In a poignant and at times defiant final broadcast, CBS Evening News anchors Maurice DuBois and John Dickerson signed off together, just days after the network's new editor-in-chief confirmed their imminent departure.
An Emotional and Defiant Sign-Off
The atmosphere was charged during Thursday's broadcast, with John Dickerson, 57, visibly fighting back tears. His co-anchor, Maurice DuBois, 60, opened the programme by confirming it was their last night hosting the flagship news show. DuBois described their ten-month tenure as "the honor of a lifetime," a stint that began less than a year ago when they succeeded Norah O'Donnell at the request of since-resigned executives Wendy McMahon and Bill Owens.
Both anchors used their farewell to deliver pointed commentary. They praised journalists who enter "sharp exchanges with the powerful, who don't like being held to account," with Dickerson highlighting this by playing a clip of former President Donald Trump insulting a CBS News report. DuBois, reflecting on his travels across America, spoke of citizens "crying out for our leaders to do better to protect them," as footage aired of CBS producer Marwan Al Ghoul reporting from Gaza.
The Backstage Shake-Up Prompting the Exit
The anchor change follows a major leadership overhaul at CBS News. The resignations of DuBois and Dickerson came swiftly after Paramount CEO David Ellison installed journalist Bari Weiss as the network's new editor-in-chief in October. Ellison, son of billionaire and Trump ally Larry Ellison, took control after Paramount's merger with Skydance this summer.
In one of her first significant moves, Weiss, 41, announced that CBS Mornings host Tony Dokoupil would replace the duo, with the transition set for early next year. Weiss's appointment and the subsequent changes mark a dramatic shift in direction for the network, which also recently saw the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's late-night show.
Legacy, Thanks, and a New Era
During their emotional goodbye, the anchors paid heartfelt tribute to their colleagues. DuBois thanked the "relentless" team committed to "following the facts, not opinions." He then turned to Dickerson, calling him an "outstanding journalist" and "an even better person," a sentiment that left Dickerson emotional. Dickerson reciprocated, thanking DuBois for becoming a "model" and a "trusted friend."
The pair's two-anchor experiment was reportedly hampered by disappointing ratings shortly after its launch. Their departure follows the earlier exits of executives McMahon and Owens, who left in protest of actions by parent company Paramount. Dickerson's last day at CBS was Thursday, while DuBois will remain on the desk until Dokoupil takes over early next year.
The network's new era under Weiss is already taking shape. She has hired former ABC and Jerusalem Post reporter Matt Gutman as chief correspondent. Dokoupil, who is Jewish and has family in Israel, previously made headlines for a fiery October 2024 interview with pro-Palestinian writer Ta-Nehsi Coates, where he accused her of being an 'extremist'—a story first broken by Weiss's own outlet, The Free Press.
