Health influencer and longevity expert Peter Attia has abruptly stepped away from his recently announced role as a contributor to CBS News, following the disclosure of his name within the Jeffrey Epstein files. This development comes just one month after CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss named Attia among several new contributors, part of her controversial leadership initiatives since assuming the position in October.
Controversial Decision and Network Dynamics
According to reports from The Wrap, Weiss, who had previously featured Attia on her podcast "Honestly," was initially reluctant to sever ties with the health expert. She reportedly viewed such action as "giving in to the mob." However, the situation escalated when Attia's connections to Epstein became public knowledge, prompting his voluntary departure.
A spokesperson for Attia provided a statement to HuffPost clarifying the circumstances: "Dr. Attia's contributor role was newly established and had not yet meaningfully begun. As such, he stepped back to ensure his involvement didn't become a distraction from the important work being done at CBS. He wishes the network and its leadership well and has no further comment at this time."
Multiple Professional Setbacks
This career setback follows another recent departure for Attia. Earlier this month, CEO Peter Rahal confirmed that Attia resigned from his position as chief science officer at David Protein, indicating a pattern of professional disengagement following the Epstein revelations.
Epstein Connections and Regretful Interactions
Attia has publicly acknowledged meeting the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein in 2014, several years after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting sex from underage girls. In his explanation, Attia claimed the introduction occurred "through a prominent female healthcare leader while I was raising funds for scientific research."
He further elaborated that during that period, Epstein "was widely known in academic and philanthropic circles as a funder of science and moved openly among credible institutions and public figures."
Attia revealed that he met with Epstein approximately seven to eight times between 2014 and 2019 in New York City. While expressing regret for these interactions, he acknowledged that "whatever growth I've had over the past decade does not erase the emails I wrote then."
Revealing Email Correspondence
The released documents include several emails that have drawn significant scrutiny. In one message to Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, Attia wrote: "the life you lead is so outrageous, and yet I can't tell a soul."
Another email contained the phrase "p―-y is, indeed, low carb," further complicating Attia's public image as a respected health authority.
Comprehensive Statement and Denials
Earlier this month, Attia addressed his appearances in the Epstein files through a lengthy public statement. He made three clear assertions: "1. I was not involved in any criminal activity. 2. My interactions with Epstein had nothing to do with his sexual abuse or exploitation of anyone. 3. I was never on his plane, never on his island, and never present at any sex parties."
Despite these denials, Attia expressed remorse for his associations: "That said, 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. I accept that reality and the humiliation that comes with it."
\nThe controversy highlights the ongoing repercussions of associations with Jeffrey Epstein, even for individuals not directly implicated in criminal activities. As media organizations navigate these sensitive situations, the Attia case demonstrates how past connections can significantly impact current professional opportunities and public perception in the health and media sectors.
