Redstone Requests CBS to Delay Trump Coverage Amid Paramount Merger

Multiple reports indicate that Shari Redstone, chair of Paramount and controlling shareholder of CBS, asked CBS executives whether it was possible to delay airing critical stories about President Donald Trump on '60 Minutes' while Paramount sought government approval for its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media. This request reportedly stemmed from concerns that negative Trump coverage could jeopardize the merger, which requires approval from the Trump-led FCC. The situation coincided with Trump suing CBS for allegedly deceptive editing and his public attacks on the network, further raising the stakes for Paramount’s leadership. There is no public evidence that CBS actually altered its programming in response, but the request fueled internal anxiety over editorial independence and contributed to the resignation of longtime '60 Minutes' executive producer Bill Owens, who cited compromised journalistic autonomy. The controversy also comes amid Redstone's broader pattern of exerting influence over editorial decisions, including coverage of sensitive topics such as the Israel-Gaza conflict. Representatives for Redstone and CBS declined to comment on the specifics of these discussions.