Anderson Cooper, a veteran reporter for CBS’s acclaimed "60 Minutes" and the host of a weeknight news program on CNN, announced on Monday that he is departing from CBS to dedicate more time to his family. This decision comes amid a tumultuous phase for "60 Minutes," which has faced internal challenges and scrutiny under the new leadership of Bari Weiss, who has been the editor-in-chief of CBS News since the fall of the previous year.
Cooper has been an integral part of "60 Minutes" for nearly two decades, contributing reports since the 2006-2007 television season. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share compelling stories and collaborate with a talented team of producers, editors, and camera crews. In his statement, Cooper acknowledged the importance of spending quality time with his young children, emphasizing, “I want to spend as much time with them as possible, while they still want to spend time with me.”
Despite his planned exit, Cooper's departure is not expected to take immediate effect. He is anticipated to complete the current broadcast season of "60 Minutes," which concludes in May. His last appearance on the show was a brief segment introducing filmmaker Ken Burns, and reports suggest he may feature again before his final exit.
The leadership changes at "60 Minutes," particularly under Weiss, have led to questions regarding Cooper's decision to leave. His spokesperson has not provided additional comments on this matter, leaving the implications of his departure open to speculation. CBS News, however, has publicly expressed appreciation for Cooper’s contributions over the years and has stated, “We’re grateful to him for dedicating so much of his life to this broadcast, and understand the importance of spending more time with family. ‘60 Minutes’ will be here if he ever wants to return.”
Cooper’s exit occurs against a backdrop of increasing anxiety within the esteemed Sunday night news magazine known for its iconic ticking stopwatch. In December, under Weiss’s direction, the show controversially held back a report from correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi concerning the Trump administration's immigration policies. The delay was attributed to a desire for further interviews with administration officials, leading to claims from Alfonsi that the decision was politically motivated. Though the story eventually aired a month later along with additional comments from the administration, it notably lacked on-camera interviews, signaling a cautious editorial approach.
In a related event, former President Donald Trump instigated legal action against "60 Minutes" regarding their handling of an interview with Kamala Harris, his 2024 election competitor. Many at CBS were frustrated when the network's parent company, Paramount Global, opted to settle out-of-court with Trump, further contributing to the atmosphere of uncertainty within the newsroom.
Cooper’s exit from CBS was initially reported by Breaker, an online news outlet. As he transitions away from "60 Minutes," his departure marks the end of a significant chapter in his career, leaving viewers to contemplate the future direction of one of television's most prestigious news programs.
