Peter Attia Resigns from CBS News Amid Epstein Files Fallout

Dr. Peter Attia, a physician and author known for his operate on longevity, has stepped down from his recently announced role as a contributor to CBS News following the release of documents linking him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The resignation, confirmed by Attia’s spokesperson on Monday, February 23, 2026, comes after his name appeared hundreds of times in files released by the Department of Justice in January.

Attia’s spokesperson stated that his position at CBS News “was newly established and had not yet meaningfully begun,” and that he “stepped back to ensure his involvement didn’t turn into a distraction from the important work being done at CBS.” CBS News has not commented on the matter.

The Justice Department’s release of the Epstein files on January 30 sparked immediate scrutiny of Attia’s communications with Epstein. Attia himself acknowledged the existence of the emails in a February 2 apology posted on X, describing some of them as “embarrassing, tasteless, and indefensible.” He maintained, however, that he was not involved in any criminal activity and had no knowledge of Epstein’s abuse.

The emails, exchanged between 2015 and 2019, included discussions about female genitalia and suggested Attia may have been with Epstein although his wife was hospitalized with their son following a near-fatal incident, according to reports. Attia had initially met Epstein in 2014 through a “prominent female healthcare leader” while fundraising for scientific research.

Attia was among a group of contributors recruited by CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss in January, as part of an effort to reshape the network’s editorial direction following a merger between CBS’s parent company, Paramount Skydance, and its former constituent parts. The network pulled a scheduled repeat airing of a “60 Minutes” segment featuring Attia shortly after the release of the Epstein files.

The fallout from the disclosures extends beyond CBS News. According to CNBC, Attia has also severed ties with other corporate ventures. A wearable technology company has filed counterclaims in an ongoing legal dispute, alleging Attia failed to disclose a “deep, multidimensional” relationship with Epstein.

Attia’s resignation is the latest in a series of departures and scrutiny of individuals linked to Epstein following the release of the court documents. The scale of the disclosures has prompted a broader reckoning within elite networks, raising questions about judgment and accountability.