Wendy McMahon has reportedly stepped down from her role as CEO of CBS News as the network battles a huge lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump.
The Daily Mail reported that McMahon quit as CBS struggles with internal disagreements over the network’s business direction and the ongoing $20 billion lawsuit filed by Trump.
McMahon’s departure comes amid significant executive turnover and declining ratings within CBS News.
She announced her resignation on Monday, marking a turbulent period for CBS News.
McMahon expressed discontent with the network’s current trajectory, emphasizing her misalignment with recent business decisions.
Her exit was first reported by The New York Times.
It comes just three months after speculation about McMahon’s potential removal had surfaced.
Central to the turmoil at CBS News is the lawsuit initiated by Trump regarding a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris.
The suit amounts to $20 billion and alleges deceptive editing of the interview.
CBS maintains that edits were necessary due to time restrictions.
However, unedited versions of the interview show that Harris’s rambling responses were cut out and replaced to make her statements appear more coherent.
Both McMahon and Bill Owens, previously at the helm of “60 Minutes,” opposed proposals to resolve the lawsuit.
They were joined by Shari Redstone from CBS’s parent, Paramount, in settlement discussions, highlighting the contentious nature of the case within the company.
In an internal memo, McMahon described her tenure as a valuable chapter of her career.
However, McMahon also acknowledged the difficult circumstances that have affected the network.
She thanked her colleagues for their passion and dedication.
McMahon’s leadership at CBS News was marked by a worrying dip in viewership, particularly among the advertiser-coveted 25-54 age demographic.
Her initiatives, which featured magazine-style elements introduced to the CBS Evening News, failed to resonate with the audience, leading to a ratings decline.
Amid these challenges, rumors of discord between McMahon and then-deputy Adrienne Roark emerged.
Roark resigned after only a brief tenure.
Insiders suggested neither McMahon nor Roark possessed the necessary editorial experience for their roles at CBS.
The executive turnover at CBS News is further underscored by the earlier departures of Neeraj Khemlani and Susan Zirinsky, contributing to a period of instability in leadership.
Meanwhile, a potential media merger between Paramount and Skydance is on the horizon, awaiting approval from the Trump administration.
This development may affect both CBS’s strategic direction and its legal battles.
Following McMahon’s resignation, George Cheeks, Co-CEO of Paramount Global, will temporarily oversee CBS News operations.
McMahon’s former deputies will now report directly to Cheeks, as the network seeks stable leadership amid ongoing challenges.
In her farewell memo, McMahon expressed gratitude for the chance to lead CBS News, saying, “To George: Thank you for this opportunity.”
She also extended her thanks to CBS’s viewers, emphasizing the role of accountability and trust in journalism.
Bill Owens expressed admiration for McMahon in a statement.
“Fighting for her team week by week,” he said.
As CBS News navigates this period of transition, industry watchers will closely follow whether the network’s strategic adjustments can reverse declining ratings and resolve its legal entanglements.
In closing her memo, McMahon praised CBS as an “extraordinary organization.”
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