Viewers have seen multiple changes happen at CBS News since Bari Weiss was made editor-in-chief. In particular, 60 Minutes has been impacted, with multiple figures leaving the show over the past few weeks. Since then, a few former staffers have spoken out about the situation.
Bari Weiss Was Made Editor-In-Chief Of CBS News Back In October 2025
Weiss was known for founding the media company, The Free Press, originally Common Sense, in 2021. In addition, she had previously worked for The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.
In October 2025, Paramount Skydance acquired The Free Press for $150 million. Since then, Weiss has been installed as editor-in-chief of CBS News, despite not having previous broadcast journalism experience.
Since then, viewers have seen several changes at the network, especially for 60 Minutes. Figures who have recently left the program include Anderson Cooper, Scott Pelley, Cecilia Vega, and Sharyn Alfonsi, among others.
Multiple former staffers recently spoke with Variety about this recent overhaul. One former staffer, who remained anonymous, shared that 60 Minutes “needed a bit of a facelift,” noting that there were “potentially positive ways to improve the program.”
Despite feeling that some changes were needed, the source didn’t think that the program had been going about it the right way. They shared, “You don’t give a facelift with a f****** machete.”
Rome Hartman, who worked as a 60 Minutes producer for around 25 years, shared, “This last week has been, for me, like watching an arsonist burn down my professional home. And not really having the means to do anything about it.”
Hartman also spoke in defense of Scott Pelley over his recent firing, sharing, “If Nick Bilton is such a snowflake that he can’t possibly tolerate a voice of challenge — and if Bari Weiss has to hide behind his skirts — that does not speak well of how he’s going to run the place or how she’s going to run the place.”
One Former Staffer Wondered If Weiss’ Time With The Network Could Soon Be Up
Former CBS News senior vice president Betsy West also expressed concern for the program’s future. This was in reference to a report that Weiss pulled Alfonsi’s CECOT story because the White House didn’t provide an on-camera response. As previously reported, this story was pulled this past December, eventually airing the following month after edits were made.
West shared, “[Weiss] pulled a factual and legally vetted story about the conditions in Venezuela prisons just because the administration wouldn’t give a comment, essentially giving them veto power by not talking. It feels like she and the people she reports to are trying to check the independence of 60 Minutes and ultimately undermine the free press that undergirds our democracy.”
Meanwhile, Steve Kroft, who left the program in 2019, wondered if Weiss’ time with the network could be coming to an end. He shared, “I think once the deal gets done with Warner Bros. [Paramount is merging with WBD], people will demand that she be let go or move into another position.” He continued, Everything she’s touched has gone colossally wrong. And I don’t think she’s [shown] any talent for this position. She’s only fulfilling other people’s agendas.”
Six former #60Minutes staffers spoke to Variety about the turmoil that has unfolded under CBS News chief Bari Weiss.
“I have a feeling that Bari will not be overseeing ‘60 Minutes’ for very much longer,” Steve Kroft tells Variety. “I think once the deal gets done with Warner… pic.twitter.com/i0oUhZ2HVv
— Variety (@Variety) June 11, 2026
What is your reaction to these insiders’ recent shares? Have you been following this story? Are you keeping up with what’s been going on with 60 Minutes? Make sure you come back to TV Shows Ace for all the latest TV and celebrity news.
John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.
