John,

Yesterday, the New York Times reported that Paramount and Donald Trump agreed on a mediator in his $20 billion lawsuit against CBS News— an alarming sign that a settlement may be coming.

Trump’s claim? That 60 Minutes deceptively edited an interview with Kamala Harris to hurt his 2024 campaign.

Of course, it’s nonsense.

CBS released the full footage, which showed a routine time edit—exactly what every news outlet does. No deception. No damage. Just a manufactured controversy Trump turned into a political weapon.

Now, with a massive corporate merger on the line, Paramount looks ready to cave. And the fact that a major media company is preparing to settle a baseless lawsuit to appease the president should send a chill down the spine of anyone who believes in a free press.

We’ll explain how Trump’s authoritarian threats are spreading into every corner of American life in a moment. But first—can you chip in to support fearless, independent journalism before more institutions fold? [[link removed]]

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This isn’t just about CBS. It’s a warning.

Like Putin in Russia or Orbán in Hungary, Trump is testing how far he can go to weaponize the legal system to punish dissent—across media, law, and higher education.

Top law firms like Paul Weiss and Skadden have already bent to the pressure, agreeing to provide hundreds of millions in free legal services aligned with the Trump administration.

Columbia University has had $400 million in federal funding stripped. International students have been detained. Presidents have resigned. Dozens more schools are under threat.

This is what authoritarian consolidation looks like: isolate, intimidate, and dismantle the institutions that push back.

That’s why COURIER exists.

We’re building a progressive, independent media network that doesn’t answer to billionaires or buckle under political pressure. Our local newsrooms report from battleground states. Our national team brings those stories directly to voters on TikTok, YouTube, and across the digital platforms where the fight for truth is happening.

We’re not backing down. But we can’t do it without you.

If you believe in a press that won’t fold—one that tells the truth, no matter who’s in power—chip in now to help COURIER keep going strong. [[link removed]]

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Thanks for standing with us,

— The COURIER Team

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