CBS News President Quits After Network Battles Trump

McMahon Resigns as CBS Faces Legal and Strategic Turmoil

Wendy McMahon has stepped down as CEO of CBS News following a tumultuous tenure marked by plunging ratings and a $20 billion lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump.

McMahon, who had been with the network since 2021 and ascended to CEO of CBS News, Stations, and CBS Media Ventures in 2023, announced her resignation in a memo to staff, writing, “It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward.” The White House / Wikimedia

Memo Cites Split with Leadership on CBS’s Future

In a memo to staff obtained by Newsweek, McMahon acknowledged the "challenging" recent months and said her departure stemmed from a growing divide between her and CBS’s leadership over the company’s direction. “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.” @WendyAMcMahon / X

Trump Dispute Over ‘60 Minutes’ Interview

McMahon’s decision follows a series of controversies, including backlash from the Trump camp over a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris that Trump claimed was altered. Federal Communications Commission / YouTube

CBS Faces $20M Trump Lawsuit as Merger Talks Advance

The dispute culminated in a $20 million lawsuit from Trump, which CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, is reportedly seeking to settle. Shari Redstone, Paramount’s controlling shareholder and a key figure behind a proposed multibillion-dollar merger with Skydance Media, has expressed support for reaching a settlement.

The situation was further complicated by the recent resignation of 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens, who left citing concerns over compromised journalistic independence. McMahon supported Owens’ decision and stood by his concerns, according to The Independent. The White House / Wikimedia

Ratings Slip But McMahon Praised for Digital Expansion

McMahon’s tenure was marked by mixed results. A revamp of CBS Evening News failed to draw in viewers, contributing to a dip in ratings. However, she has been praised for expanding CBS’s local and streaming news platforms and for modernizing operations, including initiatives in data journalism and centralized editorial decision-making. Paramount Global / Wikimedia

Paramount CEO Commends McMahon’s Vision and Strategy

In a separate message to staff, Paramount CEO George Cheeks praised McMahon’s leadership: “Under her leadership, the competitive position and culture at our television stations have improved dramatically… In a rapidly changing world, Wendy and her teams have worked diligently to articulate a vision and lay a foundation that adapts our news operations for the future.”

Despite the turmoil, McMahon maintained in her farewell memo that “leading this extraordinary organization has been the honor of a lifetime,” praising her team’s “commitment to truth, fairness and the highest standards. Paramount Global / Wikimedia