David Letterman, the legendary comedian and former host of 'The Late Show' on CBS, has taken a swipe at the network's news division, calling it a 'wreck' due to its recent rightward shift. In a recent YouTube clip, Letterman criticized the appointment of Bari Weiss, a conservative journalist, as the editor-in-chief of CBS News, and the influence of David Ellison, Paramount's CEO and a Trump ally. He highlighted the network's history, particularly the integrity and journalistic prowess of Edward R. Murrow during World War II, and expressed disappointment at the current state of CBS News.
Letterman's comments come as part of a growing trend of former CBS stars criticizing the network's conservative leanings. He previously slammed CBS for canceling 'The Late Show' with Stephen Colbert, a decision that was widely seen as a political move to appease the Trump administration and facilitate a merger with Skydance Media. The comedian called the cancellation 'gutless' and predicted that those involved would be embarrassed.
Under the new conservative leadership, CBS News has faced backlash for its coverage of the Trump administration and the downsizing of its principles handbook. Tony Dokoupil, the new anchor of 'CBS Evening News,' faced criticism for his fawning over Secretary Marco Rubio and his 'both-sidesing' of the January 6, 2021 attack. Letterman's comments reflect a broader concern among former CBS employees about the network's shift towards conservatism and its impact on journalistic integrity.
