NEW YORK – CBS News President Wendy McMahon resigned on Monday, citing disagreements over the network’s future direction. Her departure comes amid ongoing settlement talks between CBS’ parent company, Paramount Global, and legal representatives for former President Donald Trump concerning his $20 billion lawsuit against CBS’ flagship program, 60 Minutes.
McMahon announced her resignation a day after the last episode of 60 Minutes aired this season. This decision follows the recent resignation of Bill Owens, the show’s veteran executive producer, who indicated he felt unable to lead the program independently any longer. Both McMahon and Owens reportedly opposed settling with Trump.
The controversy began last fall when CBS aired contrasting excerpts from then-Vice President Kamala Harris regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict on different shows, leading Trump to accuse the network of manipulating the narrative. CBS defended its editorial choices, and legal experts suggest the network is likely to prevail in court due to First Amendment protections.
In January, Susan Zirinsky was appointed to oversee standards for CBS’ major news programs, a decision perceived by 60 Minutes journalists as particularly targeting them. Zirinsky’s close ties to Paramount’s controlling owner, Shari Redstone, add further complexity, especially given Redstone’s criticism of CBS’ coverage of Israel.
For the sale of Paramount to Skydance Media to proceed, the Federal Communications Commission must approve it, especially since local broadcast licenses are at stake. FCC Chair Brendan Carr is currently investigating CBS over its handling of the Harris interview and has solicited public feedback. Carr has indicated he supports Trump’s lawsuit.
Paramount executives believe it is crucial to resolve the lawsuit ahead of regulatory approval for the sale, according to sources familiar with the discussions. They have drawn parallels to Disney’s decision to settle a defamation suit involving ABC News. Owens resisted signing any apology related to the case, and McMahon supported his stance.
Skydance, owned by David Ellison, a backer of Trump, is working with former NBC Universal CEO Jeff Shell, who is set to lead Paramount Global if the acquisition is finalized. Given these developments, McMahon’s future at CBS had become increasingly uncertain.
In her farewell message, McMahon expressed gratitude to CBS viewers, emphasizing the importance of their trust and accountability. She originally joined CBS through local news and became co-president of CBS News and Stations in 2021. She took sole command two years ago after a leadership shake-up.
George Cheeks, co-CEO of Paramount Global, acknowledged McMahon’s contributions, particularly regarding local stations, but did not address the context of her resignation. The network has refrained from commenting on the status of the ongoing settlement negotiations.
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