CBS News has terminated veteran correspondent Scott Pelley following a heated confrontation during a staff meeting on Monday, highlighting escalating tensions within the network's flagship news magazine, "60 Minutes." The decision was announced by newly appointed executive producer Nick Bilton, who cited Pelley's disruptive behavior as the cause for immediate dismissal.

At the meeting, Bilton, introduced as the new head of "60 Minutes," was met with vocal opposition from Pelley, a longtime fixture at the network and one of its most recognizable faces. According to sources familiar with the incident, Pelley openly criticized both Bilton and CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss, accusing Weiss of undermining the legacy of the program and asserting that she was "brought in to kill it." He also disparaged Bilton’s qualifications and declared he would "never be welcome here."

Bilton responded directly to Pelley's outburst, refusing to be intimidated and ending the meeting after approximately 15 minutes. In his termination letter, Bilton described Pelley's conduct as a “performative display of hostility” that demonstrated no willingness to collaborate or contribute to the future success of the show.

CBS News insiders say the confrontation emerges amid a broader upheaval under Weiss' leadership, which began after Skydance acquired the network in late 2025. Weiss, previously known for her editorial work at The New York Times and as founder of The Free Press, has faced criticism both inside and outside the organization due to her lack of broadcast journalism experience and her editorial direction. The network has recently undergone extensive personnel changes, including the departures of executive producer Tanya Simon, correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, and other senior staff. One insider described these moves as a “bloodbath,” with Pelley reportedly dubbing the mass dismissals “Black Thursday.”

The internal discord also reflects disagreements over editorial decisions, such as Weiss’ involvement in the review process of a controversial "60 Minutes" segment on El Salvador’s CECOT prison. Analysts note that correspondence with Alfonsi pointed to what she regarded as attempts to “sanitize accurate reporting,” though Weiss maintained that further input was necessary to ensure balanced coverage.

Scott Pelley, who joined CBS News in 1989 and became a "60 Minutes" correspondent in 2004, had also anchored the “CBS Evening News” from 2011 to 2017. Despite his prominent status, he was not part of the network’s executive leadership.

While some see Pelley's actions as undermining the network’s leadership and damaging to its reputation, others view his critiques as rooted in concern over the direction of the program amid sweeping changes. Efforts by Weiss and Bilton to engage Pelley privately before the public confrontation reportedly went unheeded.

CBS News declined to comment on the matter. The incident underscores ongoing challenges as the historic news program navigates leadership transitions and strives to adapt within a changing media landscape.