FCC Chair Criticizes Former 60 Minutes Correspondent Over Dismissal Remarks

FCC Chair Brendan Carr used his X account to criticize former 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley, saying that many legacy journalists appear out of touch and that such behavior would not be tolerated in ordinary jobs. Carr added that this attitude contributes to low public trust in the media.

Pelley told The New York Times that his dismissal followed a tense exchange with CBS News editor‑in‑chief Bari Weiss, whom he accused of imposing "subtle political bias" on a story about protests in Minneapolis. He claimed Weiss asked him to portray protesters as more violent to align with the president’s narrative, describing the request as unprecedented in his 37‑year tenure at the network.

A CBS spokesperson said the editorial suggestions were routine, noting that Weiss made four points in an email aimed at strengthening the piece’s fairness and accuracy, and that not all of her comments were incorporated into the final report.

The dispute occurred amid a series of personnel changes after new executive producer Nick Bilton took over 60 Minutes in late May, leading to the departure of several senior staff members. After Pelley confronted Weiss and Bilton during a meeting, Bilton sent a letter terminating Pelley’s employment for cause.

"The leadership of 60 Minutes is no longer recognizable. The principles I hold dear are gone, and so I must leave as well," Pelley said, adding that new management had asked him to insert falsehoods and bias into a politically sensitive story.

Weiss responded that CBS had attempted to engage with Pelley but ultimately could not find a way forward, stating that the separation was not desired but necessary.

Internal sources reported that morale at the program remains low following the termination.