What's happened
Recent CBS News coverage has faced criticism after a Trump interview featured unusual friendliness, including kisses on the cheek between Trump and CBS staff, and a perceived lack of journalistic professionalism. The network's new leadership under Bari Weiss is also under scrutiny for editorial choices and shifting tone.
What's behind the headline?
The recent CBS interview with Trump highlights a significant shift in journalistic standards under Weiss's leadership. The friendly exchange of kisses and informal interactions between Trump and Weiss suggest a departure from traditional journalistic boundaries, raising questions about objectivity and professionalism. Critics argue that such behavior fosters an overly chummy relationship with political figures, undermining the credibility of the news organization. The decision to spike a story about Trump deportations further exemplifies the network's controversial editorial stance, which many see as favoring the Trump administration. This approach risks alienating viewers seeking impartial news and could damage CBS's reputation long-term. The focus on viral content and sensationalism, while boosting short-term attention, may erode trust in the network's journalistic integrity, leading to a potential decline in viewership and credibility.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that the friendly interaction between Weiss and Trump, including kisses on the cheek, was seen as unprofessional by some CBS staff, while others claim it is standard practice for network executives. The article also details Weiss's recent editorial decisions, including the spike of a story about Venezuelan migrants, which drew criticism for political bias. The New York Times highlights Weiss's strategy to make CBS News more viral and provocative, noting the network's recent viral moments and the backlash from critics and viewers. James Poniewozik emphasizes that the scrutiny of Dokoupil's debut and Weiss's leadership reflects broader concerns about the network's shift towards sensationalism and partisan-leaning coverage, which has become a topic of public and media debate.
How we got here
Bari Weiss took over CBS News in October 2025, aiming to reform the network's approach amid declining viewership. Her leadership has prioritized viral content and a more provocative style, leading to controversial editorial decisions, including the spike of a story about Trump deportations and a lighter tone in coverage. The recent interview with Trump, where he exchanged kisses with Weiss and engaged in informal chat, has intensified criticism of the network's professionalism and objectivity.
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Tony Dokoupil is an American broadcast journalist, known for his work as a co-anchor of CBS This Morning. He was also a news correspondent for CBS News and MSNBC.
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