By Leah Asmelash, CNN
(CNN) — On Tuesday of last week, CBS News announced a slate of 19 new contributors, part of ongoing efforts by its recently installed editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, to revamp the network’s public profile. Among the names — “all experts in their fields,” as CBS put it — was Dr. Peter Attia, a celebrity doctor specializing in longevity medicine.
Three days later, the Department of Justice released a new trove of documents from the Jeffrey Epstein files, which included a friendly and salacious correspondence between Attia and the convicted sexual predator. In one particularly crude response, Attia wrote: “P*ssy is, indeed, low-carb. Still awaiting results on gluten content, though.”
Some of Attia’s fans have expressed disgust since the emails were made public. One fan on Reddit, who said they learned “a lot” from Attia’s work over the years, called him a “morally bankrupt, social climbing, Egomaniac.” Attia’s most recent Instagram post was flooded with angry replies, including one from an influencer and retired nurse which read “YOU HAVE A DAUGHTER.” Another from a former follower said: “Wish I could get back every penny I spent on your book and recommending you to people. You make me sick.”
Attia has a small, if expensive, medical practice, called Early Medical, with a waitlist for patients to join. As of 2025, he told CBS’ “60 Minutes” he saw fewer than 75 patients. He did not disclose the exact price of his services, just that he charged “closer to $100,000 than $500,000.”
But his interest in lengthening life has made him a prominent name in the last few years. His appearances have included spots on “The Joe Rogan Experience” and on CNN International, where he was interviewed by Becky Anderson about how technology is changing health. He was also interviewed by Oprah, where the two chatted about “living better for longer.” That video, which had been viewable earlier this week on YouTube, is no longer publicly available.
And before Weiss took over at CBS News, he spoke with her for her podcast, “Honestly.” In that interview, Weiss said Attia “consistently cuts through all that noise” in the health and wellness industry.
In a statement posted to X on Monday, Attia said he “was not involved in any criminal activity,” had “nothing to do with (Epstein’s) sexual abuse or exploitation of anyone,” and he was never “present at any sex parties.” Attia has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
“To be clear, I never witnessed illegal behavior and never saw anyone who appeared underage in his presence,” he wrote.
As of Tuesday, CBS News has reportedly pulled a planned rebroadcast of a “60 Minutes” segment featuring Attia from October that was expected to air against the Super Bowl, The Guardian first reported. The network is also possibly weighing Attia’s dismissal, TheWrap reported.
Attia and CBS News did not respond