Veteran 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft has launched a blistering attack on CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, predicting her imminent departure from the network amid a controversial editorial shift.
Kroft's Harsh Criticism
In an interview with Variety, Kroft stated, "I have a feeling that Bari will not be overseeing '60 Minutes' for very much longer. I think once the deal gets done with Warner Bros., people will demand that she be let go or move into another position." He referenced an Axios report suggesting Weiss would oversee editorial across CBS News and CNN if Paramount-Skydance CEO David Ellison acquires Warner Bros. Discovery.
Kroft did not mince words: "Everything she's touched has turned to shit. Everything she's touched has gone colossally wrong. And I don't think she's showed any talent for this position. She's only fulfilling other people's agendas."
Background on the Controversy
Kroft's remarks come amid a rightward shift in CBS News' editorial decisions. Recently, former 60 Minutes anchor Scott Pelley accused Weiss of "putting a thumb on the scale" for the Trump administration during coverage of protests in Minneapolis against Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdowns. According to Pelley, Weiss wanted protesters portrayed as more violent and to report that Renee Good, killed by a federal agent, drove toward him—a claim that has been debunked.
The remaining 60 Minutes correspondents—Bill Whitaker, Lesley Stahl, and Jon Wertheim—held an hourlong meeting earlier this month to discuss their futures as the program dwindles, according to Status reports.
Kroft's Outlook
Kroft expressed little surprise at Weiss's handling of senior staff: "They've been shameless in their directions and shameless in their actions. I hope it's going to come to an end, but I don't have a great deal of confidence in Bari Weiss to do what she says that she's going to do." He added that it will be interesting to see how much Whitaker, Stahl, and Wertheim "will put up with" under Weiss's leadership.
