Nidhish Waghmare
Amid major CBS layoffs, insiders are questioning Bari Weiss’s $10,000-a-day security detail, which reportedly follows her everywhere. As CBS News reduces its workforce by over a hundred employees, the cost of protecting its new boss has become the latest controversy shaking the network.
Reports claim that “eight bodyguards surround the Free Press founder at all times,” while “she’s shuttled around in a caravan of SUVs, much like the president and vice president.”
Sources within CBS told Page Six that “the Bari Barrier costs $10,000 daily.” That figure alone would attract attention, but the leak’s timing, coming right after a large round of layoffs, has amplified frustration among staff.
Employees say the recent wave of dismissals has hit every level of the newsroom, even well-known figures like Lisa Ling, who confirmed her exit last week. Rumors have also circulated that Gayle King, CBS’s highest-paid on-air personality, could be leaving CBS This Morning, though she stated the network has assured her she’ll stay.
Bari Weiss’s Appointment Sparks Internal Division
Weiss, described by insiders as “a divisive force,” assumed leadership in early October following Paramount’s acquisition of her media venture, The Free Press. The move came despite her “having essentially no experience in news,” sparking debate within the network once home to Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow.
Paramount, which recently finalized its $8 billion merger with Skydance, reportedly appointed Weiss to overhaul the news division. Her outspoken political stance and visibility have made her a polarizing figure both inside and outside CBS.
High Security, High Tension at the Tiffany Network
Observers presume her reputation “as a staunch Zionist” may explain the “heavy security,” especially “after the assassination of fellow media personality Charlie Kirk.”
As CBS fights to stabilize its brand amid deep cuts and internal unrest, the debate over Weiss’s protection costs continues to dominate conversations throughout the Tiffany Network.
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