A moment of unexpected familiarity between CBS News's new editor-in-chief and the President of the United States has reportedly caused shockwaves within the network, raising serious questions about journalistic objectivity.
The Controversial Exchange
Following a '60 Minutes' interview on Friday 16 January 2026, a scene unfolded that left several CBS staffers with "dropped jaws." According to four sources familiar with the event, Bari Weiss—the recently installed editor-in-chief and founder of the neoconservative site The Free Press—approached President Donald Trump to introduce herself.
"He was so happy to see her and she was so excited to meet him, they both leaned in and exchanged kisses on the cheek," one insider told The Independent. The friendly embrace occurred moments after Trump, during the televised sit-down with correspondent Norah O'Donnell, had praised Weiss as a "great new leader" for CBS, though he claimed not to know her personally.
Internal Backlash and Divided Reactions
The display of affection was met with immediate internal criticism. One CBS News reporter stated they were "still kind of stunned by this," adding that the act "reeks of elitism." Another source noted that O'Donnell's own "jaw dropped" at the sight.
"That absolutely is not a normal news practice. A firm handshake is an acceptable greeting," a staffer declared. "It's wildly inappropriate and presents an overly chummy relationship with the president that no real journalist should or would engage in because it suggests a lack of objectivity."
However, a high-ranking CBS News insider offered a starkly different view, insisting such "pleasantries" were "standard fare" after presidential interviews and that Trump had greeted others on set similarly. This assessment was contradicted by a former producer, who said standard procedure was simply "being professional and everyone taking a photo together."
A Pattern of Scrutiny for Weiss's Leadership
This incident has intensified the existing scrutiny surrounding Weiss's editorial direction at CBS News. Critics have long accused the network of becoming 'MAGA-friendly' and deferential to the Trump administration under her watch.
Last month, Weiss reportedly spiked a '60 Minutes' story about Venezuelan migrants being deported to the violent El Salvadorian prison CECOT, claiming it was "not ready" without an administration voice. This move prompted accusations of political motivation.
Further questions arose when CBS News published an anonymously sourced report that an ICE officer involved in a fatal shooting "suffered internal bleeding." The story, which aligned with the White House's narrative, was pushed despite internal concerns about its sourcing. Media analyst Rick Ellis noted the apparent double standard: "This vague, anonymous sourcing apparently is fine for stories that suit political purposes of the Trump Administration."
The reboot of the CBS Evening News with anchor Tony Dokoupil has also faced criticism for its "MAGA-coded" stance, with some savaging the show as "state TV." These cumulative events have led some CBS insiders to fear the news division is being used as a "propaganda tool" under the guise of improving journalism.
