By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Despite revelations of his email exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein, CBS News currently has no plans to remove health guru Peter Attia from his contributor role. Editor-in-chief Bari Weiss is reportedly against cutting ties, viewing such a move as succumbing to “cancel culture.” While Attia has faced consequences from other companies and a planned “60 Minutes” re-air has been pulled, CBS News has not made a public statement on his status, though his future on air is uncertain.
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The recent revelation that longevity guru Peter Attia, a Stanford-trained physician known for his expertise in longevity medicine, will retain his role with CBS News despite his name appearing in the Jeffrey Epstein files has certainly sparked considerable discussion and, for many, a significant amount of disbelief. It appears that even with email exchanges with Epstein, including some rather crude discussions, and Attia’s own expressed frustration at not being able to discuss Epstein’s “outrageous” life, CBS News is opting to keep him on.
This decision raises immediate questions about the standards and judgment of CBS News, especially given the gravity of the Epstein scandal and the ongoing public reckoning with it. Many find it astonishing that an affiliation, however tangential, with such a figure would not automatically trigger a severing of ties, particularly for a news organization that should, by its very nature, be a bastion of credibility and public trust. The fact that Attia’s arrangement with CBS News, which reportedly involved contract work he hadn’t even started, persists suggests a perplexing lack of concern from the network’s leadership.
The broader context of this situation points towards a disheartening trend of what some perceive as a “pipeline of grifters” being brought into prominent media roles. There’s a palpable sense that certain individuals, regardless of their past associations or questionable behavior, seem to be insulated from consequences, particularly when they align with specific political or social circles. The observation that “the people at the top don’t care” resonates with many who feel a growing disconnect between their expectations of accountability and the reality of how powerful individuals navigate scandals.
Furthermore, the comparison drawn to other public figures who have emerged from the Epstein files with their careers seemingly intact, or even enhanced, fuels a sense of cynicism. The notion that individuals can be involved in or associated with such troubling revelations and yet continue to hold influential positions, while ordinary people might face severe repercussions for far less, is a source of considerable frustration and anger for many. This perceived impunity, especially when contrasted with the expectations of fairness and justice, leads some to question the very fabric of societal accountability.
The continued presence of individuals like Peter Attia in prominent media roles, coupled with what some consider a manufactured or insincere apology, leads to a widespread feeling of being disregarded. When a news organization, entrusted with informing the public, appears to prioritize maintaining relationships over upholding ethical standards, it erodes viewer trust to a significant degree. The suggestion that CBS News is essentially becoming “Nu FOX” implies a perceived shift away from journalistic integrity and towards a more partisan or self-serving agenda, which is concerning for anyone who values independent and reliable news reporting.
The commentary often suggests a broader societal issue at play, where connections and allegiances seem to outweigh integrity. The very idea that someone connected to the Epstein files, especially someone who expressed both interest in and frustration about Epstein’s activities, can continue as a public commentator is seen by many as a profound failure of judgment. It leads to the unsettling conclusion that perhaps the US has become a place where such associations are not just tolerated but, in some circles, are almost expected or even advantageous, a sentiment echoed by the term “Jeffrey Epstein Class.”
Ultimately, the decision by CBS News to retain Peter Attia’s role, despite his appearance in the Epstein files, speaks volumes about the current media landscape and the challenges of maintaining accountability. It highlights a deep-seated frustration among the public who witness individuals seemingly escape scrutiny and consequences that many believe they deserve, leading to a crisis of confidence in both media institutions and the systems that are supposed to uphold ethical standards. The ongoing discussion serves as a stark reminder of the public’s desire for transparency, integrity, and genuine accountability from those in positions of influence.