On Thursday, footage emerged of one of President Donald Trump’s staffers getting ejected from an NBA game, tossing a beer on a fan on her way out for good measure as her section rang with boos. The video was released by TMZ, and shows State Department Press Advisor Britt McHenry leaving the Washington Wizards’ home opener amidst a confrontation with other fans.
According to TMZ, “Sources close to Britt tell TMZ there’s more to the story … claiming people sitting behind her and her male guest were making inappropriate comments about Kyle Kuzma’s fiancée, Winnie Harlow … and Britt responded. Kuzma used to play for the Wizards and now plays for the Milwaukee Bucks, their opponent in Wednesday’s game. Our sources don’t recall exactly what prompted Britt to throw the drink, but say it was part of the confrontation … and claim things were thrown at her, too. They also claim the group behind them were saying inappropriate and misogynistic things to Britt to instigate her.” As TMZ notes, game attendees were not subtle in their response as she was escorted out by security. Video shows that she leaves amidst a rain of boos and tossed garbage. She was later captured on camera arguing with a security guard who was directing her to leave the building.
McHenry previously worked as an ESPN correspondent and a Fox Nation commentator before landing her current role with Trump’s State Department in September. According to the Daily Mail, the appointment marks the latest chapter in her turbulent media career that has seen McHenry frequently entangled in high-profile workplace scandals and legal battles. She spent three years as a Washington DC-based reporter for ESPN until she was fired in 2017 during a massive wave of company layoffs. While at ESPN, McHenry made headlines in 2015 when she was suspended after security footage caught her berating a towing company clerk, saying, “Maybe if I was missing some teeth, they would hire me, huh?” She later issued an apology, admitting that she “allowed my emotions to get the best of me.” Following her ESPN exit, McHenry shifted toward right-wing political commentary, making appearances on Fox News Media and Fox 5 DC. In 2019, she filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Fox News and co-host George “Tyrus” Murdoch, accusing him of sending sexually explicit text messages and claiming the network retaliated against her after she raised the issue. The lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed by both parties in 2021 after reaching a confidential settlement.