Correspondents of '60 Minutes' Confirm They Will Remain with the Program Amid Management Changes

On June 5, 2026, correspondents Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and Jon Wertheim announced their decision to stay with '60 Minutes' following recent turmoil within the program. In a memo to colleagues, they expressed their distress over the firings of executive producer Tanya Simon and producer Draggan Mihailovich, stating that these leaders were dismissed for defending the show's values and integrity. The upheaval began when Scott Pelley was fired after challenging the new executive producer, Nick Bilton, during a meeting. Pelley had accused CBS News Editor in Chief Bari Weiss of undermining the program. In response to the unrest, Bilton reassured staff that the show would maintain its independence and emphasized the importance of the correspondents in its success. Weiss also addressed the situation, stating that trust and mutual respect are essential in the newsroom. The recent events have left staff questioning the future of '60 Minutes', which recently concluded its 58th season.