“CBS Evening News” anchor Tony Dokoupil on Tuesday followed his awkward debut on the job with a fawning segment on one of the most powerful people in the U.S. government, delivering what social media critics are calling a “pathetic” piece of “propaganda.”Dokoupil, who was handpicked for the role by CBS News’ controversial editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, a former right-leaning opinion columnist, concluded the program Tuesday by praising the “many lives and many jobs” of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.“Whatever you think of his politics, you’ve got to admit: It’s an impressive résumé,” he said.Dokoupil was broadcasting from Rubio’s hometown of Miami, Florida, lauding his career as a success story that could happen “only in America” — before listing his positions as secretary of state, interim national security adviser and acting National Archivist and USAID chief.He then launched into a montage of artificial intelligence-generated memes.“And now, AI memes have added to that portfolio,” said Dokoupil, “casting Secretary Rubio as the new governor of Minnesota, the new shah of Iran, the prime minister of Greenland, the new manager of Manchester United, the new head of Hilton Hotels and — highest of high honors of all — the new Michelin Man.”Then came the clincher: “Marco Rubio, we salute you. You are the ultimate Florida man.”Dokoupil was torn to shreds by flabbergasted critics on social media, as such segments are typically reserved for entertainers — and Rubio, as secretary of state, is the highest-ranking Cabinet member and third-highest official in the executive branch.The segment was published on the official CBS Evening News account on X to brutal reactions. One user shared a clip of Dokoupil’s “disgraceful” segment on Tuesday, in which he “both sides-ed” a report on the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots.Others were focused on the tonal shift in the network after Weiss took over CBS News.“Full blown propaganda state tv at this point. My God! How far you have fallen. Disgusting,” wrote one user on X, with another person commenting: “You’re a journalist ‘saluting’ a politician? This isn’t ‘fair and balanced’ this is groveling propaganda.” Marco Rubio has become one of the most influential figures in U.S. foreign policy and President Trump's point man on Venezuela. That's in addition to his roles as Secretary of State, interim National Security Advisor, acting National Archivist and USAID chief. Rubio's portfolio… pic.twitter.com/MglY7s4Zqw— CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil (@CBSEveningNews) January 7, 2026 Rubio is a far more serious figure than the CBS segment suggested. He defended U.S. strikes on Iran last year and said it was “irrelevant” whether U.S. intelligence had shown that the country was building nuclear weapons, and, as Dokoupil said Tuesday, is Trump’s “point man” on the ongoing conflict with Venezuela.The segment followed Dokoupil’s disastrous debut Monday, in which technical errors behind the scenes led to visible confusion on the air. While the snafu can still be seen on social media, CBS News appeared to have edited around it before publishing the segment on YouTube.CBS News previously came under fire after Weiss pulled a “60 Minutes” episode about an El Salvadorian prison, claiming it wasn’t “ready. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi, who reported the piece, said it had been vetted and was “factually correct,” per multiple news outlets.Alfonsi also said Weiss pulling the episode wasn’t an editorial decision — but “a political one.”My god this is pathetic— Leighton 明 Woodhouse (@lwoodhouse) January 7, 2026 This isn't the real account, right?— RiotWomenn (@riotwomennn) January 7, 2026 This isn't news, this is state propaganda— Buffalo (@bfloblack) January 7, 2026 are you fucking kidding me 😂😂 i need historically low ratings on this show— sports guy (@sportsguy365675) January 7, 2026