Bill Owens, the longtime executive producer of “60 Minutes,” stepped down abruptly, citing a loss of editorial independence. His resignation comes as CBS faces a $20 billion lawsuit from Donald Trump tied to the show’s handling of an interview with Kamala Harris.
Key Facts:
- Bill Owens resigned as executive producer of “60 Minutes” on Tuesday.
- He cited an inability to run the show independently as a key reason for his departure.
- CBS and “60 Minutes” are currently being sued for $20 billion by Donald Trump.
- The lawsuit centers around the show’s editing of a Kamala Harris interview on Israel.
- Owens reportedly refused to apologize as part of any settlement with Trump.
Rest of the Story: CBS Producer Resigns as Trump Lawsuit Heats Up
Bill Owens’ exit from “60 Minutes” marks a dramatic shift at CBS, where he had served as only the third executive producer since the show’s inception in 1968.
In his memo, Owens lamented that he no longer had the freedom to make decisions based on what he believed was right for the show or its audience.
The timing of his departure coincides with CBS’s high-stakes legal battle with former President Donald Trump.
Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit alleges CBS interfered in the 2024 election by selectively airing portions of Vice President Kamala Harris’ response on Israel across two nights.
Trump’s team claims the editing decision misled viewers and demands accountability.
CBS parent company Paramount Global is reportedly open to settling the lawsuit to avoid potential FCC retribution under a second Trump administration.
A pending merger with Skydance Media could be jeopardized if CBS’s license is challenged.
Owens, however, had previously said he would not issue an apology as part of any settlement.
‘60 Minutes’ producer Bill Owens quits under pressure from Trump’s CBS lawsuit https://t.co/0DMzIXcJ65 pic.twitter.com/0UjDeMcSuF
— New York Post (@nypost) April 22, 2025
Commentary: Owens’ Departure Reveals a Network in Retreat
The most surprising part of this story isn’t that Bill Owens resigned—it’s that he lasted this long.
His show became ground zero in a legal and political storm of its own making, yet Owens clung to a sense of martyrdom that felt more inflated than noble.
His farewell memo was dripping with self-importance.
Owens described “60 Minutes” as “too important to the country” to continue under his leadership.
Really?
In a world saturated with podcasts, streaming news, and alternative voices, this show hasn’t held real cultural influence in years.
It’s a relic more than a cornerstone.
What’s worse, CBS is embroiled in this lawsuit because of a highly questionable editorial choice.
Splitting Harris’ answer from two different interviews is a big deal and you just can’t do that.
If CBS thought that move wouldn’t raise suspicions, they were either naïve or arrogant.
Trump, love him or hate him, knows how to fight back against media he views as dishonest.
And Owens seemed to think his moral compass was above reproach—even while the company around him weighs a massive settlement and faces real regulatory risk.
That says more about his ego than his journalistic integrity.
Let’s be honest: CBS is trying to save its skin ahead of a multibillion-dollar merger.
If the FCC under Trump 2.0 decides to act, this network could face massive consequences.
Owens’ principled stand won’t mean much to shareholders or staff if the whole company suffers.
As for Owens, maybe he should consider his legacy not as a newsman, but as someone whose decisions ultimately helped pay for the Trump Presidential Library.
If CBS wants to move forward, it’s probably best he’s out of the way.
The Bottom Line: CBS Faces Fallout, Trump Tightens the Screws
Bill Owens’ resignation shows how deep the cracks have become at CBS.
With a $20 billion lawsuit looming and a merger hanging in the balance, the network is clearly under pressure.
Whether Trump’s accusations hold in court or not, CBS seems to be blinking first—and Owens is now just collateral damage.
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