New York — CBS News is facing mounting internal backlash over its handling of wellness influencer Peter Attia, who has come under scrutiny for a series of emails exchanged with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Editor-in-chief Bari Weiss is reportedly sticking by Attia amid calls from staffers for his dismissal, despite the controversy surrounding his communications with Epstein.

The network has yet to release a public statement on the matter, leaving employees in the dark about Attia’s status as a contributor. The situation has caused unrest within CBS News, where some employees express shock at the nature of the emails, which included inappropriate comments about women.

Attia, who recently joined CBS as a health contributor, issued an apology this week after emails were released during a Justice Department investigation into Epstein. In his statement, Attia described the exchanges as “embarrassing, tasteless, and indefensible,” acknowledging that the messages reflected poorly on him.

Staffers are reportedly dismayed by the crude humor in the emails, such as jokes about dietary choices tied to explicit language, which has fueled demands for his removal from the network. However, Weiss is hesitant to cave to what she perceives as mob mentality pushing for Attia’s exit.

As the internal tensions escalate, some sources indicate that executives at CBS’s parent company, Paramount Skydance, would prefer to part ways with Attia. Yet, Weiss has the final decision-making authority and seems inclined to retain him to avoid appearing submissive to outside pressures.

In light of the controversy, CBS’s celebrated program “60 Minutes” has canceled a planned re-airing of a previous interview with Attia. The decision, made by the show’s executive producer, reflects ongoing uncertainty about public reception and the weight of internal concerns regarding Attia’s future at the network.

The unfolding situation highlights the challenges media organizations face in maintaining their values while navigating public sentiment and employee expectations. As the story develops, all eyes will be on CBS News to see how it balances accountability and its commitment to staffing choices.