In a fiery and explicit outburst, former CNN anchor Jim Acosta criticized CBS and its evening news anchor, Tony Dokoupil, accusing them of being part of a “state-compromised media.”

Acosta, who departed from CNN last year after facing the possibility of being reassigned to the less desirable late-night shift, shared his insights on the media landscape during an appearance on Jennifer Welch’s podcast, “I’ve Had It.”

Speaking candidly on the episode titled “Fascist Frat Party,” the 54-year-old independent journalist expressed his belief that the American media has deteriorated, singling out CBS as a prime example.

CBS, now under the leadership of conservative figure Bari Weiss, has faced criticism for seemingly aligning with directives from the Trump administration, especially with Paramount CEO and Trump supporter David Ellison at the helm.

The network, which recently elevated Dokoupil to the role of CBS Evening News anchor, has also attracted attention for drastically reducing its 38-page handbook of principles to just five core values, one of which boldly states, “We love America. And we make no apologies for saying so.”

For Acosta, this revision of CBS’s values was the tipping point.

‘Get the f*** out of here! We all love America! That’s why we’re doing this,’ an animated Acosta told Welch. 

‘When I saw CBS doing that, I said, “What the f*** is going on with these people?”,’ he said before slamming Dokoupil specifically. 

Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta blasted CBS News for being part of ‘state-compromised media’ amid the outlook being run by Paramount CEO and Trump ally David Ellison

In his foul-mouthed rant, Acosta specifically called out Tony Dokoupil, who was just recently promoted to anchor of CBS Evening News 

‘Because we all love this country. That is beside the point. What we should be having in this country is a free press that can hold the goddamn president the United States accountable without everybody worried whether they’re going to lose their f***ing job.’ 

He went on to specifically call out Dokoupil for ‘both-sides-ing’ a report on the January 6 US Capital riots that left more than 140 people injured and at least five dead. 

‘The other night, the anchor on the CBS Evening News, on January 6, is saying “Well, on one hand the White House is saying that Nancy Pelosi is responsible for January 6, and on the other hand it was the rioter”,’ Acosta said. 

‘No motherf***er, we saw it on Goddamn television! It was a bunch of Trump thugs that he egged on and incited, and sent to the Goddamn capital. He’s the one that did it. There is no both sides to that f***ing story! End of f***ing story,’ he said as Welch laughed in agreeance. 

Acosta said that media in American is not at all what it used to be. 

‘I’ve been describing it this way, I think we have a system of state-compromised media in this country,’ Acosta said. ‘We do not have a free press the way that we did a couple of years ago.’ 

He then took more of a pointed aim at CBS and the network’s leadership changes. 

‘If we have major corporations that are in charge of our media outlets, that are under the thumb of the current administration, then you really don’t have freedom of the press,’ Acosta explained. 

Bari Weiss (pictured interviewing Erika Kirk in December) was named the new editor-in-chief at CBS News in October. Since then, she has made many leadership changes across the network

He also shared his rage with Dokoupil saying ‘we salute Marco Rubio’ at the end of a recent episode. 

The anchor was specifically referring to Rubio’s ‘many lives and many jobs’ as the Secretary of State has taken on many rolls in Trump’s White House. 

‘Whatever you think of his politics, you’ve got to admit: It’s an impressive résumé,’ Dokoupil said. 

But for Acosta, that was the absolute wrong thing to say. 

‘I mean, not only was Walter Cronkite spinning in his grave – I was hoping he would come back from the great beyond to choke the living sh** out of him,’ Acosta said, referring to the late CBS Evening News anchor who was known as ‘the most trusted man in America.’ 

Amid all the ‘nonsense’ floating around in the media, according to Acosta, it’s like a breath of fresh air when podcasters like himself and Welch share their opinions. 

‘And that is why things like what we’re doing right now is flourishing and thriving because the American people can sniff this out,’ he said. 

‘They can see the pandering and the nonsense.’ 

In recent times, CBS has been under fire for its choices, including Weiss’s decision to pull a 60 Minutes episode that featured the notorious El Salvadoran prison where more than 200 Venezuelan migrants were sent last year by the current administration. 

Dokoupil came under fire by liberal last week over his interview with Trump. During it, the president joked that he helped get the journalist the job

Just last week, Dokoupil sat down with the president, making many liberals upset after they said he failed to stand up to Trump during a soft interview in which the commander-in-chief joked that he helped get him the job.  

Dokoupil was questioning the president on inflation and ‘grocery prices going up’ when Trump suggested if Kamala Harris had won, Dokoupil wouldn’t have had so many opportunities.

‘You wouldn’t have this job right now, if she got in, you probably wouldn’t have a job right now,’ Trump said.

‘Your boss, who’s an amazing guy, might be bust. I doubt it in his case, but you never know.

‘You wouldn’t have this job, whatever the hell they’re paying you. This country is rocketing right now, we have the hottest country in the world.’

Dokoupil failed to respond to Trump’s comments or defend himself, sparking much of the criticism online.

‘Tony just standing there and taking it,’ one liberal observer noted.

‘Such a tough spot for Tony Dokoupil, get your dream job to anchor evening news but basically have to sell your integrity. CBS news is becoming an embarrassment with the new leadership it has.’

Another said that Dokoupil had been ‘steamrolled’ by Trump.

Weiss is seen with House Speaker Mike Johnson last January. After moving Dokoupil to the evening news, his show’s viewings went down 23 percent from the 5.4million comparable week in 2025 with host Norah O’Donell

The interview comes after a tough first week with Dokoupil in the anchor chair. Despite securing an initial ratings bump for CBS, numbers have since dipped from its already last-place position.

Dokoupil’s show averaged 4.17million viewers for his first week on the air, down 23 percent from the 5.4million comparable week in 2025 with host Norah O’Donell, Variety reported.

The show also saw a 23 percent dip among viewers ages 25 to 54, the demographic most coveted by advertisers for news shows.

Both ABC’s World News Tonight with David Muir – 8.1million – and NBC’s Nightly News with Tom Llamas – 6.73million – crushed CBS in total viewers.

Dokoupil also had a worse first week than predecessor duo Maurice DuBois and John Dickerson – 4.82million – as well as the debuts of Jeff Glor – 7million – and O’Donnell – 5.72million.