“60 Minutes” Chief Resigns Amid Trump Dispute \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Bill Owens, executive producer of CBS’s “60 Minutes,” resigned citing lost editorial independence amid ongoing conflict with President Trump. The resignation follows a $20 billion Trump lawsuit and a federal investigation into the program. CBS is now under political and corporate pressure during a pending merger with Skydance Media.
Quick Looks
- Bill Owens abruptly resigned as executive producer of “60 Minutes” after 5 years at the helm.
- Owens cited loss of editorial freedom due to pressure linked to Trump’s legal and political disputes.
- Trump filed a $20 billion lawsuit against the show over an interview with VP Kamala Harris.
- The FCC is investigating CBS, and Trump has called for accountability over the broadcast.
- CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, is pursuing a merger with Skydance Media.
- Owens and producers reportedly opposed settling the Trump lawsuit to smooth merger approval.
- Trump criticized “60 Minutes” again after critical segments on Ukraine and Greenland.
- Owens said he stepped down to protect the show’s journalistic integrity.
Deep Look
The leadership of CBS’s flagship news program “60 Minutes” was upended this week as executive producer Bill Owens announced his resignation, citing a growing loss of independence amid intensifying political and corporate pressure stemming from a high-profile dispute with President Donald Trump.
Owens, who has led the award-winning program since 2019 and has been a part of CBS News for nearly four decades, told staff in a memo that it had become clear he could no longer run the show independently.
“It has become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it, to make independent decisions based on what was right for ’60 Minutes,’ right for the audience,” Owens wrote.
“The show is too important to the country… It has to continue, just not with me as executive producer.”
Behind the Resignation: Political and Legal Tensions
The resignation follows months of growing tension between CBS and the Trump administration, culminating in a $20 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Trump last fall. The suit claims “60 Minutes” deceptively edited an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris to favor her in the 2024 election.
CBS denied any wrongdoing and released the full, unedited transcript, but the dispute escalated after Trump returned to office and empowered his FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to investigate CBS News over alleged editorial manipulation.
Amid this, CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, is actively seeking approval for a merger with Skydance Media, a deal that could be complicated by regulatory scrutiny and ongoing litigation. Trump’s team has reportedly used the lawsuit as leverage in merger mediation, with “60 Minutes” producers, including Owens, opposing any settlement seen as a concession to political pressure.
A Legacy of Independent Journalism
Bill Owens becomes only the third executive producer in the program’s history, following founder Don Hewitt and Jeff Fager. During his tenure, Owens maintained the program’s reputation for hard-hitting, deeply reported stories, while navigating the evolving media landscape and increasing political polarization.
Owens’s leadership came under heightened pressure following the show’s April 13 episode, which aired segments critical of the Trump administration’s policies on Ukraine and Greenland. Trump blasted the episode on social media, accusing CBS of pushing “fake narratives” and warning that the network should “pay a big price.”
“Having defended this show — and what we stand for — from every angle… I am stepping aside so the show can move forward,” Owens wrote.
His departure raises concerns about the editorial future of “60 Minutes,” long known for operating as a largely autonomous unit within CBS News. Owens noted in his memo that Wendy McMahon, CBS News President, agrees that his replacement should come from within the current staff. Among the top candidates is Tanya Simon, the program’s deputy producer and daughter of late correspondent Bob Simon.
CBS Responds and the Trump Media Offensive
In a statement, Wendy McMahon praised Owens’s leadership:
“Bill has led ‘60 Minutes’ with unwavering integrity, curiosity and a deep commitment to the truth. He has championed the kind of journalism that informs, enlightens and often changes the national conversation.”
Owens’ resignation is just the latest development in Trump’s broader battle against the press during his second term. His administration is currently:
- Conducting FCC investigations into multiple media outlets.
- Attempting to dismantle government-run media, including Voice of America.
- Facing a lawsuit from the Associated Press, which alleges reduced access due to refusal to comply with an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico.
The move against “60 Minutes” is seen by critics as an effort to intimidate legacy media into submission and reshape the landscape of political journalism.
What Happens Next?
- CBS is expected to announce a new executive producer for “60 Minutes” shortly.
- The Trump lawsuit may continue or be settled during Skydance merger mediation.
- Media watchdogs and press freedom groups are expected to weigh in on the situation.
- “60 Minutes” will likely face internal questions about maintaining editorial autonomy.
- The broader implications may set a precedent for how political pressure shapes newsroom leadership.
With one of the most influential figures in network news stepping down, the future of “60 Minutes”—and its ability to operate independently in a politically charged era—remains in flux.
“60 Minutes” Chief “60 Minutes” Chief
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