The longtime executive producer of CBS’ 60 Minutes, Bill Owens, resigned Tuesday after months of pressure from corporate leaders and President Trump’s personal lawsuit against the network over an interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Owens cited a loss of independence from corporate leaders as the reason for his departure.
Owens was the third leader in 60 Minutes’ history and served CBS News for 37 years. He stated that he would not be able to run the show without making independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, its audience. The meeting took place amid a fraught professional environment at the show, with Owens saying he had “lost independence from corporate.”
Correspondent Scott Pelley described Owens’ departure as something he did not want to do, stating there was no choice in any of it. Trump’s lawsuit against CBS focused on an interview with Harris, where she provided different answers about Israel and Gaza on two separate programs.
The lawsuit alleges election interference by CBS over discretionary editorial choices that routine broadcast journalists face. Owens had previously refused to apologize to Trump, stating he would not compromise the show’s journalistic integrity.
CBS News chief Wendy McMahon expressed support for Owens’ departure, stating it was an easy decision for her as well. She vowed to continue the show’s legacy of reporting from war zones and investigating injustices.
The FCC is reviewing a complaint against CBS filed by a conservative public interest group, which requested raw footage and full transcripts of the 60 Minutes Harris interview. The network had previously refused to comply but followed up with the agency after its requests were revived.
Owens urged his staff to continue reporting on future administrations and investigating injustices in his parting note. He stated that 60 Minutes will maintain its commitment to journalism, citing the show’s long history of covering news without bias.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/04/22/nx-s1-5372733/60-minutes-bill-owens-cbs-trump-paramount