Dr Peter Attia, the prominent and often controversial longevity expert, has formally resigned from his position as a contributor to CBS News. This decisive action follows the public disclosure of numerous email communications between Attia and the convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, casting a shadow over his recent appointment to the network's revamped news division.
A Swift Departure Following File Release
The initial report of Attia's departure was broken by The Hollywood Reporter. His exit comes less than a month after he was announced as one of nineteen new contributors hired under editor-in-chief Bari Weiss's ambitious overhaul of CBS News. Attia had joined the network just days before the release of over three million files as part of the ongoing federal investigation into Epstein's criminal network.
Revealing Communications from the Mid-2010s
Among the trove of released documents were multiple instances of correspondence between Attia and Epstein. Most of these exchanges date from the mid-2010s, a period following Epstein's 2008 guilty plea to prostitution charges involving a minor. The messages depict a congenial, advisory relationship, with Epstein periodically seeking medical counsel from the doctor.
One particularly crude email exchange from 2016 saw Attia insinuate that female genitalia could be considered "low carb," a remark that has drawn significant criticism. Following the file disclosure, Attia issued a lengthy public apology on social media, which he also disseminated to his professional team and patients. In this statement, he expressed deep regret for the "embarrassing, tasteless, and indefensible" nature of some emails, accepting full responsibility for their publication.
Clarifications and Further Repercussions
In his apology note, Attia was careful to clarify that he "was not involved in any criminal activity" and that his interactions with Epstein "had nothing to do with his sexual abuse or exploitation of anyone." He further stated he had never been aboard Epstein's private plane or visited his infamous private island. Nonetheless, the fallout was immediate. Attia also stepped down from his role as chief science officer for David, a protein bar company, in the aftermath of the file release.
Internal Discontent at CBS News
Within CBS News, there was notable dissatisfaction that the network had not acted more swiftly to remove Attia following the revelations. This sentiment grew last week when an executive circulated a list of the network's new contributors, complete with contact details; Attia's name was conspicuously absent. His formal resignation was subsequently disclosed in an email to employees within the CBS News booking department on Monday, according to multiple reports.
Official Statement from Attia's Spokesperson
A spokesperson for Dr Attia provided a formal statement regarding the resignation: "Dr. Attia's contributor role was newly established and had not yet meaningfully begun. As such, he stepped back to ensure his involvement didn't become a distraction from the important work being done at CBS. He wishes the network and its leadership well and has no further comment at this time."
Peter Attia remains a significant figure in the wellness and longevity space. He is the host of the highly popular podcast The Peter Attia Drive and the author of the bestselling book Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity. His departure from CBS News marks a significant moment, highlighting the ongoing reverberations from the Epstein case within media and professional circles.
