Megyn Kelly declared legacy media "dead" and dismissed CBS News' revamp efforts as futile, stating on X that "nothing will happen at CBS" in response to incoming anchor Tony Dokoupil's promotional video pledging to rebuild viewer trust.
The former Fox News host, now an independent podcaster, wrote:
Nothing will happen at CBS. Nothing. Legacy media is dead and evening news has been totally irrelevant for a long time. CBS has not had evening viewers in any competitive way in more than a decade. It’s not reversible. https://t.co/btMjgqEQCe
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) January 1, 2026
Kelly's comments came amid escalating tensions with CBS editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, with whom she has feuded publicly since late 2025 over unrelated conservative disputes.
Dokoupil, set to debut as solo anchor of CBS Evening News on this week (with an early appearance Saturday due to breaking news), released a video acknowledging widespread distrust in legacy media. He criticized outlets for over-relying on elites, academics, and advocates while sidelining "average Americans," and promised transparency, independence from corporate influences, and a focus on viewers.
The changes follow Paramount's acquisition by Skydance and Weiss' appointment as editor-in-chief in October 2025. Weiss, founder of The Free Press, has introduced new principles for the broadcast, appointed Dokoupil, and planned a now-canceled 10-city "Live From America" listening tour.
Reactions have been polarized: some conservatives praise the admission of past flaws, while skeptics, including Kelly, argue the evening newscast format is outdated and ratings declines irreversible amid competition from cable, digital, and social media.
The relaunched program faces scrutiny as network evening news viewership continues to erode industry-wide. Early reception and ratings will indicate whether the overhaul gains traction.