"He wrecked what was left of a once amazing show": Internet reacts as Anderson Cooper announces departure from '60 Minutes' after 20 years

Anderson Cooper is preparing to leave CBS News' 60 Minutes, ending a nearly 20-year tenure with the iconic newsmagazine.

In an official statement, published on Feb. 16, the veteran journalist reflects on his journey and cites the reason for his impending departure.

"Being a correspondent at '60 Minutes' has been one of the highlights of my career. I got to tell amazing stories, and work with some of the best producers, editors and camera crews in the business. For nearly twenty years, I've been able to balance my jobs at CNN and CBS, but I have little kids now and I want to spend as much time with them as possible, while they want to spend time with me."

According to sources, as obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Anderson Cooper opted not to renew his contract with the investigative program. His final appearance as a correspondent is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 22.

Following the announcement of his exit, social media lit up with various reactions, with internet users weighing in on the journalist's latest move.

"He wrecked what was left of a once amazing show… like anything, leftist destroy what ever they get their hands on," one opined on X/Twitter.

"Fired or retired...i don't care. He's awful," another commented.

"Why all the sudden do you want to leave now? It wouldn’t be the Epstein Files would it?" an internet user alleged.

"Good. The man has been a Democrat party propagandist," one wrote.

"Slanderson Blooper to finally eat veggies without hurty tum-tum, story at eweven," another shared.

"This is disheartening. 60 Minutes has always served its viewers with uncovering & promoting the truth. Now it's turning into the same evil that it used to stand up to. It is becoming a tool to promote Trumps propaganda and lies. Very sad indeed. I hope that viewers send a message," an online user replied.

Anderson Cooper exits as CBS News grapples with management chaos

Anderson Cooper joined 60 Minutes in 2007. His withdrawal comes amidst the turmoil at CBS News, in which the network faced a high-profile exodus and massive layoffs in recent months, igniting talks on the direction of its news department.

Recalling, last October, Bari Weiss was appointed as the new editor-in-chief of CBS News.

In December, reports of internal uproar kindled when she pulled a full 60 Minutes segment, titled "Inside CECOT," hours before broadcast. It tackled Salvadoran prisons and President Donald Trump's deportation policies.

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Meanwhile, Anderson Cooper remains with his nightly talk show, Anderson Cooper 360, as well as his weekly newsmagazine, The Whole Story, both under CNN. The broadcaster also hosts a podcast, All There Is, where he listens to people sharing their grief experiences.

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