The selection of a media personality recognized for her pro-Israel views and opposition to “woke” culture coincides with mounting pressure on US media companies from the Trump administration.
Published On 6 Oct 2025
Paramount, a leading American media conglomerate, has finalized an agreement to acquire the commentary platform Free Press and appointed its founder, Bari Weiss, as the new editor-in-chief of CBS News.
Weiss, a conservative commentator noted for her staunch support of Israel and outspoken criticism of “woke” ideologies, steps into this role amid accusations that CBS is being nudged to adopt a stance more sympathetic to former President Donald Trump’s administration.
David Ellison, Paramount’s CEO, praised Weiss’s “innovative spirit and editorial insight” in a recent statement.
“This initiative aligns with Paramount’s broader strategy to revamp its content and foster a more direct, passionate connection with global audiences,” Ellison explained.
This development follows the August merger between Skydance Media and Paramount, the parent company of CBS. During the regulatory approval process, Skydance committed to enhancing “viewpoint diversity” at CBS, as noted by Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr in July.
Prior to this merger, Paramount settled a $16 million defamation lawsuit filed by Donald Trump concerning a segment aired on CBS’s flagship news program, 60 Minutes. Critics widely viewed the lawsuit as an attempt to intimidate media outlets into delivering more favorable coverage.
Ellison, who will oversee Weiss directly, is the son of Larry Ellison, a prominent tech entrepreneur and influential Trump supporter.
After leaving The New York Times in 2022-where she cited persistent harassment from colleagues opposing her viewpoints-Weiss launched The Free Press. She has positioned herself as a candid voice challenging mainstream media narratives.
Recent articles from The Free Press have scrutinized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and expressed skepticism about vaccine policies, topics that were central to the Trump administration’s agenda.
Nonetheless, the outlet has occasionally diverged from traditional Republican lines, notably criticizing the party’s stance on abortion rights.
Weiss’s venture has attracted support from notable investors such as venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and David Sacks, former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, and hedge fund magnate Paul Marshall.
The Free Press has faced backlash for its coverage of the conflict in Gaza, including a controversial piece titled “The Gaza Famine Myth,” which challenged reports of famine conditions in the region due to Israel’s blockade, despite evidence presented by the United Nations and medical organizations.
