The future of CBS's flagship news program, 60 Minutes, is shrouded in uncertainty as an insider reveals plans for "massive changes" to the show. With the season ending on Sunday, the network's MAGA-curious news boss, Bari Weiss, is reportedly plotting a newsroom overhaul that could reshape the program's direction and personnel.
One source described the atmosphere as one of fear and anticipation, with staff members waiting to see what monumental changes Weiss will implement. The potential for layoffs and the opening of the show to journalists from across CBS suggests a significant shift in the program's dynamics.
Weiss's appointment as editor-in-chief of CBS News last October, following the acquisition of her Free Press website by MAGA billionaire David Ellison, has already sparked controversy. Her decisions, including axing dozens of journalists and pausing a 60 Minutes segment critical of the Trump administration's migrant policies, have raised concerns about her editorial choices and their impact on the show's integrity.
The departure of two top correspondents, Sharyn Alfonsi and Anderson Cooper, adds to the sense of instability. Cooper, 58, cited a desire to spend more time with his family, but reports suggest that his segment on Trump's refugee policy faced an unusual level of scrutiny. Alfonsi, 53, is also leaving after clashing with Weiss over the El Salvador mega-prison segment, which Weiss pulled for allegedly lacking the administration's perspective.
The dispute highlights a broader concern among staff that Weiss's MAGA-curious agenda may damage the prestige of 60 Minutes, a program with a long and respected history. A former producer, Rome Hartman, warned that failing to renew Alfonsi's contract would be a direct retaliation for her commitment to telling the truth.
Veteran correspondent Lesley Stahl, 84, is another potential departure, reportedly unhappy with Weiss's decision to assign an interview with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to another journalist. Weiss, an outspoken supporter of Israel, allowed Netanyahu to choose between Stahl and the eventual interviewer, Major Garrett.
To address these potential losses, Weiss is reportedly planning to bring in journalists like Tony Dokoupil, host of CBS Evening News, to appear more regularly on 60 Minutes. This move suggests a desire to inject new blood into the show and potentially shift its editorial focus.
A former 60 Minutes correspondent expressed concern about the changing dynamics, stating that the current environment makes it difficult to know what stories are acceptable without alienating those in power.
As the show enters its 59th season, the changes planned by Weiss will undoubtedly shape the future of 60 Minutes and its role in investigative journalism. The question remains: Will these changes enhance or compromise the program's legacy?
