Scott Pelley, a longtime correspondent for “60 Minutes” and former anchor of the “CBS Evening News,” spoke publicly for the first time since his dismissal from CBS News, reflecting on the dramatic changes at the network that culminated in his firing. Pelley, who spent 37 years with CBS and served in roles including White House correspondent, described a period marked by internal turmoil following CBS’s sale to David Ellison and the appointment of Bari Weiss as head of CBS News.
The transition in leadership brought significant upheaval at “60 Minutes,” America’s most-watched television news program since its debut in 1968. Weiss, a former New York Times Opinion staffer and founder of The Free Press with no prior television news experience, replaced several senior staff and hired Nick Bilton, a new executive producer for “60 Minutes.” According to Pelley, these developments fostered a tense workplace environment, fueled by what he characterizes as editorial interference and a lack of understanding of the program’s longstanding newsroom culture.
Pelley recounted a closed-door staff meeting in which Bilton read a statement to about 50 colleagues in a manner described as lacking empathy, leaving many stunned. He also expressed dismay over the dismissals of several correspondents despite the show’s strong ratings, and the limited communication from Weiss and other executives during this period of upheaval. Pelley denied allegations that he had engaged in physical abuse, calling the accusations false and detailing the difficult meeting during which CBS leadership informed him of his termination.
He further linked the personnel disruptions to broader organizational shifts following CBS’s ownership change from Shari Redstone to David Ellison, noting that a controversial settlement with former President Donald Trump over a “60 Minutes” segment preceded Ellison’s approval to acquire the network. Pelley initially hoped the new ownership would bring positive reforms but became increasingly concerned about Weiss’s leadership style and her preconceived views regarding supposed bias within “60 Minutes.”
Pelley criticized Weiss for questioning senior staff about why the country perceives “60 Minutes” as biased, interpreting this line of inquiry as undermining the program’s legacy. He described the sweeping personnel changes and new editorial direction instituted by Weiss as a “murdering” of the show’s traditions. Throughout his interview, Pelley conveyed a deep sense of loss over the rapid changes, emphasizing the close-knit nature of the “60 Minutes” team and expressing feelings of betrayal by the new leadership.
Pelley concluded by calling for greater transparency and accountability to repair the network’s internal trust and public reputation, underscoring the significant impact “60 Minutes” has had on broadcast journalism over the past five decades. CBS News and Bari Weiss have denied accusations of editorial interference and bias made by Pelley and other former correspondents.