Full transcript of “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Aug. 2, 2026

Face the Nation Transcript: August 2, 2026

Program Overview

Wertynews.com – Margaret Brennan moderates this edition of Face the Nation, featuring a panel of distinguished guests. Joining the broadcast are Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly and Ohio Republican Representative Mike Turner. Clément Delangue, chief executive officer of Hugging Face, also participates. Former West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin and Heather Manchin, who founded and leads Americans Together, round out the lineup.

Iran Crisis Developments

President Trump signaled Friday that he intends to intensify military pressure on Iran, following weeks of escalating tensions. The administration’s stance has prompted significant diplomatic activity among American allies.

Donald Trump, President of the United States: “We will be hitting them. We will be hitting them very hard. At some point, they’re going to say, we just can’t take it anymore.”

The Saudi crown prince and other partners encouraged restraint regarding plans to strike Iranian energy facilities. Nevertheless, Trump maintained that military operations at levels not witnessed since World War II remain viable. He indicated a temporary pause, citing what he described as “the perimeters of a deal” emerging through diplomatic channels.

According to diplomatic sources, no formal agreement exists yet. However, indicators suggest movement toward an arrangement that would allow Iran to reopen the strategic strait. The central question involves how much influence Tehran will retain over this critical waterway.

Senator Kelly on the Conflict

Arizona Senator Mark Kelly joined the program from Columbus, Ohio, to discuss the ongoing situation. He noted that the conflict has now extended into its sixth month, surpassing the initial four-to-five-week projection.

Recent developments include Iranian strikes on Egypt and Saudi Arabia’s participation alongside the United States in targeting Iranian-backed militias in the region. Kelly characterized the president’s approach as inconsistent, noting that Trump frequently shifts positions while pursuing escalation.

Senator Mark Kelly (D-Arizona): “I mean, not these latest plans. And I think what we’re seeing here is a president who has an approach to this that’s just rather erratic. He says one thing, he does another thing. It’s escalatory at this point. He’s trying to get us back to February.”

Kelly highlighted domestic concerns, mentioning eighteen American casualties and rising costs affecting families nationwide. He recounted meeting with retired service members in Ohio who struggle with basic expenses including fuel and groceries. Rent increases compound these financial pressures, Kelly argued, while the administration fails to address pressing issues.

Political Implications

Polling data reveals the war has become unpopular among voters, impacting the president’s approval ratings. Democrats face slightly greater challenges, with CBS polling showing 32 percent favoring Trump and the Republican Party on Iran policy compared to 30 percent supporting Democrats.

Senator Mark Kelly: “Well, I don’t think it’s the president’s vision. Here’s a guy who got us into this without a strategic goal, without a plan, without a timeline.”

Additional Program Segments

The broadcast also addresses concerns following an incident involving OpenAI, which reportedly accessed at least one company’s computer systems without authorization. Clément Delangue will discuss this development and its implications for the artificial intelligence sector.

Furthermore, with surveys indicating growing dissatisfaction with both major political parties, former Senator Joe Manchin will present his initiative to mobilize independent voters. Heather Manchin’s organization, Americans Together, continues efforts to strengthen independent participation in the political process.