CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss has reportedly expressed a strong interest in hiring former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo for the network, according to sources cited by the New York Post. However, hiring Cuomo faces considerable challenges, including his ongoing $125 million lawsuit against CNN and a multi-year contract with NewsNation.
Sources close to the situation indicate that Weiss has been actively pursuing Cuomo, engaging in text conversations and meals. One source described Weiss as "obsessed" with the idea of bringing Cuomo to CBS. Despite this reported enthusiasm, the same sources suggest that hiring Cuomo is unlikely due to legal entanglements. CBS's parent company, Paramount Skydance, is in the process of merging with CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, making a legal battle with a former CNN employee a complex issue.
CBS News declined to comment on the matter. A source close to Weiss, however, characterized the discussions with Cuomo as being in their "pre-infancy" and stated that there have been "no conversations saying, ‘We want to hire you.’" This source also indicated that Weiss is aware of the legal and other complications involved in hiring Cuomo.
Cuomo joined CNN in 2013 and later hosted a primetime show before being fired in December 2021. His termination followed revelations that he had assisted in the defense of his brother, then-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, amid sexual misconduct allegations. Following his departure from CNN, Cuomo joined NewsNation.
Beyond the lawsuit, potential hiring could also be complicated by Cuomo's past association with former CNN boss Jeff Zucker. Zucker, now CEO of RedBird IMI, is involved in financing the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery deal. Any hypothetical hiring of Cuomo at CBS would also need to navigate his existing multi-year contract with NewsNation.
Weiss, who joined CBS News in October, has been seeking to energize the network's programming. She and CBS News President Tom Cibrowski are reportedly planning changes to "CBS Mornings" and considering various candidates to fill anchor roles. There is also speculation about potential shifts involving current anchors Gayle King and Nate Burleson.