‘60 Minutes’ chief departs, citing loss of independence
Bill Owens' exit coincides with CBS being embroiled in a continuing legal dispute with the Trump administration.
TroibNews 
The top producer of CBS News’ renowned Sunday program “60 Minutes” announced his departure from the network on Tuesday.
In a memo addressed to the show's staff, Bill Owens, who had dedicated 37 years to CBS News, expressed that he no longer had the autonomy to steer the program as he saw fit. This statement seemed to reflect his discontent with the influence the second Trump administration has had on the longstanding news series.
“Over the past months, it has also become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it,” Owens detailed in the memo, which was shared with PMG. “To make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience. So, having defended this show — and what we stand for — from every angle, over time with everything I could, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward.”
CBS has found itself increasingly embroiled in President Donald Trump’s campaign against the media. “60 Minutes” in particular has faced criticism and mentions on Truth Social from Trump, who pursued a multi-billion dollar lawsuit against the program due to its interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
Both the network and free speech advocates have condemned Trump’s lawsuit—and a related investigation by the FCC—as chilling. Trump contended that the interview with Harris was edited deceptively, while the network maintains it followed “commonplace editorial practices.”
In reaction to the lawsuit in February, Owens stated he would not apologize in a potential settlement with the Trump administration, as reported by The New York Times. CBS’s parent company, Paramount, sought to dismiss the lawsuit in March. The news of Owens’ departure was initially reported by The New York Times.
In his memo, Owens affirmed that the program will persist in covering the Trump administration “as we will report on future administrations” and expressed confidence in its future.
“The show is too important to the country, it has to continue, just not with me as the Executive Producer,” he noted.
Following Owens’ announcement, CBS News president and CEO Wendy McMahon conveyed a message to the newsroom, commending his contributions to the network and stating that they have begun discussions regarding the future of “60 Minutes.”
“On a personal note, working with Bill has been one of the great privileges of my career,” McMahon wrote. “Standing behind what he stood for was an easy decision for me, and I never took for granted that he did the same for me.”
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
In a memo addressed to the show's staff, Bill Owens, who had dedicated 37 years to CBS News, expressed that he no longer had the autonomy to steer the program as he saw fit. This statement seemed to reflect his discontent with the influence the second Trump administration has had on the longstanding news series.
“Over the past months, it has also become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it,” Owens detailed in the memo, which was shared with PMG. “To make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience. So, having defended this show — and what we stand for — from every angle, over time with everything I could, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward.”
CBS has found itself increasingly embroiled in President Donald Trump’s campaign against the media. “60 Minutes” in particular has faced criticism and mentions on Truth Social from Trump, who pursued a multi-billion dollar lawsuit against the program due to its interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
Both the network and free speech advocates have condemned Trump’s lawsuit—and a related investigation by the FCC—as chilling. Trump contended that the interview with Harris was edited deceptively, while the network maintains it followed “commonplace editorial practices.”
In reaction to the lawsuit in February, Owens stated he would not apologize in a potential settlement with the Trump administration, as reported by The New York Times. CBS’s parent company, Paramount, sought to dismiss the lawsuit in March. The news of Owens’ departure was initially reported by The New York Times.
In his memo, Owens affirmed that the program will persist in covering the Trump administration “as we will report on future administrations” and expressed confidence in its future.
“The show is too important to the country, it has to continue, just not with me as the Executive Producer,” he noted.
Following Owens’ announcement, CBS News president and CEO Wendy McMahon conveyed a message to the newsroom, commending his contributions to the network and stating that they have begun discussions regarding the future of “60 Minutes.”
“On a personal note, working with Bill has been one of the great privileges of my career,” McMahon wrote. “Standing behind what he stood for was an easy decision for me, and I never took for granted that he did the same for me.”
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
