A spokesperson for Attia told “EW” that he “stepped back” from his role “to ensure his involvement didn’t become a distraction from the important work being done at CBS.”

Peter Attia exits CBS News role after appearing in Epstein files

A spokesperson for Attia told "EW" that he "stepped back" from his role "to ensure his involvement didn't become a distraction from the important work being done at CBS.”

By Emlyn Travis

Emlyn Travis is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2022. Her work has previously appeared on MTV News, Teen Vogue, and *NME*.

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February 23, 2026 6:04 p.m. ET

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Peter Attia at the New York Times Well Festival in 2025. Credit:

David Dee Delgado/Getty

Less than a month after being tapped as one of CBS News' newest contributors, physician and wellness influencer Peter Attia is stepping down after his name appeared over 1,700 times in the Jeffrey Epstein files,* * has learned. **

"Dr. Attia's contributor role was newly established and had not yet meaningfully begun,” a spokesman for Attia said in a statement to* *EW. “As such, he stepped back to ensure his involvement didn't become a distraction from the important work being done at CBS.”**

They continued, “He wishes the network and its leadership well and has no further comment at this time."

Peter Attia at SXSW in 2025.

Renee Dominguez/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty

Representatives for CBS did not immediately respond to EW’s request for comment.  **

Attia was one of 19 new contributors tapped by Bari Weiss on Jan. 27 as part of her plan to overhaul CBS News. His resignation comes just weeks after CBS shelved a *60 Minutes *segment featuring the longevity guru following the release of the Epstein files.

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In a lengthy statement published on social media on Feb. 2, Attia apologized for his interactions with the late convicted sex offender but emphasized that he was “not involved in any criminal activity.” Attia has not been accused of criminal activity.**

Over the course of their years-long correspondence, Attia and Epstein appeared to have had a friendly relationship that included making crude remarks, conversations surrounding in-person visits, and sharing wellness advice.**

Attia stressed that his “interactions with Epstein had nothing to do with his sexual abuse or exploitation of anyone” and that “I was never on his plane, never on his island, and never present at any sex parties.”

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He continued, “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.”

Attia is one of dozens of high-profile individuals implicated in the latest dump of roughly 3.5 million Epstein-related documents that were released by the Department of Justice last month. Others include President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Woody Allen, and Mick Jagger.

Peter Attia at the Featured Session "Peter Attia: The Science and Art of Longevity" during SXSW Conference & Festivals in the Hilton Austin Downtown on March 8, 2025 in Austin, Texas.

Renee Dominguez/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty

Attia began his career as a general surgery resident at Johns Hopkins Hospital, but dropped out before he earned his board certification. His work includes his 2018 podcast *The Drive* as well as his 2023 novel, *Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity*.

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Source: “EW News”