US news network CEO resigns due to interview with Harris
(MENAFN) Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News, has resigned amid internal turmoil following a $20 billion lawsuit filed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The lawsuit accuses CBS of election interference and bias in favor of Democratic candidate Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign.
McMahon, who assumed the role in August 2023, announced her resignation on Monday, stating that she and the company “do not agree on the path forward.” Her departure is linked to the controversy over an October 2024 interview with then-Vice President Harris. CBS released two significantly different versions of the interview—one containing a vague and confusing answer on Middle East policy, and another with a clearer, more concise response.
Trump criticized the edited version as a deceptive “word salad” cleanup intended to portray Harris in a more favorable light. While CBS acknowledged editing the interview, it defended the changes as routine journalistic practices meant to improve clarity.
Though legal experts believe Trump’s lawsuit has limited chances of success, it poses a serious hurdle for CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, which is attempting to merge with Skydance Media—a deal requiring government approval. Paramount is reportedly considering a settlement with Trump to prevent further delays.
McMahon’s exit follows that of Bill Owens, a senior producer at 60 Minutes, who resigned in April, citing diminished journalistic autonomy. Owens and McMahon were both reportedly against settling the lawsuit. 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley later commented that although no stories had been censored, editorial oversight had changed, and Owens felt stripped of the editorial freedom essential to quality journalism.
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