Legendary broadcast journalist Dan Rather has voiced strong criticism regarding the current state of CBS News, describing it as a "disaster" since its parent company was acquired by a boss considered friendly to Donald Trump. In a recent interview with Variety, Rather stated that the network has been "in many ways a disaster" following Skydance's 2025 merger with Paramount Global. Skydance CEO David Ellison then appointed Bari Weiss as CBS News' editor-in-chief, a move Rather believes has led to a rightward shift and significant changes, particularly at the "60 Minutes" news program.
Rather, 94, characterized the situation as "a further example of big billionaire corporate power in bed with powerful people and the presidency to get control of these operations for their benefit." He spoke to Variety while previewing his new documentary, "Rather."
This is not the first time Rather has publicly opposed the overhaul at CBS News. In June, he used a post on his Substack to suggest that every episode of "60 Minutes" should include a disclaimer stating, "This story was approved by Donald Trump." Rather told Variety that Trump has now "gotten his way" after previously expressing "extreme dislike" for the news magazine. He added, "He cleared the way for a consolidation of corporate power, which in turn cleared the way for doing what’s been done to ‘60 Minutes.’ The wreckage of CBS News is everywhere, and continues to this moment. I don’t see how to stop it."
The veteran journalist also praised former "60 Minutes" correspondents Scott Pelley and Sharyn Alfonsi for confronting Weiss over her decisions prior to their departures from CBS News earlier this year. Rather was particularly critical of Weiss, stating, "You judge a person by what they do, and what she’s done is she’s quickly turned CBS News in the direction of being a version of Fox News, perhaps a little more palatable." He added, "But I didn’t know her beforehand, and I don’t know her now. Frankly, we didn’t hear much about her until she was rewarded with many millions of dollars for her company [The Free Press], and then paid to come in and start destroying CBS News."
Rather spent over four decades at CBS News, holding various roles including correspondent for "60 Minutes."