CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil has faced a fierce backlash from liberal commentators following his interview with former President Donald Trump, during which Trump jokingly suggested he was responsible for the journalist's employment.
A Controversial Exchange and a Rocky Debut
The interview, which aired on Tuesday night, saw Dokoupil questioning Trump on inflation and rising grocery prices. The conversation took a personal turn when Trump implied that had Kamala Harris won the presidency, Dokoupil might not have his current role. "You wouldn't have this job right now," Trump stated, adding, "This country is rocketing right now, we have the hottest country in the world."
Dokoupil's decision to move on without directly responding to the remarks sparked immediate criticism on social media. One observer accused him of selling his integrity, writing, "Tony just standing there and taking it... CBS news is becoming an embarrassment." Others described him as looking like a "wet noodle" and having been "steamrolled" by the former president.
This controversy compounds a difficult first week for Dokoupil in the anchor chair. Despite an initial bump, ratings have since fallen 23 percent compared to the same week in 2025, averaging 4.17 million viewers. The broadcast also saw a 23 percent decline in the key 25-54 demographic coveted by advertisers. CBS trails far behind rivals ABC and NBC in total viewership.
Broader Turmoil at CBS News Under New Leadership
Dokoupil's appointment was the first major hire by new CBS News chief Bari Weiss, the former New York Times editor who is steering the network in an "anti-woke" direction under owner David Ellison. In a pre-debut statement, Dokoupil himself criticised legacy media for losing public trust and focusing too much on elites rather than average Americans.
His first scheduled broadcast was marred by technical errors, with mismatched images and teleprompter issues causing an on-air fluster that went viral. Days later, senior broadcast producer Javier Guzman was fired, a move that reportedly left staffers "in tears" and created confusion within the newsroom.
Insiders have expressed deep scepticism about the network's new direction. One source described CBS as a "total disaster," led by "unserious people" aiming to create a platform more favourable to the Trump administration. This marks a significant shift for a network where, historically, over half of its audience identified as consistently liberal.
An Attempt to Reconnect and a Focus on Patriotism
In response to the criticism and ratings challenge, Dokoupil has launched a segment called "Live from America," a tour of 10 US cities intended to connect with viewers outside traditional media hubs. CBS News has leased a private jet for the endeavour, though plans were delayed by the Venezuela invasion.
Some critics have labelled the tour "deeply inauthentic," given Dokoupil's earlier comments about media elitism. The anchor has outlined five principles to guide his broadcast, which notably include "We love America" and "We respect tradition." His other tenets are working for the viewer, reporting on the world as it is, and showing respect.
While liberals have condemned his approach, some conservative viewers praised the Trump interview for its respectful tone and the president's willingness to answer questions directly. The network has highlighted Dokoupil's digital success, noting a 58 percent increase in time spent watching CBS's YouTube channel compared to last year.
