Ducklo had threatened Politico’s Tara Palmeri over the story and vowed he would “destroy her” if she published it, Vanity Fair said. Ducklo also made misogynistic comments against Palmeri, Vanity Fair said. The magazine reported that Ducklo was referring to Palmeri’s own personal life and at one point accused her of being “jealous” of his relationship with Alexi McCammond. A person familiar with the matter confirmed to CNN the details of Ducklo’s conversation with Palmeri.
Psaki said in a statement that Ducklo had apologized to Palmeri over what Psaki described as a “heated conversation about his personal life.”
“He is the first to recognize that this is not the standard of conduct set by the president,” said Psaki.
Psaki added that when Ducklo returns from suspension, “he will no longer be assigned to work with reporters 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 executives told CNN that reporters at the store were outraged by Psaki’s response to the situation.
“It feels like she is punishing us more than he does,” said one of the staff members, pointing out that her solution is for Politico reporters to lose access to one of the top officials in the White House communications department.