Former President Donald Trump and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt both took aim at CBS News anchor Margaret Brennan on Friday, sharply criticizing the Face the Nation moderator. Speaking in an interview with the Daily Caller, Trump and Leavitt did not hold back, calling Brennan “so bad” and “stupid.”
The remarks came as Trump reflected on his recent settlement with CBS parent company Paramount. The deal followed his accusations that the network engaged in election interference over a contentious 60 Minutes interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump used the moment to also take a jab at the network’s broader lineup, suggesting that veteran anchor Norah O’Donnell’s tenure at CBS may soon be coming to an end.
“Pay her $12 million a year, and she’s not going to be there very long,” Trump said. “But if she’s not already out, I mean, she’s pretty close, I would say she’s pretty close.”
The former president then pivoted to Brennan, bluntly declaring, “The woman on Face the Nation is so bad.” Turning to Leavitt, who was alongside him during the interview, Trump pressed her for her thoughts.
“She’s stupid. You can put that on the record,” Leavitt shot back without hesitation. Trump agreed, adding, “She’s nasty.”
Despite his harsh words, Trump praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s handling of Brennan in a recent interview. “He handled her,” Trump said, before noting that Rubio’s frequent appearances on the Sunday program reflect his political savvy. “Because he’s good and he’s smart.”
The sharp criticism adds to Trump’s long history of combative exchanges with members of the press, especially on high-profile television programs, while also highlighting his willingness to weigh in on the future of the country’s top broadcast journalists.