Trump supporter Tony Dokoupil stumbled through his debut as anchor of CBS Evening News, introducing himself twice in 80 seconds and confusing segment transitions on air in what quickly became a widely scrutinized start to the network’s latest relaunch effort.
The former CBS Mornings co-host had promised to be more accountable than legendary anchor Walter Cronkite ahead of his debut. Instead, he opened the broadcast by introducing himself, only to introduce himself again moments later, creating an awkward beginning to what would become an error-filled evening.
The problems compounded as Dokoupil attempted to transition between stories covering Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly. “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,” he said, shaking his head. “First day—first day, big problems here.”
An uncomfortable silence followed as photos of Kelly remained on screen. Dokoupil then asked the control room directly on air whether they were proceeding with Kelly or a correspondent who was standing by with the Walz story. Eventually, he moved forward with the Kelly segment without further incident.
When Dokoupil finally reached the Walz story, he called Minnesota the Great Lake State, a nickname that belongs to Michigan. Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The gaffe highlighted the challenges facing Dokoupil as he attempts to fill the chair once occupied by the legendary Cronkite.
CBS removed the flubs from the streaming version and West Coast broadcast of the program, though clips of the mistakes continued to circulate widely on social media. Dokoupil said his first day had big problems, though he provided no further comment on the technical difficulties.
The anchor’s appointment came from Bari Weiss, who was installed as CBS News Editor-in-Chief by the network’s new owner, billionaire David Ellison. Weiss, who joined the network with plans to shift its editorial direction, had reportedly pursued bigger names for the anchor position but ultimately selected Dokoupil from within CBS’s existing roster.
Some CBS staffers called Dokoupil’s appointment an insult to the long-running news program, expressing concerns about the direction Weiss is taking the network. The editor-in-chief has already drawn controversy for killing a 60 Minutes story about El Salvador hours before it was scheduled to air.
Weiss has been deeply involved in planning the show’s relaunch, including a Live From America 10-city tour that was originally scheduled to begin with Dokoupil’s first week.
The tour was postponed after the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela required immediate coverage. According to sources, Weiss is planning a private jet charter for the tour when it eventually proceeds.
During Tuesday’s broadcast from Miami, Dokoupil concluded the show with a segment praising Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “Marco Rubio: we salute you,” Dokoupil said. “You are the ultimate Florida man.” The Florida-focused closer came as part of the tour’s first stop in Dokoupil’s hometown.
The anchor had previewed his approach to the evening news with a social media video criticizing legacy media for missing stories and prioritizing elite perspectives over those of average Americans. The contrast between Dokoupil’s populist messaging and his personal background has drawn attention from critics.
He lives with his wife, MSNBC anchor Katy Tur.
CBS Evening News has struggled in recent years to maintain viewership as audience habits have shifted away from traditional broadcast news. The program attracted 4.04 million viewers in 2025, a fraction of the 27 million to 29 million viewers Cronkite drew in 1980 during his final full year as anchor.
The ratings challenge comes as CBS News underwent significant staff reductions, with 100 employees laid off. The cuts have raised questions about the network’s priorities as it simultaneously pursues expensive promotional initiatives like the cross-country tour.
Dokoupil’s difficult debut follows his statement about Cronkite made days before taking the anchor chair. When an Instagram user wrote that they grew up watching Cronkite and wished CBS luck with its new direction, Dokoupil promised to be more accountable than Cronkite. The comment sparked backlash from journalism veterans and Cronkite admirers who viewed the comparison as presumptuous.
Weiss has positioned the CBS Evening News relaunch as part of a broader effort to make the network more appealing to conservative viewers who have gravitated toward other outlets. Her vision includes what she describes as reporting that puts average Americans first and avoids what she characterizes as elite bias in mainstream media. The approach has generated skepticism from media observers who question whether CBS can successfully reposition itself while maintaining its historical reputation for credible journalism.
Coverage during Dokoupil’s first broadcasts has emphasized administration perspectives, including lengthy interviews with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The approach aligns with Weiss’s editorial philosophy, which critics say has tilted CBS News coverage toward government-friendly reporting.
As the Live From America tour eventually proceeds, Dokoupil will have opportunities to refine his performance and demonstrate whether he can handle the technical and editorial demands of the anchor position. The tour’s success or failure may determine whether CBS’s latest attempt to revitalize its evening news franchise can gain traction with viewers.
For now, the rocky start has provided fodder for critics who question both Dokoupil’s qualifications and Weiss’s broader strategy for CBS News. Whether the anchor can recover from his opening stumbles and build credibility with audiences remains an open question as the relaunch continues.