Lesley Stahl Blasts Shari Redstone in Explosive Attack Over CBS Betrayal: “This Is a Dark Time for Journalism”

Longtime CBS News icon Lesley Stahl has broken her silence—and she’s not holding back. In an unprecedented and emotional interview, the veteran 60 Minutes correspondent has publicly condemned CBS leadership, with Shari Redstone, the chairwoman of Paramount Global, at the center of her fury.

At the heart of this escalating crisis is CBS’s ongoing legal battle with former President Donald Trump, whose $20 billion defamation lawsuit against the network has already triggered resignations, internal chaos, and now, a searing rebuke from one of the most respected journalists in America.

The Breaking Point: Selling Out the First Amendment?

Speaking in her first in-depth interview since the controversy exploded, Stahl described her growing anger and disappointment over reports that Paramount was seriously considering settling the Trump lawsuit—reportedly offering millions of dollars and even contemplating a public apology.

For Stahl, this isn’t just a legal dispute. It’s a moral and professional crisis.

“I’m angry,” Stahl said bluntly. “This isn’t just about money. It’s about the First Amendment. It’s about the independence of journalism. It’s about whether we’re going to let corporate interests dictate what we can and cannot report.”

Her voice cracked at moments during the interview as she described how CBS News, once considered one of the most trusted news organizations in America, is now under intense internal and external pressure to compromise its journalistic integrity.

An Internal Rebellion Brewing

Stahl’s comments come in the wake of two major resignations that rocked CBS News earlier this year.

First, Bill Owens, the longtime executive producer of 60 Minutes, stepped down, reportedly after months of battling corporate interference. Insiders say Owens was one of the few remaining voices defending the newsroom’s editorial independence. His departure was described as “devastating” by staff.

Next came the resignation of Wendy McMahon, the president of CBS News, who was also seen as a critical figure resisting pressure from Redstone and Paramount’s legal team.

According to multiple reports, there was even serious talk among CBS News staff of a mass resignation—a coordinated walkout—before Owens himself urged them to stay and keep fighting from within.

Stahl confirmed those reports, calling the atmosphere inside CBS “toxic, demoralizing, and heartbreaking.”

The Trump Lawsuit: More Than Money at Stake

The lawsuit itself centers on a segment aired on 60 Minutes during the 2024 election cycle, in which Trump was interviewed alongside then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump alleges the interview was deceptively edited to damage his campaign, a charge CBS strongly denies.

While legal experts say CBS has a strong case, the parent company Paramount Global appears eager to settle the dispute—possibly to avoid drawing further political attention or jeopardizing its ongoing merger with Skydance Media.

But for journalists like Stahl, the idea of capitulating to Trump’s demands is unthinkable.

“This isn’t just a lawsuit against CBS,” she said. “It’s a lawsuit against journalism. It’s a lawsuit against truth. And it’s setting a terrifying precedent for every newsroom in America.”

Is Corporate Greed Driving the Decision?

Many CBS insiders believe Redstone’s primary motivation is to secure regulatory approval for the multibillion-dollar Paramount-Skydance merger. With the deal pending review from the FCC—a body currently overseen by Trump-appointed officials—some fear Redstone is trying to curry favor with Trump by offering him a legal victory.

That suspicion has sparked outrage not only inside CBS but also among lawmakers. Several U.S. Senators, including Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, have openly questioned whether Redstone’s actions might violate federal anti-corruption laws.

For her part, Stahl refused to speculate on Redstone’s legal exposure but made it clear that she believes the merger is driving the network’s current crisis.

“The timing is not a coincidence,” Stahl said. “And that’s what makes it even more dangerous.”

A Pivotal Moment for Journalism

Beyond the immediate legal fight, Stahl worries the bigger picture is even more troubling.

“This is about the future of journalism in this country,” she warned. “If we let powerful people use lawsuits and corporate leverage to silence reporters, we’re finished. It’s that simple.”

She also expressed fears that CBS’s willingness to settle could inspire a wave of similar lawsuits, effectively making journalism unaffordable and unsustainable for any news outlet willing to speak truth to power.

“What’s next?” she asked. “Are we going to have to clear every tough story with our corporate lawyers? With our advertisers? With political leaders? That’s not journalism. That’s propaganda.”

Can Skydance Save CBS?

Despite her bleak outlook, Stahl left a sliver of hope for CBS’s future—if the Skydance merger goes through and new leadership takes a firmer stance on editorial independence.

“I’d like to believe that under David Ellison, things could change,” she said. “But I also know I might be kidding myself.”

She admitted that she’s considered walking away from CBS altogether but hasn’t yet crossed that line.

“There’s a line,” Stahl said. “And Bill Owens stepping down brought us closer to it. I haven’t reached it yet—but I’m watching.”

Industry Reaction: An Unprecedented Flashpoint

Across the media landscape, Stahl’s comments are being hailed as a rare and courageous act of defiance from inside one of America’s biggest news organizations.

Some journalists say her remarks represent a tipping point in the industry-wide debate over corporate control of the news.

“She’s saying what a lot of us have been afraid to say,” one CBS staffer said anonymously. “We’ve been tiptoeing around this for months. Lesley blew the lid off.”

What Happens Next?

The situation remains fluid. The Senate is continuing to investigate Redstone’s actions. The FCC has not yet ruled on the Skydance merger. And Trump’s lawsuit against CBS remains unresolved.

For now, the future of CBS News—and perhaps the broader future of American journalism—hangs in the balance.

As Stahl put it in her closing remarks: “This is a dark time for journalism. But it’s also a moment when we find out who we really are.”