President Donald Trump took aim at News anchor Tony Dokoupil during a televised interview, joking that the journalist would not be sitting in the anchor chair if Trump had lost the 2024 election. The remark came during a tense exchange about the economy and media leadership.
The moment quickly drew attention because it mixed politics, media power, and Trump’s long running criticism of major news organizations.
Trump Pushes Back on Economic Question
During the interview on Evening News, Dokoupil told Trump that many everyday Americans he had spoken with do not feel the benefits of the current economy. Trump rejected that claim and said he had only been in office for about 11 months.
He argued that he inherited serious economic problems and claimed the country has since rebounded sharply. Trump said the United States now leads the world economically, while it struggled badly before his return to office.
‘You Wouldn’t Have This Job’ Remark
As the exchange continued, Trump turned personal. He told Dokoupil that if Kamala Harris had won the 2024 election, the anchor likely would not have his current job.
Trump added that Dokoupil’s boss might also be out of work under a different administration. He repeated that claim several times while insisting the country is “rocketing” under his leadership. Trump warned that a Harris victory would have turned the US into something far worse.
Changes Inside News
Trump’s comments landed amid major changes at News. The network’s parent company, Paramount, recently completed an eight billion dollar merger with Skydance Media, led by David Ellison, the son of billionaire Larry Ellison.
After the merger closed, Ellison appointed Bari Weiss as editor in chief of News. Weiss later selected Dokoupil to lead Evening News, hoping to revive the long-struggling broadcast.
Trump’s earlier lawsuit against the network over a high-profile interview also hung over the merger process. Regulators approved the deal only after Paramount reached a settlement.
A Broader Media Flashpoint
While the interview focused on the economy, Trump’s remarks highlighted his influence over the media landscape. His blunt style and willingness to challenge journalists directly continue to shape how major outlets cover him.
Dokoupil did not directly argue with Trump’s claim about his job. Instead, the moment underscored the uneasy relationship between Trump and national news organizations.
