CBS anchor Margaret Brennan draws backlash over Hegseth prayer post
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CBS News’ “Face the Nation” moderator Margaret Brennan raised eyebrows Thursday with a bizarre social media post that many believed was critical of people of faith.
The saga began when Secretary of War Pete Hegseth spoke about Operation Epic Rage at a somber early morning press conference, promising to “honor” the sacrifice of six U.S. soldiers who died in a plane crash last week.
Concluding his remarks, Hegseth said, “May the Almighty God continue to bless our troops in this war. And again, to the American people, please pray for them every day, on your knees, in your families, in your schools, in your churches, in the name of Jesus Christ. To the troops, move on, God bless you.”
TRUMP, LEAVITT SLAMS ‘BAD’ CBS NEWS ANCHOR MARGARET BRENNAN AS ‘STUPID’ AND ‘VERY BAD’
Margaret Brennan raised eyebrows on Thursday with a bizarre social media post that many believed criticized people of faith. (Josh Huskin/Getty Images)
Brennan responded to
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders responded: “Only in D.C. would something like this be even remotely offensive.”
Rep. Brandon Gill added: “Democrats reflexively recoil when they hear someone mention the name of Jesus. What does that tell you?”
The White House’s official rapid response statement also dealt a harsh blow to Brennan.
“Only a left-wing ‘reporter’ would bother praying for our soldiers,” wrote Rapid Response 47.
Hegseth’s press secretary, Kingsley Wilson, stated that this was the same request “Americans have been making since George Washington prayed for our troops at Valley Forge.”
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Margaret Brennan, moderator of CBS News’ “Face the Nation.” (Screenshot/CBS News)
“Every now and then they come in and tell you what they think about you and your beliefs. Think about what they say privately,” reacted conservative pundit Jesse Kelly.
Federalist co-founder Sean Davis responded: “Go cry about it. If all our leaders did this, we’d be in a much better place as a country.”
Conservative radio host Erick Erickson suggested the CBS host “thought this was controversial,” while GOP strategist Steve Guest said he was “attacking people of faith.”
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to members of the media during a news conference at the Pentagon in Washington, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo)
“If this seems even remotely controversial, it rightly blows your mind to read what the men who founded our nation did, said, and prayed in the name of Jesus Christ while governing,” Pastor Josh Howerton wrote.
Many people gave X to Brennan feedback:
CBS News did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Brennan, who has been known to spar with members of the Trump administration in the past, was voted by listeners of the “Ruthless” podcast as the biggest “hack” in the media industry last year.
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Fox News Digital’s Greg Norman and Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report.
