The Daily Beast reported on May 1, 2025, that Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder of Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company, allegedly instructed 60 Minutes producers to delay stories critical of President Donald Trump until federal authorities approved a critical merger between Paramount and Skydance Media.
The story from The Daily Beast, cited a Puck investigation, claims Redstone’s directive was motivated by the need for Trump administration approval, particularly from FCC Chair Brendan Carr, for the $28 billion deal.
The report highlights tensions at CBS, exacerbated by the abrupt resignation of 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens last week. Owens cited interference from Paramount executives, stating he could no longer make independent editorial decisions. During a broadcast on April 27, 2025, 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley publicly criticized Paramount’s increased scrutiny of content, linking it to the merger and suggesting it compromised the show’s journalistic integrity.
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| Shari Redstone |
This, combined with the merger’s looming approval, allegedly emboldened her to exert influence, including appointing former CBS News president Susan Zirinsky to oversee editorial standards, a move insiders saw as a proxy for Redstone’s control. Sources claim Redstone asked CBS CEO George Cheeks if critical Trump stories could be postponed until after the merger’s approval.
The backdrop includes Trump’s ongoing $20 billion lawsuit against CBS, filed in October 2024, alleging 60 Minutes deceptively edited a Kamala Harris interview to favor her during the 2024 election. Trump has also repeatedly attacked the show, calling for its termination and urging FCC penalties, amplifying pressure on CBS. Paramount’s efforts to settle the lawsuit, despite CBS denying wrongdoing, are seen as an attempt to secure merger approval, though 60 Minutes journalists, including Owens, have resisted acknowledging fault.
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