CBS News chief steps down amid tensions over Trump lawsuit [View all]
Source: NBC News
May 19, 2025, 11:16 AM EDT / Updated May 19, 2025, 11:33 AM EDT
The head of CBS News stepped down Monday, marking the second high-profile departure from the organization within the past month as its parent company contends with a $20 billion lawsuit from President Donald Trump and an $8 billion merger. Wendy McMahon said in a memo that her time atop the stalwart news brand has been "a privilege and joy," but that the past few months had been "challenging." She joined CBS from ABC in 2021 and took over as CEO of CBS News in 2023.
"It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward," McMahon wrote in a memo to CBS News staff. "It’s time for me to move on and for this organization to move forward with new leadership." George Cheeks, the president and CEO of CBS, in a separate memo did not address McMahon's comments on a path forward.
"On a personal note, I want to thank Wendy for her partnership over the past four years," Cheeks wrote. "Under her leadership, the competitive position and culture at our television stations have improved dramatically, and we’ve expanded local news significantly. Our streaming news platforms — national and local — are stronger and growing, with digital extensions now in place for several of our flagship CBS News broadcasts."
McMahon's departure comes just weeks after Bill Owens, the longtime top producer at “60 Minutes,” left after he said the newsmagazine had lost its journalistic independence.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/business/media/cbs-news-chief-steps-down-over-trump-tensions-rcna207700
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