Madeleine Carlisle, a distinguished journalist and daughter of Stephen Colbert, has officially joined The Atlantic as a staff writer. This significant career transition comes after her departure from the renowned investigative news program '60 Minutes'. Her return to The Atlantic, where she previously served as a fellow, marks a notable moment in her professional journey, especially amidst recent controversies surrounding her former employer.
The announcement of Carlisle's new role at The Atlantic was made by the magazine's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg. Goldberg expressed his enthusiasm for her return, highlighting that many at the publication had anticipated her eventual rejoining. Carlisle had a prior association with The Atlantic, having been part of their fellowship program from 2018 to 2019. During her fellowship, she gained recognition for her compelling investigative pieces, including an article about a Florida woman whose nephew was a victim of the Parkland shooting and another on President Trump's unfulfilled pledges to GM employees in Ohio.
Following her fellowship at The Atlantic, Carlisle honed her journalistic skills at Time magazine, where her reporting focused on politics, gender, and legal affairs. Her career then led her to '60 Minutes' in 2022, a position she held until earlier this month. Her tenure at '60 Minutes' included collaborating with prominent correspondents such as Scott Pelley, Anderson Cooper, and Cecilia Vega, and she was part of an Emmy-nominated team. Her departure from '60 Minutes' occurred during a tumultuous period for the program, which faced allegations of editorial meddling under the new ownership of David Ellison's Paramount Skydance.
The changes at CBS, which include the acquisition by Paramount Skydance, have extended to other prominent figures. Stephen Colbert, Carlisle's father and former host of 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,' also experienced significant shifts, with his show being canceled. This decision was officially attributed to financial reasons by CBS, though it generated considerable skepticism within Hollywood. The situation at '60 Minutes' saw several high-profile exits, including former executive producer Bill Owens and correspondents Scott Pelley and Cecilia Vega, who publicly voiced concerns about new leadership interfering with editorial independence. In related news, The Atlantic also welcomed Danyel Smith, former editor-in-chief of Vibe and Billboard, as a staff writer on the same day.
Madeleine Carlisle's move to The Atlantic from '60 Minutes' signals a new chapter in her career, bringing her expertise in political and social journalism to a platform known for its in-depth analysis and commentary. Her previous work and recognized talent position her as a valuable addition to The Atlantic's esteemed team of writers, reinforcing the magazine's commitment to impactful storytelling and investigative reporting.
