Bill Owens Resigns as 60 Minutes EP Amid Trump Lawsuit

Bill Owens, executive producer of CBS's '60 Minutes,' has resigned, citing a loss of journalistic independence as CBS's parent company, Paramount Global, faces a $20 billion lawsuit from President Donald Trump. The lawsuit alleges that a 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris was deceptively edited to favor Harris, a claim CBS denies. Owens stated in his memo to staff that he could no longer make independent decisions for the show and was stepping aside so it could move forward. His departure marks a significant moment for the long-running news program, which is experiencing both external pressure from Trump and internal challenges related to the lawsuit and potential settlement talks. The legal battle is also seen as a complication in Paramount Global's ongoing merger negotiations with Skydance Media. Owens emphasized the importance of the show continuing its journalistic mission despite his exit.