Overview
- Anchoring from Miami, Tony Dokoupil ended CBS Evening News by calling Marco Rubio “the ultimate Florida man” and saying “Marco Rubio, we salute you,” after a montage of AI-generated memes about Rubio’s many roles.
- The segment highlighted Rubio as President Trump’s point person on Venezuela and listed his titles as secretary of state, interim national security adviser, acting national archivist, and USAID chief.
- The White House shared the clip on social media with “WE LOVE @SecRubio!,” prompting fresh scrutiny from media critics and concern among CBS staffers about the program’s tone and independence.
- Coverage noted earlier missteps in Dokoupil’s first week, including a teleprompter flub on debut and an emotional on-air moment in Miami, alongside criticism of other editorial choices such as a ride-along with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
- One outlet, the New York Post, reported a short-term ratings bump to about 4.5 million viewers for Dokoupil’s debut, while internal debate continued over the network’s direction and a previously held 60 Minutes investigation.