What Happened
Dr. Peter Attia, a prominent longevity expert, has resigned from his role as a contributor to CBS News following the public release of his email correspondence with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The decision was communicated to CBS News staff on Monday, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Why It Matters
Attia’s resignation comes in the wake of the Department of Justice’s release of documents related to Epstein, which included several exchanges between Attia and Epstein from the mid-2010s. Although Attia has not been accused of any wrongdoing, the nature of the emails, some of which contained crude remarks, has raised concerns about his professional reputation. CBS News had recently appointed Attia as part of an initiative to diversify its contributor base under editor-in-chief Bari Weiss.
What’s Next
In light of the controversy, Attia has stepped down from his position as chief science officer for a protein bar company named David. He expressed regret over the situation, stating, “I apologize and regret putting myself in a position where emails, some of them embarrassing, tasteless, and indefensible, are now public, and that is on me.” Attia’s future involvement in media and public health discussions remains uncertain as he seeks to distance himself from the incident.
