CBS Evening News anchors Maurice DuBois and John Dickerson bid an emotional farewell in their final broadcast together, following the announcement of a new host by the network’s editor-in-chief.
During their sign-off, both anchors adopted a resolute tone, criticizing the administration and those in power who resist accountability.
On Thursday, viewers witnessed a visibly moved Dickerson, 57, as he struggled to hold back tears.
DuBois, 60, opened the broadcast by stating, “Tonight marks our last night as anchors of the CBS Evening News, and we wish to share some parting thoughts with you.”
Reflecting on their 10-month tenure, DuBois described it as “the honor of a lifetime.”
The duo took over from Norah O’Donnell less than a year ago, following the decisions of former executives Wendy McMahon and Bill Owens, who departed earlier this year in opposition to actions taken by the network’s parent company, Paramount.
Dubois and Dickerson announced their exits after Paramount CEO David Ellison installed anti-woke journalist Bari Weiss as CBS’s new editor in chief.
In her first major move, Weiss, 41, announced CBS Mornings’ Tony Dokoupil would replace DuBois and Dickerson last week.
Thursday’s installment of CBS Evening News was an emotional one. Maurice DuBois and John Dickerson offered viewers a farewell while sharing the desk one last time
Both men resigned following the appointment of anti-woke Free Press founder Bari Weiss to the top spot at CBS News in October
DuBois said he was thankful to have met some ‘really, really good people’ during the network’s failed two-anchor experiment.
‘I’ve traveled the country to cover communities dealing with unspeakable tragedy and loss,’ DuBois said. ‘But shining brightly always was the heart and soul of everyday people.’
He recalled citizens ‘crying out for our leaders to do better to protect them’ while playing footage of Palestinian CBS producer Marwan Al Ghoul reporting from war-torn Gaza.
‘They were deeply moved to discover how warm and kind and great everyday Americans can be. And what has always made CBS great is its dedicated team of journalists.’
A behind-the-scenes clip of the Evening News team followed DuBois thanked the team as it played.
‘For the relentless work of the entire team who’ve been fulfilling our commitment to following the facts, not opinions, and accurately informing you. I cannot thank this team enough.’
At this point, DuBois turned to Dickerson to tell him he was ‘an outstanding journalist’ and ‘an even better person’.
‘Proud to call you not just a colleague, but a friend,’ he said, leaving Dickerson teary-eyed.
Dickerson, 57, was seen choking back tears. Both men appeared to take shots at the Trump administration
‘Thank you, Maurice. You know, a year-and-a-half ago we didn’t even really know each other. And you’ve become a model for me and a trusted friend,’ the CBS veteran said. ‘So, thank you.
‘What the viewers don’t know is that long before they could see us, we were thinking about you, the viewers. Planning for months in a conference room, we talked about your attention, how precious it was, and how we would honor it.
‘That question has guided the decisions you saw and many you didn’t,’ he continued, before showing a clip of Donald Trump insulting a CBS News report.
‘Correspondents who follow the facts into war zones into countries where they could be jailed into shar exchanges with the powerful, who don’t like being held to account.
‘Including a president who insulted them for it.’
Dickerson, in turn, told DuBois: ‘It has been an honor to put the work of our correspondents, producers, editors, and writers before you,’
‘And to work with my partner, Maurice, who put his heart into our shared concern, doing right by you … your expectation has been our responsibility and our reward.’
A clip of the president insulting CBS reporters was flashed on-screen during the broadcast
The two are set to be replaced by CBS Mornings host Tony Dokoupil early next year
Both McMahon and Owen left in protest of parent company Paramount’s recent direction.
Disappointing ratings from Dickerson and DuBois dashed their dream of a two-person desk within weeks of its rollout.
Dickerson revealed he was leaving CBS in October after 16 years with the network days after Weiss was handpicked to lead the station by Ellison in October.
Ellison, the son of billionaire Trump ally Larry Ellison, took the reins following Paramount’s merger with Skydance over the summer.
The deal drew the spotlight after receiving FCC approval just days after CBS announced the cancellation of its own late-night host, Stephen Colbert.
Dokoupil, meanwhile, received attention for a fiery interview with pro-Palestinian writer Ta-Nehsi Coates that aired on CBS Mornings in October 2024 where he accused her of being an ‘extremist.’
Weiss’s website, The Free Press, broke the story at the time. She is a staunch supporter of Israel.
Then-CEO McMahon reprimanded Dokoupil for his behavior during the interview at a meeting with several senior CBS News staffers, the Daily Mail reported at the time.
Dokoupil is Jewish, and his ex-wife and children live in Israel. Weiss has also hired former ABC and Jerusalem Post reporter Matt Gutman to be the network’s chief correspondent.
Thursday was Dickerson’s last day at CBS.
DuBois will remain on the desk until early next year.
