In a bold move that’s sure to rattle Donald Trump’s inner circle, CBS’ 60 Minutes is set to air a scathing new segment this Sunday—one that directly targets the former president’s ongoing campaign of legal and political retaliation. The broadcast is expected to shine a harsh light on Trump’s use of executive power to punish his perceived enemies—specifically, the nation’s top law firms.
The episode’s teaser pulls no punches:
“On the campaign trail, President Trump vowed to wield the power of the presidency to go after his perceived enemies. Now in the White House, Trump is using executive orders to target some of the biggest law firms in the country that he accuses of ‘weaponizing’ the justice system against him.”
What makes this segment even more incendiary is the backdrop: 60 Minutes and Trump are already locked in a fierce legal battle. The former president has accused CBS of unfairly editing past interviews and slammed the network for allegedly favoring his political rivals. Trump even refused a follow-up interview after learning it would undergo independent fact-checking.
Yet despite the lawsuit—and the intense pressure from within the CBS hierarchy—60 Minutes isn’t shying away. In fact, it appears to be doubling down.
A Legal Fight with Billions at Stake
Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit against CBS and its parent company, Paramount Global, stems from claims that the network altered footage of then-Democratic nominee Kamala Harris during the 2024 campaign to make her appear more composed and articulate. Since taking office again, Trump has continued to target media outlets with harsh rhetoric and sweeping executive actions.
On Wednesday, he escalated matters on his Truth Social platform:
“The case we have against 60 Minutes, CBS, and Paramount is a true WINNER. They cheated and defrauded the American People at levels never seen before in the Political Arena.”
But 60 Minutes is hitting back—hard.
Veteran correspondent Scott Pelley will host the upcoming segment, which is expected to scrutinize how Trump’s administration has allegedly used executive orders to intimidate and penalize legal institutions challenging his policies. The report will also touch on internal drama at CBS itself.
CBS in Turmoil
Last month, longtime 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens abruptly resigned after 37 years at the helm. His departure raised eyebrows and questions about the show’s editorial independence. Owens cited growing interference from CBS leadership—pressure that coincided with Paramount Global’s attempt to finalize a corporate merger with Skydance Media, a deal that ultimately requires White House approval.
“Bill made sure they were accurate and fair,” Pelley said on-air last week. “He was tough that way. But our parent company, Paramount, is trying to complete a merger. The Trump administration must approve it. Paramount began to supervise our content in new ways.”
Although none of the show’s stories were reportedly blocked, Owens felt the writing was on the wall.
In a farewell memo to staff, Owens wrote:
“Over the past months, it has become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it, to make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience.”
Trump Allies Celebrate — For Now
Trump’s allies wasted no time dancing on Owens’ professional grave. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Karma is a b—-. Bill Owens is a liar and a fraud.”
Still, 60 Minutes appears more determined than ever to reclaim its journalistic autonomy—even if it means risking further retaliation from the most powerful office in the land.
With tensions boiling over, Sunday’s broadcast promises to be one of the show’s most consequential episodes in years. Whether it changes minds—or simply deepens divides—remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Donald Trump will be watching.
