Tony Dokoupil’s debut as anchor of CBS Evening News proved rocky from the start, with the journalist introducing himself twice within 80 seconds during his first official broadcast on Monday, January 5, 2026.
The former CBS Mornings co-host, who has held that position since 2019, stumbled through segment transitions and made several on-air errors that left viewers and network insiders questioning the decision to elevate him to the anchor’s chair once occupied by legendary broadcasters like Walter Cronkite.
During Monday’s broadcast, Dokoupil attempted to transition from one story to another but became visibly confused when a photograph of Arizona Senator Mark Kelly appeared on screen instead of the expected image related to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
“To other news, as you just heard from Jill—oh, to other news now. Ah, to Governor Walz—no. We’re going to do Mark Kelly. First day—first day, big problems here,” Dokoupil acknowledged, shaking his head and grinning as he tried to recover from the error.
The confusion continued as 4 seconds of silence followed while Dokoupil asked the control room whether to proceed with Kelly or reporter Jonah Kaplan. The awkward pause left photographs of Kelly displayed on screen before Dokoupil finally began the segment without further incident.
Later in the broadcast, Dokoupil made another geographical error when discussing Walz’s announcement that he would not seek reelection as governor. Dokoupil mistakenly applied Michigan’s nickname to Minnesota, which is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
The appointment of Dokoupil to the evening anchor position was made in December 2025 by Bari Weiss, who was installed as CBS News editor, a decision that drew immediate criticism from network staffers. Some CBS staffers called the appointment an “insult” to the long-running news program.
Weiss, who was reportedly present in the studio for Dokoupil’s gaffe-filled debut, previously faced criticism for killing a 60 Minutes segment on El Salvador before it was scheduled to air.
Dokoupil’s first broadcast came Saturday rather than the planned Monday start, after the United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The emergency broadcast forced postponement of a planned private jet tour across the United States that would have seen Dokoupil and his production team visit multiple cities during his first weeks as anchor.
In preview materials released before his debut, Dokoupil criticized the press and promised accountability, stating that the press has missed stories. He also made the bold claim that he would be more accountable and transparent than Cronkite, referring to Walter Cronkite, the legendary CBS anchor.
The current CBS Evening News draws approximately 4.04 million viewers, a sharp decline from the 27-29 million viewers in 1980 when Cronkite anchored the broadcast.
Tuesday’s broadcast from Miami brought additional criticism when Dokoupil became emotional on air while discussing his hometown. The segment led broadcaster Megyn Kelly to criticize Dokoupil for crying during the newscast, questioning whether such displays of emotion were appropriate for an evening news anchor.
That same broadcast concluded with Dokoupil praising Secretary of State Marco Rubio in an unconventional manner, saluting Rubio as the ultimate Florida man.
Behind the scenes, turmoil continued to plague the broadcast. On Wednesday, Javier Guzman was fired from his position as senior broadcast producer for CBS Evening News, a move that shocked many within the network.
Network insiders described the situation as a “total shit show,” with morale plummeting as staff members watched the broadcast stumble through its first week under new leadership. Executive producer Kim Harvey, who oversees the daily broadcast, faced particular criticism from colleagues who described her as a “yes-person” too willing to accommodate directives.
The chaos at CBS Evening News reflects broader tensions within the news division as Weiss attempts to reshape editorial direction at the network. Her leadership style and editorial decisions have created friction with veteran journalists who question whether her background prepared her for running a major television news operation.
The restructuring of CBS Evening News comes at a challenging time for traditional broadcast news. Evening newscasts have seen declining viewership for years as audiences increasingly turn to cable news, streaming services, and digital platforms for information. The format itself faces questions about relevance in an era of 24-hour news cycles and instant updates via social media.
Dokoupil’s wife, Katy Tur, is also a journalist, creating an unusual situation within the household.
The promotional campaign for the revamped CBS Evening News emphasized connecting with average Americans and promised coverage that would prioritize viewer perspectives. However, the execution during the first week raised questions about whether the broadcast could deliver on those promises while maintaining journalistic standards and credibility.
Industry observers noted that Weiss had initially pursued more established anchors from competing networks before ultimately selecting Dokoupil from within CBS’s existing roster. The choice suggested limited options available to the network as it attempted to revitalize a struggling broadcast.
As the broadcast moved into its second week, questions remained about whether Dokoupil could develop the on-air presence and authority needed to compete in the evening news landscape. His technical difficulties during transitions suggested a learning curve ahead for someone making the jump from morning television’s more informal atmosphere to the traditional gravitas expected of evening news.
The controversies surrounding both Weiss’s editorial direction and Dokoupil’s performance have made CBS Evening News a subject of industry conversation in ways the broadcast had not experienced in years, though whether that attention translates to increased viewership or enhanced credibility remains uncertain. For now, the program faces the challenge of stabilizing after a turbulent debut while attempting to define its editorial identity under new leadership that has promised fundamental changes to how CBS News operates.
