NEW YORK — Dr. Peter Attia, a prominent medical influencer known for his work on longevity and health optimization, has resigned from his contributor role at CBS News following the revelation of his emails with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in recently unsealed U.S. Justice Department files.
The resignation, announced on Monday, comes amid a wave of scrutiny over connections between high-profile individuals and Epstein, whose criminal activities have continued to unravel public figures years after his 2019 death in a New York jail cell. Attia, 52, hosts the popular podcast "The Drive," where he discusses topics ranging from exercise science to disease prevention, and is the author of the bestselling book "Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity," published in 2023. His appointment as a CBS News contributor was announced last month by editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who praised him as a voice for evidence-based health advice in an era of misinformation.
Attia's involvement with CBS News was relatively brief but notable. He had been featured in a "60 Minutes" profile that aired last October, which explored his unconventional approaches to extending human lifespan, including intermittent fasting and high-intensity training regimens. The segment drew millions of viewers and positioned Attia as a bridge between cutting-edge medical research and mainstream audiences. However, the Epstein documents, released as part of an ongoing Justice Department effort to declassify materials from Epstein's cases, cast a shadow over his rising media profile.
According to the Associated Press, Attia's name appeared in hundreds of pages of the files, which include flight logs, contact lists, and correspondence dating back to the early 2000s. The emails in question, exchanged between Attia and Epstein around 2010, reportedly discussed potential collaborations on health and wellness initiatives, though specifics remain redacted in the public versions. Attia has maintained that his interactions with Epstein were professional and limited, stating in a public apology earlier this month that he was "guilty of no wrongdoing and did not attend any of Epstein's sex parties."
In that same statement, Attia acknowledged the problematic nature of some exchanges, describing them as "embarrassing, tasteless and indefensible." He elaborated in a post on his website, "I deeply regret any association that could tarnish the important work being done in longevity science, and I take full responsibility for my poor judgment in engaging with someone of Epstein's reputation." The apology was issued on February 5, 2026, just days after the documents' release on January 28, 2026, which included a photographed inmate report from the Federal Bureau of Prisons featuring Epstein's image, dated Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
CBS News, for its part, did not initiate the separation. Despite calls from some viewers and advocacy groups to sever ties, the network stood by Attia initially, with a spokesperson telling reporters last week, "We value Dr. Attia's expertise and have seen no evidence of misconduct on his part." However, Attia chose to step down voluntarily, citing a desire to avoid distracting from CBS's journalistic mission. The resignation was confirmed by CBS News on Monday afternoon, with the network issuing a brief statement: "Dr. Peter Attia has resigned from his contributor position. We respect his decision and wish him well in his future endeavors."
The Epstein files have been a source of controversy since their initial unsealing in 2019, following Epstein's arrest on federal sex trafficking charges. Epstein, who died by suicide while awaiting trial, maintained a vast network of influential contacts across business, politics, and entertainment. The latest batch of documents, totaling over 2,000 pages, stems from a 2015 defamation lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate convicted in 2021 of sex trafficking minors. Federal authorities have emphasized that inclusion in the files does not imply criminality, but the associations have nonetheless led to professional repercussions for several individuals.
Attia is not alone in facing fallout. In recent weeks, at least three other public figures have resigned from prominent roles after their names surfaced in similar contexts. For instance, a tech executive at a Silicon Valley firm stepped down last Thursday following reports of Epstein's donations to a charitable foundation he chaired. Another, a university professor in Boston, was placed on administrative leave pending an internal review, according to university officials. These cases highlight the enduring shadow of Epstein's network, which prosecutors described during Maxwell's trial as a sophisticated operation that exploited vulnerable young women over two decades.
Attia's background adds layers to the story. A former surgical resident at Johns Hopkins University, he transitioned into private practice and media in the mid-2010s, building a following of over 500,000 on Instagram and YouTube through accessible explanations of complex health topics. His podcast, launched in 2018, has featured interviews with Nobel laureates and celebrities, amassing millions of downloads. Critics, however, have accused him of promoting unproven anti-aging therapies, though Attia has consistently cited peer-reviewed studies in his work.
The timing of the Epstein revelations coincides with heightened public interest in accountability for those linked to the scandal. Advocacy groups like the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children have called for thorough investigations into all named individuals, regardless of the nature of their connections. "Mere association with Epstein should raise red flags, especially for those in positions of public trust," said Sarah Klein, a lawyer representing Epstein victims, in an interview with The Appleton Times last week. Klein, who has litigated against Epstein's estate, added that while Attia's emails do not suggest involvement in crimes, they underscore the need for vigilance in vetting media contributors.
From CBS News's perspective, the episode underscores the challenges of balancing expertise with ethical considerations in an era of rapid document releases. Bari Weiss, who recruited Attia, defended the hire in a memo to staff obtained by media outlets, writing, "Dr. Attia's contributions to health reporting are invaluable, and we acted on available information at the time of his appointment." Weiss, a former New York Times opinion editor known for her contrarian views, has faced criticism for her leadership at CBS, but the network has not commented further on the matter.
Looking ahead, Attia plans to continue his podcast and writing, focusing on what he calls "the pursuit of a longer, healthier life for all." In a recent episode recorded after the resignation, he addressed listeners directly: "This has been a difficult chapter, but it won't derail the mission. Science demands integrity, and I'm committed to upholding that." Whether his audience will forgive the Epstein link remains to be seen; social media reactions have been mixed, with some fans expressing disappointment and others defending him as a victim of Epstein's manipulative reach.
The broader implications of the Epstein files extend beyond individual careers, prompting discussions about institutional due diligence. Lawmakers in Washington have renewed calls for a federal commission to examine Epstein's enablers, with Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Lindsey Graham stating during a hearing on February 8, 2026, "We can't let this web of influence fade into obscurity—transparency is key to preventing future abuses." Meanwhile, victims' advocates report a surge in tips to hotlines, suggesting the releases are encouraging more survivors to come forward.
As the Justice Department prepares additional tranches of documents—expected by late spring—experts anticipate further revelations that could impact reputations across sectors. For Attia, the resignation marks a pivot point, from media darling to a figure under scrutiny. Yet, in the world of health influencing, where trust is paramount, his ability to rebound may hinge on how convincingly he separates his work from the Epstein taint.
In New York, where Epstein's story first exploded into headlines nearly a decade ago, the saga continues to resonate. The Metropolitan Correctional Center, site of his death, has since undergone reforms, but the files remind the public that Epstein's legacy of exploitation persists in legal and social spheres. For journalists covering the beat, it's a reminder of the power—and peril—of unsealed truths.