In the wake of the 2004 U.S. Presidential election, CBS's "60 Minutes II" is preparing a segment on President George W. Bush's military service in the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam War. Veteran news producer Mary Mapes and her team, including anchor Dan Rather and journalists Mike Smith, Lucy Scott, and Colonel Roger Charles, pursue a story based on newly uncovered documents suggesting that Bush received preferential treatment to avoid active duty. The team works tirelessly, verifying sources and corroborating the evidence under tight deadlines, all while facing mounting external pressures.

As the segment airs, it quickly becomes a hot topic for intense public scrutiny. Questions arise about the authenticity of the key documents presented in the report. This scrutiny soon transforms into a well-coordinated campaign questioning the integrity of both Mapes and Rather, leading CBS to initiate an internal investigation. With their reputations and careers at stake, Mapes and her team must navigate through a maelstrom of political and corporate influences, facing ethical dilemmas, intense media investigation, and personal crises. The story explores journalistic integrity, institutional loyalty, and the tremendous pressure faced by reporters in their pursuit of truth.