What specific changes at CBS News is David Letterman criticizing?

Letterman is criticizing CBS News’ reported rightward political shift, the appointment of conservative editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, the influence of Paramount/Skydance CEO David Ellison, the pulling of a 60 Minutes segment critical of the Trump administration, and the reduction of the CBS Evening News’ 38-page standards handbook to a short list of patriotic-themed values, all of which he argues undermine the network’s historic journalistic integrity.

Who are the leaders Letterman blames for CBS News’ current direction?

Letterman singles out Paramount/Skydance CEO David Ellison and CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss as the key figures responsible for what he calls the evisceration of CBS News, implying that their management and ideological leanings have driven the network’s conservative turn and editorial decisions he finds harmful.

What was the controversy over the pulled 60 Minutes segment?

Under its new conservative-leaning leadership, CBS News reportedly yanked a 60 Minutes segment that was critical of the Trump administration, drawing backlash from critics who saw the move as evidence of political interference and a departure from the program’s tradition of hard-hitting investigative reporting.

How does Letterman use Edward R. Murrow to contrast CBS News’ past and present?

Letterman invokes Edward R. Murrow’s World War II broadcasts from London as embodying the rigorous, fearless reporting that once defined CBS News, arguing that this legacy of integrity has now been ‘trampled on’ and ‘eviscerated’ by current management and their editorial choices.

Why is Letterman worried about the future of late-night political satire in relation to CBS’ changes?

Letterman argues that CBS’ leadership decisions—including canceling Stephen Colbert’s Late Show and steering news coverage in a more conservative, pro-Trump direction—are shrinking the space on broadcast TV for sharp, critical political satire, which he believes could further weaken accountability journalism and political criticism in mainstream entertainment.

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Letterman Slams CBS News' Rightward Shift, Calls It 'Eviscerated by Idiots'

David Letterman sharply criticized CBS News' conservative shift, calling the network a 'wreck' after leadership changes, programming cuts, and a controversial 60 Minutes pull episode

Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

David Letterman, the former CBS late-night host, denounced CBS News' direction on a YouTube interview, calling its journalistic integrity 'trampled on' and 'eviscerated by idiots.'

He blamed recent leadership changes after Paramount's Skydance merger, citing David Ellison and Bari Weiss' influence, and criticized decisions reshaping news coverage and editorial priorities.

Letterman pointed to the pulled 60 Minutes segment, reductions in CBS Evening News principles, and Tony Dokoupil's rocky debut as signs of the network's shift.

He contrasted today's changes with Edward R. Murrow's wartime reporting ethos, arguing that earlier journalistic standards anchored CBS News' credibility now undermined by current management.

Letterman warned these shifts could erode late-night political satire spaces, criticized the handling of Stephen Colbert's exit, and said viewers and staff may ultimately judge leadership.

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: Letterman is criticizing CBS News’ reported rightward political shift, the appointment of conservative editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, the influence of Paramount/Skydance CEO David Ellison, the pulling of a 60 Minutes segment critical of the Trump administration, and the reduction of the CBS Evening News’ 38-page standards handbook to a short list of patriotic-themed values, all of which he argues undermine the network’s historic journalistic integrity.
Sources:
HuffPost via AOL
: Letterman singles out Paramount/Skydance CEO David Ellison and CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss as the key figures responsible for what he calls the evisceration of CBS News, implying that their management and ideological leanings have driven the network’s conservative turn and editorial decisions he finds harmful.
Sources:
TV Insider
: Under its new conservative-leaning leadership, CBS News reportedly yanked a 60 Minutes segment that was critical of the Trump administration, drawing backlash from critics who saw the move as evidence of political interference and a departure from the program’s tradition of hard-hitting investigative reporting.
Sources:
HuffPost via AOL
: Letterman invokes Edward R. Murrow’s World War II broadcasts from London as embodying the rigorous, fearless reporting that once defined CBS News, arguing that this legacy of integrity has now been ‘trampled on’ and ‘eviscerated’ by current management and their editorial choices.
Sources:
Salon
: Letterman argues that CBS’ leadership decisions—including canceling Stephen Colbert’s Late Show and steering news coverage in a more conservative, pro-Trump direction—are shrinking the space on broadcast TV for sharp, critical political satire, which he believes could further weaken accountability journalism and political criticism in mainstream entertainment.
Sources:
Salon