CBS News fired Scott Pelley, a longtime correspondent for "60 Minutes," on June 3, 2026 [2].
The departure of one of the network's most recognizable faces signals deep instability within the prestigious news program. Pelley's exit follows a series of leadership changes and a wave of staff turnover at the network.
Pelley spent 37 years at CBS [1]. His tenure at the network established him as a pillar of American broadcast journalism, but recent reports indicate a breakdown in his relationship with the current administration.
According to the Associated Press, the firing followed alleged comments by Pelley that editor-in-chief Bari Weiss was "murdering the show" [2]. The reports also said that Pelley criticized the qualifications of the program's new executive producer [2].
Pelley had previously praised the legacy of the program. On June 2, he said, "There has never been anything in America like 60 Minutes" [1].
The termination comes during a period of significant volatility for the news organization. More than six other departures have occurred at CBS News during the same period [2].
CBS News headquarters in New York has not provided further details regarding the specific terms of the contract termination. While some reports focus on the internal friction between Pelley and Weiss, others describe the move as part of a broader trend of staff exits [2].
“"There has never been anything in America like 60 Minutes,"”
The removal of a veteran correspondent like Pelley suggests a fundamental shift in the editorial direction and culture of '60 Minutes.' By prioritizing the authority of the editor-in-chief over the tenure of a senior journalist, CBS News is signaling a transition toward a new leadership era that may clash with the traditionalist approach of the show's legacy staff.
