CBS News top exec resigns amid Trump lawsuit and internal tensions
Wendy McMahon, president of CBS News and CBS Stations, is stepping down from the company amid ongoing tensions within the media giant’s leadership and legal entanglements involving President Donald Trump. In a memo, McMahon stated she could no longer align with a company that is heading in a different direction, according to CBS.
CBS News recent departures
McMahon has served in her role since 2023, but she has been with the company since 2021. In the memo, McMahon told CBS News staff, “It’s time for me to move on and for this organization to move forward with new leadership.”
The New York Times reported that executives at Paramount had growing concerns about McMahon’s leadership over CBS News, particularly regarding the network’s struggling ratings for CBS Evening News. The report also pointed to internal criticism over how McMahon managed a situation involving an anchor’s interview that challenged an author on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Paramount owns CBS Entertainment Group, which is part of its broader global division that includes MTV, The CW and BET.
Paramount CEO Shari Redstone has reportedly expressed concerns about how CBS News covers Trump. Those concerns were raised directly with CBS’s chief executive, according to people familiar with the matter.
McMahon’s exit comes on the heels of the departure of “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens. He cited growing pressure to meet corporate demands and a diminishing level of editorial independence as reasons for his decision to leave at the end of the season. McMahon reportedly supported Owens’ departure, calling her decision to stand by him “easy.”
Paramount’s ongoing legal case with Trump
At the same time, Paramount is pursuing a legal settlement with Trump after his legal team accused CBS of editing an interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election cycle. The segment aired on the network’s “60 Minutes” program.
The FCC is conducting its own investigation into the Harris interview in response to a complaint filed by the conservative group Center for American Rights. The group said CBS distorted the interview.
CBS News has not admitted to any wrongdoing in the $20 billion lawsuit.
“60 Minutes fairly presented the interview to inform the viewing audience, and not to mislead it. The lawsuit Trump has brought today against CBS is completely without merit and we will vigorously defend against it,” the network said in a 2024 response to the lawsuit.
Paramount’s pending deal with Skydance
Meanwhile, Redstone is nearing a deal to sell Paramount to Skydance, a Hollywood production studio. However, the sale is still subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission, which is now led by Trump-appointed officials.
As Straight Arrow News reported in May, the deal was set to finalize on April 7 but was granted a 90-day extension due to ongoing negotiations between the two companies.
What’s next for CBS?
In a memo to staff, CBS CEO George Cheeks said McMahon will remain in her role until a leadership transition is complete. She will be succeeded by two executives: Jennifer Mitchell, president of CBS Stations, and Tom Cibrowski, president of CBS News, according to the memo.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
