Actor and activist George Clooney, speaking in an interview with Variety, criticized CBS News’ recent leadership changes and faulted CBS and ABC for settling defamation-related lawsuits brought by President Donald Trump. Clooney said he fears such settlements could weaken public trust in the press.
George Clooney, the Oscar-winning actor who has also been active in Democratic politics, criticized CBS News’ recent direction in a cover story interview with Variety, arguing that legal and corporate pressures are reshaping major newsrooms.
In the interview, Clooney singled out Bari Weiss, who was installed as editor-in-chief of CBS News after Paramount’s acquisition of Weiss’ media company The Free Press. Weiss reports to David Ellison, the founder of Skydance Media and the corporate leader overseeing CBS’ parent company following Skydance’s takeover of Paramount. Clooney was quoted as saying, “Bari Weiss is dismantling CBS News as we speak,” and he warned that the bigger problem, in his view, is the ability of Americans to “discern reality” without a strong, independent press.
Clooney also criticized decisions by CBS’ parent company and ABC News to settle lawsuits filed by Trump rather than fight them in court. He pointed to ABC News’ defamation settlement after anchor George Stephanopoulos repeatedly said on air that Trump had been found “liable for rape” in the E. Jean Carroll civil case—an assertion that misstated the jury’s finding. ABC agreed to pay $15 million toward Trump’s future presidential library and an additional $1 million for legal fees, and it published an editor’s note expressing regret.
Clooney further referenced Paramount’s settlement of Trump’s lawsuit over the editing of CBS’ “60 Minutes” interview with then–Vice President Kamala Harris. Paramount agreed to pay $16 million, with the company saying the funds would be allocated to Trump’s future presidential library and legal fees and costs, without a direct payment to Trump. Paramount said the agreement did not include an apology and also included a commitment that “60 Minutes” would release transcripts of future interviews with presidential candidates, subject to redactions.
Separately, Clooney reflected in the interview on his past interactions with Trump, saying they once knew each other and that the relationship later deteriorated.
Clooney’s comments come as US media companies face heightened scrutiny over editorial independence and legal risk, particularly amid corporate dealmaking that requires federal approval and as news organizations navigate a polarized political climate.
