The New Yorker Radio Hour: Lesley Stahl on What a Settlement with Donald Trump Would Mean for CBS News
Release Date: May 30, 2025
Host: David Remnick
Guest: Lesley Stahl, Veteran CBS News Correspondent
Introduction: The Legacy of Edward R. Murrow and Current Challenges
At the outset of the episode, David Remnick sets the stage by drawing parallels between the historic CBS News anchor Edward R. Murrow’s courageous stand against Senator Joseph McCarthy, as dramatized in the Broadway play Good Night and Good Luck, and the contemporary struggles faced by CBS News under the Trump administration. Remnick highlights how Donald Trump’s legal actions and intimidation tactics echo the pressures Murrow once confronted, emphasizing the heightened stakes for modern journalism.
Key Quote:
"Donald Trump, someone far more powerful than McCarthy ever was, is using lawsuits and raw intimidation to bring the media to heel."
— David Remnick [01:01]
Lesley Stahl’s Tenure and Early Experiences at CBS News
Lesley Stahl, a stalwart of CBS News with over 50 years at the network, reflects on her early days covering the Watergate scandal. As an affirmative action hire in 1972, Stahl recounts her initial skepticism about the importance of the Watergate story and how Walter Cronkite’s steadfast commitment transformed it into a pivotal narrative.
Key Quote:
"Walter's voice carried a lot of weight. He's the most trusted man in America, and he was."
— Lesley Stahl [04:15]
She discusses the immense pressure from William Paley, the then-owner of CBS, who intervened during the Watergate coverage by instructing Cronkite to limit the airtime dedicated to the story, illustrating early instances of corporate influence on news reporting.
Key Quote:
"Paley succumbed. Walter ran the 14-minute piece. His plan was to come back the next night with another 14-minute piece which was in the works. And Paley's pressure was now so intense on the CBS News division, Walter was squeezed."
— Lesley Stahl [04:42]
The Trump Lawsuit Against CBS News: A New Frontier of Pressure
Transitioning to the present, Remnick delves into the lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against CBS News, seeking a $20 billion settlement over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris. Lesley Stahl provides insight into the nature of the lawsuit, characterizing it as an attempt to chill the media rather than seek genuine damages.
Key Quote:
"What is really behind it in a nutshell, is to chill us. There aren't any damages. He accused us of editing Kamala Harris in a way to help her win the election, but he won the election."
— Lesley Stahl [16:09]
Stahl explains that Paramount Global, CBS's parent company, led by Shari Redstone, is keen on settling the lawsuit to facilitate a major acquisition by Skydance, owned by pro-Trump Larry Ellison. This settlement is seen as a strategic move to secure government approval for the sale, despite internal resistance from the newsroom.
Key Quote:
"Sherry Redstone, run by Sherry Redstone's family... they hold the freedom of the press up as a beacon, that they understand the importance of allowing us to be independent and do our jobs. I'm expecting that. I'm hoping that. I want that. I'm praying for that."
— Lesley Stahl [22:44]
Resignations and Internal Turmoil at CBS News
The episode reveals significant upheaval within CBS News, marked by the resignations of Wendy McMahon, head of CBS News, and Bill Owens, executive producer of 60 Minutes. Owens stepped down after resisting corporate pressures to alter or suppress certain news stories, a move that stunned the newsroom and signaled escalating tensions between editorial integrity and corporate directives.
Key Quote:
"Bill Owens stepping down... it was a punch in the stomach. It was one of those punches where you almost can't breathe."
— Lesley Stahl [18:34]
McMahon’s departure further exacerbates the situation, removing a key advocate within the corporate structure who previously acted as a barrier against undue interference. Stahl expresses deep disappointment and frustration towards Shari Redstone, citing her as a primary source of the mounting pressures.
Key Quote:
"I am pessimistic about the future for all press today. The public doesn't trust us. The public has lost faith in us as an institution."
— Lesley Stahl [23:31]
The Future of CBS News Under Skydance Ownership
Looking ahead, Stahl voices concerns over the potential acquisition of CBS News by Skydance. While expressing hope that new ownership led by Larry Ellison would uphold journalistic independence, she remains skeptical due to the current resistance and corporate maneuvering. Stahl underscores the critical role of a free press in democracy and fears that corporate ownership compromises this essential function.
Key Quote:
"To have a news organization come under corporate pressure, to have a news organization told by a corporation, do this, do that with your story, change this, change that, don't run that piece. I mean, it steps on the First Amendment, it steps on the freedom of the press."
— Lesley Stahl [21:10]
Public Trust and the State of Modern Media
Lesley Stahl reflects on the declining public trust in the media, linking it to the evolution of journalism from the Fairness Doctrine era to the current landscape dominated by partisan outlets like Fox News and MSNBC. She laments that the collective identity of the media as a "salad bowl" of ideologies undermines public confidence in news institutions.
Key Quote:
"We're called media. We're media. The New York Times is called media. No wonder the people public think we're all political."
— Lesley Stahl [25:10]
Stahl emphasizes the need for the media to reclaim its role as an unbiased, factual reporting entity to restore public trust and fulfill its democratic responsibilities.
Conclusion: The Fragility and Resilience of Press Institutions
In concluding the discussion, Stahl articulates her anguish over the weakening state of press institutions and their diminished role in public life. She expresses both mourning for the potential loss of 60 Minutes' integrity and cautious optimism that a settlement with Trump might allow the network to continue its journalistic mission.
Key Quote:
"The pain in my heart is that the public does not appreciate the importance of a free and strong and tough press in our democracy, that we have a function to fulfill and that the public doesn't seem to want what we do to be part of our public life."
— Lesley Stahl [27:22]
Remnick wraps up the episode by acknowledging Stahl's unwavering commitment to journalism amid unprecedented challenges, highlighting her as a symbol of resilience and dedication.
Notable Quotes Summary
-
"Donald Trump... is using lawsuits and raw intimidation to bring the media to heel."
— David Remnick [01:01] -
"Walter's voice carried a lot of weight. He's the most trusted man in America, and he was."
— Lesley Stahl [04:15] -
"What is really behind it... is to chill us."
— Lesley Stahl [16:09] -
"I am pessimistic about the future for all press today."
— Lesley Stahl [23:31] -
"We're called media... No wonder the people public think we're all political."
— Lesley Stahl [25:10] -
"The pain in my heart is that the public does not appreciate the importance of a free and strong and tough press in our democracy."
— Lesley Stahl [27:22]
Final Thoughts
This episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour offers a profound exploration of the intersection between corporate interests, political pressures, and journalistic integrity. Through Lesley Stahl’s seasoned perspective, listeners gain an in-depth understanding of the precarious position of major news outlets like CBS News in today’s polarized and legally tumultuous environment. The conversation underscores the enduring importance of a free press and the ongoing battle to maintain its independence and trustworthiness in the face of relentless external pressures.