New Boss GUTS CBS’s 60 Minutes

Anderson Cooper’s departure from CBS’s 60 Minutes after nearly two decades signals deepening turmoil at the once-prestigious network, as insiders point to controversial leadership changes and editorial interference that are gutting journalistic integrity.

Story Snapshot

Anderson Cooper exits 60 Minutes after 20 years, citing family priorities amid CBS upheaval under new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss
Weiss’s tenure marked by layoffs, buyouts, and controversial segment pulls perceived as politically motivated deference to Trump administration
CBS settled Trump’s $16 million lawsuit over edited Kamala Harris interview amid $8 billion Paramount acquisition by Skydance Media
Internal dissent erupts as correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi calls Weiss’s editorial decisions “political, not editorial” in leaked memo

Cooper’s Exit Amid Network Chaos

Anderson Cooper announced his departure from CBS’s 60 Minutes after serving as a correspondent since 2007, stating he wants to spend more time with his young children. Cooper’s decision to leave one of journalism’s most prestigious platforms comes as CBS News undergoes massive restructuring under Bari Weiss, who became editor-in-chief last October. While Cooper publicly framed his exit as family-focused, the timing coincides with widespread staff departures, layoffs, and buyouts that have destabilized the network. Cooper will continue his work at CNN, anchoring Anderson Cooper 360° and The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper, maintaining his presence in cable news.

Weiss Leadership Sparks Internal Rebellion

Bari Weiss’s brief tenure as CBS News editor-in-chief has triggered unprecedented internal conflict at 60 Minutes. In December, Weiss pulled a completed segment on El Salvador’s CECOT prison hours before airtime, demanding the Trump administration provide on-camera comments despite the piece already being thoroughly reported. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi authored a memo criticizing the decision as “political, not editorial,” reflecting broader staff concerns that Weiss is compromising journalistic independence. The segment eventually aired weeks later with minimal changes, undermining Weiss’s stated rationale for the delay. This pattern of editorial interference represents a troubling shift from 60 Minutes’ decades-long reputation for hard-hitting investigative journalism free from political pressure.

Trump Lawsuit and Corporate Turmoil

CBS’s troubles intensified after President Trump sued the network in October 2024 over editing decisions in a Kamala Harris 60 Minutes interview, where different clips aired on Face the Nation versus the flagship program. Paramount ultimately settled the lawsuit for $16 million in February 2025 after releasing full transcripts defending the edits. The legal battle coincided with the FCC approving Skydance Media’s $8 billion acquisition of Paramount, adding corporate instability to editorial pressures. These financial and legal challenges have strained resources while Weiss implements sweeping personnel cuts. The convergence of lawsuit settlements, ownership changes, and controversial editorial decisions creates conditions that make veteran journalists question their future at the network.

Erosion of Investigative Journalism Standards

The situation at CBS exposes how political pressure and corporate consolidation threaten independent journalism that Americans rely on for accountability. Weiss’s requirement for Trump administration approval before airing investigative segments sets a dangerous precedent that could silence reporting on government abuses. Cooper’s departure, following other staff exits amid layoffs, signals that talented journalists refuse to participate in this compromised environment. For conservatives who value truth over narrative manipulation, CBS’s transformation under Weiss paradoxically undermines the balanced reporting she claims to champion. When networks prioritize political considerations over journalistic integrity, whether bowing to leftist agendas or seeking administration approval, the American public loses access to factual information necessary for informed citizenship and constitutional governance.