CBS News’ Tony Dokoupil Is ‘Cocky’ & ‘Pretending’ to be Pro-Trump, Claims New Report
What To Know
- Tony Dokoupil faces criticism from colleagues and observers who accuse him of shifting his views to align with pro-Trump and anti-woke sentiments.
- Some staffers and former coworkers are surprised or disappointed by Dokoupil’s perceived attempts to appeal to the MAGA audience.
- Since Dokoupil took over CBS Evening News, the show’s ratings have declined to historic lows.
Tony Dokoupil has been the subject of controversy since he took over as anchor of the CBS Evening News in January, with critics slamming him for seemingly appeasing the Trump administration and bowing to the MAGA crowd.
In a new profile from the Columbia Journalism Review, several current and former colleagues of Dokoupil spoke about his first three months as Evening News anchor and accusations that he’s changed his views to fit CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss‘ anti-woke vision.
One CBS staffer took offense to a statement Dokoupil made before taking up his new anchor position, in which he blasted “legacy media” for putting “too much weight in the analysis of academics or elites, and not enough on you.”
He said, “I know this because, at certain points, I have been you. I have felt that way too. I have felt like what I was seeing and hearing on the news didn’t reflect what I was seeing and hearing in my own life. And that the most urgent questions simply weren’t being asked.”
“You are the media,” the CBS staffer stated. “Now you get a promotion and you’re gonna talk s***?”
Another staffer told the outlet that while Dokoupil is seen as “professional and smart,” he’s also viewed as a “little cocky” and “looking to climb,” something they acknowledged is “not unusual for a correspondent.”
Since taking over CBS Evening News on January 5, the show’s ratings have struggled, recently falling under 4 million viewers. According to reports based on Nielsen figures, the show is projected to face its lowest-rated quarter this century.
The second staffer said that “people actually feel badly” for Dokoupil since he took over as Evening News anchor.
Others have questioned Dokoupil’s attempts to appease the MAGA audience, noting how it doesn’t fit the person they previously knew.
“I am surprised that he is pretending to be, if not MAGA-aligned, then somehow sympathetic to that worldview,” said one source, who worked with Dokoupil at NBC. “There was no hint of that whatsoever at NBC.”
Another former NBC co-worker told CJR that they’re “baffled” that Dokoupil would become “a mouthpiece for the state,” noting how they “always thought he has so much integrity.”
Bryan Curtis, an editor at The Ringer, who worked with Dokoupil at Newsweek, said he isn’t surprised that his former colleague would “nod at Bari Weiss’ preferred politics” for the opportunity to move up the ladder. “I don’t remember Tony having politics to begin with,” Curtis added.
A CBS spokesperson denied that Dokoupil is trying to appease MAGA, telling the outlet that the narrative is “not based in reality.”
“It’s a sad reflection of our current media landscape that Tony and his team’s mission—to deliver trusted journalism to our audience day in and day out—is so controversial,” the statement read.
Conversation11 Comments
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S
Why r people being to rough and tough on Tony Dokoupil ?Frankly I’ve listened to all 5
ABC, CBS MS NBC AND FOX Lighten up ,the guy is doing a good job. Now, maybe one should look at the heads of CBS and place the criticism where it belongs .
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L
Look to CBS for sure not Tony. He is forced to appease too many CBS big wigs
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S
Tony wanted to be mouth piece for CBS and Barry Weiss, such, decisions comes with consequences. He's big boy, let him deal with it. bo ho!
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M
bring back Colbert and resurrect 60 Minutes as it was intended. Then we can talk about the rest of CBS programming. Except for NCIS I rarely watch anything there; it used to be my #1. Now it's just meh...😎🐕🥃🌱
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M
I loved CBS mornings with Gayle and crew, and the evening news with Tony until CBS turned trumpers!
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J
Leave Tony alone
He is sooo real, down to earth, and all around a kind and compassionate anchor..
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N
Tony Dokoupil is doing great. We actually started watching CBS evening news again. Tony is not the problem. He delivers the news without the political sway and people appreciate that.
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E
CBS as a network shot themselves in the foot when THEY bowed to MAGA! Colbert being top rated and then gone speaks volumes, and we’re not stupid! We know it wasn’t due to financial reasons except those threatened by the orange Mussolini! The media needs to get together and fight for the First Amendment! They can do it if they stick together!
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K
I like Tony, he is personable in the way he delivers the news.
I switched from another station.
Give him a chance, he is only human, not a robot.
CBS is lucky to have him!
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P
My opinion is that I watch both nbc & cbs. I think abc is over rated.
I personally rate nbc then cbs but never watch or put abc at the bottom.
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J
I love Tony Dokoupil and the CBS News! Tony is personable and delivers trusted journalism, not with a bias that is clear with the other news outlets. At the end of each broadcast, he concludes with The Good Stuff” that leaves you feeling good and having faith in humanity! We need more Tny Dokoupil and less David Muir!!!
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