Inside the Tony Dokoupil Era at CBS

Plus: Grindr’s Washington Ambitions

View in browser | Update preferences SUBSCRIBE FOR FULL ACCESS It’s Washington’s Mardi Gras, and this evening VF will get in on the celebrations surrounding the White House Correspondents’ Dinner with a party of its own at the Belgian ambassador’s residence. This weekend is by the press, for the press, and it’s as good a time as any to take stock of the various institutions of American journalism. Aidan McLaughlin did just that this week with a sweeping look at the CBS Evening News under new-ish anchor Tony Dokoupil and editor in chief Bari Weiss. Our Washington correspondent spoke with 20 current and former CBS News staffers to paint a colorful behind-the-scenes tableau. There were the disastrous on-air mistakes over the first few weeks, such as Dokoupil’s opening night teleprompter nightmare (which is properly explained for the first time in this story). There’s the incessant coziness with the Trump administration, which has disturbed veteran journalists at the network. And there are the assessments of Dokoupil himself. “He’s deeply lacking in self-awareness,” offers one insider. “Tony has the biggest case of imposter syndrome out of any anchor or correspondent I’ve ever worked with,” says another. The news division’s new star is also branded “a useful idiot.” Along the way, Aidan concluded that the “hospital-drama-handsome” former morning show host is now the face of the Weiss revolution at CBS News—with everything that entails. Plus: Tara Palmeri takes stock of Grindr’s Washington ambitions ahead of the dating app’s own WHCD weekend party this evening. JACK HOLMES, SENIOR EDITOR Why this ad? Inside the Tony Dokoupil Era at CBS BY AIDAN MCLAUGHLIN “He must have been her seventh or eighth choice, because nobody would take the fucking job,” one correspondent says. “I mean, she wanted Bret Baier. She wanted Anderson Cooper. She wanted a name, and she does not see Tony Dokoupil as a name. A useful idiot for sure, but not a name.” READ MORE Get more as a Vanity Fair subscriber Exclusive offer: Subscribe to get one month of Vanity Fair free START YOUR FREE TRIAL More Great Reads POLITICS Grindr Goes to Washington—But Will Washington Come to Grindr? BY TARA PALMERI Can an LGBTQ+ dating app known for proximity-based hookups really be taken seriously in Trump’s Washington? It’s certainly trying. READ MORE FILM The Jackson Sibling Rivalry That Might Explain Janet’s Absence in Michael BY CHRIS MURPHY Michael Jackson’s most famous sibling opted out of his biopic—but her rationale may have more to do with two of her surviving brothers than her relationship with the late King of Pop. READ MORE FILM How Paramount’s Star-Studded Mini Movie Came Together in Just 7 Weeks BY REBECCA FORD With a lot to prove, the studio enlisted Jon M. Chu to film a top-secret reel featuring Tom Cruise atop the water tower, plus a slew of other A-list talent. READ MORE Video Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan Grill Each Other BY VANITY FAIR The stars of Beef season two take turns grilling each other in VF’s infamous lie detector test: Does Carey have any notes for any of Oscar’s performances? Has she even seen his other projects? And is Carey Oscar’s favorite work wife? Let the nervous laughing commence. READ MORE Why this ad? For the Record Kim Petras on Music and Mamdani The German pop star teases her long-awaited new album, Detour, and shares her love for New Yorkers—including the mayor. This Pop Song About the KGB Is Deeper Than You Think Pop Star Academy alum Adéla has a new catchy, autobiographical single that outlines her ambitions, sense of humor, and sharp eye for style. MORE FROM VANITY FAIR POLITICS BUSINESS HOLLYWOOD STYLE ROYALS CELEBRITY This e-mail was sent to you by VANITY FAIR. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, vanityfair@newsletter.vf.com, to your address book. View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2026. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.