CBS CEO Wendy McMahon Resigns Over Trump Lawsuit/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon has resigned amid controversy over a Trump lawsuit. Her departure follows executive resignations tied to network decisions around “60 Minutes.” CBS’ parent company is negotiating both a merger and legal settlement.
CBS News Shakeup Quick Looks
- CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon resigns after four years.
- Disagreement over potential Trump lawsuit settlement cited.
- Trump sued CBS over a 2024 “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris.
- “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens also resigned last month.
- CBS parent Paramount is exploring a merger with Skydance Media.
- Shari Redstone criticized CBS coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
- CBS added new oversight to “60 Minutes” content.
- Network faces ratings pressure, reshaping anchor team for “Evening News.”
- Tom Cibrowski and Jennifer Mitchell to report directly to George Cheeks.
- McMahon credited for expanding digital and local news platforms.
Deep Look: CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon Resigns Amid Trump Lawsuit and Network Turmoil
NEW YORK, May 19, 2025 — In a stunning move that signals deeper turmoil at CBS News, CEO Wendy McMahon announced her resignation on Monday. The decision comes just weeks after the resignation of “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens and amid high-level legal discussions over a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump.
McMahon, who led both CBS News and its network of owned stations since 2021, made the announcement in an email to staff, citing fundamental disagreements with the company’s future direction. “It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward,” McMahon wrote. “It’s time to move on and for this organization to move forward with new leadership.”
Her resignation marks a pivotal moment for CBS as it navigates a controversial potential settlement with Trump, who has accused the network of bias and manipulation in a 2024 “60 Minutes” interview featuring then-Democratic opponent Kamala Harris. Trump alleges CBS deliberately edited the segment to favor Harris—claims CBS denies.
Legal and Political Pressures Mount at CBS
The lawsuit, while denied on the merits by CBS, has created significant internal tension at the network. Paramount Global—the parent company of CBS—is currently weighing a legal settlement with Trump while simultaneously seeking regulatory approval for a merger with Skydance Media. The optics of resolving a politically charged legal battle could have ramifications for both the merger process and CBS News’ editorial independence.
McMahon, like Owens before her, is said to have strongly opposed settling the lawsuit. Her departure is seen by insiders as a protest against what she viewed as compromising journalistic integrity in the face of corporate and political pressure.
Executive Realignment Underway at Paramount
In a memo to CBS employees, George Cheeks, co-CEO of Paramount Global and head of CBS, announced that McMahon’s top deputies—CBS News President Tom Cibrowski and CBS Stations President Jennifer Mitchell—will now report directly to him.
Cheeks praised McMahon’s leadership, particularly her efforts to expand local news coverage and strengthen CBS’s digital platforms. “She leaves behind a revitalized news division that is positioned to compete across all platforms,” Cheeks wrote.
Editorial Oversight and Internal Discontent
McMahon’s resignation also follows months of editorial tension at the network. Reports emerged earlier this year that Paramount’s controlling shareholder, Shari Redstone, voiced dissatisfaction with CBS News’ reporting on the Israel-Gaza conflict, particularly a “60 Minutes” piece that aired in winter. In response, the company instituted a new layer of oversight for the show, enlisting former CBS News President Susan Zirinsky to review “60 Minutes” content pre-broadcast.
This extra editorial scrutiny reportedly contributed to Bill Owens’ exit, with longtime correspondent Scott Pelley acknowledging on-air that “none of us is happy” with the changes to the show’s independence.
CBS Faces Ratings Pressure and Anchor Overhaul
McMahon leaves the network as it struggles to stabilize its flagship “CBS Evening News” broadcast. The network recently restructured its anchor team, introducing John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois to the nightly program in a bid to revive ratings. Whether the new pairing can bring back audience share remains uncertain.
Despite these challenges, McMahon expressed confidence in her departing message. “I’ve spent the last few months shoring up our businesses and ensuring the right leaders are in place,” she said. “I have no doubt they will continue to set the standard.”
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