Bulwark Takes Can “60 Minutes” Survive Bari Weiss? (w/ Max Tani)
Dec 23, 2025
This week, Max Tani, a Semafor reporter, dives into the controversy surrounding Bari Weiss's decision to pull a segment on the CECOT scandal from 60 Minutes. He discusses the internal tensions at CBS, including the backlash from staff and leaked emails accusing Weiss of a political veto. Tani analyzes the implications of Trump’s influence on CBS's editorial choices and their struggle with maintaining journalistic integrity. The conversation culminates in predictions about the show's future amidst rising scrutiny and potential ownership changes.
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Hire Was A Political Signal
- Bari Weiss was hired to signal Trump-friendly credibility during the Ellisons' Paramount bid.
- Her actions now reflect that original political calculus and its influence on newsroom choices.
Weiss Watched The Piece, Then Intervened
- Max Tani explains that Weiss watched the finished piece and raised concerns which delayed it.
- The correspondent resisted after Weiss intervened, creating internal conflict over the segment.
Rare Executive Override
- CBS's executive producer believed the piece was publishable but Weiss overruled that judgment.
- That reversal is an unusual direct intervention by a network head into programming.