Tony Dokoupil's CBS Evening News Struggles Amid Ratings Decline and Internal Criticism

Tony Dokoupil may not be top of mind for most viewers these days—and he’s not alone. The CBS Evening News, anchored by Dokoupil, has fallen behind competitors like ABC and NBC in nightly ratings, recently dipping below 4 million viewers per night.

But ratings aren’t the only measure of Dokoupil’s struggles. Observers—including colleagues—describe the anchor as ineffective and poorly directed, a perception that extends beyond mere numbers.

On Thursday, Vanity Fair published a scathing report detailing Dokoupil’s rocky tenure under Bari Weiss, CBS News’ former editor-in-chief. The article, based on insights from 20 sources, some anonymous CBS staffers, sheds light on the anchor’s rocky start and ongoing challenges.

Script Errors and On-Air Mishaps

One of the most notable incidents occurred during Dokoupil’s first regular broadcast, when he reportedly ate shit on air and struggled with a line read. According to Aidan McLaughlin’s reporting, Weiss had altered the script to favor Donald Trump, but her changes were misplaced in the teleprompter. The error left Dokoupil confused, causing him to stumble over his words for several seconds.

Weiss’s Influence and Dokoupil’s Rise

The Vanity Fair piece also highlights Dokoupil’s contentious 2024 interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates, where he reportedly deviated from the script. This interview caught Weiss’s attention, leading to his appointment as her anchor—despite a lack of strong candidates willing to take the role.

The article underscores the internal friction at CBS News, painting a picture of a newsroom grappling with leadership decisions and anchor performance.