CBS is actively recruiting new on-air talent for its newsmagazine program 60 Minutes following the recent departures of several key staffers, including longtime correspondent Scott Pelley. According to an internal email sent to staff on Tuesday, July 28, by executive producer Nick Bilton, the show has tapped conservative New York Times columnist Ross Douthat to serve as a correspondent.
The announcement also confirmed the return of former 60 Minutes contributor Norah O'Donnell to the program. Joining them as new contributors are author Sebastian Junger, known for The Perfect Storm, Vice News alumna Gianna Toboni, and British broadcaster Trevor Phillips. Bilton encouraged staff to welcome the new hires and noted that he expects to meet with the team in person on August 2. These additions follow the appointment of former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss as the program’s new editor-in-chief.
This transition follows a significant shakeup at the newsmagazine that resulted in the terminations of Scott Pelley, executive producer Tanya Simon, executive editor Draggan Mihailovich, and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega. In a termination notice dated June 2, Bilton informed Pelley that he had hoped to establish a path forward together despite alleged misconduct, but noted that Pelley expressed no interest in such a resolution. Bilton further criticized Pelley, stating it was a profound disappointment that he chose an ambush instead of a civil conversation, characterizing his actions in front of staff as a performative display of hostility.
Pelley addressed his exit during a June 7 interview on The New York Times podcast, The Interview. He stated that he does not feel sorry for himself but remains deeply concerned for the colleagues he left behind and the institution he served. Describing the emotional toll of his departure, Pelley remarked that the experience feels like having a spouse murdered, noting that while he feels fine at times, he occasionally falls apart when he least expects it.
"The best thing that I can imagine in terms of describing it is that it's like your spouse was murdered," he said. "There's some moments of the day I feel fine. There's some moments of the day that I just, frankly, fall apart, when I least expect it."
