Why CBS anchor Tony Dokoupil is broadcasting from Taiwan instead of Beijing

WorldPolitics
14 May 2026 • 7:20 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Why CBS anchor Tony Dokoupil is broadcasting from Taiwan instead of Beijing

  • CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil was reportedly unable to secure a visa for China and will broadcast from Taipei, Taiwan, instead of Beijing during President Donald Trump's state visit.
  • Trump is in Beijing for high-stakes talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, expected to cover topics like the Iran war, trade relations and Taiwan's future.
  • This situation is seen as a misstep for CBS News under editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, especially as Dokoupil's program has been experiencing weak ratings.
  • During the week of April 27, CBS Evening News attracted 3.86 million viewers, significantly trailing ABC's World News Tonight (8.3 million) and NBC's Nightly News (6.23 million), whose anchors are reporting from Beijing.
  • Broadcasting from Taipei marks the first time in 63 years the CBS Evening News will be anchored from Taiwan, underscoring the democratic state's central role in geopolitical tensions with China.

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