In a major shakeup at CBS News, CEO Wendy McMahon announced her resignation on Monday, ending a four-year tenure marked by transformative leadership, bold editorial decisions, and, ultimately, deep disagreement with her company’s direction particularly concerning a high-stakes lawsuit involving former President Donald Trump.
McMahon’s abrupt exit comes as CBS parent company Paramount Global inches closer to settling a lawsuit filed by Trump, who alleges that a “60 Minutes” segment edited an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris in a way that favored her politically. CBS News has denied any wrongdoing, but behind the scenes, the lawsuit has triggered a domino effect of dissent, power struggles, and resignations.
In a heartfelt internal memo to her staff, McMahon didn’t mention the lawsuit explicitly, but her words pointed clearly to the rift between her values and the current leadership’s decision-making:
“It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward. It’s time to move on and for this organization to move forward with new leadership.”
A Leader With a Vision
McMahon, a well-regarded figure in the media industry, has been lauded for revitalizing CBS’s local news operations and steering its digital transformation. Under her leadership, CBS-owned stations saw strategic investment and expansion, positioning them to compete more effectively in a rapidly evolving media environment.
She also oversaw a refresh of CBS News’ digital footprint, launching more robust streaming platforms and embracing a multi-platform content approach to reach younger and more diverse audiences. Internally, many CBS employees credit her with restoring journalistic integrity and trust within the organization.
“She brought a sense of urgency and clarity to our mission,” said one senior producer at CBS News. “But that mission is now being compromised.”
The Trump Lawsuit and a Crisis of Principle
The core of McMahon’s departure appears to lie in her firm opposition to a potential settlement with Trump, a move that many inside CBS view as an abandonment of journalistic principle in the face of political pressure. According to internal sources, McMahon like “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens, who resigned last month refused to support a deal that would, in their view, undermine the network’s editorial credibility.
Trump’s lawsuit alleges that CBS selectively edited footage from a 2024 campaign interview with Harris to cast him in a negative light. CBS has firmly denied these claims. But as Paramount Global, the network’s parent company, navigates a possible merger with Skydance Media, company leadership has reportedly shown increased willingness to settle the case quietly potentially to avoid negative headlines that could complicate the regulatory approval process for the merger.
For McMahon, that was a red line. She is believed to have argued internally that settling the case would create a dangerous precedent and embolden political figures to attack journalistic institutions for political gain.
McMahon’s departure also comes amid intensified scrutiny from Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder of Paramount Global. Redstone is said to be dissatisfied with CBS’s coverage of Israel’s war in Gaza, particularly a “60 Minutes” segment that aired earlier this year. The fallout from that report led Paramount to add a new layer of editorial review over “60 Minutes” stories, enlisting former CBS News President Susan Zirinsky to vet segments before they aired.
That added oversight was a final straw for some. Owens, who led “60 Minutes” through numerous award-winning seasons, resigned shortly after. Longtime correspondent Scott Pelley broke ranks publicly, telling viewers that “none of us is happy” with the editorial changes.
“Wendy stood up for what news should be,” said a former CBS executive familiar with the internal dynamics. “She protected her journalists, and when that became impossible, she chose integrity over position.”
McMahon leaves behind a CBS News that is grappling with major identity questions. Amid stiff competition from NBC and ABC, the network is trying to reboot its flagship “CBS Evening News” with a new anchor duo John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois while contending with declining viewership.
Her resignation also raises questions about future leadership. In an internal note to staff, George Cheeks, co-CEO of Paramount Global and head of the CBS network, said CBS News President Tom Cibrowski and CBS Stations President Jennifer Mitchell will now report directly to him. While Cheeks praised McMahon for her “unwavering commitment” and credited her with elevating CBS’s local stations and digital products, the tone of his note suggested a shift in strategic direction.
“Wendy’s vision transformed how we connect with local audiences,” he wrote. “Her impact will be felt for years.”
For now, McMahon plans to take time to reflect and regroup. In her parting note, she acknowledged the past few months had been “challenging,” but said she leaves confident in the people she’s mentored and the systems she’s built.
“I have spent the last few months shoring up our businesses and making sure the right leaders are in place,” she said. “I have no doubt they will continue to set the standard.”
Her exit marks a pivotal moment not just for CBS News, but for the broader media industry, as it faces increasing external pressures from political actors and internal pressures from corporate consolidation.
If nothing else, McMahon’s resignation is a reminder of the precarious balance between journalism and corporate interest and the courage it takes to walk away when that balance tips too far.
