‘Journalism Matters’: CBS News’s Norah O’Donnell Signs Off For The Last Time As She Leaves Anchor Chair

CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell signed off on Thursday night for the last time, ending her run in the coveted anchor chair since 2019.

“The CBS Evening News is, for good reason, the longest-running evening newscast in America, and it has been powered by the finest journalists around the world — the correspondents, producers and researchers and crews who work tirelessly to bring you the news every night,” O’Donnell began, adding:

And that won’t change, because journalism matters. I know that, because I have heard it from so many of you viewers. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for trusting us and welcoming hard news with heart into your homes.

A clearly emotional O’Donnell was then joined by all of her staff who she thanked. CBS also ran a look back at O’Donnell’s time at the desk, narrated by Oprah Winfrey.

O’Donnell will be replaced by a two-anchor format as the network looks to lift its nightly broadcast out of third place in the ratings, behind NBC and ABC. CBS’ chief political analyst John Dickerson and veteran New York affiliate anchor Maurice DuBois will replace O’Donnell in the anchor chair.

Deadline’s Ted Johnson tied O’Donnell’s exit to the ongoing shifts within the broader news media industry. “Her departure in many ways reflects what has been happening across broadcast and cable networks. As viewer habits have shifted to streaming and social media, they have been trimming costs across the board, and with it some of the emphasis on high-profile — and highly paid — star anchors,” wrote Johnson.

O’Donnell will remain at CBS News as a senior correspondent, contributing the network’s various news programs.

In August, Donald Trump celebrated the announcement of O’Donnell’s departure, “So sad that Norah O’Donnell of CBS News lost her show.”

“They had Norah at a ‘steal’ at $12 Million Dollars a year. Will she be doing Deface the Nation anymore, where she was so wonderful? Was she better than the Late, Great Walter Cronkite, also of CBS News? That is the only question left!” added Trump.

Watch the clip above.