Megyn Kelly Criticizes CBS Evening News Anchor Tony Dokoupil
Megyn Kelly recently took aim at Tony Dokoupil, who is the new host of “CBS Evening News.” She accused him of behaving unprofessionally by crying on air and suggested that the network was pandering to viewers during what she described as a chaotic relaunch of the show.
On her SiriusXM show, Kelly expressed her thoughts quite clearly, stating, “I don’t cry on ‘Evening News.’” She believes that emotional displays should be reserved for extremely significant moments, like the assassination of a president.
Kelly scoffed at a recent emotional episode featuring Dokoupil, arguing that this was a classic example of what she termed “bull pandering.” She referenced the historic moment when Walter Cronkite reported the assassination of JFK, noting how he held back tears rather than breaking down completely. “He didn’t cry; when he took off his glasses, it felt more like he was just wiping his eyes,” she remarked.
“But that was about the extent of it. Most anchors have traditionally maintained that level of composure,” she added, criticizing Dokoupil for his emotional outburst and expressing surprise that CBS chose to air it.
Dokoupil had gotten emotional while discussing his family’s struggles, revealing that they left Miami because of his father’s incarceration related to drug trafficking. “I’m emotional…Let me talk a little bit here,” he said. He reflected on how he felt robbed of his childhood while sharing his story on the show, visibly affected as he spoke about his father’s troubles.
Kelly ridiculed Dokoupil’s tears, questioning how one could break down in such a manner. “Sobbing, trembling, unable to recover, what is that?!” she exclaimed.
The CBS News team promoted Dokoupil’s touching moment on social media, highlighting it as part of their ambitious plan to reintroduce “CBS Evening News” to a wider audience. Initially, the revamp was meant to feature stops in ten cities, aiming to connect with viewers outside of New York. However, the tour has faced complications, leading to concerns about morale and internal issues within the network.
Recent reports indicate that the situation has only become more uncertain, especially with the reported firing of a senior producer amid the tour, stirring further doubts about Dokoupil’s first week in his new role. The Post has reached out to CBS News for their comments on the unfolding circumstances.
