One of the most venerated, longest-running news programs on the air seems to be in meltdown mode. Lately, 60 Minutes has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Several days ago, two correspondents, Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi, were let go, along with executive producer Tanya Simon.
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Then, longtime correspondent Scott Pelley allegedly went ballistic in a staff meeting. He reportedly told new executive producer Nick Bilton some things that evidently did not sit very well. Scott Pelley allegedly said of CBS News' editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, "She's murdering 60 Minutes. She does not love this place. She was brought in to kill it and is doing exactly that." The next day, Scott Pelley was out of a job. Many people were stunned and saddened by his involuntary departure. One of them is Jimmy Kimmel.
Kimmel Let Fly on His Show About Pelley's Firing
Kimmel is no stranger to controversy. Last year, after he made some remarks on air about the murder of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, his show was temporarily shuttered. Unbowed, Kimmel sounded off about Scott Pelley with equal bluntness on his show on June 3.
The outspoken late-night personality shared with the viewers, "Last night, the Trump suck-ups at CBS fired a great and deeply respected journalist, Scott Pelley, from his job at 60 Minutes because he stood up for truth and integrity at a show that's been the gold standard for broadcast journalism for 57 years." He also mentioned, "Pelley had enough after the clowns who now run that show in the CBS News division," axed the above-mentioned staff.
He Also Noted What He Assumes Was President Trump's Reaction
Kimmel has been a frequent critic of President Donald Trump. It's not shocking that he injected Trump into his comments. "The president, of course, applauded this cowardly decision. He said Scott Pelley is part of a gang of crooked, stupid people — different from the gang of crooked, stupid people he's a part of. And that should make for an interesting situation at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, which is apparently back on."
The White House Correspondents' Dinner ended in a panic on April 25 when a shooter entered the Washington Hilton Hotel, where it was being held. Fortunately, he never got into the ballroom where all the VIP guests were seated. Trump and many of his cabinet members were among them. The event has been rescheduled for July 24.
