.
I'd rather see them in Florida - in the tents, no running water, on air conditioning, no one to fix their meals, and watch them when they see the alligator eyes staring at them.
YES! and with those slithering pythons winding their way to those tents.
Trump will never let up. Behavior rewarded is behavior repeated. This wasn't about money for him, it was about controlling and diminishing the media and allowing him to claim the winning (though false) narrative that CBS paid for its wrongdoing.
I'm sure Paramount won't miss my $$$. But I'll feel better, keeping them.
There are no words.
Great article!
That’s kind of what our government did … put money and many other things above the people and now we have someone like Trump.
People were disillusioned by our government and someone like Trump years ago was dang appealing to them.
Huge mistake✔️
Here we go …
Thanks for your spot-on commentary, Jim. I am reminded of the wonderful quote in the February 2025 Atlantic article, “THE OLIGARCHS WHO CAME TO REGRET SUPPORTING HITLER.”
Industrialist Alfred Hugenberg is contemplating making a deal with Hitler. As article author Timothy Ryback recounts it, “Before Hugenberg sealed his pact with Hitler, a close associate had warned Hugenberg that this was a deal he would come to regret: “One night you will find yourself running through the ministry gardens in your underwear trying to escape arrest.”
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/02/hitler-oligarchs-hugenberg-nazi/681584/?gift=Ru9o0im3YtZR5-P3zrPFwKbF_uXaedwzv0Ie1h5SA9Y
Thank you, Jim, not only for this very powerful piece, but also for taking the high road, as well as courage, to go independent. You speak truth to power and so completely honest, as well as so much integrity. I always liked you on CNN, however, we stopped watching corporate media. I jumped right on over here and am a proud paid member. It all comes down to money, to greed and now, bending to Trump. It’s a disgrace to our country. I grew up when Conkrite was on and my parents had the news on each night. Dan Rather picked up right where Cronkite left off, on our screen each evening. They were honest journalists, so,revered and respected. Sadly, those days are over
Once freedom of the press goes what next?????