By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Celebrity doctor Peter Attia has resigned from his new contributor position at CBS News following revelations of lewd and personal exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein, as detailed in newly released court documents. Attia stated his role had not yet substantially begun and he stepped back to prevent his involvement from distracting from CBS News’ work. While Attia has apologized and asserted he was not involved in any criminal activity or witnessed underage individuals, the public backlash prompted his departure. He has also resigned from his role as Chief Science Officer at David protein bars.
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The departure of Dr. Peter Attia from his new contributor role at CBS News following the surfacing of troubling messages in the Jeffrey Epstein files marks a significant moment, highlighting the complex web of celebrity influence and journalistic integrity. Attia, a prominent figure in the longevity medicine space and a recent addition to CBS News’ contributor lineup as part of a strategic expansion, found himself at the center of a storm due to newly released documents detailing his interactions with the convicted sex offender. These documents included personal and, as described, lewd exchanges, such as a particularly jarring message from Attia in 2016 referencing “pussy” and its low-carb content, a message sent long after Epstein’s initial conviction.
The revelations immediately ignited a firestorm of backlash from Attia’s extensive fan base, many of whom follow him for his expertise in health and wellness. In response, Attia issued a statement, notably on X, asserting that he was not involved in any criminal activity and had never been a participant in Epstein’s notorious private jet trips, island retreats, or alleged sex parties. It’s important to note that Attia himself has not been accused of any wrongdoing in relation to the Epstein case. Despite this, the nature of the unearthed communications proved too difficult for CBS News to navigate, leading to his resignation.
Adding another layer to the situation, Attia also stepped down from his position as Chief Science Officer at David protein bars, a move confirmed by the company’s CEO. The CEO’s statement, also shared on X, emphasized that no illegal behavior was witnessed and no underage individuals were ever observed in Epstein’s presence, a sentiment that, in hindsight, feels like a recurring theme in the responses surrounding this affair. This parallel departure from a corporate role further underscores the severity of the fallout from the Epstein files.
The handling of Attia’s situation by CBS News, particularly the initial inclination from some within the organization, like Bari Weiss who was instrumental in bringing Attia on board, to potentially allow him to continue, has drawn significant criticism. While Attia offered apologies to his team and patients, the external reaction was swift and uncompromising. The public’s reaction, as expressed across various platforms, painted a picture of a network that appeared to be making questionable hiring decisions, especially when considering the timing of these revelations.
Many have questioned the vetting process at CBS News, suggesting a need for greater discretion in selecting public-facing figures. The sentiment that television personalities are now being held to a higher standard than politicians is a particularly pointed observation, reflecting a broader societal disillusionment. The feeling that certain individuals within the network, like Bari Weiss, are either complicit or have poor judgment, is palpable, with some even calling for consequences beyond resignation. The comparison to characters from media critiques, like “Big Head” from *Silicon Valley*, highlights a perception of incompetence or willful ignorance.
The resignation, while occurring, is viewed by many as an insufficient consequence, with calls for criminal investigation and prosecution if any evidence of actual crimes emerges. The argument that resigning is an “easy way out” resonates strongly, suggesting a desire for more concrete accountability. The frustration extends to the parent company, Paramount/CBS, with hopes that such controversies will negatively impact their business, like a decline in Paramount+ subscriptions. The timing of Attia’s hiring, with the Epstein files already in the public domain, further fuels the suspicion that the risks were either ignored or downplayed.
The fact that Attia was communicating with Epstein after his conviction and registration as a sex offender is a particularly egregious point of contention. Many believe he should have been dismissed much sooner, emphasizing a perceived lack of journalistic standards and integrity at CBS News. The common thread in the criticism is the feeling that powerful individuals, even when exposed, are afforded leniency or are simply expected to resign, a far cry from genuine accountability.
The release of unredacted files is seen as a crucial step towards exposing the full extent of these connections and holding individuals truly accountable. The notion that powerful figures might be covering for each other is a recurring suspicion, and the way “pedophilia” is used to “downplay what they did” is seen as a cynical tactic to deflect blame. The phrase “I said some weird perverted shit to a known child sex trafficker, but I didn’t see no minors” encapsulates the perceived disingenuousness of such defenses.
Ultimately, while Attia has resigned and his role was in its nascent stages, the controversy has undeniably tarnished his public image and raised serious questions about the ethical standards and judgment of the media organizations that choose to associate with individuals entangled in such deeply troubling affairs. The demand for transparency and genuine accountability, rather than just a resignation, continues to be a prominent theme in the public’s response.