NEW YORK — Dr. Peter Attia, the prominent longevity expert and best-selling author of Outlive, has officially stepped down from his role as a contributor at CBS News. The resignation, confirmed Monday, February 23, 2026, follows intense public scrutiny after his name appeared extensively in newly released documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The departure marks a significant fall from grace for the celebrity physician, who was recently brought on by the network to provide health and wellness analysis. According to reports from NBC News and The New York Times, Attia’s exit was prompted by the disclosure of more than 1,700 mentions of his name within the “Epstein files”—a massive trove of internal documents released by the U.S. Justice Department.
Details of the Epstein Correspondence
The documents reveal what investigators describe as “friendly” and “chummy” email exchanges between Dr. Attia and Epstein. Most notably, the correspondence reportedly continued well after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution. While Attia has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing, the sheer volume of communication—estimated at hundreds of emails—made his position at CBS News untenable.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the fallout began four days ago when local Texas outlets first reported on the Austin-based doctor’s presence in the files. By Monday morning, major news organizations including Newsweek and The Washington Post confirmed that Attia had “stepped aside” to mitigate further controversy for the network.
A Career Built on Longevity and Science
Before this controversy, Dr. Peter Attia, 52, was widely regarded as a leading voice in the “Medicine 3.0” movement, focusing on preventative care and lifespan extension. His credentials include:
- Education: B.S. in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics from Queen’s University; M.D. from Stanford University School of Medicine.
- Training: Five years of general surgery residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital and a fellowship at the National Cancer Institute.
- Media: Host of the popular podcast The Drive and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity.
Public and Professional Backlash
The revelation has sent shockwaves through the wellness community. On social media platforms like Reddit, fans of his work have expressed disappointment, with some readers encouraging others to buy used copies of his books to avoid providing further royalties. The controversy comes at a sensitive time for major corporations; Goldman Sachs’ top lawyer, Kathy Ruemmler, also announced her departure today following similar disclosures in the Epstein files.
As of Monday afternoon, Dr. Attia has not released a formal statement regarding the nature of his relationship with Epstein. CBS News has removed his contributor profile from its official roster, signaling a clean break as the network navigates the ongoing fallout from the Justice Department’s disclosures.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.