Margaret Brennan, moderator of CBS's Face the Nation since 2018 and the network's chief foreign affairs correspondent, faces intense criticism primarily from conservative commentators and Republican figures, who accuse her of liberal bias, uneven fact-checking, and hostility toward right-leaning guests.
The most recent backlash erupted on January 4, 2026, during her interview with Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the U.S. military operation capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Brennan questioned why other indicted regime figures, such as the defense minister with ties to Russia, were not also arrested, expressing confusion over the operation's scope. Rubio sharply rebuked her, calling the suggestion "absurd" and explaining the complexity of simultaneously raiding multiple sites without risking American lives or assets.
Conservative outlets like Twitchy, Daily Caller, RedState, and Gateway Pundit praised Rubio for "schooling" or "torching" Brennan, portraying her questions as downplaying a major U.S. success and reflecting anti-Trump media bias. Viral clips highlighted her facial expressions and body language as evidence of condescension toward Republicans, including during segments with Sen. Tom Cotton.
In the 2024 VP debate, she fact-checked JD Vance on Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, despite CBS's prior statement against moderator fact-checking—while not similarly interrupting Tim Walz—drawing ire from Trump allies. Clashes with figures like Vance (who famously said "I don't really care, Margaret") and others have fueled memes and claims of rudeness or agenda-pushing.
Critics on X and in right-leaning media often describe her as emblematic of mainstream media hostility toward Trump and Republicans, with calls for her replacement amid perceived efforts at CBS to address bias.