CBS News is in turmoil yet again after its president left the network, insisting she did not agree with the company’s “path forward.”
Her sudden exit was influenced by a major revelation from one of the network’s top talents during a time of escalating turmoil over a legal battle involving President Donald Trump.
The bombshell resignation came on Monday as CBS’ parent company, Paramount Global, faces pressure to settle the high-stakes legal battle with Trump.
McMahon, who had been CEO of CBS News and CBS Stations for four years, announced her sudden exit in a staff email.
“It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward,” she wrote in part.
“It’s time to move on and for this organization to move forward with new leadership.”
She’d been told on Saturday that executives at Paramount wanted her to step down, The New York Times reported.
McMahon’s choice to step down reflects a growing strain within the network, highlighted by the recent unexpected resignation of 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens.
CBS has been embroiled in controversy after Trump sued the network, claiming it edited an interview with his rival Kamala Harris.
Trump demanded $20 million while alleging the segment was altered to favor Harris, his Democratic opponent in the 2024 election.
CBS has denied the claim, but Paramount is reportedly in talks to settle the suit.
Both McMahon and Owens opposed settling with Trump.
At the same time, Paramount is seeking government approval for a merger with Skydance Media, Associated Press reported.
The legal and political drama has added new pressure to CBS’ leadership ranks.
Praising McMahon’s leadership, George Cheeks, the co-CEO of Paramount and head of CBS, commended her efforts in enhancing local stations and digital outlets.
Cheeks added that McMahon’s deputies will now report to him.
That includes CBS News president Tom Cibrowski and CBS Stations president Jennifer Mitchell.
In her farewell note, McMahon admitted the “past few months have been challenging.”
“I have spent the last few months shoring up our businesses and making sure the right leaders are in place,” she wrote.
“I have no doubt they will continue to set the standard.”
But the Trump feud isn’t the only fire CBS is dealing with.
Shari Redstone, who controls Paramount, has taken issue with CBS’ coverage of the Israel-Gaza war.
She reportedly objected to a 60 Minutes segment earlier this year and helped trigger new oversight measures.
Former CBS News president Susan Zirinsky was brought in to review some stories before they aired.
That move led directly to Owens’ resignation from 60 Minutes.
“It was hard on him and it was hard on us,” Anchor Scott Pelley said at the time.
“But he did it for us — and you.”
Pelley later told viewers, “Bill felt he lost the independence that honest journalism requires.
“No one here is happy about it. But in resigning, Bill proved he was the right person to lead 60 Minutes all along.”
Meanwhile, CBS is scrambling to boost ratings for its struggling primetime newscast.
John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois are still settling in as co-anchors of CBS Evening News.
The network has undergone a major revamp in recent months.
In January, Norah O’Donnell left CBS after 12 years with the network.
O’Donnell departed months after announcing she would leave her role as anchor and managing editor after the 2024 election.
