CBS News Confirms Joe Rogan Will Not Replace Anderson Cooper on '60 Minutes'
CBS News is denying the viral rumor that podcaster Joe Rogan will be joining 60 Minutes.Rogan, 57, a former television host who currently helms the wildly popular podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, is not being considered to take over for longtime 60 Minutes contributor Anderson Cooper, a spokesperson for the network told TheWrap.“False,” the spokesperson shared regarding the rumor, which circulated just two days after veteran CBS News journalist Scott Pelley was fired from the network following a dramatic clash with management.The rumor of Rogan's potential employment came after the Austin American-Statesman wrote a story titled “Could Joe Rogan replace Anderson Cooper on ‘60 Minutes’? Here’s what we know." The link's headline has since been changed to "CBS News says Joe Rogan is not in consideration to replace Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes."RadarOnline.com, a popular website, is believed to have kick-started the rumor after sharing a story that Rogan was being considered by CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss as a potential replacement for Cooper."This isn't stunt casting," a television industry insider told Radar. "It's strategy. Rogan opens a direct pipeline to the massive MAGA audience CBS has struggled to reach for years."Despite Radar's claims, CBS News refuted the idea.🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 Why Did Scott Pelley Get Fired From 60 Minutes?Pelley recently butted heads with the show’s new executive producer, Nick Bilton. The incident went down publicly in a staff meeting, only exacerbating the existing conflict between Weiss and the longtime staff of the iconic newsmagazine program. During the meeting, which was captured on audio, Pelley accused Weiss of “murdering” 60 Minutes.In a letter to Pelley, which was obtained by a variety of news sources, Bilton informed Pelley of his termination.“Your antipathy to the future of the show has come through loud and clear,” Bilton said in the letter. “And I have heard you. I therefore write on behalf of CBS News to inform you that your employment with CBS is terminated effective immediately.”Check out the letter from Bilton to Pelley below:Who Else Has Left 60 Minutes?Pelley's departure came after CBS News announced they were ousting former executive producer Tanya Simon, executive editor Draggan Mihailovich, and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, Variety reported.Cooper, who has contributed to the show for nearly 20 years, announced he would be leaving the program in February, Parade previously shared.“The thing is, it’s never felt like work. It’s felt like you’re stepping into people’s lives, and you’re invited into people's homes,” Cooper reflected. “You’re invited into their struggles, you’re invited into whatever it is that has brought them to be on 60 Minutes.”Related: Veteran Journalist Scott Pelley Fired From ‘60 Minutes’ After Dramatic ClashThis story was originally published by Parade on Jun 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
