Bari Weiss Under Fire as CBS News Overhauls ‘60 Minutes’

Bari Weiss, founder of the media outlet The Free Press, was installed as editor‑in‑chief of CBS News in October 2025 after Paramount Skydance bought her company for $150 million. Since her arrival, the flagship program ‘60 Minutes’ has seen a wave of departures, including longtime correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi, Cecilia Vega, Scott Pelley and several senior producers. Former staff members described the changes as a “facelift with a machete,” and one longtime producer likened the experience to “watching an arsonist burn down my professional home.”

Allegations have emerged that editorial independence was compromised: a vetted report on Venezuelan prison conditions was pulled after the White House declined to comment, and staff say Weiss demanded revisions that conflicted with evidence, such as re‑phrasing an ICE shooting story. On May 28, staff dubbed the mass firings “Black Thursday.” Former correspondent Steve Kroft warned, “I have a feeling that Bari will not be overseeing ‘60 Minutes’ for very much longer.” The turmoil has sparked concerns about the future of the program and the independence of CBS News.