’60 Minutes’ Executive Producer Resigns, Says Show Lost Independence Amid Trump Threats
Screenshot via Collision Conference 2022
Bill Owens, the legendary executive producer of 60 Minutes, announced his resignation from the storied news program, alleging the show had lost its journalistic independence.
Owens said Tuesday in a memo to staffers obtained by Mediaite that he decided to step aside because “over the past months, it has become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it, to make independent decisions based on what was right for ‘60 Minutes,’ right for the audience.”
Owens is the third producer to run 60 Minutes in its more than 50 years on the air.
“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 wrote.
Owens made clear the show will continue without him. “The show is too important to the country. It has to continue, just not with me as the executive producer,” he wrote.
60 Minutes has been a target of President Donald Trump. The president sued CBS for billions, claiming that an interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election was manipulated to boost her profile and knock his own. He’s continued attacking the show over its coverage of his administration. Legal analysts see little to no merit to his case against 60.
CBS parent company Paramount Global is currently seeking approval for a merger with Skydance. Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder of Paramount, reportedly cracked down on 60 Minutes over a segment the show reported on the war in Gaza she considered too critical of Israel.
Earlier this month, Trump told FCC chair Brendan Carr to “impose the maximum fines and punishment” possible against CBS News.
Check out the full memo from Owens to staff below:
The fact is that 60 Minutes has been my life. My son was 6 months old, my wife was pregnant with my daughter and my mother was in a coma when I spent 5 weeks on the battlefield in Iraq with Scott. My 60 Minutes priorities have always been clear. Maybe not smart, but clear.
Over the past months, it has also become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it. To make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience. 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.
The show is too important to the country, it has to continue, just not with me as the Executive Producer. Please remember, people didn’t think we would survive without Mike or Ed or Don or Jeff. We did. You will.
60 Minutes will continue to cover the new administration, as we will report on future administrations. 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 has always had our back, and she agrees that 60 Minutes needs to be run by a 60 Minute producer. Tanya has been an amazing partner, as have Claudia and Debbie, Matt Richman and Matt Polevoy. I am grateful to all of them.
Look, I have worked at CBS News for 37 years, more than half of that at 60 Minutes, I have been shot at and threatened with jail for protecting a source. I have overseen more than 600 stories as Executive Producer of 60. I know who I am and what I have done to cover the most important stories of our time under difficult conditions. I am also proud to have hired the next generation of correspondents and to call Lesley, Bill, Anderson, Sharyn, Jon, Cecilia and Scott friends. Scott one of my closest.
Thank you all, remain focused on the moment, our audience deserves it.
Bill
Owens told staff in February that he would offer no apology to Trump as part of any kind of settlement in his lawsuit.
“There have been reports in the media about a settlement and/or apology,” he said. “The company knows I will not apologize for anything we have done.”
