Tensions rise at CBS News as resentment grows towards Gayle King following her participation in a high-profile space mission. Concurrently, the network is dealing with contract renewal talks with King amid significant internal disruptions.
CBS faces numerous challenges, with ratings declining and staff concerned about job security due to an $8 billion merger between parent company Paramount Global and Skydance Media. Additionally, there is a $20 billion lawsuit from President Donald Trump related to a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris in fall 2024. The situation escalated with the resignation of CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon on May 19, 2025, as Paramount Global considers settling with Trump.
In her farewell email, McMahon stated, “It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward.” The proposed merger with Skydance Media requires Federal Communications Commission approval for transferring CBS’ broadcast licenses. While legal experts consider the lawsuit baseless, the outcome could affect the merger’s progress.
Staff at CBS have expressed their stress to various publications, describing emotional breakdowns, disputes over story coverage, and preemptive resume updates due to job security fears. The recent debate over the all-female Blue Origin spaceflight, which included King, has reportedly impacted team morale, with some staff expressing resentment towards the 70-year-old journalist.
An insider from “60 Minutes” commented on the disruption caused by high-profile figures, noting King’s participation in the space mission had negative perception issues for the brand.
The environment at “60 Minutes” is reportedly troubled, with comparisons to a sinking ship. One employee described the situation as a bloodbath, citing layoffs, departures, and widespread uncertainty as colleagues update their resumes.
Conflicts have reportedly arisen in the office, including arguments over story coverage and conference room seating. Tensions increased in April 2025 after “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens resigned, citing concerns about editorial independence and his inability to make audience-driven decisions.
Following McMahon’s departure, veteran correspondents Lesley Stahl and Scott Pelley are rumored to be considering leaving “60 Minutes” next. King, a “CBS Mornings” anchor for nearly 15 years, is currently negotiating contract renewal.
Industry insiders note that King’s $10 million annual salary is increasingly difficult to justify due to declining ratings. Reports indicated King accepted a pay cut from $13 million to $10 million in September 2024 with a new one-year contract, and sources suggest this may be King’s final year with CBS.
King participated in Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission on April 14, 2025, joining an all-female crew that included pop star Katy Perry, journalist Lauren Sánchez, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. The approximately 10-minute spaceflight reached an altitude of 113,269 feet, marking the first all-female crew since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s 1963 solo mission.
With McMahon’s exit, CBS News President Tom Cibrowski is working to maintain stability, but King’s potential departure could pose additional challenges. Sources describe Cibrowski as lacking the resources to address the growing issues, suggesting King’s exit would add to the morning program’s challenges.
Paramount Global is preparing for another round of budget cuts in June 2025, aiming to reduce expenses by $500 million. If the Skydance-Paramount merger is successful, industry insiders speculate the new leadership might enforce further budget reductions, focusing on consolidation in the merger’s first year.
The lawsuit from Trump alleges CBS engaged in election interference by editing Harris’s October 2024 interview. CBS denies these claims, asserting standard editorial practices were followed. McMahon and Owens opposed any settlement with the administration.
The network’s challenges extend beyond internal issues to competitive pressures. “CBS Mornings” currently ranks third in morning show ratings behind ABC’s “Good Morning America” and NBC’s “Today,” although there have been improvements in the 25-54 age group, valued by advertisers for news programming.
