Ducklo had threatened Politico’s Tara Palmeri for the story, promising to “destroy” it if he published it, according to Vanity Fair. Ducklo also made misogynistic comments to Palmeri, Vanity Fair said. The magazine reported that Ducklo was referring to Palmeri’s own personal life, accusing her at one point of being “jealous” of her relationship with Alexi McCammond. A person familiar with the matter confirmed to CNN the details of the conversation Ducklo had with Palmeri.
Psaki said in a statement that Ducklo had apologized to Palmeri for 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,” Psaki said.
Psaki added that when Ducklo returns from suspension, “he will no longer be assigned to work with any journalist at Politico.”
Ducklo did not respond to a request for comment 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 dam were outraged by Psaki’s response to the situation.
“He seems to be punishing us more than he is,” said one of the employees, who noted that his solution is for Politico journalists to lose access to one of the highest-ranking officials in the White House communications department.