CBS News came under intense criticism this weekend after promoting merchandise tied to the “No Kings Day” protests, which took place across the U.S. on Saturday.
The network shared a post on Friday advertising protest gear, sparking accusations of political bias and media impropriety.
The demonstrations were organized to oppose President Donald Trump and coincided with his administration’s military parade in Washington, D.C., commemorating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.
The day also marked Flag Day, which honors the adoption of the American flag in 1777.
Protesters in hundreds of cities participated under the banner of “No Kings,” which organizers described as a “day of defiance.”
Many framed their demonstrations as opposition to what they view as authoritarianism, with some even calling for Trump to be “dethroned.”
The backlash against CBS News began after the outlet posted a graphic on X (formerly Twitter) displaying merchandise branded with “No Kings Day” slogans.
Critics argued that the post resembled an advertisement and questioned whether a news organization should promote political merchandise, Fox News reported.
J. Michael Waller, a senior analyst at the Center for Security Policy, criticized CBS for promoting “radical merchandise” on the eve of what he called a potential protest-turned-riot. He accused the network of acting irresponsibly by fueling political tensions.
Bonchie, a contributor to the conservative news site RedState, took to X to mock CBS News for what he described as free advertising for “Chinese-made, left-wing protest merch.” His post was widely shared among conservative users.
Mollie Hemingway, editor-in-chief of The Federalist and a Fox News contributor, accused CBS of abandoning any appearance of neutrality. She said the outlet was no longer pretending to be a news organization and had taken on the role of “Democrat propagandists.”
Some users questioned whether CBS’s actions violated federal regulations. One user suggested that by promoting items tied to a political event, the network might have run afoul of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules, calling the move “highly unethical.”
This incident adds to a string of controversies CBS News is currently facing. In May, CBS News President and CEO Wendy McMahon unexpectedly stepped down, leaving the company amid internal upheaval and legal challenges.
Her resignation followed the departure of longtime 60 Minutes producer Bill Owens, who left the network in April. Owens reportedly cited concerns over losing editorial independence during ongoing legal tensions with the Trump administration.
On Saturday, June 14, 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley appeared on CNN and warned that a possible settlement in the Trump lawsuit could be “very damaging” to CBS and its parent company, Paramount Global.
Pelley told Anderson Cooper that an apology or financial settlement would undermine CBS’s reputation. He emphasized the potential long-term harm to the network’s credibility and journalistic standing.
President Trump filed the lawsuit against Paramount Global last year over a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris aired in October 2024. Trump’s legal team has rejected a $15 million settlement offer and is now demanding at least $25 million and a formal apology.
Sources familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital that the president remains firm in his demands. The case remains unresolved, adding to ongoing legal and reputational challenges for the embattled media company.
