CBS News’ Scott Pelley rages against Trump in furious graduation speech as critics slam ‘pompous POS’

Critics slammed CBS News reporter Scott Pelley after he raged against Donald Trump in a furious pro-DEI commencement speech.

The 60 Minutes correspondent spoke to Wake Forest’s graduating class over the weekend and warned of an ‘insidious fear’ permeating the US since Trump retook the White House.

‘In this moment, this morning, our sacred rule of law is under attack,’ he said.

Journalism is under attack. Universities are under attack. Freedom of speech is under attack.’

Pelley raised his arms in the air as he continued: ‘And insidious fear is reaching through our schools, our businesses, our homes and into our private thoughts.’

‘The fear to speak… in America,’ he added while pausing for dramatic effect.

‘Power can re-write history, with grotesque, false narratives. They can make criminals heroes, and heroes criminals.

‘Power can change the definition of the words we use to describe reality. Diversity is now described as illegal. Equity is to be shunned. Inclusion is a dirty word. This is an old playbook, my friends. There is nothing new in this.’

Pelley’s speech was met with mockery from man conservatives, with many ridiculing the journalist’s theatrical mannerisms. Some noted that was ranting about ‘attacks on free speech’ while openly criticizing the president.

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CBS News reporter Scott Pelley faced criticism for his commencement speech at Wake Forest university over the weekend, where he raged against President Trump in a furious pro-DEI rant

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Pelley raised his arms in the air and paused for dramatic effect throughout his speech, which was mocked by conservatives

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The broadcaster used his time to warn graduates of an ‘insidious fear’ permeating the nation since Donald Trump retook the White House

One X user who shared the speech branded Pelley ‘angry and unhinged,’ saying he was making the anti-Trump remarks ‘as he speaks openly and freely in America.’

‘This self-important, sermonizing propagandist is what passes for a legacy media “journalist,”‘ the user wrote.

‘WTF is up with Scott Pelley?’ another questioned.

‘His speech at Wake Forest graduation was a national disgrace in my opinion. He is not informed and talks only for the liberals… this makes me want to hurl.’

Among those who joined the pile-on against Pelley was Jaunita Brodderick, who once accused former President Bill Clinton of rape.

‘What a pompous POS,’ she wrote on X.

Others branded Pelley a hypocrite for his remarks about the sanctity of journalism, as CBS News is facing a $20 billion lawsuit from President Trump over how 60 Minutes edited an interview with Kamala Harris during the presidential election campaign.

‘Did Scott Pelley mention that 60 Minutes edited Kamala’s campaign interview, and helped her answer questions?’ one X user responded.

‘Until he does that, his credibility is ZERO.’

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The speech comes as a number of commencement remarks have become overtly political in recent weeks, with another critic saying they ‘would hate to be a graduate in that class listening to his BS.’

The commencement speaker at NYU’s Gallatin School lost his diploma after he used his speech to condemn Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.

Pelley’s remarks on universities coming under ‘attack’ from the White House comes as Trump made the bombshell move to bar all international students from attending Harvard.

Trump has taken on colleges across the country in recent weeks, particularly targeting those that failed to clamp down on pro-Palestine protests following the October 7 attacks in Israel.

This week, the Trump administration ordered Harvard to turn over all the identities and countries of origin of foreign students at Harvard as he doubles down on his ban.

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Pelley’s remarks on universities coming under ‘attack’ from the White House comes as Trump made the bombshell move to bar all international students from attending Harvard

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Trump said he wants the list from Harvard just two days after the university filed a lawsuit against the administration for revoking its ability to host and enroll foreign students

Harvard on Friday filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for revoking its right to host foreign students.

The school said in a court filing Trump’s action will have an ‘immediate and devastating effect for Harvard and more than 7,000 visa holders.’

‘With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body, international students who contribute significantly to the University and its mission,’ Harvard wrote.

‘Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard.’

The revelation of the sheer number of foreign students and those on student visas shocked Trump and led him to ratchet up his attacks on the university.

‘Why isn’t Harvard saying that almost 31% of their students are from FOREIGN LANDS, and yet those countries, some not at all friendly to the United States, pay NOTHING toward their student’s education, nor do they ever intend to. Nobody told us that!’ he wrote to Truth Social over the weekend.

‘We want to know who those foreign students are, a reasonable request since we give Harvard BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, but Harvard isn’t exactly forthcoming,’ he continued. ‘We want those names and countries.’