Chicago – June 02, 2026
CBS News fired longtime “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley on Tuesday, just one day after he publicly criticized the newsmagazine’s leadership in a tense staff meeting.
Executive Producer Nick Bilton, appointed last week by CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss, informed Pelley of his termination “for cause,” effective immediately. In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Bilton accused Pelley of orchestrating an “ambush” during Monday’s meeting, describing a “theatrical display of animosity” and “remarkable rudeness and disdain” toward the show’s new leadership.
During the meeting, Pelley alleged that Weiss was “murdering” and “killing” the program, questioned Bilton’s qualifications given his background in technology journalism rather than broadcast news, and criticized recent staff layoffs dubbed “Black Thursday”. According to The New York Times, Pelley’s remarks drew applause from staff attendees.
Pelley, a veteran journalist who previously anchored the “CBS Evening News,” had been with “60 Minutes” for 15 years. CBS had initially hoped to retain him despite the confrontation, but management determined his behavior indicated “no desire to contribute to the program’s future success”. Pelley has not publicly responded to his dismissal.
