“60 Minutes” anchors Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and Jon Wertheim pledged to stay at CBS on Friday despite being “deeply upset” by the outlet’s recent firings of producers and correspondent Scott Pelley.
Pelley’s public firing on Tuesday drew national attention, raising questions about the fate of his “60 Minutes” colleagues. His former coworkers went on the record days later, lamenting that “newsrooms are not supposed to be run like dictatorships,” but said they would stay with the network anyway. (RELATED: INGERSOLL: A Head Rolls At CBS, And The Long Liberal Death March Continues)
“We have had a hard time deciding whether to stay at 60 Minutes,” a joint statement reads. “We’re still deeply upset by the firings of Tanya and Draggan, strong leaders who everyone respected. As far as we can tell — because no explanation has been offered, they were expelled because they fought for 60 Minutes values and stood up to protect our independence and integrity.”
“We want to express how sorry we are that these principled, fair and honest journalists were treated so shabbily, with such indecency,” the statement reads, referring to the firings of other producers and journalists. “Tanya deserves to be celebrated, not cruelly cast off. Draggan too. It’s been heartbreaking.”
“But, we have decided to stay on.”
Full memo: pic.twitter.com/wq53It6JR6
— David Folkenflik (@davidfolkenflik) June 5, 2026
The three went on to justify their allegiance to the program, saying they wanted to reform and save “60 Minutes” rather than to let it “die.” They also clarified that their staying with CBS was not an endorsement of the “existing power structure.” (RELATED: ‘You Dumba*s!’: Megyn Kelly Rips ’60 Minutes’ Host Over ‘Moms For Liberty’ Interview, Challenges Him To ‘One-On-One’)
“We have been grieving because this whole mess has wounded and damaged broadcast,” the statement reads. “We want to stay and fight, try to repair and preserve our reputation by continuing the Mike Wallace tradition of hold their feet to the fire as well as Morley’s brand of quirky off-kilter reports like his on why people in Finland like to tango!”
“For now we’re staying.”