Steve Kroft Says He Hated 60 Minutes Job

Veteran journalist Steve Kroft, who spent three decades as a correspondent on CBS's 60 Minutes, revealed in a recent podcast interview that he disliked the job intensely and would decline the opportunity if given a second chance. Speaking on Bill O'Reilly's "We'll Do It Live!" podcast, the 80-year-old Kroft described the environment as exhausting and hostile, marking a candid reflection on his long career that ended with his retirement in 2019.

Kroft joined 60 Minutes in 1989 after receiving a warning from then-CBS anchor Dan Rather about its competitive nature. Rather likened the newsroom to a place filled with "big cats" capable of sidelining colleagues for months, a description Kroft said proved prescient. Upon arriving, he found little civility among staff, with suspicion and rivalry dominating interactions. "There was no civility at 60 Minutes," Kroft said. "If there was civility, you better check your wallet." He recalled expecting congratulations from peers when selected for the role but instead realizing he had "made a bunch of enemies" because others coveted the position. The atmosphere, he added, bred paranoia, as journalists competed fiercely for airtime and status....