Photorealistic television news studio with anchors and staff standing around a desk, featuring documents in the foreground.

On June 2, 2026, Pelley was fired by CBS News, following his strong criticism of CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and newly-named 60 Minutes executive producer Nick Bilton during a contentious staff meeting.[34] Relations between Pelley and Weiss had been tense for months, long before Bilton took the helm in late May 2026. During the meeting, Pelley had accused Weiss of "murdering" the show, and told Bilton that he would "never be welcome" there.[35] When CBS fired Pelley, Bilton wrote a cover letter, which was obtained by The New York Times. Bilton stated as follows: "Your antipathy to the future of the show has come through loud and clear. And I have heard you. I therefore write on behalf of CBS News, Inc. ('CBS') to inform you that your employment with CBS is terminated for cause effective immediately."[36] The next day, Weiss said, "I'm only interested in working in a newsroom that is built on trust and mutual respect."[37] That night on the CBS Evening News, anchor Tony Dokoupil described Pelley as a "journalist who valued truth at all costs".[38] In response, Pelley issued a statement accusing the new CBS leadership of instructing him to insert falsehoods into a political story, and to include assertions that were not verified – instructions he says he ignored. "The collapse of values at the top has become untenable. The leadership of 60 Minutes is no longer recognizable. The principles I hold dear are gone, and so I must leave as well," Pelley wrote.[39] In a later See more