The internal turmoil surrounding the reboot of CBS Evening News has cast a long shadow over its future, largely fueled by the controversial Bari Weiss CBS News strategy. This ambitious yet chaotic overhaul, spearheaded by editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, has raised significant concerns among network staff and media observers alike. From extravagant private jet plans for a “Live From America” tour to last-minute editorial shifts, the new direction under Weiss’s influence is proving to be a highly disruptive force, challenging traditional journalistic norms and sparking widespread debate about the network’s integrity and leadership.nnTony Dokoupil, co-host of CBS Mornings since 2019, was recently named the new anchor for CBS Evening News, replacing the previous co-anchor team. His tenure was set to commence with a 10-city “Live From America” cross-country kickoff tour, designed to generate publicity for his debut. The network aimed to broadcast from various cities, including Miami, Dallas, and Detroit, before concluding in Pittsburgh, hoping to connect with “average Americans” and signal a new era for the broadcast.nnWhat is Bari Weiss’s role at CBS News? The answer is that Bari Weiss serves as the editor-in-chief of CBS News, a position she assumed after David Ellison acquired her online publication, The Free Press. In this capacity, she directly reports to Ellison and holds significant sway over editorial decisions, shaping the network’s content and strategic direction.nnDespite Dokoupil’s stated mission to reach the “average American” and address the perceived disconnect of legacy media, the planning for this tour quickly became mired in controversy. Sources revealed that Weiss intended to charter a private plane, costing millions, to fly to each location, carrying herself, Dokoupil, and executive producer Kim Harvey. This stark contrast between the show’s stated anti-elite mission and the reality of its execution led many to question why is CBS Evening News struggling to maintain public trust and internal cohesion.nnThe potential for such significant expenses for private air travel and extensive security, including heavily-armed guards, arrived at a precarious time for CBS News. The network had recently laid off approximately 100 employees and was bracing for further cost cuts under owner David Ellison and Paramount. Network staffers openly criticized the perceived extravagance, arguing that millions spent on perks for executives like Weiss could instead fund vital journalism, directly undermining the credibility Dokoupil sought to establish.nnThe internal strife escalated as Weiss continued to propose last-minute logistical changes for the “Live From America” tour. These demands included altering outdoor locations to indoors for her personal safety and making specific location requests, such as tourist-centric restaurants and upscale private schools, that seemed disconnected from the regions they were meant to represent. Staffers feared the relaunch would devolve into a “car crash,” with plummeting morale attributed to executive producer Kim Harvey’s perceived subservience to Weiss’s directives, a critical element missing from any effective CBS Evening News reboot guide.nnThis latest internal flare-up followed closely on the heels of another significant controversy: Weiss’s eleventh-hour spiking of a 60 Minutes story critical of the Trump administration. This decision sparked a potential “revolt” among the show’s staff, who viewed it as politically motivated. Many media observers and staff members have since criticized Weiss’s editorial decisions, suggesting they align with new corporate ownership’s efforts to steer CBS News in a “MAGA-friendly” direction, prompting a crucial debate about Bari Weiss vs traditional journalism and its core principles.nnAccording to CBS News insiders, Weiss’s desire for an increased presence on location for each broadcast of the CBS Evening News relaunch tour also led to requests for additional security, including heavily-armed guards. While a veteran media executive noted that chartering private planes for high-profile talent is not uncommon, especially for multi-city promotional tours, the context of recent layoffs and the show’s “average American” narrative made these demands particularly contentious. Production staff faced immense pressure, scrambling over holidays to finalize logistics and hand-select audience members for attendance.nnThe planned segments for Dokoupil’s debut in Miami included discussions with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on school phone bans, a piece on “loss of trust” in media, and the Venezuelan population’s turn against Trump. Additionally, “bon bons”—light and fun social media segments—were pitched, featuring Dokoupil potentially jet-skiing with DJ Khaled or playing soccer with David Beckham. Other “Bari Pitches” outlined for Minneapolis focused on figures like former Sen. Al Franken and the “Minnesota Fraud Scandal,” offering a glimpse into the editorial direction and Tony Dokoupil CBS news update for the forthcoming broadcasts.nnThe marketing strategy itself came under scrutiny, with a promotional video showing Dokoupil asking random travelers in Grand Central Station if they knew how to pronounce his last name. This “humiliating ritual” was seen by some as an embarrassing attempt to acknowledge his lack of name recognition, especially after Weiss had reportedly tried to poach high-profile anchors like Anderson Cooper and Bret Baier for the role. Critics inside the network suggested Dokoupil’s appointment as anchor, despite being labeled a “mediocre straight white man” by some, stemmed from his views aligning with Weiss’s pro-Israel stance.nnFurther fueling the internal firestorm was Weiss’s decision to spike a 60 Minutes segment on the Trump administration deporting Venezuelan migrants to a violent Salvadoran prison. This move, which Weiss defended in editorial meetings and emails, was seen by the segment’s reporter as “political,” potentially linked to the president’s anger at the program and Ellison’s efforts to gain Trump’s approval for a corporate takeover. This incident became a significant aspect of the Bari Weiss controversy latest developments, deepening staff resentment.nnWeiss’s hands-on approach and direct involvement extended even to public figures outside the network. She famously fired back at Hollywood superstar George Clooney after he criticized her for “dismantling” CBS News. Referencing his new French citizenship, she invited him to tour the newsroom, publicly showcasing her assertive and unyielding commitment to her vision, regardless of external criticism, which further highlights the distinct nature of the CBS Evening News vs Fox News approaches to commentary and news reporting.nnUltimately, the prevailing sentiment among network staffers is one of deep concern and plummeting morale. Many believe the current trajectory signals “the end of CBS Evening News” as they know it. The Bari Weiss CBS News strategy, marked by controversy, lavish spending, and contentious editorial choices, creates an uncertain future. While the industry speculates on the CBS Evening News outlook 2026 and which will be the best news programs 2026, the immediate challenge for CBS News is to navigate this internal strife and regain both staff confidence and viewer trust amid a chaotic reboot.
