WH Communications Staffer Berates ‘Politico’ Journalist For Asking Questions About Relationship With Fellow Journalist

A White House communications staffer went off the deep end and berated a reporter after asking questions about his relationship with another journalist.

It’s always kind of funny to watch how quickly radical leftists fall apart when a media reporter actually does their job and asks them a tough question. They really do feel entitled to have softball questions from the media.

via Washington Examiner:

T.J. Ducklo, deputy White House press secretary, issued threats and directed derogatory language in an off-the-record conversation with Tara Palmeri, one of the co-authors of “Politico Playbook,” for asking questions about his romantic relationship with Axios reporter Alexi McCammond, according to Vanity Fair. Communication between Politico and the White House about Ducklo and McCammond’s relationship began on Jan. 20, the day of Biden’s inauguration.

In Tuesday’s edition of “Politico Playbook,” the writers said they had been in contact with the White House about the news of the relationship since January. They had also informed the White House that “Politico Playbook”planned on running with a story of the relationship and McCammond’s shift in beats for objectivity purposes the next day, shortly before a People profile came out.

When Palmeri contacted McCammond for comment, one of her male colleagues who also writes for “Politico Playbook” reached out to Ducklo. Ducklotook exception with the story, calling a “Politico Playbook” editor who directed he contact the reporters personally with his concerns, but he went to Palmeri instead of the reporter who contacted him.

In his conversation with Palmeri, Ducklo reportedly threatened, “I will destroy you,” and accused of her being “jealous” because an unidentified man “wanted to f—” McCammond, “and not you.” The White House staffer reportedly went on to accuse the reporter of being “jealous” of his relationship.

When an editor from Politico reached out to the White House about the off-the-record conversation, senior level communications officials acknowledged that Ducklo’s behavior was inappropriate, but also questioned why Palmeri would release the content of a supposedly off-the-record conversation.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated that Ducklo has been suspended for a week.

“TJ Ducklo has apologized to the reporter, with whom he had a heated conversation about his personal life,” she said. “He is the first to acknowledge this is not the standard of behavior set out by the President. In addition to his initial apology, he has sent the reporter a personal note expressing his profound regret. With the approval of the White House Chief of Staff, he has been placed on a one-week suspension without pay. In addition, when he returns, he will no longer be assigned to work with any reporters at Politico.”

Man, this just goes to show you that the left really does think they own the media. And, unfortunately, it seems they actually do.