Skydance Media’s Jeff Shell, poised to lead the merged Paramount Global, pressed CBS News leaders Wendy McMahon and Bill Owens last October to release a “60 Minutes” transcript of a Kamala Harris interview, amid Donald Trump’s claims of deceptive editing, according to Status.
The push came as Skydance’s merger with Paramount loomed, but McMahon and Owens resisted, warning against yielding to political pressure. Shell’s newsroom meddling rattled them, especially given his apparent willingness to appease Trump despite no evidence of foul play.
Trump, now president, sued CBS for the transcript, recently upping damages to $20 billion. His FCC chair, Brendan Carr—who holds sway over the merger—also demanded its release, which CBS did in February. Since then, Shell and Paramount’s Shari Redstone have urged a settlement, though “60 Minutes” only tidied Harris’ responses, not doctored them, per sources.
Trump, now president, sued CBS for the transcript, recently upping damages to $20 billion. His FCC chair, Brendan Carr—who holds sway over the merger—also demanded its release, which CBS did in February. Since then, Shell and Paramount’s Shari Redstone have urged a settlement, though “60 Minutes” only tidied Harris’ responses, not doctored them, per sources.
The case is now in mediation. Shell and Redstone prioritize the merger, but Owens and McMahon stand firm, with Owens refusing to apologize, arguing it would undermine the show’s integrity.
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