https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2026-02-16/anderson-cooper-will-exit-60-minutes

Cooper said in a statement Monday he is leaving (https://www.google.com/search?q=Anderson+Cooper+opts+to+leave+60+Minutes+after+two+decades&sca_esv=a9a9972681dccfab&biw=1358&bih=602&sxsrf=ANbL-n7lomxTNXt-T8Urxtw7vChWYuQctA%3A1771300705919&ei=YeeTacnoN5G0wN4P8qntsQo&ved=0ahUKEwiJnfeq0d-SAxURGtAFHfJUO6YQ4dUDCBE&uact=5&oq=Anderson+Cooper+opts+to+leave+60+Minutes+after+two+decades&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiOkFuZGVyc29uIENvb3BlciBvcHRzIHRvIGxlYXZlIDYwIE1pbnV0ZXMgYWZ0ZXIgdHdvIGRlY2FkZXMyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigATIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigAUjYClDCAljCAnABeAGQAQCYAbIBoAGyAaoBAzAuMbgBA8gBAPgBAfgBApgCAqAC1wGoAhTCAgcQIxjqAhgnwgINEC4YxwEY0QMY6gIYJ8ICDRAjGJ4GGPAFGOoCGCfCAhcQABiABBiKBRiRAhjnBhjqAhi0AtgBAcICEBAAGAMYjwEY6gIYtALYAQHCAhAQLhgDGI8BGOoCGLQC2AEBmAMZ8QUAGGxGTzBY0LoGBggBEAEYAZIHAzEuMaAH4wWyBwMwLjG4B70BwgcHMi0xLjAuMcgHGoAIAQ&sclient=gws-wiz-serp) the CBS News program because he wants to spend more time with his two young children.

Will other correspondents exit 60 Minutes after Anderson Cooper’s departure? (https://view.newsletters.cnn.com/messages/1771340625216d2d828ff8d7c/raw?utm_source=cnn_Reliable+Sources+%E2%80%93+Feb+17+2026&utm_medium=email&bt_ee=92p%2Bw7I30SzT6z1NzthZPKyDMPxuy6INBwNkk2DxiHsEF1a%2F5FYBf2TncX32moSO&bt_ts=1771340625218)

That’s the big question facing the Bari Weiss-run CBS News, says CNN’s Brian Stelter. “Which other correspondents are going to leave, and on what terms? Weiss wanted Cooper to stay, but she reportedly wants others to go,” says Stelter. “Sharyn Alfonsi’s contract expires in just a few months and Weiss allies have blamed Alfonsi for inflaming the infamous ‘Inside CECOT’ situation. At least one other correspondent is on the way out, I’m told. The risk is obvious: Loyal 60 Minutes viewers will leave along with the correspondents they like to watch...” As Status’ Oliver Darcy points out, without Anderson Cooper, “the show will be down to six correspondents (https://www.status.news/p/anderson-cooper-60-minutes-bari-weiss), including Sharyn Alfonsi, Lesley Stahl, Scott Pelley, Bill Whitaker, Jon Wertheim, and Cecilia Vega. Given Weiss’ displeasure with Alfonsi, a fact she made known to reporters during secret background briefings, it is difficult to imagine she is long for the network. It’s also unclear whether Stahl and Pelley, both of whom have been outspoken over the last year about the alarming state of affairs at CBS News, will stick around much longer.”

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Anderson Cooper was reportedly related to Bari Weiss’ takeover (https://www.status.news/p/anderson-cooper-60-minutes-bari-weiss): “Behind the scenes, Status has learned that Cooper had grown increasingly uneasy with the rightward direction the network has charted under Weiss’s leadership and David Ellison’s ownership of parent company Paramount,” reports Status’ Oliver Darcy. “As one insider put it to me, ‘He wasn’t comfortable with the direction the show was taking under Bari, and is in a position where he doesn’t have to put up with it.’ A second person familiar with the matter confirmed Cooper’s exit was related to discomfort with Weiss. A representative for Cooper, who signed a renewal deal with CNN late last year, declined to comment. A CBS News spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. As Status first reported in January, a 60 Minutes piece Cooper had been working on since last year has been subjected to an intense level of editorial scrutiny (https://www.status.news/p/60-minutes-bari-weiss-cbs-news-cecot), with Executive Producer Tanya Simon and Weiss both providing extensive feedback. The piece examines the Trump administration’s decision to accept refugees from South Africa, a move rooted in Donald Trump’s embrace of the debunked conspiracy theory that a “white genocide” is taking place in the country. The prolonged process left producer Michael Gavshon, a journalist who has worked at 60 Minutes for more than three decades, exasperated, Status previously reported. It is unclear when—or if—the piece will ultimately air.”

CBS News seemed surprised by Anderson Cooper departing 60 Minutes (https://x.com/bristei/status/2023760650934137302)

I dunno..I didnt really like him too much.. Maybe I just didnt watch enough of his stuff,I dunno...

Anderson Cooper was poised to become the face of 60 Minutes (https://www.thedailybeast.com/60-minutes-left-scrambling-after-stars-eleventh-hour-decision/)

Anderson Cooper was reportedly set to become the face of 60 Minutes under new leadership until he pulled out at the eleventh hour.

60 Minutes to air Anderson Cooper segment that was reportedly held up by delays (https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/journalism/60-minutes-schedules-delayed-anderson-cooper-segment/)