Bill Owens, the executive producer of CBS’ venerable newsmagazine “60 Minutes,” announced his resignation on Tuesday, stating that he could no longer maintain the journalistic independence required to lead the program. In a memo to staff obtained by NBC News, Owens expressed frustration over constraints that prevented him from making “independent decisions based on what was right for ‘60 Minutes,’ right for the audience.”
“Over the past months, it has … become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it,” Owens wrote. “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.”
Owens’ departure marks a significant moment for “60 Minutes,” a program synonymous with investigative journalism for nearly six decades. His exit comes amid a high-profile legal battle with former President Donald Trump, who has sued CBS for $20 billion over an October 2024 interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump alleges the interview was deceptively edited, a claim CBS has vehemently denied.
“Former President Donald Trump’s repeated claims against ‘60 Minutes’ are false,” CBS News stated in October. “The interview was not doctored,” and the network emphasized that it did not hide any part of Harris’ response. The controversy deepened when “60 Minutes” clarified that it provided an excerpt of the Harris interview to CBS’ “Face the Nation,” which aired a longer portion of her answer to the same question. “Same question. Same answer. But a different portion of the response,” the show explained, noting that edits were made for clarity and brevity in a 21-minute segment.
Trump, who initially sought $10 billion in damages, amended his lawsuit earlier this year to demand $20 billion. He has repeatedly criticized “60 Minutes” for its coverage of his administration, including segments on the Ukraine war and his interest in acquiring Greenland. In a Truth Social post on April 13, Trump called for CBS to lose its broadcast license and face “maximum fines and punishment” from the Federal Communications Commission.
Owens’ resignation also coincides with a critical juncture for CBS’ parent company, Paramount. Shari Redstone, Paramount’s controlling shareholder, is reportedly seeking Trump administration approval for the sale of her media conglomerate to Skydance Media, led by David Ellison, son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison. The New York Times reported in January that Paramount was in settlement talks with Trump, and that Owens had resisted apologizing for the Harris interview as part of any potential deal. NBC News has not independently verified these claims.
In his memo, Owens remained defiant about the mission of “60 Minutes.” “We will continue to cover the new administration, as we will report on future administrations,” he wrote. “We will report from war zones, investigate injustices and educate our audience. In short, ‘60 Minutes’ will do what it has done for 57 years.”
Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News, informed employees via email of Owens’ departure, praising his contributions. “Tom and I are committed to 60 Minutes and to ensuring that the mission and the work remain our priority,” she said, referring to CBS News president and executive editor Tom Cibrowski.
Owens’ exit, first reported by The New York Times, underscores the pressures facing legacy media in an era of political and corporate turbulence. As “60 Minutes” navigates this challenging chapter, its commitment to rigorous journalism will be closely watched by an audience that has long relied on the program for incisive reporting.
“Thank you all, remain focused on the moment, our audience deserves it,” Owens concluded in his memo, leaving a legacy of defending the principles that have defined “60 Minutes” for generations.
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