CBS Stands by Wellness Guru Linked to Epstein

Network staffers express outrage over decision to keep Peter Attia as contributor despite his ties to disgraced financier.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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CBS News has decided to keep Peter Attia, a self-proclaimed longevity expert, as a contributor despite his close ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein. The decision has sparked outrage among CBS staffers, who are furious that the network is standing by Attia even after his connections to Epstein were exposed in recently released Justice Department documents.

Why it matters

Attia's relationship with Epstein, a convicted sex offender, has raised serious concerns about his credibility and suitability as a medical expert and contributor for a major news network. The decision to retain him despite the backlash highlights the tensions within CBS News and the challenges the network faces in navigating high-profile controversies involving its personnel.

The details

According to reports, CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss has rallied behind Attia and refused to yield to calls for his dismissal. The network's decision to keep Attia on board has been met with widespread anger among CBS staffers, who have described the move as "p---d off." Attia's ties to Epstein include fawning over the financier's "outrageous" lifestyle and even advising him on health matters, such as telling him that "p---y" was low carb. Additionally, Attia chose to meet with Epstein in New York in 2017 while ignoring pleas from his wife to visit their infant son in the hospital.

  • In February 2026, Peter Attia joined the ranks of CBS News as a contributor.
  • Days later, Attia's close relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was exposed in recently released Justice Department documents.
  • Two weeks after the controversy erupted, CBS News staffers concluded that Attia is staying on as a contributor.

The players

Peter Attia

A self-anointed longevity expert who joined CBS News as a contributor and has faced backlash over his close ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein, a disgraced financier who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

Bari Weiss

The editor-in-chief of CBS News, who has reportedly rallied behind Attia and refused to yield to calls for his dismissal.

David Ellison

The billionaire Skydance owner whose corporate advisers have reportedly been at odds with Weiss over the decision to retain Attia.

Larry Ellison

The Oracle founder and Trump ally, who is the father of David Ellison and has been involved in the acquisition of Weiss' anti-woke Substack.

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What’s next

The decision to retain Peter Attia as a CBS News contributor is expected to continue to be a source of controversy and internal strife within the network.

The takeaway

The CBS News decision to keep Attia on board despite his ties to Epstein highlights the challenges media organizations face in navigating high-profile controversies involving their personnel and the need to balance journalistic integrity with commercial considerations.