‘60 Minutes’ Keeps Up Trump Reports Despite White House Clash That Forced Top Boss to Exit

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Despite a massive change to its operating structure this week, “60 Minutes” continues to tick.

This coming Sunday, I’ll be bringing you an in-depth look at the possible consequences of the Trump administration’s attempts to reduce funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As your guide, Sharyn Alfonsi will lead us through this report, which was carefully crafted by Ashley Velie. The focus will be on recently leaked documents that hint at a proposed 40% reduction in NIH’s budget by the White House, and we’ll delve into the concerns this move has sparked among scientists.

6-year veteran of CBS News has consistently provided similar news reports since Trump’s election in 2024, but this week, their attempts are being closely examined due to increased scrutiny. Bill Owens, one of only three executive producers the program has had in almost six decades on air, announced his departure on Tuesday, attributing it to meddling in the show’s editorial decisions. This interference is allegedly occurring as CBS News’ parent company, Paramount Global, moves towards a merger with Skydance Media, a deal that would bring in fresh capital and help Shari Redstone preserve her family wealth.

The interview between Bill Whitaker and Kamala Harris, which aired on “60 Minutes” before the 2024 election, has now led to a complex situation. This conversation is at the heart of a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump against CBS in a federal court in Texas. The lawsuit alleges that “60 Minutes” deceived voters by broadcasting two different edits of Harris’ remarks made during the interview, when she was running against Trump for presidency. CBS has attempted to dismiss the case, but since then, the Federal Communications Commission has launched an investigation into the matter. As a result, lawyers for both CBS and Trump have enlisted a mediator to help resolve the issue.

Earlier this week, Owens stated he’s encountered a growing difficulty in exercising autonomous judgment when it comes to decisions beneficial for ’60 Minutes’ and its audience, following the appointment of a team, headed by ex-CBS News President Susan Zirinsky, whose role includes evaluating stories related to the Middle East, politics, and content from various CBS News programs.

Owens mentioned that he has been struggling recently to make his own decisions for ’60 Minutes’ because a new team is now in charge of reviewing stories about the Middle East, politics, and other CBS News shows. This team is led by Susan Zirinsky.

According to sources well-versed in the subject, Zirinsky’s influence on the newsmagazine has remained largely unchanged. No significant stories from “60 Minutes” were withheld or modified, as confirmed by three such individuals. Additionally, one source knowledgeable about the situation stated that Zirinsky occasionally resisted Paramount executives who inquired as to why specific stories needed to be aired on a particular Sunday night. Essentially, these sources describe her role less as a law enforcer and more as a protective barrier. Moreover, it’s indicated that she didn’t solely dedicate herself to “60 Minutes.

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit, it feels like being put under the spotlight without reason. Zirinsky and her crew were entrusted with delving into delicate narratives, a role that “60 Minutes” has always handled with remarkable independence from corporate oversight – a luxury not many mainstream news outlets can boast of.

For a large part of its 57th season, “60 Minutes” has been airing pieces that delve into the effects of President Trump’s administration’s policies. Recently, correspondent Jon Wertheim and producer Michael Gavshon visited Greenland to examine the area following the President’s suggestion that it could potentially be annexed by the United States. In February, Scott Pelley and producers Aaron Weisz, Pat Milton, and Ian Flickinger delved into recent dismissals and departures within the U.S. Department of Justice. Lesley Stahl and producer Shachar Bar-On examined attempts by the White House to reduce funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

According to reports, Owens will continue to be part of the show for the rest of this season, and there are no changes or cancellations in stories as a result of his announcement. Tanya Simon, currently serving as an interim executive editor on “60 Minutes,” is believed to be a strong contender to take over permanently. If she does, she would make history by becoming the first woman to lead the show since its inception.

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2025-04-25 01:19