Latest news with #Trump101
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘60 Minutes' Veteran Lesley Stahl Expects To Soon Be 'Mourning, Grieving' Paramount Settlement Of 'Frivolous' Trump Lawsuit
Long-tenured 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl is fully expecting a settlement of Donald Trump's 'frivolous' $20 billion lawsuit, but she dreads what will follow the resolution of the case. 'I'm already beginning to think about mourning, grieving,' Stahl said in a podcast interview with New Yorker editor David Remnick. 'I know there's going to be a settlement,' she added, and 'I know there's going to be some money exchanged' given that Shari Redstone, controlling shareholder of CBS parent Paramount Global, needs government approval for the pending merger with Skydance. (Deadline reported Wednesday that Paramount has made an eight-figure settlement offer, which has been rejected by Trump.) More from Deadline Paramount Offers Millions To Trump To End $20B '60 Minutes' Suit & Let Skydance Merger Go Through Trump 101: Why POTUS' Lawsuit Against CBS Over '60 Minutes' Is Seen As Dubious – Analysis Lester Holt Signs Off As 'NBC Nightly News' Anchor: "Facts Matter" After the settlement, Stahl speculated, 'We will hopefully still be around, turning a new page and finding out what that new page is going to look like.' Trump filed suit over a pre-election episode of 60 Minutes even after defeating Kamala Harris and winning re-election last November. He claims that CBS News wronged him by serving different edits of an interview with Harris to different CBS outlets in the course of promoting the segment, something that is standard practice in TV news. Legal experts universally agree there is no merit to the claim, but a number of news outlets have recently had their corporate parents pay settlements or otherwise capitulate to Trump after he applied pressure. Stahl's comments on The New Yorker Radio Hour come as uncertainty about the top-rated CBS newsmagazine continues to mount. Longtime executive producer Bill Owens departed in April, citing pressure from Redstone and other corporate executives concerned about the show's coverage of Trump. CBS News chief Wendy McMahon also exited recently. Stahl described the departure of Owens as 'a punch in the stomach …. one of those punches where you almost can't breathe.' Owens urged staffers not to quit and instead to keep advocating for tough coverage despite Trump's muzzling efforts. His pleas came as employees were openly discussing an 'en masse' exit from the program, according to Stahl. Asked if she would expect 60 Minutes to change 'radically' under Skydance's control, Stahl said she is hoping Skydance CEO David Ellison and his executive team 'hold the freedom of the press up as a beacon, that they understand the importance of allowing us to be independent and do our jobs. I'm expecting that, I'm hoping that, I want that, I'm praying for that.' Remnick inquired if there is 'a lot of optimism … at 60 Minutes that that will be the outcome,' and Stahl replied, 'No. But there's also not a lot of dark thinking, either.' Throughout the interview, Stahl lamented the steady decline of public trust in the media, which has been amplified by Trump's tactics. When she once asked him about his intensely combative stance with reporters, he told her that he operates that way so that when negative reports about him surface, 'nobody will believe you.' The explanation 'sent a chill through me because I thought, 'Wow, he has thought this through,'' she said. 'This isn't something that's a casual, angry' mood because ''the press said something yesterday about me.' It was thought out, it was a strategy.' Stahl described having a 'pain in my heart' about the state of her profession more than five decades after she joined CBS News to cover Watergate. (After joining CBS in 1972, she segued to 60 Minutes in 1991.) The average citizen 'does not appreciate the importance of a free and strong and tough press in our democracy,' she said. They don't grasp 'that we have a function to fulfill,' she added. 'The public doesn't seem to want what we do to be part of our public life.' Best of Deadline Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex-Trafficking Trial Updates: Cassie Ventura's Testimony, $10M Hotel Settlement, Drugs, Violence, & The Feds 'Poker Face' Season 2 Guest Stars: From Katie Holmes To Simon Hellberg 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wendy McMahon Resigns As CEO Of CBS News And Stations: 'It's Become Clear That The Company And I Do Not Agree On The Path Forward'
Wendy McMahon has announced her resignation as the president and CEO of CBS News and Stations, the latest departure from the network amid the pending acquisition by Skydance. McMahon wrote to staffers, 'Championing and supporting the journalism produced by the most amazing stations and bureaus in the world, celebrating the successes of our shows and our brands, elevating our stories and our people … It has been a privilege and joy. More from Deadline Donald Trump Attacks Emmys For '60 Minutes' Nomination Claire Day Named London Bureau Chief For CBS News Trump 101: Why POTUS' Lawsuit Against CBS Over '60 Minutes' Is Seen As Dubious - Analysis 'At the same time, the past few months have been challenging. 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.' Her exit comes as the network has been in negotiations with Donald Trump's team over a settlement of a $20 billion lawsuit he filed over the way that 60 Minutes edited an interview with Kamala Harris. Many legal experts see the lawsuit as without merit, but Paramount Global is seeking the administration's approval over the Skydance merger. McMahon was seen as a defender of the news division — and 60 Minutes — amid the corporate tumult. Last month, the executive producer of 60 Minutes, Bill Owens, exited his role, citing corporate interference. 60 Minutes has continued to produce hard hitting segments on the Trump administration. Even in the wake of Owens' exit, CBS News staffers have been bracing for more shoes to drop amid the expectation that Paramount Global and Skydance would settle. George Cheeks, the co-CEO of Paramount Global and president and CEO of CBS, wrote in a memo to staffers that CBS News president Tom Cibrowski and CBS Stations president Jennifer Mitchell would now report to him. He said that McMahon would be with the network for a few more weeks 'to support the transition.' McMahon also oversaw CBS Media Ventures. Cheeks wrote that Scott Trupchak, head of advertising sales, and John Budkins, who oversees programming and production, will now report to Bryon Rubin, the network's chief operating officer and CFO. Cheeks wrote, 'In a rapidly changing world, Wendy and her teams have worked diligently to articulate a vision and lay a foundation that adapts our news operations for the future. This includes advancements in data journalism, community journalism, technology and centralizing editorial decisions to help teams move faster.' McMahon was named president and co-head of a combined CBS News and Stations in 2021, along with Neeraj Khemlani. When Khemlani departed in 2023, she became sole leader of the divisions, combining that with oversight of domestic syndication. Last year, McMahon and then-CBS News President Adrienne Roark rebuked CBS Mornings anchor Tony Dokoupil over the way that he handled an interview with author Ta-Nehisi Coates, on the show to promote a book that was critical of Israel's treatment of Palestinians. But Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder of Paramount Global, called out the CBS News leadership for their handling of the incident, saying that Dokoupil 'did a great job with that interview.' McMahon's memo to staffers is below: Hi everyone, Today, I am stepping down from my position as president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures. 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. Championing and supporting the journalism produced by the most amazing stations and bureaus in the world, celebrating the successes of our shows and our brands, elevating our stories and our people … It has been a privilege and joy. At the same time, the past few months have been challenging. 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. You are in incredibly good hands with Tom, Jennifer, John, Matt and Robert. They are phenomenal leaders and people who will continue to protect and celebrate your work. I am sure of it. To George: Thank you for this opportunity. To our viewers: Thank you for your trust. You hold us accountable, and you remind us why this work matters. To the CBS News and Stations and CMV teams: Thank you for your passion, your professionalism and your partnership. It has been a privilege to walk this path with you. Wendy Best of Deadline Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex-Trafficking Trial Updates: Cassie Ventura's Testimony, $10M Hotel Settlement, Drugs, Violence, & The Feds 'Nine Perfect Strangers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? Everything We Know About Ari Aster's 'Eddington' So Far
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wendy McMahon Resigns As CEO Of CBS News And Stations
Wendy McMahon has announced her resignation as the president and CEO of CBS News and Stations, the latest departure from the network amid the pending acquisition by Skydance. McMahon wrote to staffers, 'Championing and supporting the journalism produced by the most amazing stations and bureaus in the world, celebrating the successes of our shows and our brands, elevating our stories and our people … It has been a privilege and joy. More from Deadline Donald Trump Attacks Emmys For '60 Minutes' Nomination Claire Day Named London Bureau Chief For CBS News Trump 101: Why POTUS' Lawsuit Against CBS Over '60 Minutes' Is Seen As Dubious - Analysis 'At the same time, the past few months have been challenging. 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.' More to come. Best of Deadline Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex-Trafficking Trial Updates: Cassie Ventura's Testimony, $10M Hotel Settlement, Drugs, Violence, & The Feds 'Nine Perfect Strangers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? Everything We Know About Ari Aster's 'Eddington' So Far
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wendy McMahon Resigns As CEO Of CBS News And Stations
Wendy McMahon has announced her resignation as the president and CEO of CBS News and Stations, the latest departure from the network amid the pending acquisition by Skydance. McMahon wrote to staffers, 'Championing and supporting the journalism produced by the most amazing stations and bureaus in the world, celebrating the successes of our shows and our brands, elevating our stories and our people … It has been a privilege and joy. More from Deadline Donald Trump Attacks Emmys For '60 Minutes' Nomination Claire Day Named London Bureau Chief For CBS News Trump 101: Why POTUS' Lawsuit Against CBS Over '60 Minutes' Is Seen As Dubious - Analysis 'At the same time, the past few months have been challenging. 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.' More to come. Best of Deadline Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex-Trafficking Trial Updates: Cassie Ventura's Testimony, $10M Hotel Settlement, Drugs, Violence, & The Feds 'Nine Perfect Strangers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? Everything We Know About Ari Aster's 'Eddington' So Far
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Peter Bart: Having Survived Decades Of Enemy Attacks, ‘60 Minutes' Must Now Defy A New Phalanx Of Powerful Legal & Political Foes
Don Hewitt, the brilliantly contentious founder of 60 Minutes, saw to it that the most impactful characters in key segments turned out to be the 'heavies.' Hewitt wanted his audience to understand the threat posed by 'bad guys' — hence an ambush interview or some other dramatic confrontation. During his 37-year reign, Hewitt never would have imagined the list of alleged 'bad guys' presently casting a shadow over his show. They include the principal stockholder of CBS, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and a major sector of the legal establishment. Welcome to the Trump media universe, Don. More from Deadline Paramount Global In Discussions With Donald Trump To Settle Lawsuit Over Kamala Harris' '60 Minutes' Interview — Update Trump 101: Why POTUS' Lawsuit Against CBS Over '60 Minutes' Is Seen As Dubious – Analysis Paramount Ad Sales Chief Stands By Lower-Key Upfront Plan: "It's Not Bombastic, It Allows Us To Actually Listen To Our Customers" Last weekend 60 Minutes sent a defiant signal to the prospective 'heavies,' who include Shari Redstone and FCC chairman Brendan Cox as well as The President. The nation's highest rated TV news show announced it would not back off its coverage nor support financial appeasement of its adversaries. The show's boss, Bill Owens, promptly resigned. His predecessor, Hewitt, who died in 2009, relished combat and made headlines with his 1996 battle against the tobacco industry. At stake was suppression of news coverage about the damage caused by smoking, the intrigues forming the basis for The Insider, Michael Mann's 1999 whistle blower movie. Hewitt had formidable ammunition in waging his wars. His ratings were strong, the network's leadership divided. Besides, Hewitt had previously produced the revered Walter Cronkite news show as well as the riveting Kennedy-Nixon debate. His lethal interview squad included Mike Wallace, Harry Reasoner and, later, the famously resilient Lesley Stahl, who is still on the show. They would all have laughed at Trump's charge that the relatively mild-mannered Kamala Harris interview on 60 Minutes had been 'deceptively edited' to help her campaign. Demands in new legal filings have now reached $20 billion in reparations. Complicating the dispute, of course, is that other elephant in the room — Shari Redstone's desire to facilitate the sale of Paramount to Skydance, David Ellison's company. That $8 billion deal has been moldering for ten months with a mediator now involved. Meanwhile, CBS is trying to draw attention to its gains in the stolid network business, announcing eight new series including a new Taylor Sheridan western drama. And further hovering over the battle is the Trump strategy of targeting those law firms that represent litigants opposing White House programs. Trump's actions are akin to 'a mob boss extracting protection money,' observed Mark Elias, a top attorney who appeared on last week's defiant 60 Minutes. Long time viewers of 60 Minutes are understandably startled by these high level fireworks. During the show's earlier years, the 'bad guys' often consisted of neighborhood hustlers who overcharged for mythical auto parts, only to be shocked by a fast-moving TV crew. I remember one small time offender complaining on camera: 'Why do you guys always put the 'bad guys' in ominous dark lighting while your 'good guys' seem to shine brightly?' Mindful of this, I once asked for improved lighting when I was an invited guest on an in-house segment. The 60 Minutes producer winced and replied, 'OK, we'll re-light you as a good guy.' Production note: I was invited to talk brightly about theater critics, not auto parts. I doubt if today's guests would fare as well. Best of Deadline Everything We Know About Celine Song's 'Materialists' So Far 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More
