Tensions are mounting at CBS News as staff members increasingly resent Gayle King following her high-profile space mission, while the network navigates contract renewal negotiations with the television personality amid widespread internal upheaval.
The network faces a perfect storm of challenges as ratings continue to plummet and colleagues worry about job security amid an $8 billion merger between parent company Paramount Global and Skydance Media, plus a $20 billion lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris conducted in fall 2024. The situation reached a breaking point with the resignation of CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon on May 19, 2025, as Paramount Global considers settling with the president.
In her farewell email to staff, McMahon, who oversaw both the news division and local stations’ newscasts, wrote “It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward.” The proposed merger between Paramount and Skydance Media requires Federal Communications Commission approval for transferring CBS’ broadcast licenses, and although legal experts consider the lawsuit baseless, its outcome may influence the deal’s progress.
Staff members at the prominent news outlet have voiced their distress to multiple publications, describing teary breakdowns in office corridors, disputes over story coverage and airtime allocation, and preemptive resume updates as job security fears escalate. They indicated that recent debate surrounding an all-female Blue Origin spaceflight that included King as a participant significantly damaged team morale, with some harboring resentment against the 70-year-old journalist.
A 60 Minutes insider spoke about the impact of high-profile personalities causing workplace disruption, telling sources that marquee names have created problems within the organization. The source noted that King’s participation in the space mission created negative perception issues for the brand. Multiple staff members expressed resentment toward King regarding her involvement in the Blue Origin flight, with one Early Show producer describing feelings of embarrassment about their workplace association.
The atmosphere at 60 Minutes appears equally troubled, with staff comparing the situation to a sinking vessel. One employee characterized the current environment as a bloodbath, noting that terminations are occurring, people are departing, and uncertainty pervades the workplace as colleagues update their resumes.
Reports indicate that conflicts have erupted in the office, with staff arguing over various matters including story coverage decisions and conference room seating arrangements. The tension reportedly intensified in April 2025 following the resignation of 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens, who departed citing concerns about editorial independence and his inability to make independent decisions based on audience interests.
Following McMahon’s unexpected departure, veteran correspondents Lesley Stahl and Scott Pelley are rumored to be considering leaving 60 Minutes next. King, who has been a CBS Mornings staple for nearly 15 years, currently finds herself in contract renewal negotiations, according to sources who spoke with The New York Post.
Industry insiders point out that King’s substantial $10 million annual salary has become increasingly difficult to justify given CBS Mornings’ declining ratings performance. The Post reported that King had already accepted a pay reduction from $13 million to $10 million in September 2024 when she agreed to a new one-year contract. Sources suggest this could potentially be King’s final year with the network.
King participated in Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission on April 14, 2025, joining an all-female crew that included pop star Katy Perry, journalist Lauren Sánchez, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. The approximately 10-minute spaceflight reached an altitude of 346,802 feet, marking the first all-female crew since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s 1963 solo mission.
The space mission generated considerable criticism from CBS staff, who viewed King’s participation as inappropriate given her prominent news role and the network’s financial struggles. Sources indicated that the controversy surrounding the high-profile flight damaged internal morale and contributed to existing workplace tensions.
With McMahon’s departure, CBS News President Tom Cibrowski now works to maintain network stability, but King’s potential exit could create additional challenges. Sources described Cibrowski as lacking sufficient resources to address the mounting problems facing the organization, suggesting that King’s departure would add another significant challenge for the long-running morning program.
Paramount Global prepares for another round of substantial budget reductions as early as June 2025, aiming to cut $500 million in expenses. Should the Skydance-Paramount merger proceed successfully, industry insiders speculate that Skydance’s new leadership might implement additional budget cuts. Sources suggest that the merger’s first year will focus primarily on consolidation efforts.
The Trump lawsuit stems from CBS’s editing of Harris’s October 2024 interview, with the president alleging the network engaged in election interference through deceptive editing practices. CBS has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining that standard editorial practices were employed. McMahon and Owens had both strongly opposed any settlement with the administration.
The network’s struggles extend beyond internal personnel issues to broader competitive challenges. CBS Mornings currently ranks third in morning show ratings behind ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s Today, though recent months have shown some improvement in the critical 25-54 demographic that advertisers value most for news programming.
King’s space mission occurred during a particularly sensitive period for CBS, as the network faced mounting financial pressure and the ongoing legal battle with the administration. Staff members indicated that the timing of her high-profile personal endeavor appeared tone-deaf given the organization’s circumstances and contributed to existing workplace resentment.
