Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and Jon Wertheim have decided to stay at CBS's 60 Minutes for its upcoming 59th season. The three remaining full-time on-air correspondents issued a joint memo to staff on Friday, June 5, 2026, stating: "Here's why we are staying: We don't want to see '60 Minutes' die."

 

‘60 Minutes’ Stars Will Stay Because They Don’t Want Show to ‘Die’

Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and Jon Wertheim have decided to stay at CBS's 60 Minutes for its upcoming 59th season. The three remaining full-time on-air correspondents issued a joint memo to staff on Friday, June 5, 2026, stating: "Here's why we are staying: We don't want to see '60 Minutes' die."

Their collective decision brings a temporary end to intense speculation about a mass talent exodus. The news program has been engulfed in historic internal turmoil following a dramatic restructuring orchestrated by CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss.

The Catalyst for the Crisis

The internal revolt reached a boiling point earlier this week following the high-profile firing of veteran anchor Scott Pelley.

• The Confrontation: Pelley was terminated on Tuesday after a fiery, confrontational staff meeting where he challenged newly appointed executive producer Nick Bilton. Pelley questioned Bilton's credentials given his lack of television news experience and openly accused Bari Weiss of "murdering" the legendary broadcast.
• Prior Ousters: Pelley's exit followed the sweeping terminations of veteran correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, along with long-standing executive producer Tanya Simon and her deputy Draggan Mihailovich. Contributor Anderson Cooper also departed the show earlier in May.