CBS host clarifies her Trump comments after assassination attempt: Not ‘critique,’ just ‘observation’

CBS “Face the Nation” host Margaret Brennan was referring to his own comments in which he criticized former President Trump for “failing to de-escalate tensions” in a statement he issued after Saturday’s assassination attempt.

“Our nation has been living in an environment of heightened threat for some time. Yesterday’s assassination attempt on President Trump confirmed our worst fears. Last night we reported on inflammatory statements from our elected political leaders and some who called for calm,” the anchor began.

“Mr. Trump issued a statement following a traumatic experience, but I noted that the statement did not include any call for de-escalation. That was not intended as a criticism, but rather an opinion I expressed in the moment of that breaking news,” Brennan continued.

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She concluded: “Today the president said, ‘At this moment, it is more important than ever that we come together,’ so in that spirit, let us wish everyone involved in the campaign a safe campaign. And the former president and his family deserve our sympathy for what has happened. I wish him and his family well as he recovers from the assassination attempt.”

Brennan came under fire on Saturday night for his condemnation of the former president’s “Society of Truth” statement, shortly after he was rushed off a rally stage in Pennsylvania with blood coming from his right ear.

“He’s currently recovering from his injuries. This was certainly a traumatic event for him,” Brennan said, “but I noticed that there were no voices trying to ease tensions, condemn any political violence and really communicate to his supporters not to retaliate or allow any escalation.”

“We want to be clear that we are reporting on this as it unfolds as a historic event, but we are very aware that these types of events have the potential to incite violence and retaliation, and we want no part of that whatsoever,” she said.

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Margaret Brennan was referring to her own comments about Trump’s remarks, in which he initially claimed he was not seeking to “de-escalate tensions.” (CBS Screenshot/Trump Campaign Office Photo/Distribution/Getty Images via Anadolu)

In a statement released to Truth Social, President Trump thanked the Secret Service and police for their “swift response” to the shooting and offered condolences to the other victims. One other rally attendee was reportedly killed and two others seriously injured. The shooter was shot and killed by police.

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“Most of all, I want to express my condolences to the family of the person who died at the rally and the family of the other person who was seriously injured,” Trump wrote. “It is hard to believe that an act like this could happen in our country. At this time, we do not know anything about the shooter who died. I was shot above my right ear. I knew immediately something was wrong as I heard the hiss and gunfire and felt the bullet penetrate my skin. I was bleeding heavily and knew what was happening. God Bless America!”

Fox News’ David Latz contributed to this report.