Alfonsi and Weiss Clash Over CECOT Reporting
In a recent meeting, “60 Minutes” reporter Sharyn Alfonsi expressed frustration towards CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss regarding delays in the coverage of CECOT, a notorious prison in El Salvador. Alfonsi was reportedly upset over Weiss’s late December decision to publish an article titled “Inside CECOT,” which she believed was motivated by political agendas rather than editorial intent. Weiss, on the other hand, argued that the article lacked crucial context and required further discussion, yet still approved it for airing with modifications in the latest episode.
Dylan Byers from Pack reported that, despite ongoing back-and-forth through intermediaries, Alfonsi and Weiss didn’t meet in person until just a week before the segment aired.
During the meeting, which multiple sources noted was tense, Alfonsi seemed resistant to feedback. Her frustration escalated when Adam Rubenstein, a former opinion editor at The New York Times brought in by Weiss, tried to provide input. Alfonsi reportedly snapped, “You don’t deserve to produce me.”
Byers added that Alfonsi accused Rubenstein of being a spokesperson for the administration and questioned his experience in television news production. When he responded, advising her not to take things personally, she seemed on the brink of walking out.
After the incident, Alfonsi included the additional information Weiss requested while providing context during the in-studio outro. However, it’s worth noting that an earlier version had already gone viral after being mistakenly aired in Canada.
CBS News has yet to comment on the situation. Alfonsi’s history with controversy isn’t new; she faced backlash in 2021 over a segment where she challenged Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on alleged preferential treatment given to Publix in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, fueled by a campaign donation to his PAC.
This so-called “pay to play” narrative faced significant scrutiny, including from figures like Florida Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz, who labeled the suggestion as false and offensive. Despite that, CBS stood by the story at the time, even as DeSantis criticized the network for editing the broadcast and omitting vital context.
