Tensions at CBS News are on the rise as staff express growing dissatisfaction with Gayle King following her participation in a high-profile space mission. Concurrently, the network is engaged in contract renewal discussions with King amidst significant internal challenges.
The network is confronting a series of issues, including declining ratings and job security concerns among employees. These arise in the context of an $8 billion merger between parent company Paramount Global and Skydance Media, along with a $20 billion lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump. The lawsuit involves a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris from fall 2024. The situation intensified with the resignation of CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon on May 19, 2025, as Paramount Global considers settling with Trump.
In a farewell email, McMahon, who managed both the news division and local stations, stated, “It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward.” The proposed merger between Paramount and Skydance Media requires Federal Communications Commission approval for the transfer of CBS’ broadcast licenses. Though legal experts view the Trump lawsuit as lacking merit, its outcome could affect the merger’s progress.
The Trump lawsuit stems from CBS’s editing of Harris’ October 2024 interview, with the president alleging the network engaged in election interference through misleading editing practices. CBS has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining that standard editorial practices were employed. McMahon and Owens both strongly opposed any settlement with the administration.
Staff members at the prominent news outlet have expressed their concerns to various publications, describing emotional breakdowns in office corridors, disagreements over story coverage and airtime distribution, and the updating of resumes due to job security fears. The recent debate over an all-female Blue Origin spaceflight, which included King, has reportedly impacted team morale, with some colleagues feeling resentment towards the 70-year-old journalist.
King participated in Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission on April 14, 2025, joining an all-female crew that included pop star Katy Perry, journalist and girlfriend of Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sánchez, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. The approximately 10-minute spaceflight reached an altitude of 113,732 feet, marking the first all-female crew since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s 1963 solo mission.
A “60 Minutes” insider commented on the impact of high-profile personalities on workplace dynamics, noting that marquee names have caused issues within the organization. The source highlighted that King’s involvement in the space mission created negative perception challenges for the brand.
The atmosphere at “60 Minutes” is similarly troubled, with staff likening the situation to a sinking ship. One employee described the environment as a bloodbath, citing ongoing terminations, departures, and pervasive uncertainty.
Reports suggest conflicts have emerged in the office, with staff arguing over various matters such as story coverage decisions and conference room seating. Tensions reportedly escalated in April 2025 following the resignation of “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens, who left due to concerns about editorial independence and his inability to make decisions based on audience interests.
Following McMahon’s unexpected departure, veteran correspondents Lesley Stahl and Scott Pelley are rumored to be considering leaving “60 Minutes” next. King, a “CBS Mornings” fixture for nearly 15 years, is currently involved in contract renewal negotiations.
Industry insiders note that King’s substantial $10 million annual salary is becoming difficult to justify given the show’s declining ratings. The Post reported that King had already accepted a pay reduction from $13 million to $10 million in September 2024 when she signed a new one-year contract. Sources suggest this may be King’s final year with the network.
With McMahon’s departure, CBS News President Tom Cibrowski is working to maintain network stability, but King’s potential exit could pose additional challenges. Sources describe Cibrowski as lacking sufficient resources to address the growing problems facing the organization, suggesting that King’s departure would present another significant challenge for the long-running morning program.
Paramount Global is preparing for another round of significant budget cuts as early as June 2025, aiming to reduce expenses by $500 million. If the Skydance-Paramount merger proceeds successfully, industry insiders speculate that Skydance’s new leadership may implement further budget reductions. Sources suggest that the merger’s first year will focus primarily on consolidation efforts.
The network’s challenges extend beyond internal personnel issues to broader competitive pressures. “CBS Mornings” currently ranks third in morning show ratings behind ABC’s “Good Morning America” and NBC’s “Today,” though recent months have shown some improvement in the critical 25-54 demographic valued by advertisers for news programming.