Overview
- Closing a Miami broadcast, Tony Dokoupil praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s expanding portfolio, called him “the ultimate Florida man,” and signed off with “we salute you.”
- The segment highlighted AI-generated images casting Rubio in fanciful roles that ranged from the shah of Iran to the Michelin Man.
- Deadline reported that the White House reposted the clip with the caption “WE LOVE @SecRubio!,” amplifying the segment beyond CBS’s audience.
- Media critics and CBS insiders described the piece as a puff segment and flagged broader editorial concerns this week, including a glossy ride-along with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
- The reaction built as the broadcast relaunched on a traveling “Live From America” tour under editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and as U.S. actions in Venezuela drew scrutiny, with reports of at least 80 deaths and Nicolás Maduro’s arraignment in New York.