Story perspectives

CBS Chief Bari Weiss Fires Pelley, Sparks Trump-Bias Outcry

6/13/2026

Summary

Weiss Fires

Bari Weiss, editor-in-chief of CBS News, oversaw the June 2 firing of 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley.
Weiss dismissed Cecilia Vega, Sharyn Alfonsi and Draggan Mihailovich and appointed Nick Bilton executive producer, replacing Tanya Simon.
Multiple staffers said Weiss inserted U.S. President Donald Trump-friendly bias into 60 Minutes reporting.
Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim issued a June 5 memo saying they will stay at 60 Minutes.

Summary

Weiss Prioritizes

Weiss says CBS News will prioritize audience trust, talent-driven brands and a streaming mindset.
60 Minutes averaged 9.1 million viewers last season, a 9 % rise that drives the overhaul.
Rita McGrath and Amy Edmondson urge a gradual, transparent change with clear metrics.
Nick Bilton pledged to involve 60 Minutes staff in shaping the new direction.

History

Historical Context

When the Senate Watergate Committee began televised hearings on May 17 1973, 85 % of U.S. households saw at least part of the 319-hour broadcast, bolstering CBS News’ credibility under Walter Cronkite. Decades later, Bari Weiss’s restructuring of 60 Minutes seeks the same credibility boost after bias accusations, echoing the network’s historic effort to regain public trust.

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Weiss Fires

Bari Weiss, editor-in-chief of CBS News, oversaw the June 2 firing of 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley.
Weiss dismissed Cecilia Vega, Sharyn Alfonsi and Draggan Mihailovich and appointed Nick Bilton executive producer, replacing Tanya Simon.
Multiple staffers said Weiss inserted U.S. President Donald Trump-friendly bias into 60 Minutes reporting.
Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim issued a June 5 memo saying they will stay at 60 Minutes.

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