Jeff Flake spotted at CBS offices, suggesting TV career may lie ahead Ronald J. Hansen, Arizona Republic
Published 4:06 p.m. MT Jan. 10, 2019
Updated 4:22 p.m. MT Jan. 10, 2019
A day after formally leaving the U.S. Senate last week, Jeff Flake was reportedly spotted at the New York offices of CBS, suggesting he could be in the running for a job with the network.
The Hollywood Reporter noted the Friday sighting and reported that CBS News "has engaged in talks with the Arizona Republican about a role at the network."
"Flake could serve in the standard role for ex-politicians, as an on-air contributor — or as something more," according to undisclosed sources cited in the report.
Flake, 56, could not be reached for comment about the career speculation Thursday.
Flake, a one-term senator who decided in 2017 not to run for re-election because of anemic poll numbers within his own party, has been talked about for other possible TV gigs, too. The Daily Beast reported last year he had met with officials at CNN and MSNBC.
Flake's standing in the GOP plummeted after repeatedly criticizing President Donald Trump, largely over his rhetorical style and the effect it has on national norms. Trump frequently ridiculed Flake over the dissent and weighed in on the eve of Flake's departure from the Senate.
"Jeff Flake is now selling real estate, or whatever he’s doing. He’ll probably go to work for CNN. That’s my prediction," Trump said during a Jan. 2 Cabinet meeting.
Flake denied interest in having a show of his own in comments to The Hill last month.
"I don't want to work that hard," Flake said, adding that he was more interested in working on corporate boards and exploring other opportunities.