After four years at the helm of CBS News, Wendy McMahon has announced her sudden departure as president and CEO. Her resignation comes amid mounting legal and corporate challenges for the network, sparking speculation about what lies ahead for one of America’s most established news brands. Here’s everything we know about McMahon’s exit, the context surrounding it, and the ongoing shakeups at CBS News.
Wendy Mcmahon’s announcement and the reasons behind her departure
On May 19, Wendy McMahon informed CBS News staff that she would be stepping down from her role as president and CEO. In a memo obtained by Deadline, McMahon cited fundamental disagreements with the company’s direction as the primary reason for her exit. “It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward,” she wrote. “It’s time for me to move on and for this organization to move forward with new leadership.”
McMahon reflected on her time at CBS News as both “a privilege” and “challenging,” describing her tenure as “one of the most meaningful chapters” of her career. She praised the journalism produced under her leadership but acknowledged that recent months had been difficult. The decision to leave comes amid a complex landscape for CBS, involving legal battles and corporate maneuvering.
Following her announcement, George Cheeks, co-CEO of Paramount Global and president of CBS, confirmed McMahon would remain for a short transition period. Cheeks credited her and her teams with laying important groundwork in areas like data journalism, technology, and editorial centralization, vital for adapting CBS News to the evolving media environment.
The $20 Billion Trump lawsuit and its impact on cbs news
A significant backdrop to McMahon’s departure is the $20 billion lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump against CBS News. The suit stems from a 60 Minutes interview with then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris in October 2024. Trump’s legal team alleges the network edited Harris’ responses to improve her electoral chances and favor the Democratic Party.
CBS and Paramount Global have labeled the lawsuit “without basis in law or fact” and attempted to dismiss it. However, by April 2025, both parties entered mediation to explore a possible settlement. This lawsuit’s timing is critical, as Paramount is simultaneously pursuing an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media—a deal that requires regulatory approval, likely from the current or former Trump administration.
The legal pressure and corporate negotiations have put CBS in a delicate position, reportedly complicating business operations and influencing internal decisions. Industry observers see McMahon’s exit as partly linked to these broader challenges, as she struggled to align with company strategies amid legal and political headwinds.
Other recent leadership departures at CBS News
Wendy McMahon’s resignation follows a string of high-profile exits at CBS News. Less than a month earlier, Bill Owens, the executive producer of 60 Minutes, resigned amid concerns over maintaining journalistic independence. Owens cited increasing constraints from CBS leadership and the parent company, Paramount, particularly related to coverage of politically sensitive topics such as the Trump administration and international conflicts.
Longtime anchor Scott Pelley publicly expressed regret over Owens’ departure during a 60 Minutes broadcast, emphasizing Owens’ commitment to independent, accurate journalism. Pelley also hinted at the influence of Paramount’s merger ambitions on editorial decisions, suggesting new supervision limited newsroom autonomy.
Additionally, Norah O’Donnell stepped down as anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News in January 2025, though she remains with CBS as a senior correspondent. O’Donnell’s move signaled a shift in leadership amid the network’s ongoing transformation, with John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois stepping in as co-anchors. These leadership changes suggest a period of significant transition and uncertainty within CBS News as it navigates external pressures and internal realignments.
What’s next for CBS news leadership?
So far, no official successor to Wendy McMahon has been named. According to George Cheeks, Tom Cibrowski, head of CBS News, and Jennifer Mitchell, head of CBS Stations, will report directly to him during the leadership transition. Meanwhile, Bryon Rubin, CBS’ CFO and COO, will oversee operations involving CBS Media Ventures executives.
This interim structure indicates Paramount Global’s intent to maintain stability while searching for a permanent leader who can guide CBS News through ongoing legal challenges and an evolving media landscape.
As CBS News faces critical crossroads, the new leadership will need to balance journalistic integrity with corporate strategy, especially as it maneuvers through the Trump lawsuit, the pending Skydance merger, and shifting audience expectations.
A pivotal moment for CBS news
Wendy McMahon’s departure marks a pivotal moment for CBS News, highlighting the complex interplay between journalism, corporate governance, and political influence in today’s media world. Her tenure was marked by both achievements and challenges, but the network’s current legal battles and leadership upheavals underscore a period of significant change.
As CBS News seeks new leadership and clarity in its path forward, industry watchers and viewers alike will be paying close attention to how the network maintains its legacy of trusted journalism amid unprecedented pressures. McMahon’s exit is more than a personnel change—it’s a sign of the turbulent times shaping the future of news media.
