Rumors continue to swirl that daytime host Gayle King will allegedly be leaving her position on CBS Mornings when her contract expires in May 2026. A new report from an insider reveals where King might be going and what new position she could be taking after she’s been effectively fired. This rumor comes amid a prior report that the new editor-in-chief for CBS News, Bari Weiss, has apparently been looking for a potential replacement for the daytime anchor who has been leading CBS Mornings for over ten years.
King will apparently stay with CBS in a new position
According to an insider speaking with NewsNation, King will allegedly be moved from her position at CBS Mornings for a different role at the network.
“She will technically stay with the network,” the source said. “Gayle will do special projects and bigger interviews — like what Diane Sawyer and Hoda Kotb do.”
This refers to Sawyer stepping down as an anchor for “World News” on ABC in 2014 to do more special programs and investigative work and Kotb retiring from The Today Show in January 2025 but co-hosting some specials like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
It’s interesting that the insider mentions Kotb, as it has been reported that Weiss has allegedly been courting her to be the new lead anchor for CBS Mornings. According to a senior network figure, Weiss wanted someone with “warmth, credibility — and viewers” and thought that Kotb “checks every box.”
This switch-up comes amid the parent company of CBS, Paramount, merging with Skydance Media, which has already led to significant layoffs at the network that includes veteran anchor John Dickerson.
When asked in early December whether she is indeed leaving CBS Mornings, King responded, “I’m still there. I’m planning to be there.”
A spokesman for CBS News said in October that there had been “no discussions with Gayle about her contract that runs through May 2026.”
