CBS Mornings anchor Tony Dokoupil wrongly states astronaut Buzz Aldrin is dead: 'Punch me in the ...

The cohost brought up the astronaut during a discussion of Kim Kardashian's claim that the moon landing was fake. CBS Mornings anchor Tony Dokoupil wrongly states astronaut Buzz Aldrin is dead: 'Punch me in the face' The cohost brought up the astronaut during a discussion of Kim Kardashian's claim that the moon landing was fake. :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/JoeyNolfiauthorphotoba4923fec03a4027868306485696ef41.jpg) Joey Nolfi is a senior writer at . Since 2016, his work at EW includes RuPaul's Drag Race video interviews, Oscars predictions, and more.

The cohost brought up the astronaut during a discussion of Kim Kardashian's claim that the moon landing was fake.

*CBS Mornings *anchor Tony Dokoupil wrongly states astronaut Buzz Aldrin is dead: 'Punch me in the face'

The cohost brought up the astronaut during a discussion of Kim Kardashian's claim that the moon landing was fake.

Joey Nolfi is a senior writer at *. *Since 2016, his work at EW includes *RuPaul's Drag Race* video interviews, Oscars predictions, and more.

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on October 31, 2025 9:58 p.m. ET

Tony Dokoupil at PaleyFest 2024 on Oct. 22, 2024 in New York City; Buzz Aldrin attends the 2018 amfAR Gala on Feb. 7, 2018 in New York City. Credit:

Gary Gershoff/Getty; ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty

- *CBS Mornings *anchors got into a spirited discussion over Kim Kardashian's claim that the moon landing was fake.

- Cohost Tony Dokoupil joked Buzz Aldrin would "come out of the ground" over it, thinking the astronaut was dead.

- The 95-year-old Aldrin is alive, but his wife, Anca Faur, died Tuesday at age 66.

*CBS Mornings* anchor Tony Dokoupil's mind might've temporarily left orbit for outer space, judging by a reported flub he made live on the air about famed astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

As Dokoupil and fellow *CBS Mornings* personalities Nate Burleson and real-life space traveler Gayle King discussed Kim Kardashian's headline-making claim on Thursday's episode of* The Kardashians* that Aldrin's 1969 moon landing was "fake," the TV journalist mistakenly asserted that the 95-year-old space explorer was dead.

While partially defending Kardashian's comments, Burleson observed that, "NASA has said in the past it's too expensive or the hype has died down or priorities have shifted for the U.S. in our plans to go to the moon. But yet and still, we haven't been back," adding that "I'm not saying [Kardashian is] right. I'm just saying, her curiosities are fair," per PEOPLE.

CBS Mornings cohost Tony Dokoupil on Sept. 29, 2025.

Michele Crowe/CBS News

"Nate, it is Halloween," Dokoupil replied, per PEOPLE. "Buzz Aldrin's skeletal bones are going to come out of the ground and punch you in the face."

The outlet reported that after several moments, Dokoupil appeared to realize he might be mistaken about Aldrin, telling his colleagues, "I want to make sure Buzz Aldrin is actually dead. I kind of lost track of it."

Dokoupil then looked toward show staffers for help, telling them, "Please tell me right now if it's not, because I want to clear this up."

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As he doubled down on facts about the moon landing, the broadcaster said that "we were highly motivated" to get to the moon at the time. "We were in a race with the Soviet Union who we thought was going to go up there and drop nuclear weapons on our heads," he continued. "We were afraid for our lives and we spent a huge portion of our national wealth on this. It's like every student was trying to be the best scientist to work on the problem. Yes, it happened. And then we were like, 'Alright, we did it' and we took a break. And we haven't been back."

When Dokoupil finished his remarks, Burleson stepped in to issue a correction related to Aldrin.

"Buzz is alive, by the way," Burleson said, prompting Dokoupil to ask, "Is he? Buzz, come on the show. We love you. Punch me in the face, actually. Punch both of us!"

He continued, "Buzz Aldrin, my apologies. I think Kim Kardashian owes you an apology as well."

** has reached out to a representative for CBS for comment.

CBS Mornings cohosts Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil, and Nate Burleson on Sept 29. 2025.

Michele Crowe/CBS News

While Aldrin is very much alive, his wife, Anca Faur, died Tuesday at age 66, just two years after the couple married.

Following Kardashian's comments on *The Kardashians*, NASA responded in a statement on social media.

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"Yes, @KimKardashian, we've been to the Moon before… 6 times!" wrote NASA acting administrator and former *Real World *star Sean Duffy on X.

He then pointed to the upcoming Artemis mission, which he said is "going back under the leadership" of President Donald Trump.

"We won the last space race and we will win this one too," Duffy finished.

A representative for Kardashian did not respond to EW's request for comment.

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Source: "EW TV"

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Published: November 01, 2025 at 05:57AM on Source: VOXI MAG

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