CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss is in talks to hire television host Chris Cuomo, according to reporting from Status. The potential move comes as Weiss continues a restructuring of the network’s talent roster following her appointment to the role in October.
The recruitment effort follows the merger of Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS News, with Skydance Media. Since Weiss took over the leadership role, the network has seen the departure of high-profile figures, including longtime 60 Minutes contributor Anderson Cooper and correspondent Scott Pelley. Weiss has previously appointed Tony Dokoupil as anchor of CBS Evening News.
According to Status journalist Oliver Darcy, Weiss has met with Cuomo in person for a meal and has remained in contact via text message. Cuomo currently hosts a show on NewsNation and recently launched Cuomo Mornings on SiriusXM. CNN fired Cuomo in 2021 after reports surfaced that he assisted his brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, during an investigation into sexual assault allegations. Andrew Cuomo has denied all wrongdoing, and Chris Cuomo stated at the time that he was helping his brother.
Viewers would notice a change in the network's on-air personality roster and potentially its editorial tone. Critics and former staff have claimed the current leadership is steering coverage to favor the Trump administration, a charge Weiss has denied, describing her actions as standard editorial oversight. For an audience accustomed to longtime fixtures like Pelley, the replacement of veteran staff with figures like Cuomo—who was removed from CNN for ethics concerns—represents a change in the network's established standards and practices.
The move also carries implications for the broader media market and contractual precedents. Cuomo is currently under a multi-year contract with NewsNation signed in 2024, which serves as a legal obstacle to his move to CBS. Additionally, Cuomo stated on X on Sunday that he would not join NBC News’ Meet the Press, citing difficulties with transparency and accountability on Sunday talk shows. CBS News has not yet commented on the reported talks, and no official start date or contract terms have been disclosed.