CBS News in talks to hire Flake: report

CBS News is engaging in talks to possibly bring on newly departed Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) for a role with the network.

The Hollywood Reporter reports that the former senator could be brought on as a contributor or “something more,” according to sources.

{mosads}The Arizona Republican was spotted at the CBS News headquarters in New York City last Friday, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

Flake has been a frequent critic of President Trump and has frequently appeared on networks to offer sharp rebukes the president and Republican policies. There has been speculation that he would follow his Senate departure by pursuing a television gig.

Trump earlier this month joked that he thought Flake was likely to join CNN after leaving Congress. 

“Jeff Flake is now selling real estate, or whatever he’s doing,” Trump told reporters. “He’ll probably go to work for CNN. That’s my prediction.” 

CNN at the time declined to comment on the speculation.

Flake, who did not run for reelection, in December told The Hill that he would not be interested in having his own political show on television.

“I don’t want to work that hard,” he joked.

He has expressed interest in serving on corporate boards and exploring other opportunities.

CBS News declined to comment on the report.

When asked over the summer whether he intended to join a TV network, Flake said, “That’s down the road,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

Television networks often scoop up ex-politicians as political commentators when they leave Congress.

Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) serves as a political analyst on CNN, and former Reps. Mia Love (R-Utah) and Luis Gutiérrez (D-Ill.) both joined CNN as political commentators this month after exiting Congress this year.

– Updated at 4:44 p.m.