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Gayle King’s public endorsement of CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss has sparked criticism from colleagues,especially as questions linger about king’s future with the network.
During an all-hands meeting on January 28, 2026, King voiced strong support for Weiss, describing her as “beloved” and predicting her continued presence at CBS News, according to The Daily Beast.This support comes amid reports that King’s position at CBS Mornings may be at risk due to her age and substantial $15 million annual salary.
“I like Bari, that you laid out a vision,” King stated. “For many people, they’ve never even heard your freakin’ voice. So it’s good for them to hear – to see you’re a real person, and this is what you want, and how you feel about us, and how you feel about this job.”
The meeting, led by Weiss, included a statement encouraging staff members who disagreed with her leadership to consider leaving, asserting it was a “free country.” King echoed this sentiment, saying, “If you don’t want to be here, if this is not the place, it’s OK.” She added, “But for the rest of us who would like to be here, who’d like to do a good job and figure things out along the way, this is a very bumpy time for all of us.”
An insider speaking to The Independent revealed that king also expressed frustration with colleagues speaking to the media about her job security. The source indicated King prioritized defending her own position over addressing the concerns raised by staff.
Another staffer told the outlet King’s comments were a strategic move to secure her role on CBS Mornings and maintain her relevance. They characterized King as lacking leadership qualities and suggested the staff needs someone to rally around.
The scrutiny of King’s salary comes as CBS News undergoes changes under Weiss’s leadership. One insider suggested
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