Scott Pelley Exits '60 Minutes' Following Confrontation with New Executive Producer

Scott Pelley's tenure at '60 Minutes' has come to an end.

The seasoned broadcast journalist becomes the latest casualty in a wave of departures reshaping the newsmagazine under the direction of editorial chief Bari Weiss. The termination followed a tense confrontation between Pelley and Nick Bilton, the newly hired executive producer and former technology journalist brought on by Weiss.

Bilton delivered the news via letter on Tuesday evening, June 2. According to Variety, which reviewed the correspondence, the executive producer wrote: "Your antipathy to the future of the show has come through loud and clear. And I have heard you. I therefore write on behalf of CBS News to inform you that your employment with CBS is terminated effective immediately."

The separation marks the fourth exit from the program's ranks since February. The show's reporting roster has been significantly reduced, now comprising only Bill Whitaker, Lesley Stahl, and Jon Wertheim as the team prepares content for the program's 59th season launching this fall.

The firing came one day after a contentious Monday staff meeting between Pelley and Bilton. Audio recordings obtained by The New York Times captured Pelley, the former CBS Evening News anchor, leveling sharp criticism at Weiss's stewardship. "She is murdering 60 Minutes. She does not love this place. She was brought in to kill it, and she's been doing exactly that," Pelley stated during the meeting.

The upheaval has drawn additional scrutiny, with previously terminated journalist Cecilia Vega raising concerns about editorial suppression in connection with the recent staffing changes.