Friday, May 23, 2025

Pew: Majority View Trump Media Meddling As Troublesome


A Pew Research Center survey this year reveals 64% of U.S. adults view the Trump administration’s relationship with the news media negatively, with only 11% seeing it positively. Concerns about press freedom restrictions are rising, with 60% of Democrats now extremely or very concerned, up from 38% in 2024. Democrats are also increasingly likely to believe U.S. news outlets are heavily influenced by political interests.

Wendy McMahon
Just this week Wendy McMahon resigned as CEO of CBS News, amid tensions with President Donald Trump over a lawsuit claiming CBS deceptively edited a "60 Minutes" interview with Kamala Harris. 

The legal battle, seeking $20 billion, coincides with Paramount Global's merger with Skydance Media, which requires FCC approval. The FCC, led by Trump appointee Brendan Carr, is reviewing the merger and has linked its decision to CBS's handling of the interview and DEI policies.

While Wendy McMahon's departure was not explicitly a precondition for settling the Trump lawsuit or securing FCC approval of the Skydance Deal, it is part of a broader corporate strategy to navigate these challenges. The evidence suggests her exit aligns with efforts to settle the lawsuit and facilitate merger approval, amid ongoing FCC scrutiny and political influence.

McMahon's departure appears tied to corporate disagreements on handling the lawsuit. While not explicitly stated as a precondition, her exit aligns with efforts to navigate these challenges, reflecting internal pressures at CBS News.

The situation has sparked debate, with critics like FCC Democrat Anna Gomez suggesting independent journalism is being silenced . The FCC's scrutiny and Trump's influence add complexity, making McMahon's departure a pivotal moment in this ongoing saga.

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