CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon announced her resignation on Monday, four years after taking the helm. Donald Trump has played a significant role, particularly following the “60 Minutes” interview with his former political rival.
“It’s evident that the company and I have differing views on how to proceed. It’s time for this organization to embrace new leadership,” McMahon stated in an email to staff, where she oversaw both the network news division and CBS-owned stations.
She has expressed her opposition to settling with Trump. Someone who stepped down last month.
Trump has filed a lawsuit against CBS, alleging that he compiled a 2024 interview with Democratic contenders Kamala Harris last fall to garner benefits. CBS News has refuted these claims. Meanwhile, Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company, is deliberating on resolving Trump’s lawsuit while pursuing approval for the merger with SkyDance Media.
George Cheeks, co-CEO of Paramount and head of CBS Network, indicated that McMahon’s top executives, Tom Cibrowski, president of CBS News, and Jennifer Mitchell, president of CBS Stations, will now report directly to him.
“The recent months have been quite challenging,” McMahon noted in her communication.
“I have worked to strengthen our business during this time to ensure we have the right leaders, and I am confident they will uphold our standards,” she added.
In addition to the dispute with Trump, Paramount’s controlling shareholder, Shari Redstone, has voiced concerns regarding the network’s coverage of the conflict in Gaza, particularly regarding “60 Minutes” this winter. To address this, Paramount has begun to revise the “60 Minutes” narrative, including enlisting former CBS News president Susan Zilinski to evaluate some stories before they air.
This added oversight ultimately contributed to Owens’s resignation. Scott Perry, a correspondent for the show, remarked that the announcement was made under the sentiment that “No one is happy.”
CBS News is on the brink of establishing a new anchor team featuring John Dickerson and Maurice Dubois for its flagship “CBS Evening News,” amid concerns over ratings.
In a message to staff, Cheeks commended McMahon for enhancing the network’s digital offerings, expanding local news at CBS stations, and improving the network’s competitive stance.
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David Bauder covers media for the AP. Follow him on http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social.
Source: apnews.com