CBS host addresses backlash over Trump criticism
Margaret Brennan clarified the meaning behind her pointing out that Trump's statement after an attempt on his life did not call for "lowering the temperature."
CBS "Face the Nation" host Margaret Brennan addressed her comments chiding former President Trump for not "lowering the temperature" with a statement he issued following an assassination attempt against him on Saturday.
"Our country has been living in a heightened threat environment for some time now. Yesterday’s assassination attempt against Mr. Trump confirmed our greatest fears. Last night, we reported on inflammatory statements made by some of our elected or political leaders and some of those who had called for calm," the anchor began.
"Mr. Trump issued a statement after his traumatic experience, and I noted that his statement did not include a call to lower the temperature. It was not meant as a critique, but rather an observation I made in the moment of that breaking news," Brennan continued.
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El candidato presidencial republicano, el ex presidente Donald Trump, gesticula mientras es rodeado por agentes del Servicio Secreto de EE.UU. mientras le ayudan a bajar del escenario en un mitin de campaña en Butler, Pensilvania, el sábado 13 de julio de 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
She concluded, "Today, he said, that, ‘In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united’ so, in that spirit, let’s all hope for a safe campaign for all of those involved. And the former president and his family deserve our empathy after what happened. I wish him and his family the best as he recovers from the attempt on his life."
Brennan came under fire Saturday night for calling out the former president’s Truth Social statement shortly after being rushed off a Pennsylvania rally stage bleeding from his right ear.
"He is recovering from these injuries now, this was a traumatic event, no doubt, for him," Brennan said. "But I did notice there was no call for lowering the temperature, condemning all political violence, and really trying to signal to his supporters as well not to retaliate or have any kind of escalation here."
"Queremos dejar claro que estamos informando de este hecho como un acontecimiento histórico a medida que se desarrolla, pero somos muy conscientes de que este tipo de acontecimiento puede inspirar violencia, puede inspirar represalias, y no queremos formar parte de eso", declaró.
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Margaret Brennan addressed her comments regarding Trump's statement which she initially claimed did not call for "lowering the temperature." (CBS screenshot/ Photo by Trump Campaign Office / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for their "rapid response" to the shooting, in addition to offering condolences to the other victims in the case. One other rally attendee was killed, and two others were critically injured, according to reports. The shooter was killed by law enforcement.
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"Lo más importante es que quiero dar el pésame a la familia de la persona que murió en el mitin, y también a la familia de otra persona que resultó gravemente herida", escribió Trump. "Es increíble que un acto así pueda tener lugar en nuestro país. En este momento no se sabe nada del tirador, que ya está muerto. Me dispararon con una bala que me perforó la parte superior de la oreja derecha. Supe inmediatamente que algo iba mal porque oí un zumbido, disparos, e inmediatamente sentí que la bala me desgarraba la piel. Sangraba mucho y entonces me di cuenta de lo que estaba pasando. DIOS BENDIGA A AMÉRICA".
Fox NewsDavid Rutz contribuyó a este informe.