Gayle King’s recent viral selfie with Fox News host Jesse Watters stirred more than just social media buzz — some insiders say it may have been a calculated career move. “She didn’t need to post that picture,” a senior CBS source told Straight Shuter. “But Gayle’s no fool — she knows CBS’ new leadership wants balance and broader appeal. She can read the room and she knows the winds at CBS are blowing red.”
The selfie came just weeks after Bari Weiss, a free-speech conservative, was named editor-in-chief of CBS News, signaling a shift toward what executives are calling “big-tent” storytelling. “Gayle’s adapting in real time,” the insider added. “She’s showing Bari and the bosses she’s not just a morning-show favorite — she’s a bridge-builder.”
King, who has been the face of CBS Mornings for more than a decade, is reportedly set to depart as an anchor next year, according to four people familiar with the situation. While her contract runs through May, sources indicate CBS is interested in retaining her in a new capacity within the news division, potentially producing her own programming. This would mirror the path of Norah O’Donnell, who stepped down as anchor of CBS Evening News in January to become a senior correspondent contributing across the network’s platforms.
King’s potential departure comes amid a broader overhaul at CBS News under Paramount Skydance leadership. The company is cutting ties with dozens of staffers at the news division and hundreds more across the larger corporation. King would be among several top CBS personalities navigating changes as corporate ownership transitions from the Redstones, the former controlling shareholders, to the Ellisons, who have emphasized a desire to shift CBS News away from content perceived as heavily liberal. Weiss, founder of the conservative opinion site The Free Press, will be central to shaping the network’s editorial direction — and King’s future remains a key question.
In response to inquiries from Variety, a CBS News spokesperson said, “There have been no discussions with Gayle about her contract that runs through May 2026. She’s a truly valued part of CBS and we look forward to engaging with her about the future.” King’s attorney, Lawrence Shire of Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
