Vance's speech at the Munich Security Conference had drawn criticism for its sharp rebuke of Europe's alleged drift towards censorship, likening it to a "soviet"-style approach. Rubio's appearance on CBS's "Face the Nation" saw him locking horns with host Margaret Brennan over the implications of Vance's statements.
As reported by Fox News, Brennan challenged Rubio by suggesting that free speech had been "weaponized" in Nazi Germany to facilitate the Holocaust. She questioned the diplomatic fallout of Vance's comments, asking, "What did all of this accomplish, other than irritating our allies?"
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Rubio countered by emphasizing the democratic principle of free expression, stating, "Why would our allies or anybody be irritated by free speech and by someone giving their opinion? We are, after all, democracies." He argued that the Munich Security Conference, being a congregation of democratic nations, should uphold the value of open discourse.
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Brennan persisted, pointing out the historical context of Vance's speech, noting, "He was standing in a country where free speech was weaponized to conduct a genocide." She also mentioned Vance's meeting with a political leader associated with far-right views. Rubio firmly disagreed, clarifying, "Free speech was not used to conduct a genocide. The genocide was conducted by an authoritarian Nazi regime." He stressed that Nazi Germany was devoid of free speech and political opposition, underscoring the regime's totalitarian nature.
Rubio reiterated Vance's stance that European leaders should continue collaborating with the United States and other nations that value freedom of expression, despite any criticism they might face.
