Britt McHenry, the former sports reporter, has been announced as a new press advisor for the State Department. In a post shared across social media, McHenry confirmed the news, writing, “I am a newly appointed press advisor for the State Department of the United States of America. Honored to serve our country’s highest diplomatic institution.
Blessed to work for some amazing people.” While on X she added, "It is true. I am honored to serve as a newly appointed press advisor to the State Department [and I am] proud to serve for and work alongside some truly incredible people." McHenry was previously a correspondent for ESPN and commentator on Fox Nation. Her appointment comes after the departure of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and as a replacement for that role is yet to be confirmed.
Newsweek has reached out to the State Department via an online contact form and to Britt McHenry via social media message for comment. McHenry is a television personality and reporter, having previously hosted a show on WTTG Fox 5. Born in New Jersey and raised in Florida, McHenry graduated from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism after attending Stetson University, where she played soccer.
In 2014, she joined ESPN as a Washington-based reporter, appearing on programs including SportsCenter, Outside the Lines, NFL Live and Baseball Tonight. In 2015, she was the subject of controversy after a viral video showed her berating a towing company employee. In the viral clip, McHenry is told by the employee that she is being filmed.
In the clip, McHenry makes multiple comments about the employee’s job and education, and says “That’s why I have a degree and you don’t,” “I wouldn’t work at a scumbag place like this,” “Makes my skin crawl even being in here,” and “Do you feel good about your job? So, I could be a college dropout and do that same thing?” “Maybe if I was missing some teeth, they would hire me, huh?” she says at one point. She also directly commented on the employee's appearance, and said "Lose some weight baby girl." She was suspended by ESPN for a one-week period, and later publicly apologized, writing on X, “In an intense and stressful moment, I allowed my emotions to get the best of me and said some insulting and regrettable things.” "I am so sorry for my actions and will learn from this mistake," she said.
The company, Advanced Towing Co., said in a statement at the time that neither they nor the employee wanted McHenry to lose her job. McHenry stayed at ESPN until 2017, when she left as part of company-wide layoffs. A year later she suggested the sports network had demoted her because of her race and because of her salary.
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