Bari Weiss George Clooney CBS News Controversy: A Clash of Media Titans
George Clooney and Bari Weiss clash over the future of CBS News. From spiked 60 Minutes segments to allegations of MAGA influence, the Bari Weiss George Clooney CBS News controversy is peaking.
A high-stakes war of words has erupted between Hollywood heavyweight George Clooney and CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss. On December 31, 2025, Clooney publicly accused Weiss of "dismantling" the legendary news network, prompting a sharp rebuttal and an "open invitation" from the editorial chief.
The Bari Weiss George Clooney CBS News Controversy Escalates
The conflict ignited when George Clooney characterized the hiring of Bari Weiss at CBS as a troubling sign of Donald Trump's expanding influence over mainstream media. Weiss, who took the helm in October after Paramount acquired her outlet, The Free Press, responded with a touch of sarcasm. Referencing Clooney's recent French citizenship, she issued a statement saying, "Bonjour, Mr. Clooney," and invited him to see the relaunch of the Evening News firsthand on January 5.
The tension isn't just celebrity posturing; it reflects a massive turn in the network's internal culture. Clooney expressed concern that Paramount's new owner, David Ellison, is steering CBS toward a more MAGA-friendly editorial stance, a claim the network has yet to officially address.
Internal Turmoil Over Spiked 60 Minutes Segment
The controversy deepened following reports of an internal mail—an email obtained by the Wall Street Journal—from veteran correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi. In the message, Alfonsi accused Weiss of "spiking" a 60 Minutes story about the Trump administration's deportation of Venezuelan immigrants. Alfonsi labeled the decision political, warning that the network was moving from an "investigative powerhouse to a stenographer for the state."
While Weiss defended the move as an editorial call for more "context," Clooney doubled down, criticizing major broadcasters for acquiescing to political pressure. He argued that if networks had challenged lawsuits more aggressively, the current media climate would be vastly different. A recent Pew Research Center study indicates that 50% of adults disapprove of the mass deportations, highlighting the sensitivity of the censored report.
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