Oh, it got spicy on Fox News, folks — and not the good kind you sprinkle on popcorn. What started as a discussion on student test scores and curriculum priorities turned into a verbal head-on collision between Fox anchor Martha MacCallum and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten. And let’s just say, calling a seasoned journalist “sweetheart” on live television? Not the move, Randi. Not the move.
Here’s what went down.
The topic on the table: a Supreme Court case, Mahmoud v. Taylor, where parents in Maryland want the ability to opt their kids out of certain LGBTQ-themed lessons. A debate already on fire — and in walks Weingarten, saying she can’t weigh in on the case specifically, but she’s totally up for the broader convo. So far, so normal.
But then MacCallum drops the test score stats like a mic. Once upon a time — okay, 2013 — Maryland’s fourth graders were 2nd in reading nationwide. Fast-forward to 2024? They’ve slipped to 20th. Math scores? Even worse. From 16th to 39th. That’s a nosedive, not a stumble. MacCallum uses this to hammer home her point: parents want their kids to learn the basics — reading, writing, math — not necessarily be bombarded with books about gender identity before they’ve mastered phonics.
After repeating over and over that she's fighting for respect for women, awful union boss Randi Weingarten then sounds like an old 1970's Lou Grant calling Martha McCallum "sweetheart":pic.twitter.com/YgsD5JHDC1
— MARK SIMONE (@MarkSimoneNY) April 22, 2025
Weingarten responds by pivoting to Massachusetts (where scores are up) and Florida (where they’re down), arguing that anti-“woke” policies aren’t the answer — but more funding is. MacCallum counters with Newark, New Jersey, one of the highest-funded school systems in the country, and yet — results? Still underwhelming.
Then comes the real heat. As MacCallum presses, Weingarten tries to brush her off: “Martha, Martha, sweetheart, sweetheart…”
Record scratch.
MacCallum shuts that down immediately: “Please don’t call me sweetheart.” That’s when Weingarten does a full backpedal, “I’m sorry — my bad.” But the damage? Done. The moment went viral before the commercial break, and let’s be real — if roles were reversed, the headlines would be screaming.
But here’s the thing — MacCallum wasn’t just bristling over a condescending term. She was making a broader point about focus. She wasn’t saying LGBTQ issues don’t matter — she was saying priorities in public education have clearly drifted. Mississippi, she noted, has made huge gains by investing not just money, but training and school choice. It’s not just about throwing dollars at the system — it’s about how that money is used.