NEW YORK – The president of CBS News, Wendy McMahon, was forced out amid an ongoing showdown with President Trump over a “60 Minutes” interview a year ago. Any effect on Minnesota coverage from CBS-owned WCCO in Minneapolis was not clear immediately. The station carries “60 Minutes” and CBS network news. About her departure at the network’s headquarters in New York, McMahon said: “It’s become clear the company and I do not agree on the path forward.” The network is owned by media giant Paramount, which has been sued by President Trump for an interview last May. Paramount has been trying to negotiate a settlement of the $20 billion suit rather than support journalists at its CBS subsidiary. Paramount’s controlling shareholder, Shari Redstone, needs Trump approval to sell the company, CBS included, to the Hollywood studio Skydance. It’s a multi-million dollar deal. A month ago the situation prompted the executive producer of “60 Minutes,” Bill Owens, to resign under pressure. His resignation was an initial Paramount gesture to sate Trump and his multi-facet campaign against mainstream news media.
Sad moment. An image being passed quietly among journalists at CBS.
Redstone. Needs to sell her stake in Paramount to preserve what’s left of her inheritance from her father, the late media wheeler-dealer Sumner Redstone. Trump has threatened to block the sale.