Pelley: CBS Ordered Coverage to Favor Trump

Scott Pelley told a panel on Wednesday that CBS News leadership instructed staff to shape coverage to align with President Donald Trump. The former '60 Minutes' anchor made the remarks during an event hosted by Speak Up For Justice.

Pelley, who was dismissed from his position in early 2026, stated that there was a clear directive to move reporting toward the president's viewpoint. He described the pressure as a corporate effort to place a thumb on the scale in favor of the administration.

The anchor characterized the intervention as distinct from previous newsroom dynamics. He noted that executives entered the news division with a specific political bent for stories. Pelley said the team fought back against this influence, which contributed to the major restructuring of the program last year.

Tensions between Pelley and editor-in-chief Bari Weiss peaked in a staff meeting where he accused her of damaging the show's legacy. Weiss, a former opinion columnist and founder of The Free Press, was appointed to lead CBS News after Paramount was acquired by Skydance in 2025.

The show has lost several prominent figures during Weiss's tenure. Correspondents Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi departed after reported friction with Weiss and executive producer Nick Bilton. Producers Tanya Simon and Draggan Mihailovich also left the team citing editorial disputes.

Anderson Cooper left the program in May, citing family reasons in public statements. However, he referenced the show's independence and trust with viewers during his final broadcast.

Pelley said the corporate influence he witnessed was unlike anything he had seen in his career. He emphasized that the push to alter the show's political stance led to a period of intense conflict within the newsroom.