Tony Dokoupil had to abruptly cancel a CBS Evening News broadcast from Taiwan on Wednesday after a cameraman suffered a medical emergency.
“You’re going to hear a lot about the rise of a powerful new China,” Dokoupil said as the camera quickly cut to B-roll footage. “Is he okay?” I heard Dokoupil ask. “We’re going to take a little break. There’s a medical emergency here. We’re calling the doctor,” he says, and the corner ends abruptly.
CBS Evening News reported on X: “Tonight, during the final segment of CBS Evening News, a cameraman on set had an emergency. Thankfully, he is okay and recovering.”
Dokoupil was reportedly unable to obtain a visa to China because he missed reports from Beijing, where President Trump was meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. His network’s competitors, including NBC News’ Tom Lamas and ABC News’ David Muir, are in Beijing. Meanwhile, Dokupil is broadcasting from Taipei.
A CBS source told Semaphore that two other CBS News correspondents are traveling to China with Trump, and Dokoupil’s “presence in Taipei highlights the importance of Taiwan, which will be a major topic of discussion at the summit.”
CBS News said in a media statement: “Taiwan is at the center of high-stakes talks as geopolitical tensions between China and Taiwan increase. Dokoupil reports on what’s at stake and why it matters to Americans.”
On Thursday, President Trump is scheduled to meet with President Xi Jinping in Beijing to discuss trade, Iran, Taiwan and other topics.
CBS Evening News has seen a decline in viewership since Dokupil began earlier this year and is currently in third place.
