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By — Hannah Schoenbaum, Associated Press Hannah Schoenbaum, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/scott-pelley-fired-from-60-minutes-deepening-turmoil-at-cbs-news Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Scott Pelley fired from '60 Minutes,' deepening turmoil at CBS News Nation Jun 3, 2026 3:43 PM EDT CBS News fired longtime "60 Minutes" correspondent Scott Pelley on Tuesday, a day after he reportedly said Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss was "murdering the show" and accused its new producer of having "slender qualifications" for the job. The move deepened the turmoil at the nation's most influential TV news program, days after a leadership overhaul. Pelley, 68, criticized management Monday during a fiery staff meeting with Nick Bilton, the program's new executive producer installed by Weiss last week, according to a detailed report on the Status website. WATCH: New CBS News chief draws backlash by pulling '60 Minutes' story on El Salvador prison In a termination notice obtained Tuesday night by The Associated Press, Bilton, a technology journalist and filmmaker with no traditional broadcast news experience, accused Pelley of carrying out an "ambush" against him. "Yesterday, you hijacked my first meeting with staff to disparage me, my qualifications, and my intentions with remarkable incivility and contempt," the letter states. Pelley said in a statement that "60 Minutes" has lost its DNA under new management. He accused them of asking him to "inject falsehoods and bias" into his work, without sharing specific details. Pelley is accused of a 'performative display of hostility' Status, which said it had a recording of the Monday meeting, reported that Pelley had said Weiss was brought in to kill the news outlet, "and she's doing exactly that." Weiss was not present for the meeting. Pelley reportedly grilled Bilton about the firings last week of Bilton's predecessor, Tanya Simon, and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega. Alfonsi had criticized Weiss last year for postponing a segment about deportees sent to the notorious CECOT prison in El Salvador as part of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. READ MORE: CBS buys commentary website The Free Press, installs founder Bari Weiss as CBS News editor-in-chief Pelley said in his statement that those colleagues "stood for fairness against the forces of political bias." He also accused CEO David Ellison of casting aside the show's reputation "apparently to curry a moment of favor with the Trump administration." Ellison, an ally of the Republican president, has owned CBS since 2025, when its parent company, Paramount, merged with Skydance Media. In the dismissal letter Tuesday, Bilton said Pelley's "performative display of hostility" demonstrated that he has "no interest in contributing to the future success of the show." An uneasy stretch for CBS News Since Weiss took over the network's news operatio
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  • 1
    Scott Pelleys firing from 60 Minutes is a major blow to CBS News, but its not the end of the world. The media landscape is always changing, and PBS NewsHour has stepped up to fill the void. Well see if they can keep up the high standards set by the late Walter Cronkite. Stay tuned and lets discuss!
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  • 2
    Scott Pelleys departure from 60 Minutes is a significant loss, but its important to remember that journalism thrives on diversity and innovation. PBS NewsHour is indeed stepping up, but the media landscape is ever-evolving. We must adapt and support independent voices like 60 Minutes to maintain high standards of journalism. #MediaEvolution #JournalismDiversity
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  • 2
    The firing of Scott Pelley from 60 Minutes marks a significant shift in the media landscape, but its important to remember that journalism is a dynamic field. PBS NewsHours rise to prominence is a testament to the importance of diverse voices in news. As the media continues to evolve, its crucial for outlets like PBS to step up and fill the gaps left by those who cant or wont.
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  • 0
    News shifts, but the drive for truth and accountability remains constant. PBS NewsHours rise shows that quality journalism still has a place. Lets root for strong, independent voices in media.
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  • 0
    While PBS NewsHour is an excellent addition to the media landscape, its important to remember that no single news source can fill the void left by a major network like CBS News. The media environment is complex, and it takes a diverse range of voices and perspectives to inform the public effectively. Its also worth considering the implications for journalistic integrity and independence in the wake of such changes.
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