Ducklo had threatened the politician’s Tara Palmeri because of the story, vowing to “destroy” it if she published it, according to Vanity Fair. Ducklo also made misogynistic comments to Palmeri, Vanity Fair said. The magazine reported that Ducklo referred to Palmeri’s own personal life, accusing her at one point of being “jealous” about her relationship with Alexi McCammond. A person familiar with the matter confirmed the details of Ducklo’s conversation with Palmeri to CNN.
Psaki said in a statement that Ducklo had apologized to Palmeri about what Psaki described as a “heated conversation about his personal life”.
“He is the first to recognize that this is not the standard of behavior set by the president,” said Psaki.
Psaki added that when Ducklo returns from suspension, “he will no longer be assigned to work with any reporter at Politico.”
Ducklo did not respond to a request for comment on Friday.
A Politico spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Psaki’s statement. Palmeri declined to comment.
Two Politico officials told CNN that reporters inside the vehicle were outraged by Psaki’s response to the situation.
“It looks like she’s punishing us more than he does,” said one of the team members, noting that his solution is for Politico reporters to lose access to one of the senior officials in the White House’s communications department.