CBS News correspondent accuses Bari Weiss of ‘political’ move in pulling ’60 Minutes’ piece

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I’m really disturbed to hear that CBS News, under Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss, actually spiked a “60 Minutes” report just before it was set to air. Apparently, the piece detailed how the Trump administration was sending hundreds of deported Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador – a pretty significant story, and one viewers deserved to see. It’s concerning when a news organization pulls the plug on investigative journalism like this, and I’m eager to learn exactly why it happened.

The unusual decision drew a sharp rebuke from Sharyn Alfonsi, the correspondent for the piece.

According to an email sent to colleagues and reviewed by the Times, Alfonsi believes the decision was politically driven. She explained that the story had already been approved by the network’s legal team and standards department, meaning it was prepared to be broadcast.

Hollywood Inc.

A former opinion editor at The New York Times and the creator of Free Press is entering the often-difficult world of television news.

Alfonsi confirmed the information was accurate. She believes removing it now, after it passed all internal reviews, isn’t a matter of editorial judgment, but a political one.

CBS News reports that correspondent Sharyl Alfonsi interviewed former detainees who shared harrowing accounts of the severe and abusive conditions they experienced while imprisoned at CECOT, one of El Salvador’s most notorious prisons.

A CBS News spokesperson announced that the report, titled “Inside CECOT,” will be featured on a future episode of “60 Minutes.” They explained that the report required further investigation before it could be aired.

Sources say that Stephanie Weiss reviewed the segment late Thursday and raised several concerns about the story. She requested more fact-checking, but there wasn’t enough time to complete it before the scheduled broadcast on Sunday. A press release about the story was already distributed on Friday.

Sources say Weiss hoped the article would include a statement from someone working in President Trump’s administration.

In her email, Alonsi explained that the program asked for information from the Department of Homeland Security, the White House, and the State Department, either through questionnaires or interviews.

According to Alfonsi, the government’s lack of response isn’t a rejection of the story, but rather a deliberate attempt to suppress it. Their decision not to participate in interviews is a strategy to make the story disappear.

Hollywood Inc.

Donald Trump recently criticized the CBS News program, marking his first public comments on the show since Skydance Partners acquired Paramount.

In her email, Alfonsi stated she found out the story was removed on Saturday and confirmed she hadn’t spoken to Weiss about it.

Even if Weiss had legitimate concerns, pulling a “60 Minutes” report after it was heavily promoted on television, social media, and TV listings is a significant mistake for the network.

Weiss is in a tough spot. As a newcomer to television and a digital media entrepreneur, all her decisions are being carefully watched and judged.

Journalists at CBS News and those following the media industry are keeping a close eye on Bari Weiss, the founder of a conservative news site, to see if her influence is causing CBS News to lean more to the right. She was specifically brought on board by Paramount CEO David Ellison, adding to the scrutiny.

Prior to its purchase by Skydance Media, Paramount reached a $16 million settlement with Donald Trump to resolve a lawsuit he filed. Trump had alleged that a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris was unfairly edited to support her potential 2024 presidential run against him, a claim many found questionable.

Following an interview with Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene – who strongly criticized President Biden and his administration – Donald Trump stated that “60 Minutes” has become “worse” since Paramount Global took ownership.

Let me tell you, Paramount made a really interesting move recently, shelling out $150 million for Free Press, and it all hinged on bringing in Weiss. Her first big splash? A town hall meeting, and it wasn’t just any guest – it was Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, the controversial right-wing activist. Now, Erika’s stepped into her husband’s shoes, taking the reins of Turning Point USA, the political group he built. It’s a fascinating, and potentially divisive, choice for her first major event.

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2025-12-22 09:01