CBS News leader Bari Weiss has decided the future of Peter Attia, according to a report.

CBS News Faces Controversy Over Peter Attia’s Emails

Bari Weiss, the Editor-in-Chief at CBS News, appears to be standing by wellness influencer Peter Attia despite his correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein, which has sparked considerable backlash. So far, the news division hasn’t made any public statement regarding Attia or his future at the network.

Weiss, who previously worked as an opinion editor at the New York Times, left the publication due to a perceived hostility towards diverse viewpoints. Reports suggest that she may be advocating for Attia to stay on staff, fearing that conceding to the calls for his dismissal could be seen as giving in to mob mentality, which she perceives as a form of self-censorship.

Earlier this week, Attia issued a lengthy apology on his social media accounts after the Justice Department disclosed a significant number of emails tied to the investigation of Epstein. Some of these communications contained crude references, including jokes about female anatomy.

The exchanges have reportedly angered many within CBS News, with some employees calling for Attia’s termination. Staff reactions have ranged from disappointment to disbelief over the tone and content of the emails, including one 2016 message where Attia joked about “low-carb” diets and another in which Epstein mentioned he experienced withdrawal when he couldn’t see Attia.

In his Monday apology, Attia described parts of his correspondence as “embarrassing, dry, and indefensible.” Yet, the situation continues to create waves at the network.

While officials from CBS News and parent company Paramount Skydance have expressed support for firing Attia, Weiss seems inclined to keep him. The CEO of Paramount Skydance, David Ellison, has reportedly given Weiss the final say on Attia’s fate.

After the emails became public, CBS’s top show, 60 Minutes, decided to cancel a rebroadcast of an interview featuring Attia that was previously set for October, demonstrating the ongoing impact of this controversy.

Interestingly, the decision to shelve the interview came from 60 Minutes executive producer Tanya Simon, rather than Weiss. This indicates that Weiss has yet to take any significant public action regarding the situation.