CBS Boss Explains Why Anti-Trump ’60 Minutes’ Host Was Fired

He reportedly challenged Bilton’s credentials during the meeting.

According to accounts of the exchange, Pelley questioned whether Bilton possessed the experience necessary to lead one of television’s most respected news programs and sharply criticized recent management decisions at the network.

Bilton was hired as executive producer in May after CBS leadership dismissed longtime 60 Minutes executive producer Tanya Simon.

A former technology columnist and author, Bilton built his career primarily in print and digital media rather than television news, a background that has fueled skepticism among some journalists and media observers.

During the meeting, Pelley reportedly told Bilton that his qualifications for the role were “slender” and accused Weiss of “murdering” the network.