White House Deputy Press Secretary TJ Ducklo allegedly threatened to “destroy” Politico reporter Tara Palmeri for investigating his relationship with a journalist.
The vulgar and threatening remarks of the senior aid in the White House were first reported by Vanity Fair on Friday.
Politico editors reportedly had at least two calls with Ducklo’s superiors, including White House director Kate Bedingfield and press secretary Jen Psaki to discuss his behavior.
In a call, Ducklo’s superiors allegedly tried to turn the table and accused Palmeri of breaking a deal by passing on Ducklo’s misconduct to her editors.
Palmeri, a former New York Post reporter and co-author of Politico’s popular “Playbook” newsletter, was working on the story of Ducklo’s then-secret affair with Axios reporter Alexi McCammond. A male journalist at Politico asked Ducklo for comment, while Palmeri reportedly reached out to McCammond.
Instead of answering Ducklo, 32, to the male journalist, he called Palmeri and said, “I will destroy you” as she continued the reporting, according to Vanity Fair.
He then claims that Palmeri was ‘jealous’ that another man wanted McCammond ‘and not you’.
Ducklo allegedly said Palmeri is also ‘jealous’ of dating McCammond.
Palmeri allegedly had no previous connection or communication with the Axios reporter.
Ducklo and Palmeri did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Post.
The relationship between Ducklo, who deals with lung cancer, and McCammond was reported for the first time in an exuberant profile in People on Monday night – the same outlet that achieved the first interview in office with President Biden.
Politico “Playbook” reported on Tuesday morning that Playbook had informed Biden’s staff members on Monday night that this article would be published today. Hours later, a glowing profile of McCammond and Ducklo’s relationship was published by People. ”