CBS News is experiencing deep internal turmoil as pressure from former President Donald Trump and looming corporate decisions threaten the newsroom’s independence. Sources inside the network describe a climate of fear and uncertainty following the sudden resignation of CBS News chief Wendy McMahon, who reportedly defended the integrity of the news division against pressure from CBS parent company Paramount Global.
McMahon’s departure, announced Monday, comes as Paramount attempts to settle a high-stakes lawsuit filed by Trump over a controversial “60 Minutes” interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. The lawsuit, widely dismissed by legal experts as frivolous, could nonetheless complicate Paramount’s pending merger with Skydance Media, which requires approval from the Trump administration if he returns to power.
Sources say McMahon frequently clashed with Paramount executives, particularly co-CEO George Cheeks and controlling shareholder Shari Redstone, over editorial independence. Redstone, who is known for her strong support of Israel, reportedly objected to CBS coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict and several “60 Minutes” reports critical of Trump.
Despite internal battles, McMahon consistently fought to protect the integrity of the network’s flagship program, “60 Minutes.” The pressure became more intense after the resignation of executive producer Bill Owens, who cited a loss of independence. On-air, correspondent Scott Pelley subtly acknowledged the situation, saying, “No one here is happy about it.”
Several insiders told CNN that McMahon served as a buffer between CBS journalists and corporate interests. Her exit, they fear, could open the door to further interference, especially with ongoing negotiations to settle the Trump lawsuit — potentially with a payout of up to $50 million.
Although Paramount has not commented publicly, critics inside and outside CBS warn that settling with Trump could be seen as caving to political pressure. Three Democratic senators even raised concerns that such a settlement could violate bribery laws.
CBS maintains that editorial decisions, including the delayed airing of a “60 Minutes” report on Trump’s IRS policies, are based on journalistic reasons. The network said changes in IRS staffing altered the context of the story, which may still air in the future.
Tom Cibrowski, recently appointed as president of CBS News, will now take the reins and report directly to Cheeks. Journalists at CBS are cautiously optimistic that Cibrowski will continue to defend newsroom independence amid an increasingly complex political and business landscape.
While “60 Minutes” has continued to air hard-hitting investigations, the fate of future reports — especially those scrutinizing Trump — remains uncertain. As one CBS journalist put it, “Everyone thinks this lawsuit is an act of extortion.” The newsroom’s resilience now hinges on its new leadership and whether corporate pressures will override journalistic standards.
