Longevity Expert Peter Attia Exits CBS News Following Epstein File Revelations
Controversial physician and longevity authority Dr. Peter Attia has officially resigned from his position as a contributor at CBS News. This decision comes directly in the wake of public disclosures revealing multiple communications between Attia and the convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Swift Departure After Recent Hiring
The Hollywood Reporter initially broke the story of Attia's abrupt departure. Remarkably, Attia had been announced as one of nineteen new contributors to the network less than a month prior. His hiring was part of editor-in-chief Bari Weiss's broader initiative to overhaul the news division. Attia joined CBS just days before the release of over three million files from the federal government's investigation into Epstein.
Revealed Communications and Apology
The unsealed documents contained several instances of correspondence between Attia and Epstein, predominantly from the mid-2010s. This period was after Epstein's 2008 guilty plea to prostitution charges involving a minor. The messages depicted a friendly relationship, with Epstein occasionally soliciting medical advice from the doctor. One particularly crude 2016 exchange featured Attia insinuating that female genitalia could be considered "low carb."
Following the file disclosure, Attia issued a lengthy apology on social media, which he also disseminated to his professional team and patients. In his statement, he expressed regret for the situation, acknowledging the emails as "embarrassing, tasteless, and indefensible." He accepted full responsibility for the humiliation. Concurrently, Attia stepped down from his role as chief science officer for David, a protein bar company.
Clarifications and Internal Discontent
In his apology note, Attia was careful to clarify that he "was not involved in any criminal activity" and that his interactions with Epstein were unrelated to the financier's sexual abuse or exploitation. He also stated he had never been aboard Epstein's plane or visited his private island.
Internally, some CBS News insiders expressed dissatisfaction that the network had not acted more swiftly to remove Attia. Last week, an executive circulated a list of the network's new contributors to staffers; Attia's name was conspicuously absent. His formal resignation was communicated via email to employees in the CBS News booking department on Monday.
Official Statement and Professional Background
A spokesperson for Dr. Attia provided a statement, noting: "Dr. Attia's contributor role was newly established and had not yet meaningfully begun. As such, he stepped back to ensure his involvement didn't become a distraction from the important work being done at CBS. He wishes the network and its leadership well and has no further comment at this time."
Peter Attia remains a prominent figure in the wellness space. He is the host of the widely popular podcast The Peter Attia Drive and the author of the bestselling book Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity.
