What happens when a news show refuses to back down—even under serious pressure from corporate bosses and looming lawsuits? That’s exactly what viewers witnessed during the latest explosive segment of 60 Minutes, as the program called out Donald Trump in a bold 14-minute finale, all while CBS and its parent company Paramount Global are neck-deep in legal trouble with the former president.
A Lawsuit Worth Billions and a Newsroom That Won’t Back Down
At the center of this unfolding drama is Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit against CBS and Paramount.
The suit claims that 60 Minutes deceptively edited an October interview with Vice President Kamala Harris to make her appear more presidential.
But that’s just one part of a much bigger story.
At the same time, Paramount is desperately trying to secure government approval for its $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media—a process that must pass through the FCC, which is now investigating whether CBS broke “news distortion” rules.
Despite all this corporate tension, 60 Minutes didn’t flinch.
Instead, it aired a scathing segment on Sunday that went straight for Trump’s throat.
Executive Orders and Legal Intimidation: Trump’s Targeting of Law Firms
The segment focused on Trump’s reported attempts to punish law firms that have opposed him, using executive orders to go after them.
Journalist Scott Pelley, who has never shied away from calling out even his own bosses, introduced the piece by noting how difficult it was to get anyone on record.
Eventually, he interviewed Marc Elias, a prominent Democratic attorney, who did not hold back. Elias described Trump’s actions as “an attack on the entire legal profession” and compared the former president to a mob boss intimidating his enemies.
A Legal Backlash and a Chilling Effect in the Legal World
According to Elias, Trump has made it clear that any law firm challenging his authority could face retaliation. He cited cases where firms were told they might lose federal contracts or be reported for misconduct if they took on causes that didn’t align with Trump’s agenda.
Some firms have pushed back—suing the administration in response. But others struck deals, offering up to $600 million in free legal work for Trump-backed causes. With these settlements, Trump’s legal war chest has reportedly swelled to nearly $1 billion.
A Powerful Law Firm Bends—and One Attorney Walks Away
One of the most notable firms in the mix is Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, the fifth-largest law firm in the world.
Their deal with the Trump camp caused lawyer Brenna Frey to resign in protest.
“If we won’t stand up in court over this,” she said, “then what else are we going to let slide?” She wasn’t alone in her concern.
Elias warned that other law firms were already avoiding certain clients or causes, fearing government retaliation.
Experts Say the Legal Deals Cross the Line Into Bribery
Veteran attorney John Keker took the criticism a step further, saying the arrangement could legally qualify as bribery.
“You can’t offer something of value in exchange for an official act,” Keker stated.
“That’s the definition of bribery. And if anyone else tried this in Washington, they’d be in jail.”
He warned that when courts are too afraid to challenge the executive branch, democracy is at serious risk—drawing comparisons to authoritarian regimes like China and Russia.
Inside the CBS Newsroom: Pressure, Resignation, and Integrity
This episode comes just a week after Scott Pelley spoke out publicly about behind-the-scenes tensions at CBS, including the resignation of longtime 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens.
According to Pelley, Owens quit due to increasing corporate interference tied to the Trump lawsuit and the Paramount merger.
“None of our stories have been blocked,” Pelley said on air, “but Bill felt he lost the independence that honest journalism requires.”
A Legacy Under Fire—and Journalists Who Won’t Stay Silent
Owens, a 60 Minutes veteran, explained in his resignation letter that he could no longer run the show the way it needed to be run—free from corporate pressure.
Even as he stepped away, he promised the program would continue to hold all administrations accountable.
Sources say Owens had been feeling the heat as pressure from the Trump lawsuit mounted.
He reportedly told his staff, “It’s clear the company is done with me.”
Despite this turmoil, 60 Minutes seems determined not to buckle.
Their reporting, even amid a pending merger and billion-dollar lawsuit, signals that some journalists are still willing to speak truth to power.
What’s Next?
Neither Trump nor Paramount Global has officially responded to Sunday’s explosive broadcast.
The FCC probe continues, and so does the political and legal drama surrounding the Trump administration, CBS News, and one of the most trusted names in journalism.