OPINION:
The title of the Vanity Fair article reads: “‘I will destroy you’: Biden aide threatened a Politico reporter pursuing a story on his relationship.”
The story, which has now been reported, was of Biden’s Deputy Press Secretary TJ Ducklo dating Axios political reporter Alexi McCammond, who covered the Biden campaign and is still on the vice president’s beat.
There’s always been a tight relationship between the press and the Biden administration – but this one was a little too comfortable for even some in the mainstream news media to tolerate.
When Politico questioned Mr. Ducklo on the arrangement, he lashed out at one of their female reporters, making “derogatory and misogynistic comments,” threatening to “destroy” her and ruin her reputation if she published details of the relationship, according to Vanity Fair.
When President Joe Biden first came to office he said to his staff: “I am not joking when I say this … if you ever work with me and I hear you treat another colleague with disrespect … talk down to someone, I promise you I will fire you on the spot … on the spot. No ifs, ands, or buts.”
It appears that’s simply is not true.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Mr. Ducklo will be placed on a one-week suspension without pay, and when he returns he will not interact with reporters at Politico. Far from being fired on the spot.
As for Ms. McCammond? She’s responded to the entire blow-up by blocking her Twitter feed to authorized users only. So much for transparency in “journalism.”
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