Gayle King, the veteran co-host of CBS Mornings, has acknowledged that significant changes are on the horizon for the long-running morning show following the promotion of her colleague Tony Dokoupil. In a candid interview with Sherri Shepherd on the syndicated talk show Sherri, set to air on December 12, 2025, King admitted that Dokoupil's move to anchor CBS Evening News will inevitably reshape the morning program.
What Did Gayle King Say About the Changes?
“Tony’s promotion is certainly going to mean changes at CBS Mornings. There’s no question about that, so we shall see,” King stated during the interview. Her comments come amid a period of intense restructuring at CBS News, which has seen layoffs, show cancellations, and a shift in leadership under newly appointed editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. King’s remarks were measured but honest, reflecting the uncertainty that has permeated the network.
She also addressed swirling rumors that she herself might be pushed out of her role. “I saw those rumors. What I say is this: ‘I’m not going to negotiate in the press,’” she told Shepherd. “I hear one thing in the building and one thing outside of the building. I’ll be reading one thing, and I’m like, ‘that’s not true.’ I’ve decided I’m going to stay out of the drama — and there is some drama.”
King emphasized that she still enjoys her job and believes the network values her presence. “I like the job and I’m told they liked me,” she explained. Her family has also been affected by the speculation. “My kids call me, and they go, ‘Mom, what’s going on?’ And I go, ‘What have you heard?’ That’s how I look at it,” she said with a laugh.
The Tony Dokoupil Promotion: What It Means for CBS News
Tony Dokoupil’s ascension to the anchor desk of CBS Evening News marks a significant career milestone for the journalist, who has co-hosted CBS Mornings since 2019. His departure from the morning show leaves a void that will need to be filled, potentially by a new co-host or a restructuring of the program’s format. Dokoupil replaces John Dickerson, who announced he is leaving the network after 16 years as part of the ongoing transformation.
This change is just one piece of a larger puzzle at CBS News. In October 2025, Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company, laid off approximately 1,000 employees across its divisions. The cuts affected high-profile figures at CBS Saturday Morning, including co-anchors Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson. Additionally, two streaming shows were axed, and budgets across all news divisions were tightened. The late-night staple The Late Show With Stephen Colbert was also canceled earlier in the year, signaling a dramatic shift in CBS’s programming strategy.
Gayle King’s Career at CBS: A Storied Tenure
Gayle King has been a fixture at CBS since 2011, when she joined CBS This Morning (later renamed CBS Mornings) alongside Charlie Rose and Norah O’Donnell. Over the years, she has become one of the most recognizable faces in morning television, known for her warm interviewing style and ability to handle breaking news with grace. She currently co-hosts with Dokoupil and former NFL star Nate Burleson.
King’s career spans decades. Before CBS, she worked at NBC News and co-hosted The Gayle King Show on OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network. Her partnership with Winfrey, her longtime friend, has been a defining aspect of her public persona. King has interviewed countless world leaders, celebrities, and newsmakers, earning admiration for her professionalism and empathy.
Despite the rumors of her potential departure, CBS News has publicly stated that King’s contract runs through May 2026. “There have been no discussions with Gayle about her contract that runs through May 2026,” a CBS News spokesperson told People magazine in October. “She’s a truly valued part of CBS and we look forward to engaging with her about the future.”
Rumors of a New Role: Special Projects and Big Interviews
Speculation suggests that King may be moved from CBS Mornings into a new role within the network focused on special projects and high-profile interviews. This would mirror the arrangements of other veteran journalists like Diane Sawyer and Hoda Kotb, who transitioned to feature interview positions after leaving daily anchor duties. An insider told NewsNation, “She will technically stay with the network. Gayle will do special projects and bigger interviews — like what Diane Sawyer and Hoda Kotb do.”
This kind of move would allow CBS to retain King’s star power while refreshing the morning show lineup. It would also give King more flexibility to pursue in-depth profiles and investigative pieces, a format she has excelled at throughout her career. However, no official announcement has been made, and King herself remains coy about her future.
Bari Weiss and the Transformation of CBS News
The person at the center of the network’s transformation is Bari Weiss, the former New York Times opinion editor who was appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News in early 2025. Weiss has been tasked with revitalizing the news division, which has faced declining ratings and internal turmoil. Her approach has been controversial, involving significant layoffs, budget cuts, and a renewed focus on what she calls “fair and fearless journalism.”
Weiss’s tenure has not been without criticism. Some staffers have expressed concerns about her editorial direction, while others welcome the shake-up as necessary for the network’s survival. The cancellation of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert was particularly notable, as it marked the end of an era for CBS’s late-night lineup. Colbert’s show had been a ratings leader, but Weiss decided it no longer fit the network’s strategy.
Under Weiss, CBS News has also moved to streamline its digital operations, cutting two streaming shows and reducing headcount. The goal, according to internal memos, is to create a more agile newsroom that can compete with digital-native outlets. Whether these changes will pay off remains to be seen, but they have already reshaped the careers of many journalists, including Gayle King.
The Trump Factor: A Digital Jab
King also found herself in the crosshairs of former President Donald Trump, who took to his social media platform Truth Social in August 2025 to attack her. “Gayle King’s career is over. She should have stayed with her belief in Trump. She never had the courage to do so,” he wrote. “No talent, no ratings, no strength!!!”
When asked about Trump’s comments, King responded with characteristic composure. “I’m sorry he feels that way, but I like my job, [and will] continue to do my job,” she told TMZ. Her response highlighted her resilience and refusal to be drawn into political feuds. King has interviewed Trump multiple times in the past, maintaining a professional demeanor even when their political views diverged.
The former president’s remarks came amid broader uncertainty about King’s future, but she has consistently downplayed the drama. Her focus remains on her work, and she has not let external noise affect her performance on CBS Mornings.
The Future of CBS Mornings: What Can Viewers Expect?
With Tony Dokoupil leaving and Gayle King’s role uncertain, CBS Mornings is poised for a significant transformation. The show has long been a staple of morning television, competing with Good Morning America and Today. However, it has struggled to maintain ratings parity with its rivals in recent years.
Possible replacements for Dokoupil include internal candidates like Nate Burleson, who has shown strong chemistry with King, or external hires. Some industry insiders speculate that CBS might overhaul the show’s format entirely, moving away from the traditional three-anchor model. Another possibility is a merger of CBS Mornings with other news programming, creating a multi-hour morning block.
Gayle King’s own future remains the subject of intense speculation, but she has made it clear that she is not leaving quietly. “I like the job and I’m told they liked me,” she reiterated. Her contract guarantees her a seat at the table through May 2026, giving her time to negotiate any changes to her role. Whether she stays on CBS Mornings or transitions to a special projects role, her impact on CBS News is undeniable.
As CBS News navigates this period of upheaval, viewers can expect more announcements in the coming months. The network is likely to unveil its new morning lineup before the end of 2025, possibly as early as January 2026. For now, Gayle King remains a calming presence amid the storm, a seasoned journalist who has seen it all before.
Source: AOL.com News