CBS denies political interference claims amid ’60 Minutes’ firings wave
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CBS is pushing back against liberals’ claims of political interference as the network is thrown into turmoil following a wave of layoffs at “60 Minutes.”
“There is no political interference with CBS News from ownership or Bari Weiss,” a network spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “The only ‘interference’ is the normal back-and-forth between editor and reporter that occurs in every newsroom.”
The statement follows the firing Tuesday of veteran “60 Minutes” reporter Scott Pelley, who attacked CBS executive editor Bari Weiss during a confrontation with new “60 Minutes” executive producer Nick Bilton on Monday. At a staff meeting, Pelley lashed out at leadership, accusing Weiss of “killing” the long-running newsmagazine program and questioning Bilton’s qualifications following the firings of several other “60 Minutes” figures.
Weiss said the network fired Pelley because the “foundation” of trust and mutual respect had been broken and repeated attempts to reach “common ground” had failed.
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Veteran journalist Scott Pelley was fired this week following an explosive staff meeting Monday in which Pelley attacked CBS leadership. (David M. Russell/CBS via Getty Image/Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Image)
In a notice of Pelley’s termination obtained by Fox News Digital, Bilton accused Pelley of humiliating him with a “performative display of hostility” in front of staff. Bilton wrote that the outburst “shows that you have no interest in contributing to the future success of the show or approaching your new tenure with a mind open to collaboration and progress.”
Pelley issued his own harsh statement following his dismissal, accusing the channel’s management of political bias, incompetence and unprofessionalism. He accused David Ellison, CEO of CBS parent company Paramount, of damaging the network’s reputation “to curry favor with the Trump administration.”
Following Pelley’s firing, numerous left-wing media figures rallied around Pelley; MS NOW host Rachel Maddow even invited Pelley to join the progressive cable channel. ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel called CBS bosses “cowardly” for the decision.
CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and “60 Minutes” new executive producer Nick Bilton told longtime reporter Scott Pelley they wanted him to stay on the show before harshly criticizing their boss at a staff meeting. Pelley was fired on Tuesday. (Michele Crowe/CBS News ©2025; Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Vanity Fair)
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He also alleged that “60 Minutes” leadership directed him to “inject lies and bias into a politically sensitive story” and add “unsubstantiated allegations,” which he said he refused to do.
Pelley was upset last week after CBS fired “60 Minutes” reporters Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, as well as the show’s executive producer Tanya Simon and several behind-the-scenes staff.
CBS News has been rocked by a series of high-profile layoffs at “60 Minutes.” (Al Drago/Getty Images)
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Pelley, who served as the anchor of the “CBS Evening News” from 2011 to 2017, joined CBS News in 1989 and later joined “60 Minutes” as a correspondent in 2004.
Fox News’ Brian Flood and Joseph Wulfsohn contributed to this report.
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