In the summer of 2021, after Meghan McCain’s departure, the producers of “The View” embarked on a quest to find a new conservative co-host. Bari Weiss, who had previously guest-hosted an episode and was creating buzz with her newly launched news outlet, The Free Press, aspired to fill the role. Her then-agents at CAA pushed hard for her candidacy, but audience feedback was lackluster due to her centrist-right views, leading to her not being asked back for further guest hosting, as reported by sources. Ultimately, the position went to Alyssa Farah Griffin, who had served as a director of strategic communications in the Trump White House.
This rejection proved fortuitous for Weiss. Instead of being sidelined on a show dominated by moderate perspectives, the 41-year-old mother of two has risen to become a powerful figure in journalism. On October 6, David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount Skydance, revealed that the conglomerate had acquired The Free Press for an estimated $150 million, appointing Weiss as editor-in-chief of CBS News, where she will manage a large operation despite lacking traditional broadcast news experience. Should Ellison and his father, tech magnate Larry Ellison, succeed in acquiring Warner Bros., Weiss may find herself overseeing CNN as part of her portfolio.
Naturally, the news has left many at CBS News in shock. Younger, pro-Palestinian staff members are displeased with Weiss’s outspoken support for Israel, while seasoned journalists view her ascension as part of the Ellisons’ ongoing embrace of Trump, particularly following CBS News’s settlement of a $16 million defamation lawsuit with him to facilitate the Paramount-Skydance merger. (Larry Ellison is frequently seen at both the White House and Mar-a-Lago.) However, Weiss is not entirely embraced by the upper echelons of MAGA circles, with one prominent conservative dismissively questioning her alignment, especially since The Free Press has struggled to gain credentials from the White House.
Nonetheless, Weiss aims to maintain a visible presence on-screen. Sources indicate she expressed interest in on-camera opportunities, albeit not with “60 Minutes,” during her negotiations. Weiss and Ellison both declined to comment on this matter.
“She performs for an audience of only a few hundred,” remarked one Hollywood executive familiar with Weiss. “But that audience includes billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Bill Ackman. The ultra-wealthy find her appealing. She’s sharp, humorous, and aligns with their political ideologies.”
Opinions on Weiss from former colleagues vary.
“Bari is an insightful and innovative leader, dedicated to the core principles of journalism: integrity, tenacity, and independence,” stated Alex Chitty, a colleague from The Free Press. “Any news organization would be fortunate to have her at the helm.”
On the other hand, another former colleague criticized her shift in focus.
“She’s merely taking advantage of the system, supported by wealthy backers,” said this individual, who worked alongside Weiss at The New York Times. “Her experience doesn’t fit with the traditional newsroom role she’s stepping into. It feels disingenuous.”
Paul Friedman, a former high-ranking executive at both ABC News and CBS News, expressed that his previous colleagues at CBS are “frightened” by Weiss’s impending leadership.
“She has been very vocal about her beliefs,” Friedman noted. “Some of her statements are frankly beyond comprehension for anyone expected to lead a news division. We can only hope she genuinely intends to promote fair and balanced journalism. However, her past actions and Paramount’s questionable settlement against CBS News raise serious doubts.”
Some insiders previously criticized a different form of bias at CBS News before Weiss’s arrival, highlighting the treatment of “CBS Mornings” anchor Tony Dokoupil. Senior executives reportedly reprimanded Dokoupil publicly over his interview with author Ta-Nehisi Coates, alleging a failure to follow the network’s editorial guidelines. The incident only gained attention due to The Free Press’s acquisition and publication of audio from the internal meeting.
“The incident involving Tony illustrates precisely why someone like Bari was recruited,” a representative with multiple CBS News clients remarked.
Speculation exists that the Ellisons may have overpaid for The Free Press. Just a year prior, the outlet was valued at $100 million following a $15 million funding round. While many investors choose to remain anonymous, known backers include Marc Andreessen, David Sacks, Paul Marshall, Howard Schultz, and Allen & Co.
Whether mingling in Sun Valley or traveling privately, friends say Weiss exudes confidence and a sense of belonging. She attended Bezos’s wedding and counts Bill Maher and Kim Kardashian among her acquaintances.
“She has a remarkable charisma. In personal conversations, she rarely discusses politics,” shared the Hollywood executive. “But [Paramount’s approach] clearly signals a political agenda. It feels more overt than Fox ever did under Rupert Murdoch.”
Last year, Weiss relocated with her wife, former New York Times journalist Nellie Bowles, and their children to New York. As her visibility increased, so did representatives from WME, including agency president Ari Greenburg. (WME, however, played no role in Weiss’s CBS News negotiations.) Weiss began commanding fees of up to $150,000 per speaking engagement, drawing criticism in pro-Israel circles where many advocates speak without compensation.
“Clearly, she’s brilliant to reach this level,” commented a former colleague. “But her interactions often feel purely transactional.”
Brent Lang contributed to this report.
