A recent report has raised questions about Lesley Stahl’s position at 60 Minutes, that she considered leaving the show after a disagreement with CBS News executives. The alleged dispute reportedly centered on the review of one of her upcoming reports. The network has since addressed the claims, rejecting the account of the incident.
CBS News slams ‘ludicrous’ report of Lesley Stahl nearly leaving 60 Minutes
CBS News has denied a report alleging that Lesley Stahl considered quitting 60 Minutes after clashing with senior network executives over a segment investigating violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The network disputed the account on Monday, while a separate report outlined disagreements over the segment’s review and scheduled broadcast.
A 60 Minutes spokesperson addressed the claims in a statement to TheWrap, calling them a “ludicrous, twisted narrative.” The spokesperson also defended the program’s editorial process, saying, “All ‘60 Minutes’ pieces go through a famously rigorous editorial process—which includes edits from editors.” The representative further added that Stahl’s latest report underwent fewer edits than most 60 Minutes pieces.
The allegations started in a Monday report by Status, which described tensions between Stahl, CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss, and managing editor Charles Forelle. It focused on a segment examining violence against Palestinians by extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
According to Status, the segment was initially scheduled to air early last week. Weiss and Forelle reportedly became involved in the screening process later in the week. Their feedback allegedly led to disagreements with Stahl over the segment’s content and whether it should proceed to air.
Status reported that Forelle suggested postponing the report, while Stahl argued for keeping its Sunday broadcast date. The discussions reportedly grew contentious, leaving the segment’s broadcast in doubt. A source also told the publication that the screenings had become so heated that those involved were unsure whether the report would air.
The report also claimed that Stahl considered leaving 60 Minutes over the dispute but did not communicate that possibility to network executives.
