Medical influencer resigns CBS post after name included in Epstein files

Peter Attia was recently added as a CBS contributor but stepped down after his emails with the late sex offender were revealed.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Dr. Peter Attia, a medical influencer and podcast host, has resigned from his post as a CBS News contributor after his name surfaced in the latest release of documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. While Attia said he was not involved in any wrongdoing, he admitted that some of his emails with Epstein were "embarrassing, tasteless and indefensible."

Why it matters

The revelation of Attia's connection to Epstein, even if indirect, has raised concerns about the vetting process for media personalities and the potential for reputational damage from association with high-profile figures accused of misconduct.

The details

Attia, who hosts the podcast "Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity" and was the subject of a "60 Minutes" profile last October, was recently added as a CBS News contributor. However, shortly after his appointment, Attia's name surfaced in hundreds of Epstein documents released by the U.S. Justice Department. While Attia said he was not involved in any of Epstein's alleged sex parties, he acknowledged that some of his emails with the late sex offender were "embarrassing, tasteless and indefensible."

  • Attia was added as a CBS News contributor last month.
  • Attia's name surfaced in the latest release of Epstein documents on February 10, 2026.

The players

Peter Attia

A medical influencer, podcast host, and author who recently resigned from a CBS News contributor role after his name was included in the latest release of Jeffrey Epstein documents.

Jeffrey Epstein

The late sex offender whose connections to various public figures have continued to be scrutinized.

Bari Weiss

The CBS News editor-in-chief who had announced Attia's appointment as a network contributor.

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What they’re saying

“I am guilty of no wrongdoing and did not attend any of Epstein's sex parties, but I acknowledge that some of my emails were embarrassing, tasteless and indefensible.”

— Peter Attia (Politico)

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of public figures' connections to Epstein and the potential reputational risks for media organizations in vetting their contributors and guests more thoroughly to avoid such controversies.