- The shakeups at CBS News have rocked viewers and journalists alike. Massive firings and layoffs cut the reporter staff in half. However, Norah O’Donnell has flourished at the network. She was promoted to full-time 60 Minutes contributor earlier this year. But now, Bari Weiss is eyeing her for a new role.
Bari Weiss Eyes Norah O’Donnell For New Role At CBS News
The upheaval at CBS News was the result of a 2025 merger between Skydance Media and Paramount Global. Now, Paramount Skydance is seeking to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery after Netflix dropped out of the merger. If it goes through, CBS News and CNN will be under the same ownership, which may lead to Anderson Cooper leaving CNN. He already left 60 Minutes amid backstage changes.
New CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss has restructured the network’s news division, reportedly moving it away from what was described as a “liberal agenda.” One anchor has remained loyal to CBS amid several high-profile exits. Norah O’Donnell has been with the network for 15 years. She’s had multiple roles, including co-hosting CBS This Morning alongside Gayle King and Charlie Rose and anchoring CBS Evening News for six years.
According to insiders, Bari Weiss is eyeing Norah O’Donnell for a return to her former role. Tony Dokoupil left the renamed CBS Mornings in January 2026 to replace John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois on the Evening News. Norah O’Donnell is reportedly in consideration to join Nate Burleson and Gayle King as co-host.
The New York Post reported that a Status newsletter noted that a decision hasn’t been made yet. Eva Pilgrim, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Kelly O’Grady are reportedly other possible choices.
Gayle King Reportedly ‘Not Happy’ With It
Gayle King had her own backstage drama with CBS. Variety reported in October 2025 that the anchor was out when her contract was up in early 2026. Speculation brewed for weeks over Gayle King’s future at CBS News. However, she reportedly took a pay cut and stayed on with the network… at least for now. Her future is still uncertain, especially with Norah O’Donnell in talks to join the network’s morning program full-time.
Norah O’Donnell often fills in on CBS Mornings amid a hosting shortage. She was included in the new promo for the program, which reportedly didn’t sit right with Gayle King. “Gayle was not happy. She does not want Norah to return to the show,” a source told the New York Post. The relationship between Gayle King and Norah O’Donnell is that of “frenemies.”
Gayle is an authentic person. She loves the news. Norah loves the idea of being on the news,” an insider said. However, another source claimed that Gayle King has a say in the decision over who fills Tony Dokoupil’s chair full-time. Stay tuned for more on this developing story.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger