CBS Urges Judge to Dismiss Trump’s $20 Billion Lawsuit Over Alleged “Doctored” Interview

Attorneys for CBS have asked a federal judge in Texas to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Donald Trump, arguing that the former president engaged in “naked forum-shopping” in an attempt to have his case heard by a judge potentially favorable to his claims.

Trump’s Allegations Against CBS

The lawsuit, originally filed in November 2024, stems from an episode of 60 Minutes that aired in October 2024, featuring an interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump’s legal team alleges that the footage was deceptively edited to manipulate public perception and unfairly favor Democrats, amounting to “unlawful election interference.”

Seeking $20 billion in damages, the lawsuit was filed in the Northern District of Texas, Amarillo Division, where U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk—a Trump-appointed judge known for his conservative rulings—presides as the lone federal judge.

CBS Challenges Lawsuit’s Jurisdiction

CBS and its parent company, Paramount Global, have challenged the lawsuit, arguing that Texas has no jurisdiction over the case because none of the alleged events occurred in the state.

“President Trump knows well that he cannot simply select his preferred jurisdiction when that jurisdiction bears little or no relationship to the events giving rise to his claim,” states CBS’s 33-page motion to dismiss.

The network’s legal team emphasizes that:

• Trump resides in Florida.

• CBS and Paramount Global are based in New York.

• The interview took place in Washington, D.C., was edited in New York, and was broadcast nationwide from New York.

Trump Adds Texas Congressman to Strengthen Case

Anticipating the jurisdictional challenge, Trump’s legal team recently amended the lawsuit to include Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson—a Republican from Amarillo and Trump’s former White House physician—as a co-plaintiff.

The amended complaint argues that Jackson, as a consumer of CBS’s content, has been “injured” by the alleged deceptive editing. However, CBS’s legal team is likely to challenge whether Jackson’s claim establishes legal standing strong enough to keep the lawsuit in Texas.

What’s Next?

With CBS pushing for dismissal and Trump’s legal team working to keep the case in Amarillo, the lawsuit’s fate now rests in the hands of the Texas federal court. The judge’s decision could have major implications not only for Trump’s battle against the media but also for the broader debate over jurisdiction shopping in politically charged cases.

As the legal showdown unfolds, all eyes remain on the Texas courtroom to see if Trump’s lawsuit will move forward or be thrown out.