Tony Dokoupil Responds to Critics, Denies Bari Weiss Wrote His ‘CBS Evening News’ Statement
What To Know
- Tony Dokoupil faced criticism online, including from TV personalities like Andy Cohen, after sharing his mission statement for CBS Evening News.
- Dokoupil denied speculation that Bari Weiss wrote his statement.
- His debut as anchor comes amid controversy for CBS.
Tony Dokoupil’s first broadcast as CBS Evening News anchor was supposed to come on Monday, January 5, but the journalist is now making his debut on Saturday, January 3 — and already, he is spurring backlash online.
On New Year’s Day, CBS News posted a video of Dokoupil sharing his mission statement for CBS Evening News. In that video, Dokoupil said that legacy media has too often “missed the story” by “[taking] into account the perspective of advocates and not the average American” and “[putting] too much weight in the analysis of academics or elites.”
Dokoupil also said that he’s prioritizing average American viewers over advertisers, politicians, and corporate interests. “And, yes, that does include the corporate owners of CBS,” he said, referring to Paramount Skydance.
On Instagram, though, Dokoupil faced a barrage of criticism, including some from other TV personalities, as The Guardian reporter Jeremy Barr pointed out in screenshots.
Bravo host Andy Cohen, for one, commented, “Listening too much to experts? WTF.”
Dokoupil wrote back, “Andy, I love ya. But can you really not think of any examples where academic advice turned out narrow or bad? I basically gave you a multiple-choice list. It’s possible you were living outside or above the issues I mention.”
In another comment, former CBS News correspondent Don Dahler speculated it was Bari Weiss, the controversial new editor-in-chief of CBS News, who scripted Dokoupil’s video message. “Tony, you know I have enormous respect and affection for you,” Dahler wrote. “I know you’re a solid journalist and legitimate heir to the big desk at CBS News. But this sounds like it was written by Bari Weiss.”
To that, Dokoupil responded, “Nope, I wrote it. I spent the first half of my career as a print journalist. If the Internet had never been invented, I probably still would be a print journalist. Writing is my first form.”
Another Instagram user commented, “I grew up on [former CBS Evening News host Walter] Cronkite. Too bad CBS has lost its Tiffany shine. But good luck to you anyway.”
Dokoupil responded, “What did you love most about him? I can promise you we’ll be more accountable and more transparent than Cronkite or anyone else of his era.”
A fourth user wrote, “I have very little faith that this is true. We watched your company twist itself into a knot to make itself attractive to its new parent company. I doubt you will be permitted to share the news in an unbiased way. You will show stories of everyday Americans who fight against addiction, job loss, etc., but the policy decisions contributing to their plight will stay in the background.
And Dokoupil wrote back, “Hey, I hear ya. They’re just words right now. But hold me to them.”
Dokoupil’s move from CBS Mornings to CBS Evening News comes during a turbulent time for CBS. The network has been accused of cozying up to President Donald Trump as its parent company, Paramount, sought approval for its merger with Skydance. Some observers also believe CBS’ decision to end The Late Show With Stephen Colbert was politically motivated. And late last month, Weiss was criticized for pulling a 60 Minutes segment about deportations under the Trump administration.
CBS Evening News With Tony Dokoupil, Weeknights, 6:30/5:30c, CBS
Conversation73 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Register or sign in to join the conversation.
-
N
Congratulations CBS you are a State run media now. The minute you guys capitulated to a tyrant like Trump, let his toadie take over, and started spiking broadcasts of 60 Minutes reporting on Trump's criminality, you ceased to be legitimate and trustworthy. I will never trust CBS again.
-
G
😭🤣
-
-
I
If I want to know what everyday Americans think, I'll read the comment section. I watch the news to find out what is happening and to see what the experts in a particular area are saying.
-
O
Better yet, watch the comic section.
-
K
Don’t forget the lies they’ve been telling us.
-
N
This I don't care what the flaming liberal lunatics has to say or the raging maga lunatics have to say. Report only the news and without a slant. Your first attempt leaned right you are already off to a horrible start
-
N
Hard hitting journalism is forever forgotten bari proved that with the hiding of the report. Also her constant blatant attempts to show the right in a good light and the left in a bad. She showed us who she was with the Twitter files.
-
N
She showed she will do anything for money and fame regardless if it's the total and honest truth.
-
-
-
-
M
Total nonsense...I am not interested in the average American's opinion when I tune in to the news. Tony's statement however will certainly please his newly installed corporate puppet-handler though.
-
W
Tony's statement, whether Bari Weiss wrote it (she did) or he wrote it (he didn't) was a complete debacle because if anything has become clear over the last year the "average" american that Tony is trying to court is a blithering, willfully ignorant, moron with the critical reasoning skill of cabbage-not to mention they already have NewsMax, why would they turn into CBS? LOL...
-
O
LOL 😂 😆
-
N
Feeling pretty righteous about "average Americans" are we? No morons on the Left. You're not looking hard enough. And proud of Obama, who deported more folks than I'm guessing you can count during his time in office, among other ugly "accomplishments."
-
-
-
W
Obvious use of MAGA buzz words: elites, academics, advocates. And please talk to Trump about "rule of law".
-
O
Rule of law? Wha da? Trump don't know one damn thing about rule of law. Pardon my grammar.
-
S
Trump knows way more than you ever will.
-
J
lolololol, you're a little early, April Fool's Day isn't for another few months. 😆😂🤣
-
-
-
K
Cause your side follows it to a T!!!
-
N
Which side is that
-
-
-
O
I guess CBS (and tRump) found just what they were looking for!
-
B
State TV
-
N
What it looks like for sure. Hard hitting means running the stories others won't go find. Want to really find one spend the next 3 months finding our why the administration is hiding the Epstein Files. But allowing an admin to just spout things and not really hitting back with hard questions tells me you can't do it or don't know what the people want. Your job should be ask the questions we want answers to and not allow them to make bs answers and walk away with a handshake. If you want our viewership every guest should walk away thinking damn did I just end my career.
-
N
Left and right
-
N
The first thing from your mouth should be welcome to uncomfortable because my job is to make you squirm. The format is as follows I will ask you a question you will answer question. All questions will be yes or no. I will give you a spot at the end to explain and at that time I will allow the public to send in 3 questions.
-
N
This will end with their 3 yes no questions. Now let's learn to hate each other
-
-
-
-
-
A
I want Tony and his fellow journalists to report the news and not make it or have their personal opinions steer or twist the facts to make the story better. Get all the facts even if means not being first to report it. Good luck because you’re one of the few that I still like.
-
B
That would be great.
-
-
D
I've always liked Tony on the morning show. I liked the way he and Nate fed off each other. I was happy and sad to hear he was moving to the evening news. I was sad because I liked the interaction between the anchors in the morning. I was happy because I believe Tony could be a wonderful serious news anchor. I am also sad because of the timing. I believe with Weiss in charge and the decisions being made the demise of CBS is just a matter of time. It is killing me because I have always watched CBS, but since Weiss has put them in Trumps pocket I will be moving to another station for my news. Best of luck Tony.
-
O
I don't know how Tony Dokoupil is going to make the viewers more important than the advertisers when it is the advertisers who keep the show on the air because that's how CBS makes their money.
I have to say that Mr. DoKoupil is a man who is very biased towards Israel and is not interested in anything that anybody has to say unless they feel the same way he does about Israel as can be evidenced from his interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates on CBS's morning show. Isn't the job of a journalist to always remain unbiased? Well Mr. DoKoupil was not unbiased, and his emotions showed, so it's going to be interesting to see how he's going to make the viewers more important than the advertisers when a subject matter offends him or is different from own his beliefs, and his emotions control him. Good luck with that Mr. DoKoupil.
-
S
Why is anyone still watching CBS news anymore? They have lost all credibility; TikTok offers more credible news. And that statement should strike fear in the heart of anyone who values the first amendment
-
B
Allegedly tiktok is a national security risk. An ongoing risk with no end in sight. Just waiting for the next extension on enforcing the law
-
-
O
I'm pissed that they got rid of intelligent, personable, unbiased journalists like Maurice DuBois and John Dickerson. We are really going into the dumper. Where's Tom Snyder. We need people like him back.
Yes, I know. He died in 2007. He was my former boss.
-
G
🤣
-
-
J
He kissed many asses and stabbed many in the back to get this gig. Unfortunately, he has nothing about him that stands out that is better than the NBC or ABC news anchors so in last place CBS News will stay.
-
E
Bari is a Bozo & this is pathetic. No more CBS News or 60 Minutes for me. The entire crew should QUIT and migrate to YouTube,
-
G
I think when you mainstream your news to make the president look good, that you will lose viewers. Here in America we still want the truth!
-
G
Do better than Walter?
Is Trump writing your material?
-
J
I think we have entered a time where facts and truth have been relagated to the trash pile and news has become about ratings, apeasing advertisers, politicians and giving viewers entertainment. Critical thinking skills are at all time lows. For those serious about getting news, facts and truth, the 30 minute news shows are useless garbage and irrelavent.
-
G
Mr. Dokoupil was just a bit too deferential to Hegseth. Two commercial breaks in the middle of an interview with the man who just literally hours earlier had illegally invaded another country, spending tens of millions of tax payer dollars to kidnap a single drug dealer, and the best he can say is, "so what's next?"
-
J
Always fascinating when Mr. Fox patiently explains his good intentions to us chickens.
-
K
Watched on Saturday. Felt like watching FOX news. Very disappointed. I was hoping for facts, instead we got Hegseth’s “spin” and his sucking up to Trump.
-
L
Miss watching the old CBS Saturday Morning and 60 Minutes since both wrecked by new owners. Will not watch CBS news!
-
G
If CBS does not report the truth and there are many ways to verify that we are getting the truth. I will stop watching CBS and get my news else where. I do not watch any stations that lean left or right. I am looking for the unvarnished truth. If the truth makes a person or politician uncomfortable then maybe they should conduct themselves lawfully and morally.
-
C
Sounds like he wants to meld Fox "News" into CBS News.
-
M
I think that I deleted the CBS News Alerts from my email., CNN has never recovered from Chris Licht - CBS will not recover from Bari Weiss
-
S
CBS has its new stooge Tony. You're it.
Sixty Minutes shenanigans. Colbert cancelled. Paramount/Skydance/CBS all lack ongoing credibility. Just like Congress and the entire GOP. Shamelessly bowing to a bully regime. Zero credibility. I'd sooner get the real scoop from from a children's show. Your broadcasts will continue to be a sham. Self serving and morally deprived reflecting ownership and management's complete lack of decency much less transparency.
-
V
I was on the fence about Tony, not disliking or liking either way. Until he did that statement. Now I know I won't be watching his news broadcast. What a condescending self-serving way to introduce himself to the public and slam all his predecessors who, personally, I liked.
-
T
I'm thinking poor TONY is going to end up like Jeff galore???
-
S
Dude has to live with Katie Turd…poor guy is doomed
-
M
Bari Weiss, doesn't impress me. I believe CBS is failing under her and the owners of Paramount. We will get her censored version of the news. She sent some amazing talent packing, but after reading about her and her background, I am not impressed.
-
Y
C b s sold out cant be trusted. The new propaganda network. Kiss the ring all u want .it will not save u . But hey u could become the new fox news. I just call u guys communist broadcast station or CBS for short good luck with your new dictatordictator.
-
D
Yah, well if my Dr. gave me a cancer diagnosis, I would definitely be asking my bus driver for a second opinion. (-:
-
L
The hubris it requires to declare you will be more accountable and transparent than Cronkite. Wow.
-
D
very sad to see what happened to cbs. not credible now. I was a big fan of nora.
-
K
No more CBS for me. It is controlled by far right Trump worshipper. The changes she has made have that evident. Sorry Tony , you don’t seem like you would fit in with that anti- constitution crowd.
-
A
Is this really going to be the news? You have a news anchor and Bari Weiss who are both staunch Trump supporters. They will only have us hear glowing praise for Trump, while they attack the democrats, the minorities, and others. This is a disgrace to the objective news that CBS was known for. And this is an insult to the memory of Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow. Sorry, CBS; from now on I’ll get my news from other networks.
-
R
Nah, not gonna watch.
-
A
I guess we’ll see how CBS coverage of tramp’s invasion of Venezuela is covered.
-
L
I was never a CBS fan until the put on Maurice and John Dickerson. I record all 3 network news every day. I would watch CBS first because I really found the two of them to do the best of any of the networks. Was VERY sad to see them go
-
P
I suspect that is why CNN lost so many viewers.
-
G
I loved Tony on CBS Morning and was anxious to see him doing the evening news. He is human and speaks his mind and doesn’t appear to speak for his severe left leaning employer. He offers both sides of the situation and lets you make up your own mind. He is refreshing! Let him make his way. He will be just fine!
-
P
This is Fox news
-
E
Tony caved to Network "rules" on how he read the stories. He was not "transparent." He was weak. CBS fails yet again, again and again and ...
-
D
Awesome job! True from the heart, your genuine.
-
M
What do you expect from a Zionist sympathizer?
-
D
About time CBS.
-
S
Hang in there Tony. The truth often hurts and the legacy news stations are too blind to see how biased they truly are. Best of luck on your new role.
-
C
Many of the so-called experts dont even know what a real woman is
-
T
CBS IS GARBAGE NOW!!!
-
G
Tony
You 're damned if you and damned if you dont
I admired your statement and am confident you ll do your best at ths anchor desk and your work will speak for itself
Been watching you in the morning since i came across CBS morning s during covid
Looking forward to following you to the evening!
-
L
Yes, agree 100%. Most Americans exist somewhere in the center space, and will appreciate hearing from a reporter that is open to both perspectives. I’m tired of far right and far left news reporting. Good luck, Tony.
-
-
B
Tony belongs in this position. I have watched him for years on the show in the morning and commented many times that Tony belongs on the evening news show. I was so disappointed that he did not move into Nora’s position the day after Nora left. He is a serious journalist and doesn’t belong on a show where he has to act like an adolescent to report the news. Give Tony a chance. I know that I for one will not be disappointed. Best of luck Tony!
-
N
He just embarrassed himself and showed he is a right wing plant
-
N
His first story leaned right and it was obvious to anyone center or left
-
-
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services