’60 Minutes’ Correspondents Decide to Stay Amid Recent Turmoil

NEW YORK (AP) — The three remaining correspondents of CBS News’ program ’60 Minutes’ have chosen to stay, at least for now. Correspondents Lesley Stahl, Jon Wertheim, and Bill Whitaker communicated their decision and feelings in a memo to their colleagues. They expressed anger and grief due to recent dismissals at the show.

The memo, obtained by The Associated Press, explained their reason for staying. They stated, ‘We don’t want to see ‘60 Minutes’ die.’ This decision follows recent personnel changes made by Bari Weiss, the new CBS News editor-in-chief, and the executive producer she recently appointed, Nick Bilton. Bilton replaced Tanya Simon, who was dismissed after more than 30 years with the show. Correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega were also among those dismissed. Additionally, Scott Pelley was fired following a tense encounter with CBS News management.

Stahl, Wertheim, and Whitaker expressed sympathy for their dismissed colleagues, stating, ‘We want to express how sorry we are that these principled, fair and honest journalists were treated so shabbily, with such indecency.’ They mentioned an effort to build trust with their new boss, Bilton, while also maintaining the possibility of leaving if necessary. ‘If we can continue doing the work that made this show what it is — committing acts of independent, fearless journalism and storytelling — we’re here for it,’ they wrote. ‘If not, we leave.’ They concluded with, ‘Here’s to Season 59!’

Convincing the three to stay was a significant challenge for Bilton as he works to prepare the show for the upcoming season in September. With the loss of four correspondents, including those recently dismissed and Anderson Cooper, who left earlier this year after two decades, the show faces a reduction in its team. Cooper’s primary role is with CNN.

For over a year, ’60 Minutes’ has been experiencing turmoil. It escalated after former President Donald Trump sued the show for its editing of a 2024 interview with then-Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. This lawsuit contributed to a larger shake-up at CBS News, following Weiss’s appointment as editor-in-chief by Paramount, the parent company. Recently, Skydance, led by David Ellison, merged with CBS parent company Paramount. They settled the Trump lawsuit for $16 million, sparking discontent within ’60 Minutes’ and indirectly leading to the exit of longtime CBS late-night host Stephen Colbert. Colbert described the settlement as ‘a big fat bribe.’

Since its inception, CBS News has held a central place in the American broadcast-news industry. Its status goes back to its radio days before television, with figures like longtime anchorman Walter Cronkite contributing to its reputation as a trusted institution. Earlier this year, Weiss announced the closure of CBS News’ radio operation.