Tensions are rising at CBS News as staff express discontent toward Gayle King following her participation in a notable space mission. The network, meanwhile, is engaged in contract renewal discussions with King amid internal disruptions.
The network is facing numerous challenges, with declining ratings and staff concerned about job security amid an $8 billion merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media.
Additionally, a $20 billion lawsuit has been filed by President Donald Trump over a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris from fall 2024.
The situation escalated with the resignation of CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon on May 19, 2025, as Paramount Global considers a settlement with the president.
In a farewell email to employees, McMahon, who managed the news division and local stations’ newscasts, wrote, “It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward.”
The proposed merger requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission to transfer CBS’ broadcast licenses. Though legal experts view the lawsuit as unfounded, its resolution may affect the merger’s progress.
Staff members have shared their concerns with various publications, describing emotional breakdowns in the office, disputes over how stories should be covered, and updates to resumes as job security fears grow. They noted that the recent debate over the all-female Blue Origin spaceflight, in which King participated, has negatively impacted team morale, with some feeling resentment towards the 70-year-old journalist.
An insider at “60 Minutes” discussed the influence of high-profile figures causing disruptions in the workplace. The insider indicated that King’s involvement in the space mission has led to negative brand perceptions.
The environment at “60 Minutes” has been described as troubled, with some comparing it to a sinking ship. An employee labeled the current situation as a bloodbath, remarking that terminations are happening, people are leaving, and uncertainty is prevalent.
Reports suggest conflicts have erupted within the office, with staff arguing over issues like story coverage and conference room seating. Tensions reportedly increased in April 2025 after “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens resigned, citing concerns about editorial independence and the inability to make decisions based on audience interests.
Following McMahon’s unexpected exit, veteran correspondents Lesley Stahl and Scott Pelley are rumored to be considering leaving “60 Minutes.” King, who has been a mainstay on “CBS Mornings” for nearly 15 years, is currently in contract renewal talks.
Industry insiders highlight that King’s substantial $10 million annual salary is becoming harder to justify given her show’s declining ratings. King had accepted a pay cut from $13 million to $10 million in September 2024 with a new one-year contract. Sources suggest this might be King’s final year with the network.
King participated in Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission on April 14, 2025, joining an all-female crew including pop star Katy Perry, journalist Lauren Sánchez, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. The approximately 10-minute spaceflight reached an altitude of 113 miles, marking the first all-female crew since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s 1963 solo mission.
With McMahon’s departure, CBS News President Tom Cibrowski is working to maintain network stability, but King’s potential exit could pose additional challenges. Sources describe Cibrowski as lacking the necessary resources to address the growing problems facing the organization.
Paramount Global is preparing for another round of significant budget cuts as early as June 2025, aiming to reduce expenses by $500 million. Should the Skydance-Paramount merger be successful, industry insiders speculate that new leadership might enforce further budget reductions, with the first year focusing primarily on consolidation efforts.
The Trump lawsuit stems from CBS’s editing of Harris’s October 2024 interview, with the president alleging the network engaged in election interference through deceptive editing. CBS has consistently denied these claims, asserting that standard editorial practices were followed. Both McMahon and Owens strongly opposed any settlement with the administration.
The network’s challenges extend beyond internal personnel issues to broader competitive pressures. “CBS Mornings” currently ranks third in morning show ratings behind ABC’s “Good Morning America” and NBC’s “Today,” although recent months have shown some improvement in the key 25-54 demographic valued by advertisers for news programming.
