Bari Weiss' First Weeks as CBS News Editor-in-Chief: A Turbulent Start

Bari Weiss, co-founder of the opinion-driven digital outlet The Free Press, began her role as CBS News's first-ever editor-in-chief on October 6, 2025, following Paramount's $150 million acquisition of her site. Reporting directly to Paramount CEO David Ellison rather than CBS News President Tom Cibrowski, Weiss's appointment—framed as a push for "energy and fearlessness" amid CBS's ratings struggles—has ignited widespread internal unease and external debate. 

Variety reports her early tenure, spanning roughly three weeks, has featured bold booking moves, aggressive internal audits, and talent scouting, but also missteps, leaks, and accusations of ideological overreach.

Week 1 (October 6–12): 

On her first day: Weiss distributed a memo to CBS's roughly 1,200 staffers, expressing nostalgia for the network's legacy (citing family viewing traditions) and pledging to uphold 10 "core journalistic values" like fairness and independence. She urged employees to submit detailed responses by October 8 outlining their daily routines, what's "broken" in the organization, and proposed fixes—aiming to foster alignment for one-on-one meetings. While some saw this as a genuine effort to build rapport, others likened it to Elon Musk's infamous Twitter-era demands for productivity justifications, sparking paranoia and fears of job audits. The Writers Guild of America East advised non-union Free Press staff (now integrated) to hold off on responding, leading to conflicting guidance and confusion among producers.

Internal Meetings and Atmosphere: Weiss joined daily editorial calls and held sessions with anchors and producers in New York and D.C., positioning herself as a hands-on leader alongside Cibrowski. She reportedly quipped, "Let’s do the fucking news," in one meeting, signaling urgency. However, her lack of broadcast TV experience was evident; staff described an "awkward" adjustment, with some feeling she underestimated CBS's scale and operations. Guards escorted her through the newsroom, amplifying perceptions of her as an outsider imposed by Ellison.

Staff Backlash: Pre-appointment leaks revealed deep skepticism. CBS veterans called the hire "utterly depressing," citing Weiss's history of critiquing "liberal pieties" at outlets like CBS via The Free Press, her pro-Israel stance, and past controversies (e.g., resigning from the NYT in 2020 over alleged "toxic" culture). Five sources told Zeteo of an "atmosphere rife with insult," fears of editorial shifts, and rumors of impending layoffs (over 10% of staff). Late-night host John Oliver mocked the setup on Last Week Tonight, highlighting Weiss's direct line to Ellison as a "broligarchy" power grab.

Week 2 (October 13–19): 

Weiss flexed her Rolodex early, helping secure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a CBS streaming special (aligning with her advocacy) and Jared Kushner/Steve Witkoff for a 60 Minutes segment on Trump's Middle East plan. She also pitched a panel with Antony Blinken, Mike Pompeo, and Hillary Clinton, but only Clinton appeared—on a low-viewership weekday stream—while Pompeo cited his Fox exclusivity. These moves buoyed some journalists eager for "scoops," but executives noted Weiss's need to master TV "sizzle" (e.g., cross-promotion across shows).

Clash with 60 Minutes Team: In a meeting, Weiss stunned producers by asking why viewers perceive the program as "biased" toward liberals—a nod to Trump-era criticisms (including a settled $16M defamation suit). Staff pushed back, insisting on their nonpartisan record, but the exchange heightened tensions. One producer told Townhall it "stunned" the room, underscoring ideological rifts.

Idea Brainstorming: Weiss floated concepts like live events and digital innovations to adapt CBS to the streaming era, telling top producers, "I love to win." Yet leaks about these discussions irked her, per the New York Times, adding to the "uncertainty" as staff assessed their "unorthodox" new boss.

Week 3 (October 20–25):

To revive the third-place show, Weiss has scouted external stars, including Fox's Bret Baier (under contract until 2028, earning $14M+) and CNN's Anderson Cooper (a 60 Minutes contributor). Sources told The Independent this is a "splash" to signal change, though Baier's conservative bent drew mixed X reactions—some conservatives cheered a potential Fox purge of "left-leaners," while others dismissed it as a "rebrand." Agencies were queried for talent ideas, amid whispers of union issues at The Free Press (now blending with CBS's unionized workforce).

Programming and Ratings Notes: The Kushner/Witkoff 60 Minutes aired October 19 but drew below-average viewers (under 8.6M seasonal norm), partly due to NFL competition. Online buzz was positive, but critics flagged omissions, like CBS Evening News skipping Trump's pardon of a Binance executive on October 23—while ABC and NBC covered it—fueling bias claims.

Ongoing Tensions and External Critique: X buzz amplified divides: Glenn Greenwald called Weiss "billionaire-pleasing dreck," while supporters praised her "bravery." Broader worries include AI integration under Ellison and a perceived rightward tilt (e.g., reduced Trump criticism post-hire). Judd Legum and Wajahat Ali highlighted Weiss's history of "distorting truth" on Israel/Palestine, tying her rise to anti-"woke" billionaire agendas.

Overall, Weiss's debut has injected "energy" for some but sown chaos for many, with CBS's parade of five presidents in five years now facing an ideological wildcard. As one veteran put it, it's a "whirlwind"—with layoffs, integrations, and her vision for a "trusted" yet "modernized" CBS still unfolding.