Wendy McMahon announced her resignation as president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures on Monday, citing fundamental disagreements with corporate leadership over the network’s future direction. Her departure comes amid mounting tensions between CBS News and parent company Paramount Global, particularly surrounding a $20 billion lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump and ongoing merger negotiations with Skydance Media.
In a memo to staff obtained by The Independent, McMahon described her tenure as “one of the most meaningful chapters in my career” but acknowledged recent challenges. “It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward,” she wrote. “It’s time for me to move on and for this organization to move forward with new leadership.”
McMahon’s exit follows the April resignation of 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens, who similarly cited corporate interference in editorial decisions. Owens had opposed attempts by Paramount’s top shareholder, Shari Redstone, to influence coverage, particularly regarding politically sensitive stories involving Trump.
Trump Lawsuit and Editorial Pressures
The network has been embroiled in legal and political turmoil since Trump sued CBS in February, alleging that a 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris was “deceptively edited” to influence the 2024 election. The lawsuit, initially seeking 10billion in damages,was later doubled 20 billion. CBS has dismissed the claims as “completely without merit,” but Paramount’s leadership has reportedly pushed for a settlement to avoid jeopardizing the Skydance merger.
Internal tensions escalated after Redstone intervened in newsroom decisions, including the installation of veteran producer Susan Zirinsky to oversee editorial standards following a 60 Minutes segment on Gaza that she deemed “antisemitic.” McMahon had also faced scrutiny over CBS’ handling of controversial interviews, including CBS Mornings anchor Tony Dokoupil’s heated exchange with author Ta-Nehisi Coates.
Leadership Shakeup and Future Direction
Paramount co-CEO George Cheeks announced an interim leadership structure, with CBS News President Tom Cibrowski and CBS Stations President Jennifer Mitchell now reporting directly to him. In a statement, Cheeks praised McMahon’s contributions, including expanding local news and strengthening digital platforms, but emphasized the need for “new leadership” amid the company’s evolving strategy.
McMahon will remain for a transition period, while 60 Minutes continues to navigate corporate pressures. The show’s recent season finale saw a last-minute postponement of an investigative report on Trump-era IRS layoffs, which the network attributed to “late developments” but raised further questions about editorial autonomy.
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