Media pundits seem to have their fair share of opinions about Bari Weiss, the editor-in-chief of CBS News. Since Weiss was named to the position by Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison in October 2025, several of her editorial and staffing decisions have come under fire. Although the Free Press founder has her share of detractors, she also appears to have colleagues, including Bill Maher. The comedian/talk show host recently recalled a conversation he had with Weiss, during which she made some significant claims.
Weiss and Maher have known each other for a little while now, with the former having appeared on the latter’s long-running HBO show, Real Time, on several occasions. Maher touched on his personal relationship with Weiss during a Vanity Fair cover story, and that piece refers to him as a “fan” of the CBS News bigwig. Amid that discussion, Maher opened up about a recent dinner he had with Weiss, and he ended up asking a question that seemed to be simultaneously serious and jokey:
I was curious to just ask her, ‘What’s it like going to work every day there? Are they putting Kick Me signs on your back?’
The comic’s latter comment is evidently a reference to the blowback Weiss has received in recent months, with some of that allegedly coming from inside CBS News. According to Maher, Weiss says that those within the company who oppose her don’t openly air their issues to her. On an even bigger note, though, Weiss also allegedly said she did have support from others at the aforementioned media corporation. She purportedly noted that not everyone at the job was “crazy” and that some even felt “liberated” due to her leadership.
Weiss’ alleged claims about her internal supporters run in stark contrast to some of the reports that have made the rounds. Earlier this summer, insiders claimed Weiss’ morning editorial meetings were becoming unpopular, because they were reportedly tense. And, following the various 60 Minutes firings months ago, it was alleged that company morale was “terrible.” However, over a week ago, sources claimed Weiss was changing her workplace methods as a way of making herself more accessible to her co-workers.
The staffing changes at 60 have reportedly been a major point of contention amid Weiss’ tenure. In the last few months, executive producer Tanya Simon and executive editor Draggan Mihailovich were let go along with correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega. Veteran correspondent Scott Pelley was also fired after accusing Weiss of “murdering” the news magazine show and, all the while, several producers have exited the program as well.
Bill Maher addressed the 60 Minutes exits himself and did so by making an entertainment-based analogy. During a segment of Overtime, Maher pushed back against a guest’s assertion that 60 and CBS News proper were editorial catering to U.S. President Donald Trump. Maher also denied that the staff changes reflected that notion, as he quipped, “Oh my God! 60 Minutes has a new cast! So does Saturday Night Live!”
As Bari Weiss’ time at CBS progresses, there are also rumors that she could be put in charge of CNN if Paramount’s merger with Warner Bros. Discovery goes through. That’s far from set in stone at this point. Regardless of how that pans out on that front, though, it feels as though Weiss can count Bill Maher among those who apparently support her.
