UPDATE: CBS’s 60 Minutes has created a media firestorm after abruptly canceling a segment on the Trump administration’s deportation of Venezuelan migrants to the notorious CECOT prison in El Salvador, just two hours before airing on December 21, 2025. This last-minute decision has raised allegations of censorship against Bari Weiss, the newly appointed Editor-in-Chief of CBS News.
The scheduled segment, titled “Inside CECOT,” was set to reveal harrowing accounts from Venezuelan men who were misled into believing they were returning to their home country, only to find themselves imprisoned in one of El Salvador’s harshest facilities. CBS announced the change via social media, stating, “The broadcast lineup for tonight’s edition of 60 Minutes has been updated. Our report ‘Inside CECOT’ will air in a future broadcast.”
The segment had been promoted just last week, highlighting the ongoing legal battle regarding the deportations. Earlier this year, the Trump administration deported hundreds of Venezuelan migrants, branding them as terrorists. The U.S. government has yet to disclose the full list of those deported.
Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi was slated to interview deportees regarding the “brutal and torturous” conditions they faced in CECOT. Instead, viewers will see a segment featuring Jon Wertheim interviewing a family of classical musicians in Nottingham, England.
Insiders at CBS News have reported that the segment was pulled for “additional reporting,” but Alfonsi expressed her outrage in an email to colleagues, claiming the decision was politically motivated. “Our story was screened five times and cleared by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices. It is factually correct,” she wrote. Alfonsi emphasized her concerns about potential government influence, stating, “We go from an investigative powerhouse to a stenographer for the state.”
The backlash from viewers has been swift, with many accusing Weiss of succumbing to the interests of the Trump administration. Liberal journalist Krystal Ball expressed her frustration on Bluesky, stating, “Bari’s CBS pulled their CECOT report, which included interviews with migrants who were tortured in this concentration camp.” Commentator Dave Itzkoff remarked on Weiss’s performance, noting that her missteps have made her the “laughing stock” of the industry.
The decision to pull the segment comes on the heels of Trump’s recent praise for CBS’s new ownership, the Ellison family, at a North Carolina rally. “I love the new owners of CBS,” he said, while acknowledging that the network’s treatment of him has not improved. Trump’s comments have raised eyebrows, particularly given Weiss’s controversial appointment by David Ellison, the head of CBS’s parent company, Paramount.
Industry experts have criticized Weiss’s leadership style and decisions, suggesting that her lack of experience is evident in her handling of the situation. The fallout from this incident raises significant questions about the future integrity of CBS News and its commitment to investigative journalism.
As the controversy unfolds, many are left wondering what the implications will be for CBS’s reputation and its approach to reporting under Weiss’s leadership. Viewers are encouraged to stay tuned for updates on the rescheduled airing of the CECOT segment, as the situation develops.
