Trump and Leavitt criticize CBS News correspondent Margaret Brennan, labeling her as "nasty," "stupid," and "so bad"
In a series of recent exchanges, tensions between the White House and CBS's "Face the Nation" have escalated, with President Donald Trump and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticizing the show's moderator, Margaret Brennan.
Last month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio found himself in a contentious discussion with Brennan, centred around President Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders. Rubio disputed Brennan's claim that European leaders were visiting to keep Zelenskyy from being bullied.
During an interview with Trump, Leavitt called Brennan "stupid," echoing Trump's own description of her as "nasty." This exchange occurred following Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Rubio's appearance on "Face the Nation" received praise from Trump, who stated that Rubio is "good" and "smart" due to his frequent appearances on the show. However, the secretary of state also had a clash with Brennan over President Trump's handling of the war in Ukraine.
In a separate incident, Trump invoked the name of Norah O'Donnell, who left "CBS Evening News" earlier this year, in relation to a potential departure from the network. Trump told the Daily Caller that if O'Donnell is not already out, she is "pretty close" to leaving CBS.
Neither Brennan nor CBS News responded to requests for comment regarding the exchanges. It is worth noting that Rubio was not involved in Trump's election interference lawsuit settlement with CBS's parent company, Paramount.
The latest exchange between Trump, Leavitt, and Brennan comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of the White House's relationship with the media. Leavitt expressed frustration with reporters' coverage of the LA riot, calling it a "disingenuous attack" during a briefing and saying, "What a stupid question."
Rubio also weighed in on the media narrative about Zelenskyy being bullied, describing it as "stupid." In response, he accused CBS's Brennan of pushing a "stupid media narrative."
These incidents highlight the ongoing tensions between the White House and certain media outlets, with both sides continuing to engage in public disputes over various issues.
