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Bari Weiss, the new editor-in-chief of CBS News, is reportedly planning a major shake-up of the network's popular news program, 60 Minutes, which could potentially result in the layoff of several star anchors. For the uninitiated, the former New York Times op-ed writer was recently made CBS News' editor-in-chief earlier this month to restore "balance" to the news network. Since her appointment, rumors of a potential layoff circulated inside the news network, spurred by a memo that Weiss sent to CBS News staffers to “understand how you spend your working hours — and ideally, what you’ve made (or are making) that you are most proud of.” She urged the staff to be blunt, adding that the goal of the memo “is simple — I want to familiarize myself with you — and I want you to do the same with me — to know that we are aligned on achieving a shared vision for CBS News.”According to an exclusive report by The New York Post dated October 27, Weiss is considering a shake-up of 60 Minutes as she believes the news program, which debuted in 1968, has strayed too far to the left. Insiders told The Post that Scott Pelley is one of Weiss's rumored targets for the layoff. Pelley, aged 63, has been with CBS News for 31 years and is one of the correspondents on 60 Minutes.In May 2025, Pelley had publicly criticized the Trump administration while giving a speech to Wake Forest University’s graduating class. He was also critical of CBS News' parent company, Paramount, for its $16 million settlement with Trump over a lawsuit claiming the network had "deceptively" edited Kamal Harris' October 2024 interview.Sources also claimed that Bill Whitaker, the 74-year-old anchor who conducted the Harris interview, could potentially be another target. A CBS source told The Post that Bari Weiss was hoping to bring in fresh and younger talent, adding:“Bari isn’t wrong to try to bring in new people. Most of the show’s correspondents and its viewers are geriatric.”Bari Weiss is interested in bringing back CBS News' investigative reportingBari Weiss' appointment as CBS News' new editor-in-chief came with expected upheavals in the news network's staffing. However, a source claimed that Weiss is also looking to retain some of its veteran staff, including 83-year-old Lesley Stahl, whom Weiss believes to be a "treasure." Another correspondent whose name was mentioned in the report was Tanya Simon, the daughter of late correspondent Bob Simon and the new executive producer of 60 Minutes. The source claimed to be unsure of how Simon would fit into Bari Weiss's new shake-up. However, they alleged that Simon seemingly shared Weiss's stance that the network had "gone soft," adding that Simon had been looking into reviving “more hard-hitting” journalism while cutting back on “soft entertainment pieces.” Tanya Simon speaking at the 26th SCAD Savannah Film Festival (Image via Getty)Another CBS source told The Post that Bari Weiss was interested in strengthening CBS News' investigative journalism unit, adding:“There’s not much of an investigative reporting unit anymore. The reality is ‘60 Minutes’ is the investigative arm of CBS News.”Bari Weiss and CBS News are reportedly expected to announce major changes to 60 Minutes and other shows on October 29, 2025.Oli London @OliLondonTVLINKBari Weiss set to become the new Editor in Chief of CBS News as Paramount announces it will buy her news site the Free Press for $150 million. Weiss is known for calling out progressivism, cancel culture, being pro-Israel and being anti-woke.On October 6, 2025, Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison announced the hiring of Bari Weiss and the acquisition of her news site, The Free Press, for $150 million. The 41-year-old editor-in-chief will directly report to Ellison, who was made CEO of Paramount Skydance in August 2025.
