Fact Check: Did CBS want podcaster Joe Rogan to replace Anderson Cooper on '60 Minutes'?

WASHINGTON, DC: After veteran correspondent Anderson Cooper announced in February that he was stepping away from '60 Minutes' after more than two decades, a claim began circulating online that CBS was considering podcaster Joe Rogan for a role. The claim gained momentum across social media and surged further after an article discussing it sparked widespread attention.

Claim: CBS was considering Joe Rogan after Anderson Cooper's departure

In March, RadarOnline fueled speculation by publishing an exclusive report claiming that CBS executives were considering podcaster Joe Rogan for a role on '60 Minutes' to help boost the show's audience.

The article's headline read, "CBS Looking to Pin Down Joe Rogan — Network Bosses Are Betting Podcast Powerhouse Will Strengthen Sagging ’60 Minutes’."

The claim gained renewed attention this week after the Austin American-Statesman reported that the Austin-based podcast host was under consideration for the news program.

The article declared, "Austin-based podcaster Joe Rogan reportedly being considered for 60 Minutes role." The claim emerged amid ongoing turmoil at CBS News.

Since editor-in-chief Bari Weiss took charge last October under new owner and billionaire Larry Ellison, several staffers have left '60 Minutes', citing concerns about editorial interference.

Management removed longtime executive producer Tanya Simon and correspondents Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi, while veteran correspondent Scott Pelley was reportedly fired after challenging Weiss' decision to appoint former tech columnist Nick Bilton as the show's new executive producer despite his lack of television news experience.

Fact Check: CBS denies rumors that Joe Rogan was being considered for '60 Minutes'

CBS News pushed back against viral reports claiming that news chief Bari Weiss was considering podcaster Joe Rogan for a role on the legendary news program '60 Minutes'. After CBS issued a statement calling the speculation “false,” the Austin American-Statesman updated its story to reflect the denial.

“CBS News has denied reports that Austin-based podcaster Joe Rogan will serve as a replacement for ’60 Minutes’ correspondent Anderson Cooper. A CBS News spokesperson said in an official statement to the American-Statesman that reports on Rogan joining the network are ‘false,'” it said.

Meanwhile, Puck reporter Dylan Byers said on MS NOW that '60 Minutes' could face a major talent shake-up in the coming weeks.

Byers said the program had only three remaining correspondents and that management was actively weighing its next steps. He suggested the show could soon lose all of its current on-air talent, forcing CBS to rebuild the program from the ground up.