Story perspectives

Steve Kroft Calls CBS's 60 Minutes a 'Snake Pit'

4/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

Steve Kroft described CBS's 60 Minutes as a "snake pit" and expressed regret after 30 years with the show.
He said the environment was cutthroat and toxic, with competition fueling paranoia and relentless demands leaving little rest.
He cited a defining career moment from the 1992 interview with William Jefferson Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton.
After Kroft's departure in 2019, CBS News plans significant changes under new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss.

History

Historical Context

In June 1992, Bill Clinton's appearance on CBS's 60 Minutes, where he famously played "Heartbreak Hotel" on saxophone, significantly boosted his popularity ahead of the presidential election. This moment marked a shift in political journalism, paralleling the intense competition among media outlets reminiscent of the Watergate era. As CBS News evolves under Bari Weiss, the struggle for journalistic integrity continues amid sensationalism.

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Story summary

Steve Kroft described CBS's 60 Minutes as a "snake pit" and expressed regret after 30 years with the show.
He said the environment was cutthroat and toxic, with competition fueling paranoia and relentless demands leaving little rest.
He cited a defining career moment from the 1992 interview with William Jefferson Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton.
After Kroft's departure in 2019, CBS News plans significant changes under new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss.

1 / 2