Fired “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley unloaded on CBS News head Bari Weiss in a statement on Wednesday morning after it was reported she told staffers the network tried to mend fences with the distinguished correspondent.
According to the New York Times, the controversial Weiss met with Pelley to go over his criticism of her tenure and for pointing out that newly anointed “60 Minutes” executive producer Nick Bilton was over his head and unqualified to oversee the legendary newsmagazine. He was later fired by email.
Wednesday morning Weiss told staffers, “Despite our attempts to engage with Scott Pelley and to find a way back, unfortunately we weren’t able to do so, and so we had to part ways. We did not want that to happen, but that’s the path that he chose.”
In a statement released hours later, Pelley fired back and called the CBS News head a liar while pointing out that mention of his firing led off the meeting with Weiss, Bilton and CBS News President Tom Cibrowski, who flew into a rage and showed Pelley the door.
“Bari Weiss knows what she said is not true,” Pelley reported. “In the meeting on Tuesday, in which I was effectively fired, there was no effort of any kind to ‘find a way back,’ as Weiss said in the editorial meeting. At no point did anyone in the Tuesday meeting suggest that there could be steps taken by either side that would lead to a resolution. Weiss and Tom Cibrowski were openly hostile from the start. ‘Firing’ was raised by Cibrowski in the first 15 seconds. No CBS executive, at any time, suggested ‘a way back.’ To say so now is disingenuous. And they know it.”
He added that he asked Weiss multiple questions about the firings she initiated that have gutted “60 Minutes,” only to have her repeat over and over again, ”I’m not answering that question.”
Stating the CBS executives were “abrupt and dismissive,” he stated Cibrowsk blew up and announced, “This conversation is over!” twice, “raising his voice and standing to show me the door.”
In a statement to @benmullin.bsky.social, Scott Pelley disputes what Bari Weiss said in this morning's editorial meeting, claiming he was never offered "a way back" as she claimed."These executives cannot gain the trust of the staff with lies. This is antithetical to everything we stand for..."
[image or embed]
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona.bsky.social) June 3, 2026 at 8:20 AM
