Bari Weiss Invites George Clooney to Visit the CBS Newsroom After Actor Claims She’s “Dismantling” Organization

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While promoting his new movie, George Clooney recently told Variety he’s critical of the changes happening at CBS News. He specifically questioned the decision by Paramount’s CEO, David Ellison, to appoint Bari Weiss as the network’s editor-in-chief.

According to George Clooney, Bari Weiss is currently making significant changes at CBS News. In response, Weiss has extended an invitation for Clooney to tour the newsroom and see for himself.

In a statement, CBS News president Neeraj Khemlani (writing as ‘Weiss’) reached out to George Clooney, a known admirer of his work. He invited Clooney to visit the CBS Broadcast Center during the holidays to see the team working to revitalize the Evening News. Khemlani suggested Clooney watch the relaunched broadcast, premiering January 5th.

She probably used that greeting because George Clooney and his family recently became French citizens. Although her message seemed friendly, some people think it was a subtle way of making a point.

Clooney’s Relationship with The Press

Hollywood and the media have generally enjoyed a friendly relationship for a long time. In 2005, George Clooney directed the film Goodnight, and Good Luck, which told the story of Edward R. Murrow’s battle against Senator Joseph McCarthy. Two decades later, Clooney himself took on the role of Murrow in a stage version of the same film.

I was really struck by what George Clooney said when 60 Minutes came to see a rehearsal of his play. He explained that when the government – the courts, the president, and Congress – let us down, the press has to step up. It felt like a direct challenge to journalists, especially with Trump back in office. He was basically saying they’re our last line of defense, and they need to do their job.

I have to say, watching Clooney talk about the state of things really struck me. He admitted he’s concerned about the film industry, naturally, it is his livelihood. But what he’s really worried about is much bigger – it’s about how we, as a country, get our information. He’s genuinely concerned that without a strong and reliable press, we’re going to struggle to figure out what’s actually real anymore. It’s a powerful point, and it definitely made me think.

CBS editor-in-chief Weiss appears to be acknowledging claims that the press is no longer operating effectively. Media reporter Christian Toto points out that Weiss’s comment about the Clooneys moving to France – suggesting a lack of patriotism – is a pointed, though simple, jab at those who choose to live outside the United States.

This indicates that under Weiss’s direction, celebrities such as Clooney can expect to be challenged when they share their views.

A Double Standard?

George Clooney maintains strong connections with traditional media outlets. For example, Variety labeled Bari Weiss a “conservative commentator,” despite her own description of herself as a “radical centrist.”

George Clooney has been critical of Donald Trump, stating he doesn’t believe Trump’s popularity will recover. However, Variety hasn’t labeled Clooney as a liberal commentator. During Joe Biden’s campaign for reelection, Clooney hosted a fundraising event for the president. At the time, concerns were already being raised about Biden’s cognitive abilities, but Clooney didn’t publicly address them.

When President Biden’s approval ratings began to fall, George Clooney published an opinion piece in The New York Times. He observed that Biden was showing his age, stating that the president he met recently at a fundraiser wasn’t the energetic, confident leader he remembered from 2010. This was a significant shift in perspective that the media didn’t question or address.

Weiss has politely questioned Clooney’s statements about her. She’s invited him to visit the CBS newsroom, similar to how 60 Minutes accepted his invitation to observe a play rehearsal. Regardless of whether Clooney accepts, this situation highlights a changing media environment where celebrities aren’t automatically given special treatment or unquestioned respect.

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2026-01-03 19:56