‘It’s Bari Versus Everyone Right Now’: CBS News Reportedly in Turmoil as Weiss Refuses to Fire Contributor With Epstein Ties

Gilberto Tadday/TED

CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss is reportedly refusing to fire a contributor who exchanged friendly emails with Jeffrey Epstein, The Wrap reported on Monday night.

Wellness guru Dr. Peter Attia was one of several contributors Weiss hired last month, but that personnel decision has now become a headache for CBS News.

On Friday, the Department of Justice released another trove of material about Epstein, the late child sex trafficker. Among the files were email exchanges between Attia and Epstein, who appeared to be on very friendly terms.

In an email from 2015, Attia told Epstein that the “worst part about being your friend is that the life you lead is so outrageous, and yet I can’t tell a soul.”

In a 2016 email, Attia made a lewd crack about cunnilingus, writing: “P—y is, indeed, low carb. Still awaiting results on gluten, though.”

Attia’s name appeared in the Epstein files more than 1,700 times. In a lengthy post on X, Attia said he “was not involved in any criminal activity” and that his “interactions with Epstein had nothing to do with his sexual abuse or exploitation of anyone.” Attia did apologize for his “embarrassing, tasteless, and indefensible” correspondence.

Notably, Weiss’s wife, Nellie Bowles, also appeared to correspond via email with Epstein.

The Wrap reported on Monday morning that CBS News was reconsidering its hire of Attia. But later that evening, the publication said Weiss was reluctant to fire him because she would be caving to a mob. One person familiar with the situation told The Wrap that Weiss is battling “everyone” over it and that David Ellison, the CEO of CBS parent company Paramount Skydance, may have to make a decision:

A battle has broken out between Paramount corporate and CBS News’ news chief Bari Weiss over cutting ties with new contributor Peter Attia, TheWrap has learned.

Weiss insists she does not want to cut ties with Attia over his links to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and sees it as giving in to the mob. Senior Paramount executives sees this as an HR matter and that Attia cannot be giving expert advice on a broadcast network.

“It’s Bari versus everyone right now on Attia,” said an individual with knowledge of the internal discussion. The sense inside Paramount is that CEO David Ellison will have to make this call.

Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting a minor and was sentenced to 18 months in prison as part of a lenient plea agreement.

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!