Nick Bilton, the new executive producer of "60 Minutes," has traded his corner office for a more modest space and converted the former executive suite into a conference room, a move reportedly aimed at improving staff relations. This decision follows a challenging initial month in his role, which has been characterized by significant staff changes and reported friction with senior personnel.
Bilton, 49, was appointed to lead the newsmagazine and oversee an overhaul of the program. His arrival on May 28 was reportedly preceded by a series of firings. Shortly after, a meeting intended to introduce him to the staff on June 1 reportedly devolved into a heated exchange with veteran correspondent Scott Pelley, who was dismissed the following day.
Sources suggest that "60 Minutes" staff are struggling to build trust with Bilton, partly due to his perceived alignment with Bari Weiss. Weiss, a senior CBS News executive brought in by Paramount CEO David Ellison, has been instrumental in the changes at the program. Staffers reportedly feel Weiss wields significant influence, leading some to believe she is the de facto executive producer.
Both Weiss and Ellison, who took the helm in October, are described as outsiders to traditional broadcast news, lacking prior experience in the field. "60 Minutes," known for its long-standing autonomy and established team, has historically been resistant to external influence, according to former network executives.
Weiss had previously characterized "60 Minutes" as "calcified and resistant to change." The firings in late May, which included correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, as well as former executive producer Tanya Simon and executive editor Draggan Mihailovich, signaled a substantial editorial shift. These departures paved the way for Bilton's appointment and the subsequent dispute with Pelley.
Pelley, in an interview with The New York Times following his dismissal, commented on what he described as a "subtle political bias" at CBS and "60 Minutes" under the new leadership. David Ellison, son of conservative billionaire Larry Ellison, has stated his vision for Paramount's flagship program to appeal to a more centrist audience. His appointment of Weiss occurred shortly after Paramount's merger with his former company, Skydance Media, a process that followed a $16 million lawsuit settlement between CBS and Donald Trump.
Prior to these recent developments, Bill Owens, the previous top executive at "60 Minutes," resigned in April 2025, publicly accusing Paramount of interfering with the show's journalistic integrity during the merger negotiations.
Anderson Cooper, a long-time "60 Minutes" contributor, reportedly declined to work under Weiss and departed the program when his contract expired in May. Weiss, in a statement to The Wall Street Journal, defended her role, stating that "editorial interference" is part of an editor-in-chief's responsibilities. However, veteran correspondent Bill Whitaker, who is among the remaining staffers, has expressed frustration with the current situation. Whitaker, along with Lesley Stahl and L. Jon Wertheim, announced on June 5 that they would remain with the newsmagazine.