Peter Attia Exits CBS News Following Epstein Files Revelation
Wellness expert Dr. Peter Attia has parted ways with CBS News after his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein came to light in recently released court documents. The move comes after initial resistance from CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who was skeptical of immediate action.
Attia’s Ties to Epstein
Dr. Attia’s name appears over 1,700 times in the Epstein files, revealing a series of communications between the two men in the 2010s. These exchanges included crude jokes and discussions about Epstein’s health, as well as Attia expressing frustration about keeping Epstein’s activities private. USA Today first reported the news.
CBS News Response and Weiss’s Role
While a CBS News executive confirmed Attia’s departure on February 23, 2026, the decision wasn’t immediate. Bari Weiss, who recruited Attia as one of 19 contributors, initially resisted calls to cut ties, reportedly due to her skepticism of “cancel culture.”
Attia’s Statement and Previous Roles
Attia’s spokesman stated that he stepped down to avoid becoming a distraction from CBS News’s function. Attia himself apologized for his interactions with Epstein, stating he was not involved in any criminal activity and had never visited Epstein’s island. NBC News reported that Attia acknowledged the emails were “embarrassing, tasteless, and indefensible.”
Prior to his departure from CBS News, Attia had already been removed from advisory roles at AGI, a supplement company, and David, a protein bar maker. CBS News also pulled a scheduled re-airing of a “60 Minutes” profile featuring Attia. CNBC confirmed these developments.
Attia’s Background
Dr. Attia is known for his work in longevity medicine, authoring the bestselling book “Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity” and hosting a popular podcast. He also founded Early Medical, a program focused on healthy aging. The New York Times provides background on Attia’s professional life.
Business Implications
From a business perspective, retaining Attia posed challenges for CBS News. Health-related segments are attractive to advertisers, but it was unlikely sponsors would want their commercials associated with someone linked to Epstein.