Bari Weiss responds after George Clooney accuses her of 'dismantling' CBS News

CBS News editor‑in‑chief Bari Weiss has fired back at actor and filmmaker George Clooney following his public criticism that she is “dismantling CBS News,” in a rare and pointed exchange highlighting tensions over the future of American journalism.

Clooney’s comments have sparked a wider conversation about media integrity and leadership at one of the country’s biggest broadcast news organizations.

In his remarks, Clooney said, “Bari Weiss is dismantling CBS News as we speak,” expressing concern about the direction of the network under Weiss’s leadership and questioning whether news outlets are fulfilling their role in informing the public.

He tied his criticism to recent corporate decisions at CBS and other networks, including settlements of defamation lawsuits with former President Donald Trump, which he believes undermine journalistic courage. Clooney also said he worries about how Americans will “discern reality without a functioning press.”

Weiss, who was named editor‑in‑chief of CBS News after the network’s parent company completed a major acquisition earlier in 2025, responded with a mixture of professionalism and pointed humor.

In a message to Clooney shared publicly, she wrote, “Bonjour, Mr. Clooney! Big fan of your work. It sounds like you’d like to learn more about ours,” referencing his recent French citizenship. Weiss extended an open invitation for Clooney to visit the CBS Broadcast Center and see firsthand the work her team is doing to relaunch the CBS Evening News.

The exchange comes amid broader controversy over editorial decisions at CBS News, including Weiss’s choice to delay or rework a 60 Minutes segment that had been heavily promoted but was ultimately pulled shortly before its scheduled broadcast.

Critics argue that such decisions reflect broader challenges facing newsrooms, while Weiss and her supporters say such editorial judgment is necessary to maintain fairness and credibility.