In a significant development at CBS News, CEO Wendy McMahon announced her resignation on Monday, May 19, 2025, intensifying the challenges at the network following recent insights into parent company Paramount’s enhanced supervision of editorial content.
McMahon’s exit follows the resignation of “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens on April 22, who cited difficulties in maintaining editorial independence. McMahon’s memo to staff indicated growing tensions within the company.
“It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward,” McMahon stated, acknowledging that while leading CBS News was significant, recent months have been challenging.
This leadership change follows Scott Pelley’s announcement on the April 28 “60 Minutes” broadcast regarding Paramount’s new oversight measures for the news division. Pelley explained that this supervision aligned with Paramount’s efforts to finalize a merger with Skydance Media, a deal needing approval from President Donald Trump’s administration.
Sources reveal that Shari Redstone, controlling shareholder of Paramount Global, expressed concerns over certain CBS News coverage. Consequently, the company implemented additional supervision layers, including asking former CBS News President Susan Zirinsky to review “60 Minutes” segments before airing.
CBS News staff have reportedly been unsettled by the sudden leadership changes. A CBS insider informed Fox News Digital that McMahon had participated in a regular editorial call the morning of her resignation without hinting at her departure.
Industry analysts suggest the resignation may relate to ongoing negotiations between Paramount Global and President Trump, who filed a $20 billion lawsuit against CBS last October. The suit claims the network engaged in election interference through its handling of a “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign.
The lawsuit focuses on the network’s decision to air different versions of Harris’ response to a question about the Israel-Gaza conflict on “60 Minutes” and “Face the Nation.” Trump’s legal team describes this editorial choice as misleading, while CBS stands by its journalistic judgment.
Legal experts across the political spectrum note that Trump’s case faces substantial obstacles under established First Amendment protections. Nonetheless, reports indicate settlement discussions between Paramount and Trump’s representatives have started, with speculation that the company aims to resolve the lawsuit before federal regulators decide on the proposed Skydance merger.
Both McMahon and Owens reportedly opposed settling with Trump. Owens, in his resignation letter, emphasized that “60 Minutes” acted properly in its reporting and refused to issue any apology.
During the April 28 broadcast, Pelley portrayed Owens’ departure as a principled stance, stating that while Paramount hadn’t blocked any stories, the executive producer felt he had lost the independence critical for honest journalism.
Despite the internal disruptions, “60 Minutes” has continued airing investigative reports on the Trump administration. The program recently featured correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi examining reductions at the National Institutes of Health, though a segment on Internal Revenue Service cutbacks was withdrawn from the May 19 broadcast after CBS learned of the agency’s decision to recall about 7,000 probationary employees.
George Cheeks, co-CEO of Paramount and CBS network head, announced that CBS News president Tom Cibrowski and CBS Stations president Jennifer Mitchell will now report directly to him following McMahon’s departure.
The network is also working to establish a new anchor team for its flagship “CBS Evening News” broadcast, with John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois taking over amid ratings challenges.
This situation is the latest conflict between major media organizations and the Trump administration, which has had disputes with multiple outlets since returning to power in January 2025. In December 2024, Walt Disney Co. paid $15 million to settle a Trump libel lawsuit against ABC News concerning statements made by George Stephanopoulos about a sexual assault case involving the president.
