A primetime cable news appearance took a bizarre turn this weekend when a former U.S. intelligence official—expected to deliver expert insight on national security—left viewers stunned for a very different reason. What was supposed to be a routine Fox News segment quickly became a viral sensation, drawing both laughter and concern, after Rebekah Koffler, a former CIA operative and prominent commentator, appeared to be visibly intoxicated during a live broadcast.
But what followed wasn’t just a moment of awkward TV. It unleashed a broader media drama—complete with champagne jokes, deleted tweets, and a feud between two of the right’s biggest names: Tucker Carlson and Mark Levin.
So how did one woman’s late-night slurred monologue lead to a political and media domino effect? Let’s break it down.
The Segment: Slurred Speech and Champagne Toasts
It all started during Fox News’ coverage of President Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington, D.C.—an event that brought together thousands to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
Rebekah Koffler, a well-known national security commentator and author of Putin’s Playbook, was slated to offer her professional analysis on the parade, military optics, and what the event signaled for U.S. foreign policy. But instead of sharp geopolitical insight, viewers witnessed what many described as a trainwreck in real time.
When host Lawrence Jones cut to Koffler live, she appeared overly cheerful, with a beaming smile and erratic delivery. Her first sentence immediately raised eyebrows:
“I am so excited, uh, Emily and… Lucas Tomlinson!”
The tone was off. The cadence was slurred. And host Lawrence Jones let out a noticeably nervous laugh.
Despite the unusual introduction, Fox News producers allowed the segment to continue—for a full minute and a half—as Koffler praised the military and President Trump in an increasingly rambling and disjointed monologue.
“Everybody, like, this is incredible! Finally, the United States is, uh, is back. I want to thank all of our Army, Navy, and Air Force officers, who have been sacrificing their lives… literally,” she said, stretching out words and pausing as if trying to locate them mid-sentence.
As she continued to drift, trying to tie her praise of Trump to broader military policy, her commentary became more chaotic:
“Because of the mismanagement of the, uh… But with our new president, Donald J. Trump, they are prioritizing America First.”
The awkward moment climaxed with a surreal shout-out:
“Lawrence Jones, you’re rocking, man! Like you guys are incred—like Lucas. I wanna thank—”
That’s when Emily Compagno, another Fox host, finally stepped in with a forced smile:
“Thank you so much, Rebekah, and thank you for your service.”
Seconds later, the segment abruptly ended.
The Deleted Tweet That Said It All
It didn’t take long for internet sleuths to unearth a now-deleted post from Koffler’s own X (formerly Twitter) account, shared just before her Fox News appearance.
“Well, @POTUS is apparently encroaching on my airtime! My hit is moved to 8:20 – 8:30 pm depending on how long #Trump takes. I’m honored. Refilling my #champagne glass while waiting for my hit!
”
The post, since deleted, immediately fueled speculation that Koffler may have been drinking prior to going on air. Social media erupted with reactions ranging from laughter to genuine concern, with some questioning the judgment of Fox producers in allowing her to go live at all.
Who Is Rebekah Koffler?
For those unfamiliar, Koffler is no fringe figure. She is a Russian-born intelligence expert who worked for the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency and was frequently deployed to analyze threats from Moscow and other foreign adversaries.
She’s also a frequent guest on Fox News, especially during coverage of foreign conflicts, espionage, or national security crises. Her book has been widely promoted within conservative circles, and she’s seen by many on the right as a strong counterpoint to liberal foreign policy analysts.
Which is why this moment—blurring the line between light-hearted and embarrassing—struck such a chord.
Fallout: Humor, Concern, and Silence
By Sunday morning, clips of the segment had gone viral on TikTok, X, and Instagram. Hashtags like #ChampagneCIA, #FoxFails, and #KofflerClip began trending.
Late-night comedians quickly pounced. Some joked that “Putin might be jealous” of how much attention Koffler got in America. Others labeled it “the strangest Fox News appearance since Giuliani’s hair dye disaster.”
But not everyone was amused. A few media watchdogs and former intelligence officials called it a dangerous precedent, arguing that the integrity of national security commentary should not be reduced to punchlines.
Fox News has so far declined to comment, and Koffler has remained silent since the deleted tweet.
Meanwhile: A Conservative Civil War Brews Over Iran
As the Koffler clip drew attention online, another internal drama among Fox-affiliated figures was playing out behind the scenes—one that also featured President Trump at the center.
This one involved a heated ideological rift between Tucker Carlson and Mark Levin, two conservative powerhouses with enormous media reach.
At the core of the dispute? Iran.
The Iran Debate: Trump, Peace Talks, and Media Infighting
According to a report by The Daily Mail, Fox host Mark Levin recently met with Donald Trump and Steve Witkoff, a senior Middle East envoy in the Trump administration. The meeting reportedly involved an effort to dissuade Trump from pursuing a peace deal with Iran.
Tucker Carlson, upon learning of the meeting, lashed out—both in an interview and on social media.
“It’s amazing how much old people love wars,” Carlson remarked, mocking Levin’s hawkish stance.
He continued in a fiery X post:
“Mark Levin was at the White House today, lobbying for war with Iran. To be clear, Levin has no plans to fight in this or any other war. He’s demanding that American troops do it.”
The accusation was explosive—and it didn’t sit well with Levin.
Levin Fires Back: “I’m More Than Happy to Engage With You”
Dismissing the Politico report that exposed the meeting, Levin told The Daily Mail that Carlson’s accusations were false and rooted in isolationist ideology.
“He and I are very close friends,” Levin said of Trump. “The president knows exactly where I stand on Iran, and he told me he knows exactly where I stand on Iran because he watches my shows on Fox.”
Levin denied any organized effort to sway Trump’s foreign policy, asserting:
“What I am not doing and what I would not do to Donald Trump is lead a lobbying campaign of hawks.”
Then came the personal jabs:
“Levin won’t take your crap. He doesn’t like bullies. I’m more than happy to engage with you.”
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