MAGA Leaders Slam CBS Host Margaret Brennan Over Nazi Germany Free Speech Controversy

A heated debate erupted this weekend after Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan suggested that free speech had been “weaponized” in Nazi Germany, drawing sharp rebukes from MAGA leaders, including Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) and tech billionaire Elon Musk.

The controversy began during Brennan’s Sunday interview with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. While discussing Vance’s recent European visit and his meeting with far-right German politicians, Brennan framed the discussion around historical concerns.

“Well, he was standing in a country where free speech was weaponized to conduct a genocide,” Brennan said. “And he met with the head of a political party that has far-right views and some historic ties to extreme groups.”

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Rubio quickly pushed back, rejecting Brennan’s characterization of Nazi Germany. “Well, I have to disagree with you,” Rubio interjected. “Free speech was not used to conduct a genocide. The genocide was conducted by an authoritarian Nazi regime that happened to also be genocidal because they hated Jews and they hated minorities… There was no free speech in Nazi Germany. There was none.”

Rubio emphasized that Nazi Germany was a one-party state that did not tolerate dissent. “There was also no opposition in Nazi Germany. They were the sole and only party that governed that country. So that’s not an accurate reflection of history,” he added. “The point of [Vance’s] speech was basically that there is an erosion in free speech and intolerance for opposing points of view within Europe, and that’s of concern because that is eroding.”

Vance, a key Trump ally, responded on social media, writing on X, “This is a crazy exchange. Does the media really think the Holocaust was caused by free speech?” Musk, the world’s richest man and a Trump appointee, also weighed in. “One of the first things Hitler did upon gaining power was apply aggressive censorship,” Musk posted.

The debate prompted reactions from both liberals and conservatives. Commentator Brian Krassenstein fired back at Musk, questioning his stance on government censorship. “Do you mean like kicking out media outlets from the Oval Office for their free speech? Like threatening politicians for giving advice to asylum seekers?” Krassenstein asked.

Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) also criticized Brennan’s remarks, accusing the media of distorting history. “America’s legacy news-media establishment: ‘Everyone we don’t like is Hitler.’ ‘Every policy we oppose was inspired by Nazis.’ Shouldn’t Americans be able to expect better ‘news’ than this?” Lee wrote.

In a follow-up post, Lee doubled down. “In no way can it be said that in Nazi Germany ‘free speech was weaponized to conduct a genocide.’ There was no free speech in Nazi Germany. Had there been, countless atrocities might have been averted. Shame on Margaret Brennan—not only for engaging in indefensible ad Hitlerum.”

Conservative columnist John Podhoretz also took aim at Brennan’s remarks. “I’m glad Margaret Brennan blamed free speech for the rise of the Nazis,” he posted. “It’s always a virtue when a person in a position of authority and influence who was elevated beyond her station reveals her ineptitude and folly—so that the world can see her clearly henceforth.”

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The fiery exchange has fueled renewed debate over free speech, historical interpretation, and media responsibility, with critics accusing Brennan of distorting history while others argue the conversation raises important concerns about extremist rhetoric and its consequences.

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