Trump Staffer Britt McHenry Allegedly Throws Drink at Fan During NBA Game

23 Oct 2026, 16:33 · The Fresno Bee

Britt McHenry - a member of President Donald Trump‘s administration and a former ESPN reporter - is facing controversy for allegedly throwing a drink at a fan while attending an NBA game.

Video footage obtained by TMZ seemingly shows McHenry, 40, and a male companion getting into an argument with a fan seated behind them at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, October 21, as the Washington Wizards played the Milwaukee Bucks.

In the clip, McHenry appeared to toss the contents of her cup at the man seated behind her before exiting her row. She left to audible boos from surrounding fans as items, including a rally towel, were thrown at her by others in the row.

McHenry seemed to be unbothered by the incident as she turned around to sarcastically blow kisses to the jeering fans multiple times before leaving the area.

TMZ's footage cuts to later in the evening when McHenry allegedly argued with a security guard in the lobby of the Capital One Arena.

"What did I do?" she incredulously asks the arena staff.

McHenry is seen taking out her phone to film her interaction with a Capital One Arena security staffer before finally exiting the venue.

A source close to Henry told TMZ the altercation initially erupted when McHenry allegedly heard the fan seated behind her disparaging Bucks power forward Kyle Kuzma‘s fiancée, Winnie Harlow. (Kuzma, 31, previously played for the Wizards before signing with the Bucks in 2025.)

McHenry's alleged incident in Washington, D.C., occurred just over one month after she officially joined the Trump administration as a press advisor for the State Department.

"Big news: 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 (thank you!!)," she announced via Instagram on September 9.

McHenry previously worked as an ESPN correspondent from 2014 to 2017 before joining Fox Nation as the cohost of Un-PC with George "Tyrus" Murdoch in 2018.

In April 2015, McHenry served a one-week suspension from ESPN after she was filmed getting into a verbal altercation with a parking attendant in Arlington, Virginia.

"In an intense and stressful moment, I allowed my emotions to get the best of me and said some insulting and regrettable things," she tweeted at the time. "As frustrated as I was, I should always choose to be respectful and take the high road. I am so sorry for my actions and will learn from this mistake."

McHenry was subsequently welcomed back to ESPN after making her public apology.

"She knows she made a mistake," ESPN producer Seth Markman told Sports Illustrated. "She's owned up to it. I think she is just really anxious to get back to work."

Us has reached out to both the State Department and Capital One Arena representatives for comment on the alleged incident at Wednesday's NBA game.

This story was originally published October 23, 2026 at 9:33 AM.