Wendy McMahon, the president and CEO of CBS News and Stations, is quitting the network amid an ongoing legal battle with President Donald Trump over a “60 Minutes” interview that allegedly was deceptively edited to favor former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 White House race.
“Today, I am stepping down from my position as president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures,” McMahon wrote in a memo to staff on Monday.
“It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward. It’s time for me to move on and for this organization to move forward with new leadership. I have spent the last few months shoring up our businesses and making sure the right leaders are in place; and I have no doubt they will continue to set the standard.”
McMahon added: “This has been one of the most meaningful chapters in my career. Leading this extraordinary organization has been the honor of a lifetime because I got to work alongside all of you. Your commitment to truth, fairness and the highest standards is unassailable … At the same time, the past few months have been challenging.”
Her departure follows that of Bill Owens, “60 Minutes” executive producer, who recently left the news program complaining about the show’s editorial independence.
Paramount Global President George Cheeks, the head of CBS’ parent company, thanked McMahon for her service.
“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.”
On May 7, as WorldNetDaily reported, Trump expressed outrage at CBS News and its “60 Minutes” program being nominated for an Emmy award for its interview with Harris.
“In a total slap in the face to anyone who believes in TRUTH and Honest Journalism, this Fake News Puff Piece has now been nominated for an award by the totally discredited Emmys,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“Did 60 Minutes and its Corporate Parents apply to get an Emmy for an illegally falsified interview, or did other Fake Outlets nominate them for this dubious ‘honor’?
“These antics are why the American People have no trust in the Press, and demand that the Media, very much including 60 Minutes, CBS, and its owners, be held responsible for their corruption and lies, which is exactly what we are doing in Court!”
The president also noted: “The Election Interfering 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, which aired on CBS just before Election Day and deep into Early Voting, turned out to be much worse than expected, with her answers being unlawfully fixed, manipulated, and doctored throughout by CBS, in order to try and make Kamala appear at least somewhat coherent.”
Remember Kamala’s word salad answer about Israel on 60 Minutes? It’s gone.
This is what many Americans will now see. pic.twitter.com/H4w7btDv6x
— MAZE (@mazemoore) October 8, 2024
Trump has already sued the network, seeking $20 billion for what he alleged was election interference, and as WorldNetDaily reported, mediation talks to settle the suit were said to begin recently.
A source familiar with the inner workings of CBS News told Fox News Digital: “The irony is, some folks at ’60 Minutes’ are popping champagne over an Emmy nomination – for the same interview that landed them in legal hot water. It’s a reminder that these awards are voted on by other journalists, not the public, not their bosses – and certainly not lawyers.”
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