On June 2, shortly after Bilton assumed his new role, the executive producer informed staff that veteran anchor Scott Pelley had been “terminated for cause effective immediately.”
“I want you to hear this directly from me. We have ended our association with Scott Pelley,” Bilton announced in a memo. “Scott meant a great deal to many of you, and this decision was not made lightly. I attempted multiple times over the weekend to engage in direct discussions with him and sought a resolution this afternoon. Unfortunately, Scott did not choose that path.”
“Yesterday, during my initial meeting with the team, you hijacked the session to attack me, my credentials, and my plans with astonishing incivility and disdain. While I encourage a range of opinions and respectful discussion within the team, this was not an example of that,” Bilton criticized Scott.
Leaked audio recordings, accessed by several media outlets, including The Washington Post and The New York Times, captured Pelley voicing his disapproval of CBS News’ direction amidst a series of prominent dismissals during Bilton’s introductory morning session.
After Bilton remarked that Weiss “loves this institution” and “loves 60 Minutes,” Pelley retorted, “She’s destroying 60 Minutes. She does not care for this place. She was brought in to dismantle it and is succeeding.”
The seasoned host further questioned the capabilities of his new superior and the chief executive, according to the recordings.
