Scott Pelley, the longtime correspondent for 60 Minutes, has been terminated by CBS News following an immediate public clash with the show’s new leadership. Multiple reports confirm Pelley was dismissed after he directly confronted CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and newly appointed executive producer Nick Bilton in front of staff members. During the exchange, Pelley accused Weiss of “murdering” the program and stated that Bilton possessed “slender qualifications.”

The firing occurred within hours of Bilton’s first day leading 60 Minutes. Prior to this incident, both Weiss and Bilton had expressed their desire for Pelley to remain with the show, according to sources familiar with CBS News leadership. However, a heated meeting on Bilton’s initial day escalated into a public confrontation that led directly to Pelley’s termination.

Pelley’s remarks were described as a direct attack on the new management team, signaling significant editorial tension. His comments followed prior criticisms of CBS News and Paramount during President Trump’s legal disputes with the networks, where he previously condemned Trump’s lawsuits against journalists and companies as “filed for nothing.” This incident underscores the rapid shift in leadership dynamics at 60 Minutes under its new direction.