Deputy White House press secretary TJ Ducklo allegedly threatened to “ destroy ” Politico reporter Tara Palmeri for investigating his relationship with a journalist – before telling her she was just bitter that someone wouldn’t have sex with her wanted, according to a new report.
The vulgar and threatening comments made by the senior White House assistant were first reported by Vanity Fair on Friday.
Politico editors have reportedly had at least two phone calls with Ducklo’s superiors – including White House communications director Kate Bedingfield and press secretary Jen Psaki – to discuss his behavior.
In one phone call, Ducklo’s superiors reportedly tried to turn the tables, accusing Palmeri of breaking an uncommitted agreement by passing Ducklo’s misconduct to her editors.
Palmeri, a former reporter for the New York Post and co-author of Politico’s popular “Playbook” newsletter, worked on the story of Ducklo’s then-secret romance with Axios reporter Alexi McCammond. A male journalist at Politico asked Ducklo for comment, while Palmeri reached out to McCammond, the report said.
Instead of answering the male journalist, Ducklo, 32, called Palmeri and said, “I’ll destroy you” if she continued with the coverage, Vanity Fair said.
He then claimed that Palmeri was “jealous” that another man “wanted to fuck” McCammond and not you. “
Ducklo reportedly said that Palmeri was also “jealous” that he was dating McCammond.
Palmeri reportedly had no prior association 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 fights lung cancer, and McCammond was first reported on Monday night in a running profile in People – the same outlet that scored the first interview in office with President Biden.
Politico “Playbook” reported Tuesday morning that “Playbook Monday night informed Biden’s communications staff that this item would be published today. Hours later, People published a glowing profile of the relationship between McCammond and Ducklo.”