CBS News has fired veteran 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley after a heated confrontation with network leadership over the show’s future, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
Scott Pelley has been fired from CBS News following a confrontation over the direction of *60 Minutes*. Discover the details.
The decision came just days after Pelley challenged CBS News executives during a tense staff meeting. He openly questioned editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and newly appointed 60 Minutes executive producer Nick Bilton, arguing that the new leadership lacked the experience needed to guide the storied news program. Pelley also warned that recent changes threatened the legacy that made 60 Minutes one of television’s most respected news magazines.
His departure marks the latest chapter in a sweeping CBS News overhaul that has already prompted several high-profile exits. In recent weeks, correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, along with longtime executive producer Tanya Simon, have left the organization, fueling concerns among staff about the network’s future direction.
Bilton informed employees of Pelley’s dismissal through an internal memo. In the message, he cited Pelley’s opposition to the network’s new vision and his public criticism of management. Sources say CBS executives spent weeks trying to resolve the conflict privately before ultimately deciding to terminate the veteran journalist.
Pelley joined CBS News in 1989 and became a 60 Minutes correspondent in 2004. During his decades-long career, he anchored the CBS Evening News, served as the network’s chief White House correspondent and built a reputation for tough investigative reporting.
The shake-up reflects broader changes taking place across CBS News as executives reshape the organization’s leadership and strategy. While critics argue the network risks compromising its tradition of independent journalism, supporters contend the restructuring will help CBS adapt to rapidly changing audience habits and media consumption trends.
Pelley’s exit leaves 60 Minutes at a crossroads as the iconic news program navigates one of the most significant transitions in its history. CBS News has declined to provide additional details about the firing, and Pelley has yet to comment publicly on his departure.
