Maya Kensington
Following the cancelation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CBS now faces another major upheaval involving 60 Minutes, the iconic news magazine that has captivated audiences for nearly sixty years. With several firings and departures occurring, numerous journalists and correspondents have voiced their concerns regarding the ongoing changes since Bari Weiss assumed the role of editor-in-chief.
Anderson Cooper made his final appearance on the program on May 17, 2026. He chose to leave his position to prioritize his responsibilities at CNN and focus on raising his family, marking the end of his tenure at CBS.
Before departing, he expressed, “Things can always evolve and change, and I think that’s awesome, and things should evolve and change, but I hope the core of what 60 Minutes is always remains.”
Just days following Cooper’s exit, Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega faced significant contract reductions at 60 Minutes.
Below is a list of staff members who were let go from 60 Minutes in 2026.
What Happened to Cecilia Vega?
Cecilia Vega, who made history as the first Latina correspondent on 60 Minutes, announced her termination from CBS on May 29. Her contract was initially set to continue until March 2027.
In a public statement, Vega revealed, “I was fired today,” and accused CBS of attempting to manipulate her team’s reporting. She explained, “In recent months, my producing teams and I have experienced efforts to insert political bias into our stories. Reporting teams have held back on submitting story pitches about important news topics out of fear of the internal repercussions.”
Vega elaborated, “I held the line and refused to incorporate suggestions that offend the conscience, a phrase I borrow from a colleague who has also fought to keep questionable editorial suggestions away from the facts. I know from many conversations with colleagues that many producing teams and correspondents working on the show today have had to fight to maintain editorial independence regularly. I am far from the only 60 Minutes correspondent who has asked herself, ‘What is my personal red line? How much can I push back before I pay the price?’”
What Led to Sharyn Alfonsi’s Departure?
Just days before Vega’s dismissal, Alfonsi revealed that her contract would not be renewed.
Alfonsi shared with the Los Angeles Times, “Over the weekend, my contract with CBS News expired, concluding 20 years with the network, including more than a decade at 60 Minutes. Following an intense editorial dispute over our CECOT story, repeated attempts by my representation to establish a path forward were met with absolute silence from network executives. The message could not be clearer: my time at 60 Minutes is apparently over.”
Ivy Caldwell
Mason Thompson
