President Donald Trump, in a recent interview with newly appointed CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil, asserted that Dokoupil owes his high-profile position to Trump’s electoral victory and subsequent administration policies. The exchange, which aired on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, highlighted tensions in the media landscape, including CBS’s evolving editorial direction under new ownership. Trump, speaking remotely, claimed that without his win over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, the country would be in economic ruin, and Dokoupil “wouldn’t have this job, certainly, whatever the hell they’re paying you.”
The interview stemmed from broader discussions on national policy and media influence, but quickly veered into personal territory. Trump referenced David Ellison, the CEO of Skydance Media, who acquired Paramount Global—CBS’s parent company—in a deal approved by the Trump administration’s regulatory bodies in late 2025. “Your boss—he’s an amazing guy—might be bust,” Trump said, implying that under a Harris presidency, Ellison’s business ventures would falter. Dokoupil, appearing puzzled, sought clarification, prompting Trump to reiterate, “Might be bust.” The president concluded by tying Dokoupil’s career trajectory directly to his political success, stating, “You wouldn’t have this job. You wouldn’t have this job, certainly, whatever the hell they’re paying you.” At the segment’s close, Dokoupil pushed back mildly, saying, “I do think I’d have this job even if the other guys won,” to which Trump replied, “Yeah, but at a lesser salary.”
Dokoupil, 45, assumed the anchor chair at CBS Evening News just weeks earlier, on January 1, 2026, following a major overhaul at the network. He replaced Maurice DuBois and John Dickerson, who departed amid cost-cutting and restructuring efforts. In his debut broadcast, Dokoupil addressed viewers with a critique of mainstream media, arguing that outlets have “put too much weight in the analysis of academics or elites.” This stance aligns with perceptions of a conservative pivot at CBS News, spearheaded by Ellison and newly appointed editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, a former New York Times opinion editor known for her right-leaning views. Weiss, hired in December 2025, has vowed to foster “diverse perspectives” in reporting, a move that has drawn both praise and criticism in media circles.
The Skydance-Paramount merger, valued at $8 billion, was greenlit by federal regulators under Trump’s watch, allowing Ellison—son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison—to take control. Trump has publicly touted the deal as a boon for American media, claiming it prevents foreign influence and promotes balanced coverage. Ellison, in interviews, has signaled intentions to steer CBS away from what he calls “left-leaning bias,” including reviews of past content and staff realignments. This shift has not been without controversy; several veteran journalists exited voluntarily or were let go, citing discomfort with the new direction.
Dokoupil’s promotion comes against the backdrop of his own high-profile dust-up in September 2024, when he co-hosted “CBS Mornings” and interviewed author Ta-Nehisi Coates about his book “The Message.” The book includes essays on Palestine, portraying Israel’s actions in the West Bank as akin to apartheid. Dokoupil challenged Coates aggressively, stating that sections of the book “would not be out of place in the backpack of an extremist.” He pressed Coates on why the text omitted context about Israel being surrounded by hostile nations and terror groups, asking, “Is it because you just don’t believe that Israel in any condition has a right to exist?” and “What is it that so particularly offends you about the existence of a Jewish state that is a Jewish safe place?”
Coates defended his work, emphasizing that his observations were based on personal experiences and historical parallels to segregation in the U.S. and South Africa. “Apartheid is either right or it’s wrong,” Coates said in a follow-up discussion on Trevor Noah’s podcast, suggesting Dokoupil had “commandeered” the interview, sidelining co-hosts Gayle King and Nate Burleson. The segment drew immediate backlash from some CBS staff and external critics, who accused Dokoupil of bias and hostility. Vox writer Aja Romano called his questions “hostile, combative and rude.” Multiple CBS correspondents and producers reportedly felt Dokoupil had a history of charged on-air moments, leading to internal complaints.
CBS executives, under then-leadership, rebuked Dokoupil during an October 7, 2024, editorial meeting, stating the interview fell short of network standards for impartiality. Wendy McMahon, president of CBS News and Stations, and Adrienne Roark, head of content development, addressed staff, confirming the segment had been reviewed with Dokoupil. No formal punishment was announced, but sources indicated it was a “painful day” for the network. Dokoupil, who is Jewish and has family ties to Israel—his ex-wife and children live there—defended his approach in a staff meeting, admitting he violated protocols but standing by his questions.
The incident sparked broader debates on journalistic objectivity, especially regarding Israel-Palestine coverage. Supporters of Dokoupil, including former Paramount chair Shari Redstone, argued his probing was fair journalism, while critics saw it as pro-Israel advocacy. Redstone, also Jewish, reportedly increased scrutiny of CBS’s Middle East reporting following the episode. In a leaked audio published by Bari Weiss’s The Free Press, staff expressed fears of intimidation for speaking out.
Fast-forward to 2026, and the landscape has shifted dramatically with Ellison’s takeover. Weiss, now overseeing content, has emphasized “fearless” reporting, which some interpret as a green light for conservative viewpoints. Dokoupil’s elevation to evening anchor—traditionally a flagship role once held by legends like Walter Cronkite and Norah O’Donnell—signals alignment with this vision. His past as a “CBS Mornings” co-host, where he covered everything from politics to human interest stories, positioned him as a versatile figure.
Trump’s comments in the interview underscore his ongoing influence over media narratives. Since reclaiming the White House, Trump has frequently criticized outlets he deems hostile, while praising those shifting rightward. His approval of the Skydance deal was framed as promoting “American innovation,” but critics argue it concentrates power in ideologically aligned hands. Ellison, a Hollywood producer behind films like “Top Gun: Maverick,” has ties to conservative circles through his father’s tech empire.
Reactions to the Trump-Dokoupil exchange have been polarized. Social media users on platforms like X hailed Trump’s candor, with one post reading, “Trump telling it like it is—media owes him big time.” Others decried it as bullying, noting Dokoupil’s restrained response. CBS has not issued an official statement on the interview, but insiders suggest it fits the network’s new tolerance for provocative content.
Dokoupil’s career path adds layers to the story. Born in Connecticut and raised in Maryland, he graduated from George Washington University and began as a print journalist, authoring “The Last Pirate” about his father’s marijuana smuggling past. Joining CBS in 2016 after stints at NBC and MSNBC, he rose quickly, marrying Israeli producer Katy Tur in 2017 (they divorced in 2023) and fathering two children who reside in Israel. His personal background informed his Coates questions, as he later explained in staff discussions.
The broader implications touch on media freedom and polarization. With CBS under new management, questions arise about editorial independence. The Associated Press noted the Coates fallout as a litmus test for tough interviews, asking, “When is an interview too tough?” In an era of declining trust in news—Gallup polls show only 31% of Americans confident in media—such shifts could either restore balance or deepen divides.
As CBS Evening News competes with ABC’s David Muir and NBC’s Lester Holt, Dokoupil’s tenure will be watched closely. His debut ratings were solid, averaging 4.5 million viewers, but sustaining that amid controversies remains a challenge. Trump, meanwhile, continues leveraging media appearances to reinforce his narrative, with this interview adding to his post-election victory lap.
The episode reflects ongoing media evolution, where ownership changes and political pressures reshape newsrooms. For Dokoupil, it’s a high-stakes opportunity; for Trump, another chance to claim credit. As one media analyst put it, “In today’s climate, anchors aren’t just reporting the news—they’re part of it.”
