Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum didn’t hold back during a heated exchange on live TV — and social media is loving her for it.

The 61-year-old host shut down Teachers Union President Randi Weingarten in a viral moment after the guest interrupted her mid-sentence with a term viewers quickly branded “condescending.”

Heated Debate Over LGBTQ+ Storybooks in Schools
While debating a controversial Maryland lawsuit — in which parents are demanding their children be allowed to opt out of elementary school readings featuring LGBTQ+ characters — MacCallum was laying out stats on the state’s education rankings when Weingarten cut in.

“Martha, sweetheart, sweetheart…” the union boss said.

That’s when MacCallum delivered the now-famous clapback:
“Please don’t call me sweetheart.”

Weingarten, visibly thrown off, quickly apologized:
“I’m sorry, my bad.”

The segment didn’t lose steam there. The two women continued sparring over whether inclusive storybooks like Uncle Bobby’s Wedding and The Prince and the Knight belong in the curriculum — with MacCallum arguing schools should prioritize math and reading over identity-based literature.

Viewers React: ‘KUDOS to Martha’
“I’m honestly not concerned with them being their full selves,” MacCallum said pointedly at the end of the interview.
“I’m concerned with them learning how to read and write and do math.”

Despite their differences, the exchange wrapped up with a surprising bit of laughter — but the internet was already fired up.

Viewers rushed to X (formerly Twitter) to weigh in:

“I’d be a bit upset if she called me sweetheart too, she came off as condescending.”

“Good for you @marthamaccallum — she is very condescending and disrespectful.”

“KUDOS to Martha for slam-dunking on Weingarten. That moment? She completely lost the thread.”

Fans praised MacCallum for staying composed while defending her point — and for delivering a viral moment that had the internet talking.

One word: savage.

Watch the Full Exchange Below
Want to see the moment for yourself? Watch the full on-air clash between Martha MacCallum and Randi Weingarten below — and decide where you stand on the debate.