Tony Dokoupil, anchor of CBS Evening News, will not report from China alongside other major network correspondents during President Donald Trump’s visit, due to visa issues. While anchors from NBC, ABC, and Fox News are broadcasting directly from Beijing, Dokoupil’s coverage will originate from Taipei.
The Chinese visa denial prevented Dokoupil from traveling with the delegation, which includes top U.S. business leaders and members of Trump’s family. It remains unclear whether the visa application was submitted late or if another factor influenced the refusal. CBS News has declined to comment on the matter, while the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not provide an immediate response.
This development adds to challenges for CBS Evening News, which is currently trailing behind rival nightly programs in ratings. Despite the setback, CBS has two correspondents accompanying President Trump in China to cover the visit from the ground. This incident also highlights ongoing logistical hurdles faced by the network, which critics attribute partly to its editorial leadership.