(DCNF)—Amid promises of change, CBS News replaced its embattled “60 Minutes” executive producer — who oversaw the edited Kamala Harris interview — with another registered Democrat.
CBS News announced Thursday that “60 Minutes” interim executive producer Tanya Simon would become the official executive producer, replacing Bill Owens. Simon, who is the daughter of the late CBS News correspondent Bob Simon, has been a veteran of the show for 25 years and is now its fourth executive producer in the show’s decades-long history.
“Tanya Simon understands what makes 60 MINUTES tick. She is an innovative leader, an exceptional producer and someone who knows how to inspire people,” president and executive editor of CBS News Tom Cibrowski said in a press release. “Tanya knows that the success of today’s 60 MINUTES depends on delivering a weekly mix of the most informative, impactful and entertaining stories and investigative journalism from around the world. This is the true essence and foundation of 60 MINUTES.”
However, with CBS’ parent company, Paramount Global, officially securing its acquisition Thursday and vowing change at the network, Simon appears to be the same kind of leader as those in the past. Registered as a Democrat, Simon’s husband Evan Garfein has also donated a total of $2,320 to Democratic candidates and committees between 2019 to 2024, according to the Federal Election Commission.
According to public donation records, Garfein’s latest contribution was made in November 2024 to the major Democrat fundraising platform ActBlue for $100, with his largest donation made in 2019 to former Democratic presidential candidate John Hickenlooper.
The announcement for Simon comes just months after Owens announced his departure from the show in April, saying that “60 Minutes” had lost journalistic independence. His exit came as Paramount was in acquisition talks with American media production and finance company Skydance, and amid a lawsuit from President Donald Trump.
In October 2024, Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against CBS after the network quietly edited an interview with Harris — allegedly to favor the then-vice president — as the campaigns were just a month out from Election Day.
At the time of the interview’s release, a clip of Harris’ exchange with “60 Minutes” correspondent Bill Whitaker was posted on a Sunday and made her response appear more concise compared to the full segment released a day later. Notably, also at the time of the interview’s release, Simon had been the show’s executive editor since April 2019, according to her LinkedIn profile.
After Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Bredan Carr opened an investigation into the issue, CBS News released the full, unedited version of Harris’ interview in February. Additionally, vocal callouts of Owens began to circulate after the New York Post’s editorial board said that CBS News could fix its “lefty-propaganda problem” by cutting Owens loose.
Owens reportedly refused to apologize for the editing decisions made, allegedly telling staff that the company knew he wouldn’t be saying sorry for anything the show had done, according to The New York Times. Upon Owen’s departure, the former executive producer sent a memo to his staff, saying that it was “clear” he would “not be allowed to run the show” as he “always” had.
“To make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience. So, having defended this show- and what we stand for — from every angle, over time with everything I could, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward,” Owens wrote.
“Look, I have worked at CBS News for 37 years, more than half of that at 60 Minutes, I have been shot at and threatened with jail for protecting a source. I have overseen more than 600 stories as Executive Producer of 60,” Owens added. “I know who I am and what I have don[e] to cover the most important stories of our time under difficult conditions.”
On Tuesday, Trump announced on Truth Social that CBS and its parent company had agreed to pay an additional $20 million on top of the $16 million they had already agreed to contribute toward his presidential library, bringing the total settlement to $36 million.
CBS said it made cuts to shows like late-night host Stephen Colbert’s due to financial concerns. Skydance secured its acquisition of Paramount Global, which includes subsidiaries such as the CBS broadcast network, Paramount Pictures, and Nickelodeon. The official deal was made after Skydance pledged on Tuesday to do away with Paramount’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
In a letter sent to Carr, the company vowed to dismantle all DEI initiatives in place, which comes after a slew of private companies have followed Trump’s executive order eliminating DEI policies at the federal level.
Upon the announcement of the acquisition, Carr posted a statement to X, calling out how Americans “no longer trust the legacy national news media to report fully, accurately, and fairly.”
“It is time for a change. That is why I welcome Skydance’s commitment to make significant changes at the once storied CBS broadcast network,” Carr wrote. “In particular, Skydance has made written commitments to ensure that the new company’s programming embodies a diversity of viewpoints from across the political and ideological spectrum.”
In addition to seeking to eliminate DEI policies, Skydance also committed to “addressing bias & restoring fact-based reporting” and “investing in trusted local news.”
“These changes would represent an important step towards earning back Americans’ trust. Will be watching,” Carr wrote on X.
CBS News and Simon did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.