Media Management: Pelley Accuses CBS of Political Steering

Scott Pelley told a crowd in Washington on Wednesday that CBS News leadership instructed staff to shape reporting to align with President Donald Trump's perspective. The former “60 Minutes” anchor made the remarks during a panel hosted by Speak Up For Justice.

Pelley described the directive as an effort to tilt coverage toward the administration. He stated that colleagues and he felt an imperative to move stories in the direction of the president. He used the phrase “put a thumb on the scale” to describe the shift in editorial focus.

The anchor was dismissed from his position nearly five months ago. He characterized the interference as unlike anything he encountered during his career at the network. Pelley said corporate executives entered the news division with a specific political bent in mind. He noted that the change was contrary to the long-standing culture of the magazine show.

Although Pelley did not name specific executives, his firing followed a contentious staff meeting. During that June gathering, he accused editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of “murdering” the program. Weiss, a former opinion columnist and founder of The Free Press, took the helm after Paramount's acquisition by Skydance in 2025. Pelley argued that the team pushed back against the new direction, a resistance that resulted in the show's complete overhaul.

Staff turnover accelerated under Weiss' leadership. Correspondents Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi departed after months of friction with Weiss and executive producer Nick Bilton. Veteran producers Tanya Simon and Draggan Mihailovich also left the show citing editorial disputes. Anderson Cooper exited in May, citing a desire to spend more time with family.

In his final broadcast, Cooper addressed the show's changing identity. He told viewers that the independence of “60 Minutes” has been critical to its success. He also emphasized the importance of story variety and the trust viewers place in the program. Cooper signed off after these remarks, leaving the future of the news magazine's editorial standards to be determined by current leadership.