CBS’ Margaret Brennan Embarrassed as Rep. Mast Exposes DEI Spending in Foreign Aid [WATCH]

Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) clashed with Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan on Sunday over the use of taxpayer dollars for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at the State Department.

The exchange came just a week after Brennan’s contentious interview with Vice President JD Vance, where she struggled to counter his arguments.

Watch: VP JD Vance camly dismantles Margaret Brennan over executive orders and energy inputs with regard to food prices. pic.twitter.com/SjobTfwOuQ

— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) January 26, 2025

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During the interview, Mast, a U.S. Army veteran who lost both legs while serving in Afghanistan, discussed efforts to cut funding for DEI programs within the State Department.

He argued that such programs have taken precedence over effective diplomacy and national security. Brennan interrupted to question his stance, specifically asking what he meant by “purging” individuals from the agency.

Transcript of the exchange:

MAST: “Purging of people throughout the State Department, other agencies, where we’re freezing aid, these are all very important and necessary steps to make sure that we secure America, and we’re going to support that.”

BRENNAN: “I’m sorry, can I follow up on what you just said there?”

MAST: “Please do.”

BRENNAN: “You want to authorize purging of State Department personnel, what does that mean exactly?”

MAST: “Well, if you want to take a look at the State Department where DEI has been a priority of diplomacy in many accounts, I can give you hundreds of examples…”

BRENNAN: “What proof do you have of that?”

Mast responded by listing specific programs that had received taxpayer funding under the Biden administration, pointing to grants that prioritized DEI initiatives over traditional diplomatic efforts.

MAST: “Sure. Let’s list them off. Half a million dollars to expand atheism in Nepal. $50,000 to do, let’s see, a transgender opera in Colombia. $47,000 to do an LGBTQ trans comic book in Peru. $20,000 a pop to do drag shows in Ecuador. Shall I continue with more examples of where DEI was the priority?”

Mast’s response highlighted a series of grants that have drawn criticism for their use of public funds on projects that critics argue do not advance core U.S. diplomatic interests.

Similar concerns have been raised regarding the State Department’s focus on LGBTQ and social justice initiatives under the previous administration, including instances where U.S. embassies displayed the Pride Progress flag.

Following Mast’s response, Brennan shifted the discussion to the overall percentage of the federal budget that foreign aid represents.

BRENNAN: “Oh, it certainly seems like there could be a review of things. Foreign aid, as you know, is less than one percent of the entire federal budget, so we’re talking small amounts of money by comparison.”

Margaret Brennan, who recently got humiliated in her interview with VP Vance, gets humiliated again when she asks for examples of DEI waste in foreign aid the US gives.

Rep. Mast came with the receipts and owned Brennan.pic.twitter.com/7LBWGbKmdT

— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) February 2, 2025

The discussion reflected ongoing debates over government spending, with Republican lawmakers continuing to push for reductions in what they describe as unnecessary or ideological expenditures within federal agencies.

Mast’s argument centered on the belief that taxpayer money should not be allocated to projects that do not serve core diplomatic or national security interests.

The issue of DEI spending in federal agencies has been a point of contention since President Donald Trump’s return to office, with his administration vowing to roll back DEI programs across government institutions.

The debate is expected to continue as Republican lawmakers push for greater oversight of spending and policy priorities within the State Department and other federal agencies.

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