Bari Weiss’s debut month as CBS News editor in chief has ignited a firestorm of internal friction, with staffers grappling over layoffs, resource shifts and clashing visions for the network’s future following Paramount Skydance’s $150 million acquisition of her outlet The Free Press.

The 41-year-old former New York Times opinion writer, who started in October, wasted no time pushing aggressive changes at the storied broadcaster, sources say – booking A-list guests via text, probing “60 Minutes” veterans on perceived bias and irking veterans with her outsider energy and lack of TV experience. “You could cut the tension with a knife,” one insider told Vanity Fair, describing early meetings where Weiss dropped f-bombs and floated big ideas like landing Hillary Clinton for segments.

Weiss’s arrival caps a whirlwind year for CBS, marked by a $16 million settlement with President Trump over a disputed “60 Minutes” edit, the abrupt cancellation of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” and waves of executive turnover. Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, son of billionaire Larry Ellison, handpicked Weiss to report directly to him, bypassing traditional chains and signaling a top-down remake.

Staff reactions split sharply. Some hail her as a “breath of fresh air” for challenging entrenched norms – one insider told Fox News it’s refreshing that employees “aren’t bending over backwards to appear politically correct all the time.” Others decry her as unqualified, with no broadcast background, fueling paranoia and “doomsday” vibes. “It’s utterly depressing,” one staffer said.

The clash peaked with recent cuts: Weiss axed shows like “CBS Saturday Morning,” “CBS Evening News Plus” and “CBS Mornings Plus,” gutted the Race and Culture Unit and laid off over 100, including eight on-air women. Fired producer Trey Sherman claimed only people of color from his team were let go, while whites were reassigned – a charge echoing broader DEI backlash under Weiss.

Weiss integrated Free Press talent, deploying writers like Olivia Reingold to election-night coverage alongside CBS vets like Ed O’Keefe, highlighting stylistic rifts – buttoned-up network pros versus her empire’s edgier approach. She appointed deputy Adam Rubenstein, a fellow Times alum, and gave sister Suzy Weiss airtime.

Leaks plagued her start. Weiss fumed over media reports, demanding staff root out sources. A memo asking employees to detail daily tasks sparked union defiance from the Writers Guild, urging holdouts until assurances against reprisals.

High-profile exits followed: “CBS Evening News” co-anchor John Dickerson announced his departure, the first major talent loss post-Weiss. “60 Minutes” tensions simmer, with Weiss questioning why Americans see bias – a nod to right-wing critiques, though polls show trust erosion mainly among Republicans.

Weiss eyes Fox News’ Bret Baier for “Evening News” anchor and courted ex-Secretary Mike Pompeo, signaling a center-right pivot. She floated CBS-branded events and pushed “bothsidesism,” per critics like Oliver Darcy.

Her pro-Israel stance – self-described “Zionist fanatic” – raises eyebrows, especially given Ellisons’ Netanyahu ties and past CBS Gaza coverage controversies. Staff fear censorship; vets like Scott Pelley and Lesley Stahl hold leverage via contracts.

Security costs $10,000 daily amid threats, even as cuts bite – optics slammed during bloodbaths.

Supporters like Anna Wintour praise her leadership potential. Dan Rather blasted it a “dark day.” Liberals meltdown; conservatives cheer.

Weiss vows “fair, fearless, factual” journalism, holding parties equally accountable. Ratings lag ABC/NBC; viewership dips industry-wide.

Insiders say early chaos mirrors past boss “dumb ideas,” but Weiss impresses with savvy. More cuts loom – another 1,000 Paramount-wide.

Critics tie her rise to oligarch influence, echoing 50-year corporate media shifts. Fox claims antisemitic backlash.

As X buzzes – posts call it “Foxification” or overdue reform – Weiss forges ahead. One thing’s clear: CBS ain’t the same.

This month tested limits, exposing divides in a fractured media landscape. Weiss’s vision: revitalize trust. Detractors: ideological takeover.

With Trump-era pressures and streaming wars, her experiment could redefine – or doom – legacy news.

Staff brace for more upheaval. “There is a long tradition of bosses spitballing dumb ideas,” one quipped.

Weiss’s gamble: high-risk, high-reward in Trump’s America.