Veteran journalist Tony Dokoupil will make his debut as anchor of the CBS Evening News two days earlier than planned, as the network responds to the unfolding crisis in Venezuela. Dokoupil, who was originally scheduled to take the helm on Monday, will now present the flagship bulletin for the first time on Saturday 3 January 2026.
US Military Action Forces Schedule Change
The abrupt change follows heavy airstrikes ordered by former President Donald Trump against Venezuela. The military action resulted in the seizure of key oil operations within the South American nation and the reported capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro. In response to these fast-moving events, CBS News insiders confirmed the decision to bring forward Dokoupil's start date to ensure experienced leadership during a major international story.
Following the capture of Maduro, Trump declared that an interim administrative group, comprising top US officials, would "run" Venezuela for a temporary period. He stated this measure would remain in place until the United States determines a "peaceful and just transition" of power can be secured.
A Pledge of Independence Amid Corporate Scrutiny
Dokoupil's early debut places him immediately at the centre of a contentious geopolitical story, testing his recent vows of editorial independence. In a video message released on Thursday, the new anchor directly addressed viewers with a firm commitment.
"As long as I sit in this chair: you come first. Not advertisers. Not politicians. Not corporate interests. And, yes, that does include the corporate owners of CBS. I report for you," Dokoupil stated.
His appointment last month was part of a series of changes under new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who has already faced internal controversy. Last week, Weiss reportedly pulled a 60 Minutes segment on the Trump administration's deportation of migrants to a high-security prison in El Salvador. The correspondent behind the piece, Sharyn Alfonsi, labelled the decision to spike the report as "political."
Rebuilding Trust in 'Legacy Media'
Dokoupil, a former NBC and MSNBC reporter, has openly acknowledged the significant challenge facing traditional news outlets. In his introductory remarks, he highlighted a central issue for his tenure.
"A lot has changed since the first person sat in the Evening News chair. For me, the biggest difference is this: people don't trust us like they used to. And it's not just us. It's all legacy media," he said.
This stance appears to contrast with a separate statement issued by CBS News on Friday, which read: "We love America. And we make no apologies for saying so." Some observers have noted that this declaration seems at odds with criticisms levelled at the administration concerning foreign overreach in Venezuela.
As Dokoupil prepares for his unexpectedly early first broadcast, the journalist's promise of transparency and integrity will be under immediate and intense scrutiny, set against the backdrop of a dramatic US military intervention.
