Rubio clashes with CBS host over Iran nuclear weapon intelligence | Fox News

The CBS Reporter Is A Smart*ss To Marco Rubio, Instantly Regrets It

In a tense and revealing exchange that captivated viewers, a CBS reporter made an ill-advised attempt to challenge Senator Marco Rubio during a live broadcast, only to be immediately put in their place by the seasoned politician. The confrontation, which revolved around Iran’s nuclear ambitions, demonstrated Rubio’s sharp grasp on the subject and left the reporter scrambling to recover from their premature confrontation.

The Setup: A Question About Weaponization

The exchange started innocently enough when the reporter asked Rubio about Iran’s nuclear capabilities, specifically questioning whether the U.S. had intelligence that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei had given orders to weaponize Iran’s nuclear program.

“Let me follow up on a phrase you just heard—weaponization ambitions. Are you saying there that the United States did not see intelligence that the Supreme Leader had ordered weaponization?” the reporter asked, attempting to push Rubio into a corner.

Rubio, ever calm and composed, wasted no time with a direct response.

“That’s irrelevant,” Rubio immediately shot back, dismissing the premise of the question. “I think that question being asked in the media is all irrelevant.”

The Tension Escalates: Rubio Dismantles the Reporter’s Challenge

As the exchange continued, the reporter persisted with a line of questioning that sought to undermine Rubio’s position. “You know that better than I do,” Rubio continued, “and I know that’s not the case. But I’m asking you whether the order was given.”

He went on, questioning why Iran would go to such extreme lengths to hide its nuclear activities if it wasn’t building toward weaponization. “Why would you bury things in a mountain 300 feet under the ground? Why would you have 60% enriched uranium?”

The intensity of Rubio’s argument grew as he methodically dismantled the reporter’s premise, highlighting Iran’s nuclear capabilities and its clear intentions to develop a weapon. “You don’t need 60% enriched uranium,” Rubio pointed out. “The only countries in the world that have uranium at 60% are countries that have nuclear weapons because they can quickly make it 90%.”

Rubio’s measured and fact-based defense continued: “Why are they developing ICBMs? Why do they have short-range missiles and long-range missiles? They have everything they need to build a nuclear weapon. They have the delivery mechanisms, the enrichment capability, the highly enriched uranium—that’s all we need to see.”

The Reporter’s Regret: A Lesson in Overconfidence

After Rubio’s scathing response, the reporter, clearly taken aback, attempted to regain control of the conversation. “How do you know what the intelligence says?” they pressed, suggesting that Rubio’s view was based on inaccurate information.

But Rubio wasn’t backing down. “That’s an accurate representation of it,” Rubio stated firmly, “That’s not how intelligence is read. That’s not how intelligence is used.”

He then cut through the confusion, turning the conversation back to the facts: “What the whole world knows is that Iran is enriching uranium well beyond anything you need for a civil nuclear program.”

As the conversation became more heated, Rubio made his point clear once again, stressing the urgent need for action against a regime that poses a serious threat to global security.

“They have everything they need for a nuclear weapon,” he emphasized. “No one’s disputing that. We’ve seen them censure the IAEA for violating their non-proliferation agreements.”

The Final Blow: Rubio Ends the Exchange with Authority

In the final moments of the exchange, Rubio’s point about the danger Iran represents could not have been more evident. The reporter had no choice but to concede, and Rubio’s calm yet commanding demeanor left the conversation on his terms.

“We have intelligence that they have everything they need to build a nuclear weapon, and that’s more than enough,” Rubio concluded with a sense of finality, leaving the reporter without a viable retort.

The Aftermath: A Clear Display of Political Mastery

The incident quickly went viral across social media, with viewers praising Rubio for his composure and expertise. His calm, data-driven response had effectively silenced a reporter who had overstepped by challenging his authority on the matter.

Supporters of Rubio took to Twitter, applauding his thorough and fact-based handling of the situation. “Marco Rubio just schooled the reporter with facts. That’s how you win a debate,” one tweet read.

On the other hand, critics of the reporter’s line of questioning expressed disbelief at how the journalist had failed to grasp the reality of the situation, with some calling the attempt to challenge Rubio reckless and ill-informed.

Conclusion: A Moment of Political Mastery

This fiery exchange between Senator Marco Rubio and the CBS reporter serves as a perfect example of the power of calm, well-informed political discourse in the face of challenging media questions. Rubio’s ability to stick to the facts, maintain composure, and dismantle his opponent’s arguments without resorting to theatrics or aggression demonstrated true mastery in handling a high-stakes political interview.

The reporter, on the other hand, learned a hard lesson in overconfidence and the importance of being prepared for a subject matter expert who knows their stuff. Rubio’s strategic use of intelligence and clear-headed response set the tone for future discussions about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the importance of strong leadership in global security.