Paramount has postponed a potential $54 million settlement of President Trump’s Lawsuit against CBS over fears the payment could be perceived as a bribe amid pending regulatory approval for the company’s $12.3 billion sale to Skydance Media.

The media giant’s hesitancy has prompted Trump’s legal team to maintain their initial bargaining position and demand more money to resolve the dispute, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The two sides remain in active settlement negotiations as the lawsuit enters its sixth month.

The $54 million figure represents a reduction from the $70.2 million that Trump’s advisers initially sought to end the lawsuit filed in Texas federal court.

The case alleges CBS News’ “60 Minutes” doctored an interview with Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 election by editing out unfavourable responses.

Paramount executives worry that any substantial settlement could be construed as a bribe, given that FCC approval for the Skydance merger appears contingent on resolving the Trump case.

The company fears potential litigation and criminal bribery charges not covered by insurance.

Trump-nominated FCC Chair Brendan Carr has launched a probe into the alleged biased editing, casting uncertainty over merger approval.

Several Democrats in Congress have raised bribery concerns, creating additional legal risks for Paramount’s management team.

“The Trump people appeared to be willing to settle for less, but even that amount worries the Paramount people,” one deal insider told The Post.

A source close to Trump’s legal team denied they were prepared to settle for $54 million, stating, “We have a strong case.”

Paramount’s controlling shareholder, Shari Redstone, stands to net up to $3.1 billion from the Skydance sale, representing her long-held desire to exit the struggling media company.

Redstone faces hundreds of millions in tax obligations from her late father’s estate, adding urgency to complete the transaction.

The board recently offered $23.2 million, matching Disney’s ABC News settlement of Trump’s defamation lawsuit, but Trump’s team rejected the proposal.

Both sides previously considered supplementing any monetary settlement with public service advertisements supporting causes Trump favours, including antisemitism prevention and veteran support.

Skydance, led by David Ellison (son of Trump ally and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison), plans a massive restructuring of CBS and other Paramount properties.

The company has appointed former NBCU chief Jeff Shell as prospective CBS head, with plans to address alleged political bias in news programming.

Without a settlement, federal discovery in the Trump case is expected within weeks, representing a significant legal escalation.

The preliminary Skydance agreement could be voided if unresolved by October, jeopardising Redstone’s exit strategy.

The standoff highlights the intersection of media ownership, political pressure, and regulatory approval in the changing entertainment landscape.

CBS executives, including recently departed news chief Wendy McMahon and “60 Minutes” producer Bill Owens, voiced concerns about settling what they consider a frivolous case.

The outcome could set precedents for how media companies handle political lawsuits while pursuing major transactions requiring government approval.