Full transcript of "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," May 17, 2026

On this "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" broadcast, moderated by Margaret Brennan: U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer Ambassador Alexander Yui , Taiwan's Representative to the U.S. Anthony Salvanto , CBS News executive director of elections and surveys Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick , Republican of Pennsylvania, and Tom Suozzi , Democrat of New York Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates Click here to browse full transcripts from 2026 of "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan." MARGARET BRENNAN: I'm Margaret Brennan in Washington. And this week on Face the Nation: Back in the U.S. following a whirlwind diplomatic mission to China, President Trump faces backlash here at home when it comes to inflation and the economy. While the reviews for the president's trip to China and details about the deliverables from the meeting of the world's two biggest economic superpowers are still coming in, it's Mr. Trump's efforts on the domestic economy and inflation that are getting panned at home. Asked about the extent to which Americans' financial situations were motivating his Iran dealmaking, the response didn't do much to reassure them: (Begin VT) DONALD TRUMP (President of the United States): Not even a little bit. I don't think about Americans' financial situation. I don't think about anybody. I think about one thing. We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. …