In a bold move, 60 Minutes recently aired an investigative piece focused on Donald Trump, despite CBS—its parent network—being embroiled in an ongoing legal battle with the former president.
Scott Pelley, a veteran anchor of the program, recently voiced concern over what he described as editorial oversight by Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company. His comments came amidst mounting pressure resulting from a lawsuit Trump filed against the network in late 2024.
The lawsuit followed an interview 60 Minutes conducted with then-candidate Kamala Harris during the presidential election campaign. Trump’s legal team argued that the segment unfairly influenced public opinion and sought to sway the election in Harris’s favor, as previously reported by CNN.
In light of this legal conflict, it is believed that Paramount executives have adopted a more cautious approach to how political content—especially that involving Trump—is handled. This shift has caused tension within 60 Minutes, particularly after the recent resignation of longtime executive producer Bill Owens.
Pelley addressed Owens’ departure in a segment titled Last Minute, describing him as a journalistic leader with decades of experience. “Bill was with CBS for nearly 40 years, 26 of those with 60 Minutes,” he said. “He sought to broaden perspectives, not limit them.”
The anchor also acknowledged the corporate climate surrounding CBS, including Paramount’s pending merger that requires regulatory approval from the Trump administration. “As that process unfolded, the company began overseeing our editorial decisions more closely,” Pelley explained. “Although none of our stories were blocked, Bill felt that the journalistic autonomy required for truthful reporting was no longer intact.”
Despite these developments, 60 Minutes went forward with airing a special report on May 4, exploring lawsuits initiated by the Trump administration against multiple U.S. law firms. The episode, titled How Law Firms Targeted by Trump Are Responding to White House Pressure, was described by Pelley as one of the most difficult to produce due to reluctance among legal experts to speak on camera.
Only one figure agreed to participate—attorney Marc Elias, known for his legal opposition to Trump over the years. “He was the only lawyer mentioned by the former president who was willing to be interviewed,” Pelley noted during the segment.
As the controversy surrounding media independence and political influence continues, 60 Minutes appears committed to pushing forward with its reporting, despite corporate and political headwinds.