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Former 60 Minutes anchor Scott Pelley says Bari Weiss-run CBS News ordered him to ‘put the thumb on the scale’ for Trump
The Independent • • world
Key Points:
- Fired 60 Minutes anchor Scott Pelley accused CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of pressuring the network to skew coverage in favor of the Trump administration, describing it as unprecedented corporate influence on journalism during his nearly 40-year tenure.
- Pelley claimed resistance to this editorial direction led to a sudden and unexplained overhaul of 60 Minutes, which he said Weiss was intent on dismantling, a charge he voiced publicly before his June firing.
- Weiss, who joined CBS News a year ago and previously founded the conservative-leaning outlet The Free Press, has denied accusations of editorial interference, stating that her actions align with the responsibilities of an editor-in-chief.
- Despite Weiss's defense, CBS News ratings have dropped significantly, and insiders report a divided perception of her leadership style, with some describing her as unapproachable and dismissive, while others praise her for valuing diverse ideas and contributions.
