Bill Owens, executive producer of CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” unexpectedly stepped down on Tuesday, April 22, citing concerns over journalistic independence as CBS’ parent company, Paramount Global, faces a lawsuit from President Donald Trump. More details can be found here.
The unexpected departure signifies a considerable shift for the renowned news program, which has been facing rising pressure amid legal disputes and corporate disagreements.
In a memo obtained by The Post, Owens elaborated on his decision: “Over the past months, it has become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it, to make independent decisions based on what was right for ’60 Minutes,’ right for the audience.”
Owens, 57, will remain through the current season of “60 Minutes,” ending on May 18. CBS News president Wendy McMahon announced that Tanya Simon, executive editor and daughter of the late “60 Minutes” correspondent Bill Simon, will assume the role on an interim basis following Owens’ exit.
The resignation coincides with reports that Paramount Global is in settlement discussions over a $20 billion lawsuit filed by President Trump. The suit claims “unlawful and illegal behavior” concerning what Trump describes as misleading editing of a “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris last October during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Within CBS, sources suggest that longtime correspondent Lesley Stahl, part of “60 Minutes” since 1991, might also be contemplating retirement. Stahl, 83, previously faced criticism from Trump after a 2020 interview where she questioned the legitimacy of the Hunter Biden laptop story. Trump has consistently demanded an apology from Stahl and the show, but the network has not responded.
A CBS insider described the network’s atmosphere as tense and implied that Owens might have resigned to avoid being dismissed.
The issue is further complicated by Paramount’s impending $8 billion merger with Skydance Media. Shari Redstone, whose family controls Paramount and stands to gain approximately $1.75 billion from the merger, reportedly advocated for Owens’ removal following a January report on the Gaza War she deemed biased.
Another CBS insider viewed the situation as politically driven, suggesting that President Trump had succeeded in a campaign of “settling scores” against perceived media adversaries.
The turmoil extends beyond Owens’ personal situation. Earlier this month, Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), vowed to expedite an investigation into CBS over claims of political bias. Last month, Carr denied CBS’s attempt to dismiss a complaint against the network. The FCC investigation follows a complaint by a conservative nonprofit group, the Center for American Rights.
Critics within CBS have questioned Owens’ leadership in recent years. One insider alleged he had “run into the ground” the “CBS Evening News,” which Owens also managed. The program relaunched in January with co-hosts Jeff Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, initially drawing 5.2 million viewers but recently dropping to about 3.7 million.
The same source claimed that “60 Minutes” had deviated from its investigative origins established by legendary correspondent Mike Wallace, instead becoming “headquarters of book and movie launches” and a “mouthpiece” for left-leaning perspectives. “Every allegation of bias only tilts one way and it’s always in the favor of the Democrats,” the insider added.
On April 13, President Trump criticized CBS on social media, stating that the network was “out of control” and that they “should pay a big price for this.”
Owens began his career at CBS as a summer intern in 1988 and became executive producer of “60 Minutes” in 2019, only the third person to lead the program in its 57-year history. In his farewell message to staff, he emphasized that the show must continue its mission of holding power accountable.
Owens stated that “60 Minutes” would continue covering the new administration, as well as future administrations, stressing that the show is too vital to the country to stop. However, Owens noted that it would proceed without him serving as the executive producer.
McMahon praised Owens for his contributions to CBS News, saying that supporting his principles was an easy decision for her and that she valued his reciprocal support highly. She emphasized the network’s ongoing commitment to the program’s journalistic integrity.
The controversy unfolds amid broader tensions between news organizations and the Trump administration. Free speech advocates have expressed concern about the precedent set by the FCC’s investigation, warning that government intervention in editorial decisions threatens journalistic independence regardless of political affiliation.
