Scott Pelley has been dismissed from CBS News’ “60 Minutes” following a public clash with the program’s new leadership. The incident occurred during a staff meeting on Nick Bilton’s first day as executive producer.
Pelley accused CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of “murdering” the show and criticized Bilton for having “slender qualifications.” The termination was effective immediately after the exchange.
Prior to this confrontation, both Weiss and Bilton had expressed their desire to retain Pelley. However, his public remarks led to a swift decision to end his role.
This event comes amid Weiss’s broader restructuring of CBS News, which has included the elimination of correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega as well as executive producer Tanya Simon.
Pelley had previously criticized CBS News’ handling of “60 Minutes” during President Trump’s legal disputes with the network and Paramount Global. He also condemned Trump’s lawsuits against journalists and companies as being filed “for nothing.”
