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Longtime executive producer Bill Owens has stepped down from “60 Minutes,” citing growing pressure, political interference, and an ongoing $20 billion lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump.
Owens Says CBS Leadership No Longer Supports Independent Journalism
Bill Owens, the veteran producer who led CBS’s iconic “60 Minutes” program, announced his resignation Monday, saying he could no longer operate the show with journalistic freedom. In a message to staff, Owens revealed that mounting legal and political pressures—combined with internal network shifts—have made it impossible to run the show as he once did.
“It’s clear I can no longer make independent decisions based on what’s right for the audience,” Owens wrote. “That’s not the job I signed up for.”
Trump Lawsuit Against CBS News Escalates Media Accountability Fight
Owens’ departure comes amid a high-profile federal lawsuit filed by President Trump in Texas, accusing CBS News of intentionally editing an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris to benefit the Biden administration. The lawsuit alleges defamation, media bias, and political interference—claims that strike at the heart of what many Americans believe is a growing crisis in corporate journalism.
The lawsuit, seeking $20 billion in damages, argues CBS manipulated the content to protect Democrats and harm Trump politically.
Paramount Merger with Skydance in Jeopardy Amid White House Scrutiny
CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, is pushing a multibillion-dollar merger with Skydance, a deal now under review by Trump administration regulators. With federal agencies tightening oversight on media monopolies and politically biased broadcasters, the merger’s fate may hinge on how CBS handles the Trump lawsuit—and any potential settlement.
Sources say both sides recently brought in a mediator, suggesting backchannel talks are intensifying.
Trump Tightens the Reins on Media Giants
President Trump has made it clear: networks that peddle misinformation and promote political agendas will face consequences. Earlier this month, the President questioned whether outlets like CBS should retain their federal broadcasting licenses, sparking debate over journalistic integrity and the future of legacy media in America.
Owens Bows Out as Network Shifts Toward Legal Defense Strategy
Owens, who previously told staff he wouldn’t apologize as part of any settlement, now says stepping down is the best way forward.
“I’ve defended this show from every angle with everything I had,” he said. “Now it’s time for the show to move on.”
Despite his departure, Owens expressed hope that “60 Minutes” would continue to investigate corruption, report from war zones, and provide serious journalism to the American public.
CBS Promises to Stay the Course—but Is It Too Late?
CBS News President Wendy McMahon released a statement vowing to uphold “60 Minutes” and its mission—but many critics say the damage is done. For decades, conservative viewers have accused CBS of leaning left. Now, with federal lawsuits, regulatory scrutiny, and executive resignations piling up, the network’s future may hinge on how it handles President Trump’s challenge.