Meghan McCain is pushing back after online critics mocked her appearance, calling her “old and ugly” following a podcast clip that recently went viral on social media. The political commentator also made it clear that she has no plans to follow popular Hollywood beauty trends like Botox, facelifts, or Ozempic.
During the July 22 episode of Citizen McCain, which she co-hosts with Miranda Wilkins, the pair discussed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. According to McCain, the conversation reached audiences outside her usual following, leading to an unexpected wave of comments focused on her appearance instead of the topic at hand.
“I think that clip, because we were talking about Mamdani, got some attention in spaces that we are not normally in, like more liberal spaces,” McCain, 41, explained.
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Meghan McCain Claps Back At Trolls Who Commented On Her Appearance
She admitted that while she typically has thick skin, the personal attacks stood out.
"I'm normally an armadillo-skinned person, and there's been a lot of commentary about how 'old and ugly' I am now," she said.
To address the criticism, McCain shared photos of herself throughout the years while discussing how her appearance has naturally changed with age.
Her co-host reassured her, saying, "You still look exactly the same." McCain disagreed.
"I don't. I'm 41 years old. I'm going to age. I'm going to get older. I am fatter because I've had three kids," she said.
She also explained that her priorities have shifted since becoming a mother, leaving little time for elaborate beauty routines.
"I look different because I don't have professional hair and makeup every day, and sometimes, in the morning, it's more important for me to get my kids ready, spend time with them, and feed my son than it is for me to get ready," she said.
Wilkins then pointed out that neither of them has embraced many of the cosmetic procedures that have become commonplace in Hollywood.
"We don't get Botox, we haven't had the thread facelift, we're not on Ozempic," Wilkins said.
McCain admitted the weight-loss medication can be tempting but said she hasn't used it.
"It's tempting, but I'm not," she replied.
She went on to say that people will simply have to accept that she intends to age naturally.
"We're all going to have to collectively come together and agree that I'm going to continue aging. I'm sorry, I'm not a facelift, injectable person, and I don't have professional hair and makeup," McCain said.
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Despite the criticism, she said she has no plans to change the tone of her show or present an unrealistic image.
"Miranda and I will continue keeping it very real with you, keeping you up to date, and having very honest conversations about the political culture and the world we're in," she said.
McCain ended with a message she believes many parents and working women can relate to.
"Our audience has normal lives, and I bet a lot of you don't have time to do a full face of hair and makeup, get Ozempic, and go to the gym every day either," she said. "This is a real show. We're real people."
The daughter of politician John McCain has dealt with public scrutiny over her weight since launching her media career in her early 20s, frequently speaking out against body shaming and rejecting pressure to conform to Hollywood beauty standards.
After welcoming her third child, Ransom, in January 2026, McCain reiterated that she has no interest in using weight-loss medications such as Ozempic.
In a social media post, she said she doesn't believe in relying on a "magic shot" and instead prefers to embrace her body naturally, even as it changes with age and motherhood.
