TL;DR

• Anderson Cooper is leaving 60 Minutes after 20 years.
• His exit marks another controversy for CBS News under Bari Weiss’s leadership.
• Cooper says he wants more time with his young children.
• CBS had reportedly discussed renewing his correspondent contract.
• Weiss has faced criticism for editorial decisions and looming layoffs.

Two Decades, Countless Stories — and One Big Goodbye

Television’s silver-haired statesman is stepping back. After 20 years as a correspondent for 60 Minutes, beloved out journalist Anderson Cooper is leaving the long-running news powerhouse — a move that lands right in the middle of a turbulent chapter for CBS News under newly installed editor-in-chief Bari Weiss.

Cooper, who continues to anchor his primetime program for CNN, called his 60 Minutes tenure “one of the highlights of my career,” praising the storytellers and crews who helped bring his reporting to life. But after years of balancing dual-network duties, he says parenting is now his leading assignment: “I have little kids now and I want to spend as much time with them as possible, while they want to spend time with me.”

Honestly? Dad goals.

A CBS News Shake-Up — And Another Hit to Weiss’s Leadership

Cooper’s departure isn’t happening in a vacuum. His exit comes as part of a broader, increasingly loud storm surrounding Weiss’s takeover of CBS News after parent company Paramount Skydance purchased her opinion outlet, The Free Press, for $150 million. Weiss, who has never worked in broadcast news, has already faced public backlash for pulling a segment about abuse faced by Venezuelans deported under Donald Trump.

Media insiders are whispering — loudly — that layoffs are looming, morale is shaky, and editorial guardrails feel wobbly. Losing a high-profile, highly respected journalist like Cooper only intensifies the concern.

CBS had reportedly been in talks with him about renewing his contract. The answer, ultimately, was no.

A Career Heavily Booked — and a Future Still Very Much on Air

Cooper isn’t fading from the spotlight. In addition to his nightly CNN show, he’s got a podcast, a Sunday program, and a seemingly endless slate of projects. The man stays busy.

But choosing to step away from one of television’s most storied programs underscores a shifting media landscape — and perhaps a shifting set of priorities for the anchor himself. When a journalist whose career has thrived on constant motion says he wants to sit still with his kids, that’s a headline with heart.

What This Means for Queer Visibility in Media

Cooper has long been one of the most prominent openly gay journalists in the world, a quiet but powerful symbol of LGBTQ professionalism, excellence, and longevity in mainstream media. His presence on 60 Minutes wasn’t just another correspondent gig — it was representation embedded into the American news establishment.

His departure could mean fewer queer voices in major legacy newsrooms at a time when LGBTQ issues are increasingly under political attack. The timing matters, the visibility matters, and the absence will be felt.

But Cooper stepping back isn’t retreat — it’s recalibration. And with his platform at CNN still strong, his voice isn’t going anywhere.

Impact on the LGBTQ Community

Cooper’s exit marks the end of a rare era: an openly gay journalist holding a consistent, high-prestige role in a legacy institution long dominated by straight voices. While his departure from 60 Minutes may reduce LGBTQ visibility at CBS News, it also highlights an evolving truth — queer representation isn’t confined to one program or platform anymore.

Still, in a time of rising attacks on LGBTQ rights and increased scrutiny of queer perspectives in media, losing Cooper in that seat is symbolic. His decision, rooted in family and personal balance, reminds us that queer icons are human beings too — often juggling careers and parenthood under a brighter spotlight and sharper criticism than most.

And even as he steps away, the path he carved remains: more queer reporters, more queer anchors, and more queer narratives in mainstream journalism.