Celebrity doctor Peter Attia has stepped down from his role as a CBS News contributor after exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein were among documents published by the US Department of Justice.
Attia appears to have exchanged a number of emails with the convicted sex offender, including a crass comment about women’s bodies.
Attia’s spokesman said in a statement his role at CBS News “was newly established and had not yet meaningfully begun” and he would be step back to avoid becoming “a distraction from the important work being done at CBS”.
The anti-ageing influencer has repeatedly apologised for the messages but stressed he had no involvement in Epstein’s criminality.
Appearing in the files does not imply any wrongdoing.
Attia was among 19 contributors appointed by new CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss in January, following the network’s takeover by Paramount.
But Attia’s appearance in the Epstein files has been met with anger by some of his fans.
The author wrote that he went into Epstein “withdrawal when I don’t see him” and told the disgraced financier directly in one exchange that he missed him.
In one email in 2016, Attia also joked with Epstein about the female anatomy and acts of sex.
Epstein was convicted of soliciting a minor in 2008 as part of a plea deal after the parents of a 14-year-old girl told police that he had molested their daughter.
He died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges including sex trafficking.
Days after the documents were published, Attia shared a 1,000-word note on social media in which he rejected being “involved in any criminal activity” and stressed that he was “never on his [Epstein’s] plane, never on his island, and never present at any sex parties”.
“My interactions with Epstein had nothing to do with his sexual abuse or exploitation of anyone.”
The health influencer said he visited Epstein at the late financier’s New York City home on “seven or eight” occasions between 2014 and 2019, during which he never witnessed illegal activity or saw Epstein accompanied by anyone who appeared to be underage.
Attia was among contributors Weiss brought in at CBS to share their expertise on a range of topics, from health to national security.
Weiss, a former New York Times opinion writer, was appointed to her new role as part of a bid by the broadcaster’s new owner to reshape it.
Weiss, who started her career working at Jewish news outlets, is known for her criticism of “cancel culture”.
CBS was taken over by David Ellison, the son of Trump ally and tech billionaire Larry Ellison, in 2025 as part of a wider merger with Paramount.
CBS News has a partnership agreement with the BBC, meaning news content including video footage can be shared. BBC News is editorially independent of CBS.
By BBC News
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