CBS News is in crisis under Bari Weiss’s leadership, with a Trump-friendly agenda sparking viewer decline and staff discontent
Blue Press Journal – In a stunning display of tone-deaf leadership, CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss has told staff to leave the company if they’re unwilling to conform to her vision, as the network continues its shift towards a more Trump-friendly agenda. The move comes as CBS News faces plummeting viewership and growing controversy under Weiss’s leadership.
Since taking the helm, Weiss has courted controversy with her conservative credentials and lack of TV news experience. The appointment was made after Paramount, CBS’s parent company, acquired her news blog, The Free Press, for a staggering $150 million. Weiss reports directly to Paramount CEO David Ellison, son of Trump megadonor Larry Ellison, raising concerns about the network’s editorial independence.
During a recent all-hands meeting, Weiss acknowledged the network’s poor public reception, telling staff to “earn” her trust and that of their viewers. However, her remarks did little to ease concerns about the network’s direction. Weiss likened CBS News to a “start-up,” warning of further changes and emphasizing the need for “scoops” and a “singular editorial vision,” which seems driven by a Trump-friendly agenda alienating viewers and staff alike.
The results are already evident. CBS Evening News, the network’s flagship program, has seen a 20% decline in viewership under new anchor Tony Dokoupil, a Weiss appointee. The show’s latest episode, which aired largely unchanged after a controversy surrounding Weiss’s interference, had one of the newsmagazine’s lowest ratings in its 58-year history.
In the first week under new anchor Tony Dokoupil (Jan. 5–9, 2026), the program averaged approximately 4.17 million viewers, a drop of roughly 23% from the ~5.4 million viewers during the same period in 2025.
Weiss’s leadership has raised concerns about the network’s editorial integrity. She has been accused of pulling a segment on the infamous mega-prison CECOT, where the Trump administration sends deportees, and demanding an on-camera interview with a Trump official. This was viewed as an attempt to appease the Trump agenda, leading staffers to fear retaliation for voicing opposition.
The writing is on the wall: CBS News is in crisis. With layoffs looming and staff morale at an all-time low, it’s clear that Weiss’s vision is not aligned with that of the network’s dedicated staff. As the network continues to hemorrhage viewers, one thing is certain: Bari Weiss’s tenure at CBS News is a disaster waiting to happen.
Blue Press Journal 