Tony Dokoupil’s debut as anchor of CBS Evening News proved to be a rocky start for the 45-year-old journalist, who officially took over the iconic anchor chair on Monday with a series of on-air stumbles that quickly drew criticism from inside and outside the network.
The broadcast got off to an awkward beginning when Dokoupil introduced himself twice within 80 seconds, creating confusion for viewers tuning in to see the new face of the long-running news program. The multiple introductions set the tone for an evening marked by technical missteps and geographical errors that would become fodder for media critics.
During a segment transition, Dokoupil appeared to lose his place in the rundown, openly discussing with the control room which story to cover next. When a photograph of Arizona Senator Mark Kelly appeared on screen, the anchor seemed uncertain whether to proceed with that segment or move to coverage of 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.
The confusion continued as awkward silence filled the airwaves while photos of Kelly remained on screen. After several uncomfortable seconds, he finally began the Kelly segment without further incident.
Later in the broadcast, Dokoupil made a notable geographical error when discussing the Minnesota governor’s announcement. “Now we go to Minnesota. A surprise announcement from the Great Lake State there today: Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, ended his run for reelection as governor of Minnesota, quite likely ending his political career as well,” Dokoupil said. However, Minnesota is not known as the “Great Lakes State.”
The troubled debut came as Dokoupil assumed the anchor position once held by legendary broadcasters, including Walter Cronkite, marking a significant moment for CBS News under new leadership. Bari Weiss, who was named CBS News editor-in-chief, was reportedly present in the studio for the gaffe-filled broadcast. Some CBS staffers called the appointment an insult to the program, according to reports.
Adding to the week’s drama, the broadcast became even more emotional when Dokoupil became visibly choked up on air about his connection to Miami, Florida. The display of emotion drew sharp criticism from broadcaster Megyn Kelly, who addressed the moment on her podcast. “There is no crying in evening news,” Kelly said, taking issue with Dokoupil’s tearful segment about his hometown.
Dokoupil’s debut also featured a lengthy interview with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which drew mixed reviews from media observers. The new anchor concluded one broadcast by praising Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the ultimate Florida man, a comment that raised eyebrows among journalism watchdogs concerned about the network’s editorial direction.
Before his debut, Dokoupil criticized the press for missing stories and said he would be more accountable than Cronkite. The bold declaration struck many as presumptuous, given Cronkite’s legendary status as one of America’s most trusted journalists.
Despite the rocky start, the broadcast drew approximately 4.4 million viewers for Monday’s debut, representing a 9% ratings increase compared to recent averages. However, industry analysts cautioned that curiosity-driven viewership spikes often fade quickly, and the true test will come in the weeks ahead as audiences decide whether to stick with the revamped program.
Dokoupil previously co-hosted CBS Mornings before his promotion to the evening news anchor position. His appointment came after Norah O’Donnell departed the anchor chair in December 2024, leaving one of television’s most prestigious roles vacant during a tumultuous period for the network.
The network’s new editorial direction under Weiss has generated controversy beyond Dokoupil’s struggles. She pulled a 60 Minutes segment on El Salvador shortly before it was scheduled to air, a decision that sparked internal dissent and raised questions about editorial independence. The segment was pulled, creating additional tension within the CBS News operation.
David Ellison, whose company acquired CBS, installed Weiss in her leadership role at the network after purchasing her website for $150 million. The move signaled a potential shift in the network’s editorial approach, with some observers suggesting a more conservative-friendly posture in news coverage.
Adding to the week’s upheaval, senior broadcast producer Javier Guzman was dismissed after the Wednesday evening show, according to multiple reports. The firing came with no clear explanation given to staff, creating additional uncertainty during an already turbulent period for the program.
Weiss had originally planned an elaborate rollout for Dokoupil’s debut, including a private jet tour to showcase the anchor connecting with average Americans across multiple cities. However, those plans were delayed following a military action in Venezuela on Saturday, forcing a hasty rescheduling of the debut broadcast.
Dokoupil attended an elite Miami, Florida institution with $53,000 per year tuition, whose alumni include children of prominent families. He later began his journalism career. His wife, Katy Tur, is also a journalist, and the couple has ties to Brooklyn.
The tumultuous debut raises questions about the future direction of CBS Evening News, a program that has struggled to maintain its audience in recent years as viewing habits shift away from traditional broadcast news. Whether Dokoupil can recover from the rocky start and build credibility with viewers remains to be seen as the broadcast enters its second week under new leadership.
