The White House swiftly reacted to the resignation of Bill Owens, the executive producer of CBS’ “60 Minutes,” who stepped down on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Owens’ departure comes as the news program is entangled in a $20 billion lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump.
“Karma is a b—h,” White House Communications Director Steven Cheung wrote on X following Owens’ resignation, labeling him “a liar and a fraud.”
Owens, who had overseen “60 Minutes” since 2019, cited a lack of editorial independence as his reason for leaving. He explained his decision to step down, noting that he could no longer make “independent decisions” for the show’s direction.
The resignation occurs amidst a growing legal conflict between President Trump and CBS News. The lawsuit, seeking $20 billion in damages, claims that the program edited an interview with Kamala Harris, Trump’s 2024 presidential opponent, in a way that misrepresented her answers, thus benefiting her campaign.
Cheung provided further details about the situation, stating that Owens had contacted the Trump campaign for an interview. However, when it became evident that fair coverage wouldn’t be provided, the Trump team declined. Cheung added that after the Harris episode aired, CBS mischaracterized their interactions with the Trump campaign.
The lawsuit, initially filed for $10 billion and later increased to $20 billion, alleges that CBS engaged in “malicious, deceptive, and substantial news distortion” by airing two different segments of Harris’s response to the same question regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict.
CBS News has denied these accusations, asserting that it aims to be “clear, accurate, and on point” in its editing. The network has submitted motions to dismiss the lawsuit, calling it “baseless” and “an affront to the First Amendment.”
Paramount Global, CBS’ parent company, is reportedly in settlement discussions with the Trump administration. These talks occur as Paramount seeks approval for an $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media, which requires regulatory clearance, including from the FCC.
Trump-appointed FCC commissioner Brendan Carr has indicated that the “60 Minutes” case will be considered during the merger review. The regulatory body has also requested CBS to provide unedited transcripts of the Harris interview to assess potential “news distortion” violations.
The developments have drawn attention from media watchdogs and free press advocates. Some critics interpret Owens’ resignation as a sign of increasing pressure on news outlets. The Washington Post described his departure as part of a broader trend reflecting “erosion of media freedom” and limitations on journalists working without fear of retaliation.
This dispute is not the first conflict between Trump and “60 Minutes.” The president previously refused to participate in a “60 Minutes” interview during the 2024 campaign after learning that his responses would be fact-checked. Recently, the program faced criticism from Trump’s team over its coverage of his cabinet selections for his second term.
Following a segment critical of several Trump nominees, including Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense and Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, Cheung described the show’s reporting as “disgusting bias & unhinged” and urged viewers to boycott the program.
Owens’ tenure at CBS News spanned nearly forty years, during which he held several senior positions before assuming the lead of “60 Minutes.” He also recently took on the added responsibility of senior executive producer of the “CBS Evening News.”
Industry analysts are closely monitoring who will succeed Owens at the helm of the iconic news program and how the leadership transition might affect the ongoing legal battle with the White House. The resolution of this conflict could have significant implications for press freedoms and the dynamics between media organizations and the administration.
