Veteran 60 Minutes Correspondent Steve Kroft Slams Show as 'Snake Pit'
Longtime 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft has delivered a scathing critique of the beloved CBS programme, labelling it a "snake pit" and confessing he "hated" his three-decade tenure. In a candid interview on Bill O'Reilly's podcast We'll Do It Live!, the 80-year-old journalist expressed deep regret about his career on the iconic news show.
'I Hated It': Kroft's Blunt Assessment
Kroft, who retired from CBS in 2019 as the network's longest-tenured correspondent, revealed that if given the chance, he "probably wouldn't do it again." He described what he initially thought would be a dream job as a cut-throat, competitive environment that left little to be desired. The relentless 24-hour news cycle, constant travel, and demanding writing requirements took their toll, but it was the toxic culture inside the famed newsroom that drew his most critical remarks.
"There was no civility at 60 Minutes," Kroft stated bluntly. "If there was civility ... you better check your wallet." He suggested that friendliness often came with ulterior motives, with colleagues keeping their guard up in a paranoid atmosphere where everyone feared betrayal.
The Reality Behind the Dream Job
Kroft recalled his excitement when first tapped to join 60 Minutes in 1989, expecting congratulations and support from colleagues. Instead, he discovered that "not everybody was happy that I got this job. There were other people that wanted it. And so then you've all of a sudden made a bunch of enemies... It's a snake pit."
Despite the negative environment, Kroft acknowledged career highlights, including his memorable 1992 interview with Hillary Clinton and then-future President Bill Clinton during the height of his presidential campaign. It was during this interview that Hillary Clinton famously declared, "I'm not sitting here some little woman standing by my man like Tammy Wynette. I'm sitting here because I love him, and I respect him."
Major Changes Under New Leadership
The revelations come as 60 Minutes reportedly faces significant changes under the leadership of CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. Appointed in October amid controversy after Paramount acquired her "anti-woke" digital media outlet The Free Press, Weiss has already implemented substantial staffing changes.
Recent developments include:
- CBS News cutting approximately 6% of its staff
- The shutdown of CBS Radio last month
- Weiss telling employees in January they should leave if they don't believe she's the "right leader"
Weiss has drawn particular criticism for two controversial decisions. In November, she introduced herself to President Donald Trump and exchanged cheek kisses after his 60 Minutes interview, shocking employees. A month later, she spiked a 60 Minutes segment about El Salvador's notorious CECOT prison just before airtime, sparking what sources described as a "revolt" at the network.
Defending her decision to The New York Times, Weiss stated: "My job is to make sure that all stories we publish are the best they can be. Holding stories that aren't ready for whatever reason — that they lack sufficient context, say, or that they are missing critical voices — happens every day in every newsroom."
As 60 Minutes navigates this period of transition and internal criticism from veterans like Kroft, the future of America's most iconic news programme remains uncertain, caught between its storied past and a controversial new direction.
