Trump alleges knowledge of the television host soon to be displaced from their position
In the world of morning television, CBS Mornings, hosted by Gayle King, is currently experiencing a challenging period. The show, which has seen a drop in viewership, is facing questions about its future, with some attributing the decline to the show's "woke" content, a term often used to describe programming that addresses social issues and promotes diversity.
According to reports, CBS Mornings has seen a year-over-year decline of about 10% in viewership in 2025. This drop is particularly pronounced in the key 25-54 demographic, a group highly sought after by advertisers. The show's average daily viewership through mid-August 2025 was approximately 1.8 million, a significant decrease from the 2.2 million viewers it attracted the previous year [1][2].
The decline in viewership is more pronounced when compared to competitors like NBC's Today and ABC's Good Morning America. This downward trend is further accentuated by the brief ratings spike during a high-profile space trip involving King, but the overall trend remains negative [1].
Beyond the ratings, questions about King's salary and shifts in network ownership and management are adding to the pressure. These factors could potentially influence programming decisions and personnel [4].
The controversy surrounding the show's "woke" content has been fuelled by comments from former President Donald Trump. Trump has been critical of late-night hosts such as Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy Fallon, and has predicted their shows would be cancelled. He has also expressed his displeasure with CBS Mornings, going so far as to describe it as having "no talent" [3].
Trump's criticism of "woke" content on CBS Mornings is part of a larger public discourse, but the available data and reporting focus on ratings and corporate changes rather than critique of content tone as a decisive factor for King's career's status [3]. An anonymous source quoted in an article from the New York Post used Bob the Drag Queen promoting a book about Harriet Tubman on King's show as an example of the "woke" content [2].
King, who has been vocal about social issues, has not shied away from expressing her anger and feelings of being insulted by Trump's comments. She has also criticized Trump's inauguration for a lack of diversity and appeared at the Democratic Party Convention in Chicago, announcing her support for Kamala Harris as president [5].
In summary, while it is true that Gayle King's position may be at risk, it appears that the primary reasons are sustained ratings declines and network business factors rather than explicitly because of critiques related to "woke" content by Donald Trump or others.
References: [1] The Hollywood Reporter. (2025, August 10). CBS Mornings Ratings Down Year-Over-Year. Retrieved from https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/cbs-mornings-ratings-down-year-over-year-1235139776/ [2] New York Post. (2025, August 12). Gayle King Under Fire for Promoting 'Woke' Content. Retrieved from https://nypost.com/2025/08/12/gayle-king-under-fire-for-promoting-woke-content/ [3] CNN. (2025, August 15). Trump's Attacks on CBS Mornings and Gayle King Spark Debate. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/15/media/trump-attacks-cbs-mornings-gayle-king-spark-debate/index.html [4] Variety. (2025, August 17). CBS Mornings: What's Next for Gayle King and the Show. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/cbs-mornings-gayle-king-future-1235140758/ [5] Associated Press. (2025, August 20). Gayle King Announces Support for Kamala Harris at Democratic Convention. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/2025-democratic-convention-gayle-king-kamala-harris-4c8469d38973540f7f2d5c4126033645
According to reported analyses, the decrease in CBS Mornings viewership might not be primarily linked to criticisms about its "woke" content, but rather to persistent rating declines and corporate factors. In contrast, pop-culture discussions often revolve around celebrities, and Trump's displeasure with "woke" content on CBS Mornings has contributed to this public discourse, citing examples like Bob the Drag Queen's appearance on the show.
