Scott Pelley, a correspondent for "60 Minutes," expressed serious concerns regarding President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against CBS and its parent company, Paramount Global. During a discussion with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Pelley stated that a settlement with Trump would be "very damaging" to the network's reputation. "Well, it’d be very damaging to CBS, to Paramount, to the reputation of those companies," he said.

Trump's lawsuit stems from a "60 Minutes" interview featuring former Vice President Kamala Harris, which aired in October 2024. Reports indicate that Trump has rejected a $15 million settlement offer and is now demanding at least $25 million along with a public apology from CBS News.

In the same interview, Pelley addressed the recent resignation of former "60 Minutes" producer Bill Owens. He noted that Owens was a staunch defender of the program's independence. "Bill didn’t work for Paramount. Bill worked for our viewers, and he felt very keenly about that," Pelley explained. He added that Owens likely felt he had no choice but to resign when corporate pressures began to interfere with editorial decisions.

Pelley also shared his feelings about the lack of public support from CBS News. "You really wish the company was behind you 100%, right?" he remarked. "I haven’t heard that. On the other hand, my work is getting on the air, and I have not had anyone outside ‘60 Minutes’ put their thumb on the scale and say, ‘you can’t say that.’" He emphasized that while he desires public backing, the most important aspect is that his work continues to be broadcast.

Recently, Pelley gained attention for his remarks during a commencement address at Wake Forest University, where he spoke about the threats to journalism and freedom of speech. "In this moment, our sacred rule of law is under attack. Journalism is under attack. Universities are under attack. Freedom of speech is under attack," he stated. He expressed concern over the pervasive fear that stifles open dialogue in America.

During the CNN interview, Pelley clarified that his comments were not directed at Trump personally but were a response to governmental actions over recent months. He questioned the public's reaction to his speech, asking, "What does it say about our country when there’s hysteria about a speech that’s about freedom of speech?" His comments reflect ongoing tensions surrounding media independence and the challenges faced by journalists in the current political climate.