Overview
- Clooney told Variety that "Bari Weiss is dismantling CBS News," warning about the public’s ability to discern reality without a functioning press.
- Clooney faulted CBS and ABC for settling defamation suits brought by President Donald Trump, saying the networks should have fought the cases.
- Weiss became editor-in-chief in October, a move that has drawn mounting concern over shifts in CBS News’ editorial direction.
- Recent reporting says Weiss pulled a 60 Minutes story on deportations to a megaprison in El Salvador, which she characterized as not ready and not advancing the reporting.
- Context includes Paramount’s $16 million settlement of a Trump-related 60 Minutes dispute as it pursued Skydance approval, with Paramount now under David Ellison’s control.