CBS News anchor Tony Dokoupil, sometimes referred to as the network's 'MAGA-coded anchor,' will not be covering President Donald Trump's visit to China. The newsman failed to obtain a visa and is reporting from Taiwan instead, according to reports.
Visa Issues and Fallback Plan
Citing two sources familiar with the issue, Semafor reported that it was unclear whether Dokoupil's visa request was denied due to lateness or another problem. Sources told the New York Post that CBS editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, overseeing a Trump-friendlier shift at the network, wanted Dokoupil in Beijing after learning that ABC rival anchor David Muir would be there. However, it was too late, so Taipei was used as a fallback. The tabloid's sources called the maneuvering 'very sloppy' and 'stupid.'
CBS's Positive Spin
The network had a positive take on Dokoupil's location, stating that Taiwan would be a major topic at the summit between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. 'The democratic state is at the center of the high stakes talks as China's geopolitical tensions with Taiwan run high,' read a release, per the Independent. 'Dokoupil reports on what's at stake and why it matters for Americans.' In one broadcast, Dokoupil called the tension between Taiwan and China 'one of the most important geopolitical stories of our time.'
Geopolitical Context
Taiwan functions as an independent state, but China considers it part of its territory. There are concerns that China will take aggressive action, and Xi made a veiled threat to Trump about a possible conflict. Dokoupil's coverage from the island took a dramatic turn Thursday morning when a CBS cameraman collapsed during his report. The cameraman was 'OK' after the 'medical emergency,' CBS reported.
Embarrassments and Ratings
Dokoupil has endured several embarrassments in his short reign as anchor. He has been mocked for what appeared to be fawning commentary about Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and was subjected to personal insults from unnamed associates in a recent Vanity Fair piece. They called him a 'useful idiot' who was 'good eye candy' but out of his depth and lacking self-awareness. His ratings are an improvement over his predecessors, but CBS still trails NBC and first-place ABC by millions of viewers. HuffPost has reached out to CBS for comment.
