During an interview with CBS Evening News, former President Donald Trump made a bold claim suggesting that anchor Tony Dokoupil would not have his current position if Kamala Harris had secured the presidency in the 2024 election. Trump remarked, “A year and a half ago, our country was dead,” implying that under Harris’s leadership, Dokoupil’s job security would have been in jeopardy. “You wouldn’t have this job,” he added, alluding to the perceived failure of a Harris administration.
CBS is currently under the ownership of Larry Ellison’s family, who took control following a takeover of Paramount Global, its parent company, in the previous year. David Ellison, Larry’s son and chief executive of CBS’s parent company, has been instrumental in revamping the network, notably recruiting Bari Weiss to lead CBS News. Since her appointment as editor-in-chief, Dokoupil has emerged as one of the network’s prominent faces, joining the show at a critical time as it navigates the competitive landscape of evening news.
Dokoupil initially began his role as anchor on January 5 but made his debut earlier than expected due to a significant news event: the U.S. incursion into Venezuela. His coverage and handling of high-profile interviews, particularly with members of Trump’s administration, have been closely monitored.
In the interview, Trump also discussed David Ellison’s aspirations to grow his media empire, including a controversial bid for Warner Bros Discovery, a major player behind CNN and HBO. Trump suggested a potential downside for CBS under a different administration, indicating that Ellison’s media ambitions might have faltered without his support.
During the exchange, Dokoupil pushed back on Trump’s assertions regarding his employment, asserting that he believed he would retain his job regardless of the election outcome. Trump humorously responded, claiming Dokoupil would still be employed but at a reduced salary. The interaction underscored a typical dynamic in political interviews, where both the interviewer and interviewee navigate the fine line of commentary and rebuttal.
Additionally, Trump referred to Dokoupil as a “wise guy” in a moment that was not included in the aired segment. This interview comes amid ongoing scrutiny of CBS News, especially regarding its editing practices in interviews, including a controversial 60 Minutes segment featuring Harris that resulted in a lawsuit from Trump, which CBS settled for $16 million.
In an effort to retain viewer trust, Dokoupil concluded the broadcast by recognizing the mixed opinions surrounding the coverage, stating, “You may not agree with everything you hear on this broadcast, but we trust you to listen, and we trust you to decide for yourself.” This statement reflects a commitment to journalistic integrity, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives in news reporting.
As CBS adapts to the changing media landscape under new leadership, viewers can look forward to how these developments will influence the network’s future programming and commitment to robust journalism.