’60 Minutes’ vet Scott Pelley ousted after confrontation with network bosses

Bilton’s hiring, which was met with high praise from Weiss and Cibrowski, was announced on May 28, the same day that “Black Thursday” saw the resignations of his predecessor, Tanya Simon, editor-in-chief Draggan Mihailovich, and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega of 60 minutes.

Pelley raided Bilton as his new boss held a meet-and-greet with his new staff on June 1, the audio of which was obtained by the New York timeS.

He held a meeting to assure staff that “the show will remain exactly as it is for now,” but acknowledged about the industry: “Broadcasting is an ice cube that is melting.”

When Bilton told the staff that Weiss “loves the show,” Pelley flew into a rage and shouted, “She’s killing.” 60 minutes. She doesn’t like this place. She was brought in to kill it, and that’s exactly what she does.”

Free Press founder Weiss was hired in October 2025 amid a whirlwind of controversy, reportedly with marching orders to shake things up and move the network in a more centrist direction after becoming too “woke.”