Paramount faced a year of dramatic upheaval in 2025, marked by a high-profile merger, legal battles, and sweeping changes at CBS News. The company became embroiled in controversy after a CBS News interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris led to a multibillion-dollar lawsuit from Donald Trump, who accused the network of election interference. The lawsuit, and its eventual settlement for over $30 million, triggered internal turmoil, executive resignations, and accusations of corporate overreach.

The fallout continued as Paramount canceled 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,' fueling speculation about political motivations and sparking backlash from both staff and the broader media industry. Despite claims that the cancellation was purely financial, the timing intensified scrutiny of the company's leadership and editorial independence.

Following the approval of its merger with Skydance Media, Paramount underwent significant leadership changes, including the appointment of Bari Weiss as CBS News editor-in-chief and a major round of layoffs. The company also made bold moves in content acquisition and talent reshuffling, but concerns lingered about editorial direction and corporate influence. As the year closed, Paramount's future remained uncertain, with ongoing industry consolidation and the potential for further political entanglements in 2026.