What To Know
- Scott Pelley expressed gratitude to his supporters after being fired from 60 Minutes.
- Fans and public figures flooded his post with praise.
- Pelley’s termination came after a heated staff meeting in which he criticized new executive producer Nick Bilton and CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss.
Scott Pelley just sent a message to his supporters after his dramatic firing from 60 Minutes.
On Saturday, June 6, the journalist, 68 — who had been with the CBS newsmagazine program for 22 years — took to Instagram to share his gratitude for fans.
“To all of you who have been so kind, you are the wind in my sails,” Pelley wrote alongside a photo of himself on a boat. “So deeply grateful.”
In the comments, Instagram users flooded him with even more words of support. One follower shared, “Scott, tens of millions of constitutional republic-loving patriotic Americans are with you and have your back. Keep fighting the good fight with good trouble.”
Another wrote, “My family and I have always had the greatest respect for you and your remarkable journalistic integrity. It is the end of an era for us all. We are indebted to you for that and so much more. Thank you.”
Chelsea Handler echoed, “Thank you for your continued service. Truly an American hero who will inspire others to do the same.”
Josh Gad proclaimed, “You are the GOAT.”
A different fan declared, “Pelley and Colbert 2028!!! 🗳️,” referencing Stephen Colbert and his recently canceled Late Show.
Meanwhile, yet another Instagram user commented, “Thank you for leading by example, asking the questions, and blowing the whistle. Hopefully, your courage and action will inspire more and fuel the reclamation of independent journalism.”
The message came days after Pelley was fired from 60 Minutes on June 2. During a heated staff meeting, the show’s new executive producer, Nick Bilton, told staff that CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss “loves 60 Minutes,” per The New York Times. Pelley then responded, “She does not love this place; she was brought in to kill it and is doing exactly that.”
Additionally, Pelley reportedly told Bilton that he had “slender qualifications” for the role. Bilton sent Pelley a letter of termination hours later, accusing him of “hijacking” the meeting to “disparage” him in an “ambush.”
Bilton recently took over for former executive producer Bill Owens, who stepped down in April 2025. In response to Pelley’s firing, Owens said that he “couldn’t be prouder of him,” also pointing out that Pelley “can smell a fraud a mile away.”